Candi 11 in Sungai Batu can be reconstructed - Mukhriz

Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, Tuesday, expressed the state government's disappointment over the destruction of the ancient candi or temple ruins in Sungai Batu, Bujang Valley, Merbok.

"These Bujang Valley ruins should be preserved as national heritage sites.

They have not been used as places of worship for centuries," he said in a statement here.

He said the company which owned the land had obtained the approval to develop it in 1993 but only started clearing the site this August and ended up destroying the temple ruins in the process.

The state government and Ministry of Tourism and Culture have ordered the company to halt clearing works at the Candi 11 site immediately, he said.

"The ruins can be reconstructed on its original site with the agreement of the company or near the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) excavation site at Sungai Batu.

"The Candi 11 plans can be used as a reference to ensure its design and material are the same as the original," he said.

The destroyed Candi 11 in Sungai Batu was a 1974 reconstruction at the original site which dated back to between the 8th and 11th centuries.