SUNGAI PETANI, Dec 10  — Candi 11, which attracted the attention of several parties after it was demolished by a developer, is believed to be part of the Bujang Valley, as early as between 5 AD and 8 AD, and not a place of worship.

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Dr Mahathir said the Candi was only a reconstruction in 1974, and could be rebuilt at another place. 

“The Candi 11 site is not a place of worship but more of a civilisation location.  The parties concerned need not be too distressed over the issue as the state government was also disappointed but it was an isolated case,” he said, following calls by several non-governmental organisations that the heritage site be quickly gazetted. 

He was speaking to reporters after a lunch event with Kedah-branch Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers chief executive officers here today.  The state government intended to gazette all heritage sites and had tried to obtain Unesco recognition for the Bujang Valley as an international heritage site several times, said Mukhriz.

The menteri besar said he would propose to Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz to develop the civilisation site as an international tourist atttraction.

Meanwhile, he said sophisticated technology using satellites and remote sensing should be used to detect and identify artifacts or areas of heritage and historical value. — Bernama