SG PETANI – Kedah should seek the cooperation of heritage and tourism authorities to protect the two districts here which may be home to the oldest historical sites in the region after ruins of the largest Buddhist temple in Bukit Choras, Yan were discovered recently.
Former Kedah chapter chairman of the Malaysian Nature Society Eric R. Sinnaya said the ruins are reported to be as old as 1,200 years.
This represents an exciting chapter in Kedah, as the state can boast of the oldest civilisation findings in the region and if conserved and marketed well, the stretch between Yan - Kuala Muda (Sg Petani) may yet become the greatest historical site regionally, he said.
Hence, the state government under Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor should seek to collaborate with the relevant authorities to conserve the area, Sinnaya said, adding that the state should focus on preserving history.
At the same time, the site can become a focal point for historically driven tourism, he said.
“Forget about Melaka or Penang, who are certified Unesco World Heritage Sites. I think Yan and Kedah Tua in Kuala Muda is where history began not only for us but for the region.”
The findings here illustrated that Kedah boasts of great archaeological findings which could be certified as older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia or Borobudur in Java, Indonesia, he said when contacted.
Sinnaya, a former Malaysian Association of Travel and Tour Agents activist, said that historians should converge in Kedah to determine the authenticity of the artefacts and ruins.
It was reported recently that the National Heritage Department and Universiti Sains Malaysia’s Global Archaeology Research Centre (GARC) had uncovered the largest Buddhist temple structure in Bukit Choras, dating back 1,200 years.
The team led by GARC chief researcher Nasha Rodziadi Khaw also discovered two well-preserved statues made of stucco (a type of plaster), with architectures identical to ancient Srivijaya Kingdom artefacts discovered in Sumatra and West Java.
It was reported that the unique feature about this discovery is that most of the artefacts are still intact, the temple still retaining its full structure.
Sinnaya is now convinced that there are many sites in Bujang Valley, which need exploration and excavation to unearth the rich history of the state renowned as the “rice bowl of the nation” due its fertile land for growing paddy.
With such a discovery, Sinnaya urged the authorities to allow the heritage department and GARC archaeologists to probe the true historical potential of the area.
“This includes protecting the area from any development and to conserve as well as preserve the area measuring a stretch of some 30km. Residents should also be encouraged to participate in the conservation effort,” said Sinnaya. – The Vibes, September 23, 2023
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