T

he Bali and Denpasar administrations will build a museum and monument dedicated to Puputan Badung, a historical battle in 1906 between the Badung people and the Dutch colonial forces.

“The monument will be the icon of Denpasar and serve as a memorial, museum and public library,” said Gde Kusuma Diputra, head of the city’s spatial agency, on Thursday.

The monument will be built in the north area of Puputan Badung field. The existing Puputan Badung statues will be relocated to the top of the planned monument and will serve as the landmark of the complex.

The bronze statues of a man, a woman and a boy in battle stances and carrying spears and krises, show that the historic battle involved Balinese men and women of all ages.

Diputra said the monument would be built with Denpasar’s characteristic architecture.

“We will also provide sufficient green space in the museum and keep the trees in the field.”

A 400-car basement parking lot will also be built.

The monument will also be equipped with information about the historical battle in digital format, which will be kept in the museum.

Located near the city’s heritage area — including Jl. Gajah Mada, Jl. Veteran and Jl. Thamrin — the monument is expected to support the area’s preservation and the city’s tour program. The construction project will start next year, and the agency is focusing on distributing information to the public.

Nyoman Gunarsa, head of the Bali Museum Association, said he supported the monument’s construction in Puputan Badung.

“It’s a good idea, and it will be very meaningful to making Balinese people more aware of the nation’s struggle in the past and how their predecessors fought for their freedom from the colonialists.”

However, he suggested that the museum should be built directly on the battle site, which was currently occupied by Jaya Sabha, the governor’s official residence. The building is located to the north of the planned site.

“The governor should let Jaya Sabha be the museum location.”

Gunarsa added that the monument was also expected to be a work of art and an attractive tourist destination.

I Ketut Ardhana, a historian from Udayana University, said the Puputan Badung battle was a historical moment that held valuable lessons for the current generation.

The heroes’ fighting spirits to defend their rights against the Dutch is a remarkable characteristic of Bali that should be hailed.