ARSIP AS CULTURAL HERITAGE AND NATIONAL IDENTITY

ByDJOKO UTOMO

Advisory Board, Indonesian Arsiparis AssociationFormer National Archivist of Indonesia

I. INTRODUCTION

The paper entitled “ARSIP AS CULTURAL HERITAGE AND NATIONAL IDENTITY” is actually relating to and focusing on Indonesia. Arsip is an Indonesian term for records and archives (USA), archief (the Netherlands), archives (France), and records (UK). In this paper I use the term arsip more than records and archives because arsip means records and archives. In addition, arsip as cultural heritage, arsip means archives, and arsip as national identity, arsip means records. There is no doubt that the term arsip derived from the Dutch archief, likewise arsip dinamis from archief dinamisch, and arsip statis from archief statisch. Arsip means arsip dinamis {(current (active) and semi current (inactive) records) and/or arsip statis (archives)}.

The terms arsip, arsip dinamis, and arsip statis have been used officially and widely after the issuance of the Act Number 7 of 1971 on Ketentuan-Ketentuan Pokok Kearsipan (Archival Basic Provisions). Actually, these terms have been recognized since 1961 (Indonesian Government Regulation Number 19 of 1961). It should be informed that there are some terms, such as arsip, arsiparis, agendaris have already been used long before the issuance of the act. These terms have already been used since the colonial era. It also should be noted that the Dutch Government on 28 January 1892 established Landsarchief in Batavia (now Jakarta). (Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia (ANRI)(National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia) has inherited 10 linier kilometer of archives from the Landsarchief, i.e. 2,500 m1 ( linier meters) of the VOC archives and 7,500 m1 (linier meters) of the Netherlands Indies archives). These archives are cultural heritage, are mutual cultural heritage. Moreover, VOC archives as common heritage and had been recognized by UNESCO as world heritage (registered on the Memory of the World Register. VOC archives kept at the ANRI registered on 14 September 2004)

Record is recorded information (document) regardless of form medium created, received, and maintained by an agency, institution, or organization or individual in pursuance of its legal obligations or in the transaction of business, and archives are non current records preserved, with or without selection, by those responsible for their creation or by their successor in function for their own use or by an appropriate archive because of their archival value. (Walne (ed), 1988). According to the Indonesian Act Number 43 of 2009 on Kearsipan (Archival) , arsip is ” recorded activity or event, regardless of form or medium in accordance with the development of information, communication, and technology, made and received by state agency,

regional government, education agency, company, political organization, social organization, and individual in the conduct of their activity in society, nation, and state.”The definitions mentioned above are important but more important if arsip be seen as broader and deeper meaning rather than just literal meaning. Why? Because arsip is unique, authentic, reliable, and legal. Arsip has a structure, content, and context. According to the founding fathers of archives (Muller, Feith, and Fruin (1920) in their book entitled “Handleiding voor het Ordenen en Beschrijven van Archieven” (a bible of modern archivist) that “een archief is een organisch geheel” (an archive is an organic whole). This is very important and should not be forgotten. Horsman et all (2003) explain that archief is not so much an arbitrary collection , but a whole that has arisen organically, originally even “living organism”, which grows and changes with the organization that creates it. It should be noted Ridener (2009) agrees that the emphasis of the archive is the “organic”.

Because this paper relating to Indonesia, it would be better and useful to mention the vision and the mission of the Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia (ANRI), as follows:Vision: Arsip as a unifying force for the unity of the nationMission: 1) Empowering arsip as a backbone and lifeblood of the management; 2) Empowering arsip as evidence of the performance accountability of the apparatus; 3) Empowering arsip as legal evidence at the court; 4) Preserving arsip as collective memory, identity of the nation, and National heritage as well as cultural heritage; 5) Making arsip accessible and available for public inspection based on Legislation and archival principles.

The awareness of apparatus and the people getting better and better, especially after the issuance of the Archival Act No. 7 of 1971. The climax was when the President of the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono visited Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia on 31 August 2009 in order to officiate ‘the Diorama History of the Nation” and to launch a program “Arsip Masuk Desa” (Arsip Entering the Village). Almost all ministers and governors attended the occasion. Moreover, after the issuance of the New Archival Act No. 43 of 2009 (Undang-Undang Nomor 43 Tahun 2009 tentang Kearsipan) on 23 October 2009.

Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia (ANRI) is a Government Institution Non-Ministerial, responsible to the President. The task and function of ANRI is very heavy. It is not only concerns with arsip statis (archives) & managing arsip statis (archives management) (appraisal & acquisition, arrangement & description, preservation or conservation, and information services) but also concerns with arsip dinamis (records management) (creation, use & maintenance, and disposition). ANRI gives guidance and advises to all government institutions, both central and local governments on records management. All central governments institutions and companies (both state own and private) should transfer their arsip having archival value (arsip statis = archives) as soon as no longer use for administratiion to ANRI.

For example, arsip of the General Election of 2004 had been transferred to ANRI in 2005 (Actually, these arsip can be transferred to ANRI between 2005 to 2009, i.e. during the period of the presidency or the cabinet as a result of the general election)

Arsip is primary sources of history and it is very important for writing history. Writing Indonesian history during colonial period should use arsip kept at the Arsip Nasional Redpublik Indonesia. In this context, Blusse (2004) said that “ … almost impossible doing research about social change without mastering material sources kept at former “Landsarchief” or now Arsip Nasional Jakarta. Only in Jakarta the right sources are available.” Another researcher wrote that “ No body can write Indonesian history during the Dutch colonial era without the help of Dutch archivist, such as J.A. van der Chijs and Dutch historian such as F. de Haan” (Taylor, 2009). “Knowledge of Dutch source materials is essential and … the Dutch sources for Indonesian history must be viewed” (Irwin, 2007).

It should be noted that Dutch sources here mean archives or arsip (Indsnesian) or archief (Dutch), whether they are kept in the Netherlands, in Indonesia or other countries. Arsip are extremely vital for the good conduct of national life and the proper execution of government. Arsip as a cultural heritage that must be well administered and throughout all generation. Arsip as a collective memory which reflect nation identity and dignity. Arsip form important aspect to support civilization advancement. This is parallel with the statement of Sir Arthur Doughty, 1924 as follows: “Of all national assets archives are the most precious. They are the gift of one generation to another, and the extent of our care of them marks the extent of our civilization,” and Mykland (1992) “A world without archives would be a world with no memory, no culture, no legal rights, no understanding of the roots of history and science, no collective identity

In 2001 Albada, Secretary General of ICA stated such important statement as follow:“Archives is skeleton of memory of humanity. It is containing not only the factual information but also the concept in which other element of live, for example occupation and religion, war and discovery, painting and sculpture, can replace and we are understood.” The term “Indonesia” was first used in 1850 by the British anthropologist J.R. Logan. For Logan, “Indonesia” did not designate a political unit but a cultural unit or a cultural entity. After the declaration of independence, Indonesia became a political body. According to Cribb and Ford (2009) Indonesia, an archipelago country consisting of 18,108 islands strung over 5,200 kilometers, is situated astride the equator between Australia and mainland Asia. With a population more than 237 million people, Indonesia is the world’s four most populous country after China, India, and The United States of America. Culturally, it is also one of the complex countries in the world, with more than a thousand ethnic and sub-ethnic groups, speaking hundreds of languages and dialects, six religion (Islam, Christian, Catholic, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Confucius), and about 400 indigenous belief system,

usually refer to as Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa (Belief in the God Almighty).

Since the declaration of independence of Indonesia, 17 August 1945, the Republic of Indonesia became a reality. The delimitation of the territory of Indonesia as the continuation of the Netherlands-Indies (Nederlands-Indie), especially after 1910 when the whole of the East-Indies became Dutch colony. The East-Indies remain a Dutch colony until the declaration of independence in 1945, even if effective control ended in 1942 with the Japanese occupation and the official transfer was only finalized on 27 December 1949 , or even as late as 1962 with the cession of West Irian or Netherlands New Guinea (now Papua and West Papua). The Netherlands-Indies was formed in 1816 after the Peace of Vienna in 1815 and the British Interregnum ended in 1815. Thus, the period of the Netherlands-Indies was from 1816 to 1942 (1949).

II. ARSIP AS CULTURAL HERITAGE

“Archives are an essential part of the cultural heritage of the global community. They contribute to establishing and maintaining the diversity of the world’s culture.”The statement mentioned above was the statement of Axel Plathe, officials of the UNESCO in 1999. It seems that the statement is based on UNESCO’s concept of archival developments, i.e.: 1) archives are important factors in the strengthening and preserving of national heritage of each country and thus of its cultural identity, and 2) archives are important tools for efficient government, and government are accountable to the citizens.

Cultural heritage is legacy of physical artifacts and intangible attributes of a group or society that inherited from past generations, maintained in the present and bestowed for the benefit of future generations. Physical or tangible cultural heritage includes buildings and historic places, monuments, artifacts, (includes archives), etc, that are considered worthy of preservation for the future (Wikipedia).

Almost all countries of the world currently interacting with great intensity, striving to influence and in many instances to dominate each other. Superior countries emerge because they possess a strong and high work ethos and spirit, which have grown into their very culture. The people of such countries possess what is known as corporate culture.

It this paper allow me to inform about the VOC archives. It has been mentioned above, the VOC archives are included in the UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register. VOC archives kept at the ANRI registered on 14 September 2004). The certificate for ANRI below:

VOC archives kept at the Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia (ANRI) (National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia) Jakarta is the biggest or largest (about 2,500 m1)) archives amongst VOC archives kept in the Hague (the Netherlands) (about 1,300 m1), Cape Town (South Africa)(about 600 m1), Colombo (Sri Lanka) (400 m1), and Chennai (India)(60 m1). The VOC was created in 1602 of a fusion of six small companies. The government of the Dutch Republic granted the VOC to conduct trade, erect fortification, keep a standing army, and conclude treaties in the Area between Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to Decima in Japan. Batavia (now Jakarta) was the headquarter of the VOC in Asia. Through the trade in pepper and cinnamon, and later on, in product such as silk, tea and porcelain, the VOC gave the Netherlands a period of unprecedented economic and cultural prosperity (Gaastra, 2003). In 1798 the VOC was liquidated. As a result, according to Balk et al (2007), twenty-five million pages (or equal with 4,800 m1) of VOC records survived in Jakarta, The Hague, Cape Town, Colombo, Chennai, and London. There are about 2,500 linier meters of the Dutch East India Company (Verenigde Oost-Indische Compagnie= VOC) and about 7,500 linier meters of Netherlands-Indies arsip now kept at the Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia (ANRI) (National Archives of the Republic of Indonesia). According to Vienna Convention on Succession of States in respect of State property, Archives and Debts, these arsip ( arsip of the VOC and the Netherlands Indies government) belong to Indonesia, likewise the property (including territory and debts).

It has been mentioned above that the VOC and the Netherlands Indies government arsip are kept at ANRI, Jakarta. Before the declaration of Indonesian independence

those arsip were maintained by and kept at the Landsarchief in Batavia (now Jakarta).

It should be noted that the Landsarchief’s building is cultural heritage and therefore arsip (archives) about the building are also cultural heritage. There is no doubt that those arsip are cultural heritage and legacies left by the Dutch colonialism. For the Dutch, these arsip are Dutch colonial heritage overseas and as a common cultural heritage (Oostindie, 2008). The policy of common cultural heritage also as a method to strengthen bilateral relations with former colonies. The objective of the policy is to preserve common cultural heritage and to utilize it as an instrument for sharing expertise, building capacity of the cultural field in the partner country , creating public awareness and increasing knowledge of the heritage. The idea of the policy was apparently emerged in the year 2000, two year before 400th anniversary celebrations of the Verenigde Oost Indische Compagnie (the Dutch India Company) when TANAP (Toward a New Age of Partnership) was launched. Two year later, in the year 2004 a similar project, i.e. AWAD (The Atlantic World and the Dutch) was launched. It seems to me that the TANAP and the AWAD projects as embryo project of the Mutual Cultural Heritage.

It should be mentioned here that on June 22-23, 2009 that Nationaal Archief of the Netherlands conducted conference on Mutual Cultural Heritage Archives in The Hague. The conference with a theme “Connecting Archives” was attended by 43 participants from 8 (eight) countries, i.e.: Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, the Netherlands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Suriname. As follow up of the conference,

meeting on Mutual Cultural Heritage were conducted in Malta (November 2009) and Suriname (April 2010).

III. ARSIP AS NATIONAL IDENTITY National identity is a specific trait or characteristic of a nation that make it different from other nations. National identity reflects the character of the people of the nation or country. National identity is very important for the nation. One of the important national identity is arsip. Arsip as national identity is necessarily to be discussed in public forums considering that the rushing waves of globalization, sweeping into all aspect of live, have made the world into the global village. Almost all countries and nations of the world currently interacting with great intensity, striving to influence and in many instances to dominate each other. Superior countries emerge because they possess a strong and high work ethos and spirit, which have grown into their very culture. The people of such countries possess what is known as corporate culture which is implemented into the vision and mission.The vision and the mission number 4 of the Arsip Nasional Republik Indonesia are very relevant to this topic “Arsip as National Identity”. The Vision : arsip as unifying forces for the unity of the nation. The mission no. 4 : Preserving arsip as collective memory and identity of the nation and national heritage as well as cultural heritage. How important of the arsip for the nation can be seen from the statement of the Minister/State Secretary of the Republic of Indonesia, Mr. Moerdiono (1996) as follows:“A nation without arsip would get an amnesia collective syndrome and will be trapped in the present which full of uncertainty. Therefore it is not mistaken if it is said that the archival condition of the nation can be seen as indicator of the spirit of nationalism”.

It has been mentioned before that the term Indonesia was first used by Logan, British Cartographer in 1850. However, it designated for a cultural unit and not a political unit. There is no doubt that Indonesia as a political entity starting on October 28, 1928 when a group of young Indonesian conducting congress in Jakarta. The result of the congress has become known “Sumpah Pemuda” (Youth Pledge). They declared : 1) One country, the country of Indonesia; 2) one nation, the nation of Indonesia; 3) recognize as language of unity, the Indonesian language. The Youth Pledge is a unifying force for the unity of the nation. The Youth pledge is also an arsip (arsip statis or archief statisch (Dutch) = here means archives) and an identity of the nation of Indonesia.

On 17 August 1945, Soekarno and Hatta, in the name of the nation of Indonesia declared Indonesian Independence. The copy of the Declaration of Indonesian Independence bellow:

Proclamation

“We are the people of Indonesia hereby declare our independence. Matters concerning the transfer of power, etc., will be attended to in orderly fashion and speedily as possible. Djakarta, 17 August ’05. In the name of the people of Indonesia, Soekarno/Hatta.

The text of the declaration of independence of Indonesia is also an arsip (arsip statis =archives) as an unifying force for the unity of Indonesia and also as a cultural heritage and national identity.

On 18 August 1945, the draft of the Indonesian constitution was enacted into constitution. Then constitution consists of a preamble and a principle part. The preamble contains Pancasila, the state ideology of Indonesia that is based on 5 (five) principles, i.e.: 1) Belief in God; 2) Humanitarianism, 3) National Unity, 4) Democracy, and 5) Social Justice. The Pancasila is a unifying force for the unity of the nation. The Pancasila is also cultural heritage and national identity.

Identity of the nation is very important. There are at least 3 (three) identities, i.e.

: 1) The state coat of arms, 2) the national flag, and 3) the national anthem.

The state coat of arms and national flag of 8 (eight) countries which attended Conference on “Mutual Cultural Heritage” organized and conducted by Nationaal Archief of the Netherlands in The Hague in 2009, i.e.: Brazil, Ghana, India, Indonesia, The Netherlands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Suriname, as follow:

Indonesia has 5 (five) national identities, i.e.: 1) The state coat of arms, Garuda Pancasila, 2) the state flag, Sang Saka Merah Putih, 3) the national anthem, Indonesia Raya, 4) the state language, Bahasa Indonesia, and 5) the state map, the Map of NKRI (Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia=Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia)

1. The State Coat of Arms, Garuda Pancasila with the motto of “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika”.

Bhinneka Tunggal Ika means “Unity in Diversity”. The Unity express in Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (NKRI) (The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia); The Diversity express in the pluralistic nature of Indonesian society: there about 1,072 ethnic groups and sub groups; there are about 665 languages; there are six religions (Islam, Catholic, Protestant, Buddhism, Hinduism, and Confucius) and there are about 400 indigenous belief system, usually refer to as Kepercayaan kepada Tuhan Yang Maha Esa (Belief in the God Almighty) (Tan, 2004). Bhinneka Tunggal Ika also means “tolerance”, “tolerance in diversity” including cultural tolerance, religious tolerance, etc.

The State Coat of Arms of Indonesia, GARUDA PANCASILA

The State Coat of Arms, Garuda Pancasila with the motto “Bhineka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity) is stated in the Indonesian Constitution of 1945 article 36 A and the Indonesian Act No. 24 of 2009 articles 46-57. It should be noted that the original copy of the Constitution and Indonesian Act are arsip.

2). The National Flag, Sang Saka Merah Putih;

The National Flag of Indonesia, SANG SAKA MERAH PUTIH

The National flag of Indonesia, Sang Saka Merah Putih is stated in the Indonesian Constitution of 1945 article 35 and the Indonesian Act No. 24 of 2009 articles 4 - 12. It should be noted that the original copy of the Constitution and Indonesian Act are arsip.

3). National Anthem of Indonesia, Indonesia Raya.

The National anthem of Indonesia, Indonesia Raya is stated in the Indonesian Constitution of 1945 article 36B and the Indonesian Act No. 24 of 2009 articles 58 - 64. It should be noted that the original copy of the Constitution and Indonesian Act are arsip.

4). The state language of Indonesia is Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian Language) The stage language of Indonesia, Bahasa Indonesia is stated in the Indonesian Constitution of 1945 article 36 and the Indonesian Act No. 24 of 2009 articles 25 - 45. It should be noted that the original copy of the Constitution and Indonesian Act are arsip. Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language) can be traced back on 28 October 1928 when Indonesian Youth declared : One Country, the Country of Indonesia; One Nation, the Nation of Indonesia; and recognized as language of unity, Bahasa Indonesia (Indonesian language).

5). The State Map of Indonesia, The Map of Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (The Map of Unitary State of Indonesia).

The state map of Indonesia, Peta Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia (Map of the Unitary State of Indonesia) is stated in the Indonesian Constitution of 1945 article 25A. It should be noted that the original copy of the Constitution is arsip.

The territory of Indonesia, from Sabang (the west) to Merauke (the east) and from Pulau (island) Miangas (the north) to Pulau (island) Rote was the territory of the Netherlands India Government. (Vienna Convention 1983 on the Succession of State, in respect of State Property, Archives, Debt). It should be noted, according to this convention, Indonesia has no right to East Timor because East Timor was not territory of the Netherlands-Indie Government but it was territory of Portugal.

IV. CONCLUSION

From the texts discuss above, It can be concluded that arsip is very important to the nation. Arsip is collective memory which reflect the nation culture and identity. Arsip

as cultural heritage and national identity must be well administered throughout all generation. Arsip form an important aspect to support civilization advancement. As public property they may no more be altered. They should be ensure that adequate, authentic, and reliable – so arsip would endure over time with the context and structure that give it meaning.

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