Kedah issues stop-work order on relic site

The Kedah state government has ordered the housing developer involved in the demolition of several 8th century heritage site temple remnants known as Candi Sungai Batu or Bujang Valley site 11, to stop development at the site immediately.

Menteri Besar Mukhriz Mahathir said the developer was asked to stop work immediately after a request made by Kedah exco member Tajul Urus Md Zain today.

"I cannot comment further because I need the full report of what happened there. I will have a meeting to find out what actually happened because there seem to be two versions of what happened in Sungai Batu and I want to get the actual picture myself," he said.

The Bujang Valley is an archeological site and excavation had revealed jetty remains, iron-smelting areas and a clay-brick monument dating back 110AD, making it the oldest man-made structure to be recorded in South-east Asia, said a report.

It is said to be the most important entry port before Melaka (15th century) and Singapore (19th century) as the Bujang Valley was believed to be a transit point for Arab nations, India and China.

Mukhriz who officially opened the 'New Seasons Ward' at the Kedah Medical Centre (KMC) in Alor Setar today was asked to comment on the outrage of netizens after a tomb temple was destroyed by a developer.

Meanwhile, Mukhriz said the state government which owns 46 percent share of KMC had spent RM3 million to upgrade the New Seasons Ward at the 7th floor of the hospital with 28 beds, including a VVIP room.

He added that such investment was necessary to cater for the growing demand for quality service and privacy.