Rich in heritage

via The Star, 3 July 2022: An editorial about World Heritage in Malaysia, and potential sites for the future such as the Bujang Valley, the Niah Caves, and the lost city of Johor(!)

For Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican, Malaysia should give priority to the Lembah Bujang-Sungai Batu archaeological region.

“This is a site that would significantly place Malaysia on the world heritage map. The findings and artifacts challenged the conventional belief that the Malay peninsula is ‘young’ with regard to history. The whole area, which includes large parts of Kedah through Seberang Perai has revised our perspective on civilisation,” says the professor of social and intellectual history at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization, International Islamic University Malaysia.

He adds that the allocation of funds must continuously be channelled toward research and conservation of the site.

“More efforts must be put to establish and popularise the narrative on the Lembah Bujang-Sungai Batu in the context of global history and civilisations. Although much still needs to be discovered, we do not have to wait longer to promote and brand the areas to the world.

Source: Rich in heritage | The Star