Historical relic used as game prop sparks concern

GEORGE TOWN: Questions are being asked after a reader of theSun expressed concerns over conservation measures being taken at the Bujang Valley Archaeological Musuem in Pekan Merbok, Kedah.
The worries came after an April 9 visit where the reader saw a group of university students playing what seemed to be station games cum treasure hunt on top of the chandi (tomb-temple).
"The main site, Chandi Batu Pahat, was tied with raffia ropes all over with chairs (and) blindfolded students were to walk across the challenge," the complainant said in an email.
Frustration was also evident as the reader asked how could artifacts more than 1,500 years old be treated like this.
The reader questioned the alleged lack of official monitoring activity to prevent the sites from being damaged and wondered how such activities were approved.
"All the sites were monopolised by the students to (be) used as station games. We can't even walk close to see the candi and to take pictures," the email read but emails to the writer seeking more information were not replied.
theSun however, managed to reach out to the museum and was told by an officer that permission for the activity that day was granted.
He said there were officers to monitor what was going on but regretted the official observers could not be there all the time due to manpower shortage and human factors including taking breaks and prayers.
"Nonetheless, we will see that any activities in the future cannot take place on top of the monuments (and) historic sites to ensure such places are preserved, we reserve the right to stop such activities for those who do not comply," he told theSun in an email.
theSun also spoke to USM's Centre for Archaeological Research director Professor Datuk Dr Mokhtar Saidin who said the sites should not be disturbed.
Mokthar, who has led extensive archaeological work in the valley, added that such archaeological treasures should be preserved for the future.
NGO Kedah Sungai Batu Civilisation Archeo-Adventure Society chairman Mazlan Mahmud told theSun games at historical sites should fit the setting and not disrespect the area.
"Games to increase knowledge like a treasure hunt will be much more fruitful, do not play just for the sake of playing," he said.
The valley houses a rich trove of archaeological treasures with historians believing an advanced civilisation had thrived in the area long before the Sri Vijaya (700AD) and Majapahit (1200AD) empires.
More than 100 such structures have been unearthed since the first was discovered by British colonists in 1845.
In 2015, Malaysian archaeologists working at Sungai Batu within the Bujang Valley discovered animist ritual monuments dated to be about 2,000 years old and confirmed to be the oldest structure in Southeast Asia.