Hindraf: Steering panel can prevent Bujang Valley repeat

A repeat of the Bujang Valley debacle, in which the remains of an 8th century temple were demolished, can be prevented with the setting up of a committee tasked to protect such sites, says Persatuan Hindraf Malaysia (PHM).

PHM chairperson P Waythamoorthy said today a heritage steering committee should comprise personnel from the National Heritage Department, state and federal governments, as well as independent experts.

“The National Heritage Department, which has all the necessary authority vested onto to it by the Heritage Act 2005, should work in tandem with the federal government and the state government to swiftly delineate the boundaries, acquire such sites, gazette them and take all appropriate actions to avoid such a mishap as had occurred recently in relation to Candi 11.

“The heritage steering committee should cover all aspects of a heritage management plan, implement and make the relevant recommendations, including introduction of appropriate protection measures in planning policies in response to potential threats like changes of land use, housing development and other activities,” Waythamoorthy said in a statement today.

He said he was puzzled as to why no effort was poured into preserving Bujang Valley despite ready funds from United Nations and the National Heritage Department.

"As it stands now, it appears only 17 tomb temples (Candi) have been registered when there are more than 127 sites and 90 other candis identified," Waythamoorthy said.

He noted that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), which draws up a list of World Heritage Sites, had already earmarked Bujang Valley in an 1987 study.

The Unesco report, Waythamoorthy said, had recommended that the government creates a National Historical Park in Bujang Valley, sprawling over 400sq-km, which could be a tourist draw.

"The Bujang Valley is internationally recognised as the oldest and richest archaeological area in Malaysia and therefore, in the interest of the nation, we urge the National Heritage Department to immediately initiate the necessary action plans to revisit the Unesco report that was done in 1987 and to carry out the steps to protect the cultural heritage of Malaysia."

The destruction of ancient Hindu temple ruins has also drawn flakfrom Kedahans.