Indonesia, March 10 -- Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, here on Monday, urged for utilizing submerged shipwreck artifacts or underwater treasures in the Riau Islands Province as a cultural economic source and revenue for the state.

He stated that the waters of the Riau Islands are home to many valuable underwater sites that require careful consideration.

According to Zon, 60 percent of Indonesia's submerged shipwreck sites are in the Riau Islands, which are scattered across Natuna, Batam, and Bintan.

"Submerged shipwreck artifacts represent potential underwater cultural heritage that can be managed and utilized," Zon remarked during a visit to the Cultural Preservation Center (BPK) IV in Tanjungpinang City.

He reminded that any utilizat...