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move by the Gowa regency administration to take over the heirlooms of the local monarchy has caused unrest in the region, which was a kingdom during the heyday of spice trade.

Gowa Regent Adnan Purichta Ichsan Yasin Limpo recently issued a regulation that stipulates the establishment of the Gowa Customary Institution (LAD) and the appointment of the regent as its chairperson. It also grants the LAD head the authority to control the royal family’s heritage, including precious objects such as a salokoa (gold crown inlaid with precious stones), rings, pins and a number of kris.

A member of the Limpo family, a local political dynasty in Sulawesi led by South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo, Adnan was inaugurated as the institution’s head last month, prompting a series of protests that culminated in the setting alight of the Gowa Legislative Council building, reportedly by supporters of the royal family.

The supporters were protesting the administration’s attempt to take over various heirlooms kept at the Tamalate Museum, which was once a royal palace, after Adnan’s inauguration.

Adnan also reportedly took over the lead of a traditional ritual called Accera Kalompang.

An investigative team dispatched by the South Sulawesi Police has identified five suspects in the burning of the council building. Adnan has denied the accusation that he was attempting to take over royal privileges and be the sultan of Gowa.

“I have never tried to be the ruler. I am the LAD head because I am the regent. The bylaw was issued to preserve the heritage of the Gowa kingdom, which belongs to the region. This also includes traditions and the culture of Gowa,” he said.

One of the largest sultanates in Sulawesi before the 20th century, the last Gowa ruler, Andi Idjo Daeng Mattawang Karaeng Lalolang Sultan Muhammad Kadir Aidir, declared that his kingdom was part of Indonesia in 1960.

Relations between the royal family and the local administration were cordial up until the son of the sultan, Andi Maddusila Andi Idjo, started contesting regental elections in 2005 and was constantly defeated by the Limpo Family.

Syahrul was Gowa regent before the 2005 election and later his younger brother, Ichsan, ran in the election and beat Maddusila.

In December, Ichsan’s son, Adnan, also beat Maddusila, who later proclaimed himself the ruler of Gowa.

Maddusila said he would have not rejected or demanded the bylaw be repealed if it had stipulated that a member of the royal family was to be appointed the LAD head, so that the heritage and traditions were still overseen by the royal family.

“We’ve been preserving and maintaining the heirlooms all this time. Since the bylaw was issued, everything has been taken over,” he said.

Maddusila also reported Adnan to the police for what he claimed was the unlawful seizure of heirlooms.

The bylaw stipulates that the head of the LAD plays the role of and undertakes the functions of the sombaya (ruler) of Gowa.

Within a day of his inauguration, Adnan reportedly ordered the seizure of various heirlooms that were under the protection of Maddusila.

The open hostility begun during the marking of Idul Adha (Islamic Day of Sacrifice) on Sept. 12. Adnan took over the organizing of the Accera Kalompang, a ceremony involving the washing of heirlooms, which was traditionally conducted by the Gowa royal family.

Adnan claimed that since he had been inaugurated as the head of the LAD, the preservation of tradition and heirlooms had become his responsibility.

The South Sulawesi Police have declared they will not take sides in the matter.

The police said they had taken control of Balla Lompoa, the royal family’s residence that was once a palace, to prevent the conflict deepening.

“We conveyed to both parties that we would maintain the status quo in Balla Lompoa and they agreed,” said South Sulawesi Police chief Insp. Gen. Anton Charliyan.