Bandar Saujana Sdn Bhd, the housing developer that demolished a candi located in Sungai Batu, Bujang Valley has agreed to temporarily cease operation, according to Datuk Mukhriz Mahathir.
“I was told the developer has verbally agreed to temporarily cease operation. I will hold a discussion as to what had happened,” said the Kedah Mentri Besar, adding that he discovered that “there were two different views on the incident.”
Located at site number 11 in Sungai Batu, the candi was demolished by the developer about a month ago.
In Kuala Lumpur, the Commissioner of Heritage was directed by Culture and Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz to prevent the destruction of the archaeological site, which dated as far back as the first century.
To save the ancient temple, he noted that the commissioner could invoke the National Heritage Act 2005.
“Even if it involves private property, we can use the Act to impose a stop work order and conduct an investigation,” he said, noting that the historical significance of Candi Lembah Bujang is similar to Indonesia’s Candi Borobodur.
Meanwhile, Bandar Saujana Sdn Bhd said it was not aware that the site was historical.
According to Saw Guan Keat, the company’s project manager, they conducted a land search at the Kedah Land Office on 14 January 2013 before acquiring the eight lots from the previous owner, who was also a housing developer.
“The search clearly stated that the land has no encumbrances. The company proceeded to buy the land in February. When we did another search at the Land Office on July 30, again, we did not find any encumbrance,” he explained.
In fact, a building plan for a mixed development project was approved by the Sungai Petani Municipal Council as well as the state exco between 1994 and 1995, noted Saw.
“Our company merely took over the project, which was approved back in 1994 or 1995.”
Farah Wahida, Editor of PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email farahwahida@propertyguru.com.my
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