GEORGE TOWN, Dec 3 — Kedah has appealed to the Tourism and Culture Ministry to gazette over 100 archaeological sites as national heritage sites.

In a statement today, Kedah Mentri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir said the state has applied for these archaeological sites to be gazetted and that the ministry had agreed to consider its application.

“The state places the utmost importance in preserving all heritage sites in Kedah so we are saddened over the recent destruction of candi number 11,” he said, referring to the recent destruction of the ruins of an ancient Hindu temple dating back to between the 8th and 11th century.

The recent discovery of the demolition of candi number 11 at Sungai Batu, which is part of a giant complex of Hindu temples scattered throughout Lembah Bujang, has drawn the nation’s fury at the treatment of the country’s historical monuments.

“Although the structure was reconstructed in 1974 on its original site, it is still considered a national heritage site that should be preserved,” Mukhriz said.

The first-term mentri besar also said the developer had obtained planning permission to develop the land back in 1993 but only started clearing works in August this year.

“The state has ordered the company to stop all clearing work, the reconstructed candi number 11 was already demolished since August,” he said.

Mukhriz also said candi number 11 could be rebuilt on its original site with an agreement from the developer.

He said it could also be reconstructed at other nearby sites, suggesting a current Universiti Sains Malaysia excavation site in Sungai Batu as an alternative.

“For this purpose, the candi number 11 plans could be referred to ensure that the reconstructed candi will be the same design using similar materials,” he said.

He said the Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz had also ordered the developer to stop all clearing work at the current candi number 11 site.

“All excavation and preservation works will continue to be conducted by USM’s archaeologists at the Lembah Bujang area so that this area can be developed as an international tourist attraction,” Mukhriz said.

He pointed out that recent archaeological research at Sungai Batu had revealed the existence of a civilisation there since the 5th century up to the 17th century.

“This showed that the ancient civilisation at Sungai Batu is the oldest in this region,” he said.

Lembah Bujang is the richest archaeological site in Malaysia and research has so far has revealed 127 sites with 90 candi.

Candi served as places of worship during ancient times and are often built with elements of Hinduism or Buddhism.

The demolition of candi number 11 was discovered by local historian Datuk V. Nadarajan and highlighted in local media by Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Prof Dr P. Ramasamy on November 30.