This is Bujang Valley. Malaysia's richest archaeological site and home to
South East Asia's oldest recorded man-made structure
This place is being destroyed!
These archaeological remains show that there was a Hindu-Buddhist polity here. The name itself is roughly translated into "Dragon Valley". The area consists of ruins that may date more than 2000 years old. More than fifty ancient tomb temples, called candi (pronounce "chandi"), have also been unearthed. The most impressive and well-preserved of these is located in Pengkalan Bujang, Merbok. The Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is also located here. In the area of Bujang Valley known as Sungai Batu, excavations have revealed jetty remains, iron smelting sites, and a clay brick monument dating back to 110AD, making it the oldest man-made structure to be recorded in Southeast Asia.
Research also indicates that there was a Hindu-Buddhist kingdom here possibly as early as 110 CE. The local rulers adopted Indian cultural and political models earlier than those of Kutai in eastern Borneo, in southern Celebes or Tarumanegara in western Java, where remains showing Indian influence have been found dating from the early 5th century. Relics found in the Bujang Valley are now on display at the archaeological museum. Items include inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools and ornaments, ceramics, pottery, and Hindu icons. (Source: WIKIPEDIA)
I spotted the news on Free Malaysia Today on Nov 29, 2013 that "Chandi 11" a site within the valley was destroyed by developers. This caused an uproar from NGOs and the online community. I was personally upset that such a thing could happen to some our oldest monuments and archeological sites.
It was then reported in the Malaysian Insider that, "The Kedah state government said it was helpless to stop a developer from harming ancient tomb temples at the historic temple site of Lembah Bujang because the area was privately owned."
The Kedah State government made a U-turn decision and "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."
It seems that the demolishing work has been going on for about a month before the first report!
What really hit me is the fact that, there is so little regard for historical and cultural heritage - especially demonstrated by the Kedah government. I think this reflects the truth of our country's leadership where history is given very little regard. The site was discovered and an active archeological site decades, no effort was do none to preserve it. Federal Tourism and Culture Minister, Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, had also failed or neglected to respond to the situation despite the fact that Lembah Bujang is Malaysia's richest archaeological site and home to South East Asia's oldest recorded man-made structure.
Let us not forget that we are who we are today because of the past. It is our heritage and we need to be proud of it. Understanding the context and histories, can help unite our people. This callous action by those involved in the demolition work shows a deep ignorance of our past, arrogance of the present and worst of all - allowing profit to over-rule our culture and heritage.
Selling and profiteering over history shows that our value system (at least where our current leadership here is concerned) is lost! When we lose our sense of values, we will begin to lose touch with humanity and it will lead to further destruction. This is when everything will have a price and the the highest price wins! This has to stop!
The battle to save Lembah Bujang is way beyond political, racial and even religious boundaries. I am really encouraged that people from all walks of Malaysian society has come together to save Lembah Bujang.
The battle to save and protect our value system. Our sense of doing what's right represent our humanity, it is what makes us human.
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| Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, an ancient temple similar to the destroyed site, in Bujang Valley, Kedah, Malaysia. Photo via Flickr user _alladdin_ [Creative Commons] |
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| My first visit to Lembah Bujang in 1998. After a retreat in Wat Bukit Perak |
Some interesting links
- http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=26259
- http://corporate.tourism.gov.my/mediacentre.asp?page=feature_malaysia&pagemode=search&news_id=2&subpage=archive
- http://www.tourism.gov.my/en/my/Web-Page/Places/States-of-Malaysia/Kedah/Bujang-Valley-Archaeological-Museum-Bukit-Batu-Pahat?page=/3
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