MERBOK, Kedah, 22 June 2013 – The Chief Minister of Kedah, Dato' Paduka Mukhriz bin Tun Dr. Mahathir visited the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) Archaeological Research Project site in Sungai Batu here this afternoon. He was briefed by the officials from the Department of National Heritage and also the representative of the USM Centre for Global Archaeological Research, Hamid Mohd. Isa.

Also present to welcome the Kedah Chief Minister were USM Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic and International Affairs, Professor Dato' Dr. Ahmad Shukri Mustapa Kamal and the Director of Institutional Development Division and Strategic Communications Office, Professor Dr. Badaruddin Mohamed.

The new site at Sungai Batu, Bujang Valley was discovered by the USM researchers in 2007 and the research and excavation efforts had begun in February 2009.

 

The site which is located in an oil palm plantation near Merbok-Semeling new road revealed evidence that the brick structure located on the riverbank of Sungai Batu and its tributaries might be related to the river.

This location has its own uniqueness where it has a drainage system that seemed like separating every ridge into islands which was very strategic for trading activities and defence.

The site is still within the influence of Bujang Valley civilization and it is likely to be related to other sites such as Sungai Batu Pahat, Kampung Pengkalan Bujang, Kampung Bendang Dalam and sites that are within the Candi 71 site.

"We hope that this site will be a major tourist attraction without affecting the environment and it can be enacted immediately as another UNESCO heritage site," said Mukhriz.

This area will be developed as Sungai Batu Archaeological Complex which shows the oldest Southeast Asia civilization (1900 years ago) through the discoveries of monuments, jetties and mining sites. The USM research project was funded by the Department of National Heritage. -- Based on the Report & Photos: Mohd Mehat Ramli/Translation: Tan Ewe Hoe