Gamelan Stolen at Cultural Campus, a Dire Warning for the Security of Indonesian Heritage
The theft of a gamelan instrument at Gadjah Mada University has once again raised public awareness about the fragility of cultural heritage protection in educational institutions. To date, the perpetrators of the theft of a demung gamelan instrument from the Faculty of Cultural Sciences (FIB) at UGM have not been identified, despite CCTV footage capturing their actions. This incident was no ordinary crime. The loss was not only material objects worth around Rp 10–12.5 million, but also a vital part of Javanese cultural identity that lives on in academic spaces. The case came to light after security officers reported the disappearance of seven demung instruments with a slendro scale from the gamelan room in the Margono Building on the fourth floor of the FIB at UGM. According to the Head of Public Relations for the Sleman Police, First Inspector Argo Anggoro, the theft occurred on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at approximately 2:52 PM WIB. The perpetrators were ...
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