Kedah to get 'experts' to probe ruins before acting

Amid the outcry over alleged destruction of ancient ruins in Kedah's Bujang Valley, the state said it will act only after engaging experts to probe the claims.

The state's arts, culture and heritage committee chairperson Aminuddin Omar told Malaysiakini that they are bringing in experts from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to investigate the priceless archeological site.

Aminuddin said the state government was aware of the situation but needed experts to investigate the site before any action could be taken.

"Both Tanjong Dawai assemblyperson Tajul Urus Mat Zain and USM academic staff will meet up to identify the exact area involved and its focal point," he said when contacted yesterday.

Aminuddin said that Bujang Valley comprises a huge land area which could not be completely gazetted as a heritage area.

He was responding to questions on the destruction of the remnants of a 8th century Hindu temple in Bujang Valley, known as Candi Sungai Batu.

Some groups are appealing to the state government to recognise the historical significance of the site as it is a sign of early civilization in what is now known as Merbok, Kedah.

In an oil palm estate

Meanwhile, Tajul Urus told Malaysiakini that the location of the demolished heritage site was situated on private land.

"We will identify if any candi was demolished (as reported). I drove by the said area, and I only saw an oil palm plantation.

"We will get the archaeologist to look into this," Tajul Urus said, while sounding a bit sceptical.

Tajul Urus said he will try his best to have the site preserved if the veracity of the claims were confirmed, adding that there are numerous ancient temple ruins throughout the Bujang, Merbok and Semeling districts.
Proposed funding from federal gov’t or Unesco

Meanwhile, The Star reports that Kedah exco member for Religion, Indian and Siamese Community Affairs Mohd Rawi Abdul Hamid had said that the housing developer could have deliberately failed to inform Sungai Petani Municipal Council about the presence of the candi structure within its development plan.

In expressing disappointment over news reports that the Candi Sungai Batu had been demolished, he said the developer could have neglected to inform the officers over the candi’s location and the officers themselves could have overlooked its significance.

Mohd Rawi said it may need huge amounts of fund as Lembah Bujang covers a vast area containing about 50 candis.

“The state government wanted to protect such heritage monuments and I will propose to the Kedah exco that a special allocation be provided by the federal government or through the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) so steps can  be taken to purchase back the land with the heritage sites.

“If we want to block everything, we need to buy it (the land) back,” said the Kedah exco member.