Describing the destruction of an ancient Hindu temple in Kedah as nothing short of “cultural barbarism”, an opposition MP has called on Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir to break their silence on the matter.

NONEPadang Serai MP N Surendran (left) said the nation is stunned by the destruction of the ancient temple structure dating from the 8th century in the historic Bujang Valley archaelogical site.

“The destruction, carried out by a private developer, is an act of cultural barbarism, comparable to the destruction of the Bamiyan Buddhas by the Taliban.

“It is a shame and embarrassment to our country,” added the PKR vice-president.

Bujang Valley, said Surendran, is the most important archaeological site in Malaysia, and is famed throughout Southeast Asia.

The destroyed Candi Number 11, he added, was a tangible part of Malaysian history and invaluable to the nation.

“It is simply incomprehensible that the area was not gazetted as a historical site. How could the federal government and Kedah government allow this to happen?” he asked.

'What's the use of Culture and Tourism Ministry?'
Surendran also took the state government to task for its excuse that the land was privately owned, calling this “pathetic and unacceptable”.

“Why did the Kedah state authorities give the necessary approvals for development to proceed, knowing full well that the area is historically significant?

“The Kedah government and authorities have displayed breathtaking irresponsibility and cultural philistinism in allowing the development to proceed,” he added.

The federal government, he said, also has a positive duty to ensure that historically significant sites are preserved.

bujang valley 011213“What is the use of having a Ministry of Culture and Tourism if the nation's heritage is so easily destroyed for private profit? How do we answer for this cultural vandalism to future generations of Malaysians?” he added.

The PKR leader called on the Kedah government and the federal government to take urgent and effective steps to protect the Lembah Bujang archaeological site.

“We demand that the state government immediately issues a stop work order for the development projects at the site.

“We further call  for the urgent preservation of the debris and wreckage of Candi No 11 with a view towards repair and full restoration.

“Meanwhile both Najib and Mukhriz must break their silence on this matter. The people are entitled to an explanation,” he added.