Civilization in Malaysia might have been oldest in South-east Asia

The Sungai Batu archeological site in the Bujang Valley in Malaysia has proven that civilization in this country had started much earlier and was the oldest in South-east Asia.

According to a report in Malaysian News Agency Bernama, Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said that the site, which was believed to have existed in the year 110, showed the existence of religion, commerce and the economy.

"The Bujang Valley in Sungai Batu is a determination to estimate the new civilization which is known to have existed much earlier than the one existing in neighbouring countries either in Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia or Thailand," he said.

The archeological complex, measuring three square kilometres located in an oil palm area, has 97 study sites which are said to hold the key that will open the history of early civilization in this country.

Research on the Bujang Valley is among the projects under the Ninth Malaysia Plan (9MP) carried out with the cooperation of the National Heritage Department and researchers from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM).

In addition, Rais plans to present a working paper on the conservation of the archeological complex so that the country would not be lagging behind in terms of heritage as well as to forge cooperation with foreign researchers.

"My ministry will discuss with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on the funds for research studies at the archeological complex, because the existing funds had been used up," he said.

He said that his ministry was also prepared to hold meetings and discussions with the Kedah state government to work together in conserving the historical artifacts that were important for national heritage.