Jakarta, Nov. 15 -- Indonesia is set to receive a new wave of repatriated cultural artifacts from the United States, including the historic Surocolo statue currently held by The Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met).

Officials are calling it a turning point in international cultural restitution.

Culture Minister Fadli Zon announced Saturday that the repatriation marks a new chapter in Indonesia's efforts to recover heritage objects taken abroad, with The Met proactively initiating the return of the bronze Surocolo statue after identifying it as a missing Indonesian artifact.

"This sets a precedent," Fadli said. "We hope other major institutions will follow suit in returning objects that may have been acquired through questionable means....