The Jakarta Library and Archives Agency (Dispusip) in collaboration with the Indonesia National Library through the Library Information Services and Management Center for Archival Manuscripts of the Archipelago (Pujasintara) held an event titled 'Exploring the Potential of Ancient Archipelago Manuscripts as National Collective Memory (IKON) in Jakarta' at the PDS HB Jassin Auditorium, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (5/14).

This forum was attended by IKON Expert Council and Culture Minister Special Staff, Ismunandar; IKON Committee Secretary, Aditia Gunawan; Academic and Philologist for UI, Mamlahaton Buduroh; and Philologist and Academic for UI, Rias Antho Rahmi Suhardjo.

One of the main manuscripts focused on in this activity is Pecenongan Manuscript: Tale of Sultan Taburat, a manuscript written in Malay Arabic script that originates from the historical region of Jakarta.

The Jakarta Dispusip collaborated with leading philologists in publishing the results of transliteration and translation in a book titled 'The Turmoil of War in the Land of Takzir'. Those philologists were namely Rias Antho Rahmi Suhardjo, Munawar Holil, and Aditia Gunawan.

Jakarta Dispusip Head, Nasruddin Djoko Surjono said the preservation of ancient manuscripts is a mandate of the law and an important part of the nation's civilizational record, as well as a component of the sustainable development strategy towards Jakarta as a Global City.

"Historical record and cultural heritage that exist are very important to preserve, thus Jakarta's identity remains strong, even though it has become a global city," he explained.

He explained this is part of a strategic step leading up to Jakarta's 500th anniversary in 2027, and has become a priority program in the Regional Development Plan (RPD) and the Strategic Plan of Regional Devices (Renstra PD) for 2023-2026, emphasizing the enhancement of the city's competitiveness through innovation and culture-based collaboration.

He explained the preservation and registration of ancient manuscripts are concrete steps to support the rescue of the nation's cultural treasures in accordance with the mandate of Law No. 43/2007 on Libraries and Jakarta Bylaw No. 2/2017.

"We propose that the Pecenongan Manuscript is designated as a National Collective Identity or ICON 2025, and gradually submitted as part of UNESCO's Memory of the World," he explained.

He invited all elements of society, script activists, academics, students, and the government to work together to preserve and develop this literary heritage.

"Besides being a megacity, let us build Jakarta as a city that values, preserves, and passes on ancestral knowledge," he asserted.

As information, this activity was officially opened by Nasruddin Djoko Surjono along with Ofy Sofiana, Acting Deputy for Library Materials Development and Information Services of Perpusnas. This forum is moderated by Fathurrochman Karyadi, Chairman of Nusantara Manuscript Heritage Foundation.