2005 articles from the star on johor lost city

8/8/2019 2005 articles from The Star on Johor Lost City

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Lost city believed found in Johor http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/3/nation/100701...

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The Star Online > NewsThursday February 3, 2005

Lost city believed found in JohorBY TEOH TEIK HOONG and AUDREY EDWARDS

PETALING JAYA : A 1,000-year-old lost city, possibly older than Angkor Wat inCambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia, is believed to have been located in the densejungles of Johor.

The discovery of what is thought to be the site of Kota Gelanggi or PerbendaharaanPermata (Treasury of Jewels) by an independent Malaysian researcher has promptedmuseum officials to plan an expedition to confirm the finding.

If indeed the site is that of the lost city , it is set to transform the historical landscape of the region, said Raimy Che-Ross, who spent 12 years researching Malay manuscripts allover the world and conducting aerial searches of the area before locating the site.

Aerial view of an unusually well-defined'block' (pic right), possibly the base of atemple complex or stupa, at the possible siteof the lost city of Kota Gelanggi.--Picturecourtesy of RAIMY CHE-ROSS

He said the discovery of unusual formations from the air had led him to believe that thesite could be the first capital of the Sri Vijaya Malay empire dating back to 650AD.

If the city is what we suspect it to be, then the Malacca Sultanate can no longer beconsidered as the start of modern Malay history.

Once verified, the honour will go to Johor, as one thousand years ago Malacca had noteven been established, he said.

Raimy had tried to enter the site in early 2003 but failed, managing to get only as far as to

the formations which are believed to be trenches and embankments of the outer city.Department of Museum and Antiquities director-general Datuk Adi Taha said anarchaeological expedition would be mounted this year to verify the location of the lostcity, with Raimys assistance.

Funds for the expedition would be sought under the 9th Malaysia Plan.

Adi said he and the department were very enthusiastic about Raimys research findingsand would work with him to verify the location of the lost city, which could be spread out


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Lost city believed found in Johor http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/3/nation/100701...

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over a few hundred square kilometres.

Related stories:Manuscript leads to lost cityMuseum hopes Johor will assist in lost city quest

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Museum hopes Johor will assist in lost city quest http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/3/nation/100702...

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PRICELESSARTEFACT: Thisamulet from thi SriVijaya perioddepicting Buddhasurrounded by eightBodhisattvas was

found in Gua Chawas.







Museum hopes Johor will assist in lost city questKUALA LUMPUR: Museum officials are hoping that the Johor government will assistin efforts to verify the location of Kota Gelanggi.

Department of Museums and Antiquities director-general Datuk Dr Adi Taha said Johorwould also be asked to preserve the area for research.

He said the National Museum would work with RaimyChe-Ross, an independent Malaysian researcher, to mobilise anexpedition to verify the site of Kota Gelanggi.

According to Raimy, he was told that the museum had earliersent teams to locate the site but had failed each time.

The most recent attempt saw their boat capsizing thrice, leadingthe team to abandon the mission.

Adi said his department would also work with the StateHeritage Foundation on this, as it would have knowledge of thearea, he said.

He said the search for Kota Gelanggi had been an ongoingendeavour for many scholars and researchers since the days of the British Empire.

They never did find it as our history did not give any exact

whereabouts of the city.

Even Tun Seri Lanang (the Bendahara equivalent to a modern day prime minister) didnot state the location in Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals), he added.

He said archaeologists hoped to find evidence of physical structures and also a fairlyadvanced irrigation system, which used to exist in the city.

A big city would have good infrastructure such as irrigation to sustain its inhabitants.

We also expect and hope to find Sri Vijaya artefacts from the site similar to those foundin Gua Chawas in Kelantan, he added.

Adi said the public should not attempt to enter the site to look for artefacts and treasure asit was an offence under the Antiquities Act 1976.

Anyone found doing so can be fined or jailed, he said.

On the expedition, Adi said that due to the inaccessibility of the site, the team would haveto plan very thoroughly before attempting to enter the dense jungles.

Related stories:


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Museum hopes Johor will assist in lost city quest http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/3/nation/100702...

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Lost city believed found in JohorManuscript leads to lost city






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Manuscript leads to lost city http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/3/nation/100702...

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Manuscript leads to lost cityPETALING JAYA : It was an old Malay manuscript once owned by Sir StamfordRaffles, the founder of Singapore, in a London library that led Raimy Che-Ross to theexistence of the lost city in Johor.

According to Raimy, the presence of a lost city in the jungles at the southern end of theMalay peninsula had been indicated in Malayan forklore for over four centuries.

His findings on the lost city has been published in the latest issue of Journal of theMalaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 2004 .

In his paper, he said the place was raided by the Indian-Chola conqueror Raja RajendraCholavarman I, of the South Indian Chola Dynasty in 1025A.D.

The ruins could be as old as Borobodur, and could pre-date Angkor Wat, Raimy said,adding that aerial photographs taken over the site and tales from the orang asli hadindicated the existence of structures.

RARE FIND: Raimy pointing to an unusualsquare earthern platform which wasdiscovered along the pathway leading into thereported site of the lost city of Kota Gelanggi.

From the air I could see formations which looked like a set of double-walls, protectingthe inner city.

I have verified all the information by reviewing and reassessing old colonial records andtravellers tales, he said.

Information on Kota Gelanggi appears in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) which wasedited and revised by Tun Seri Lanang, the Bendahara (equivalent to the prime ministerof a sultanate) of the Royal Court of Johor in 1612 A.D.

The manuscript narrated an account of the devastating raids by Raja RajendraCholavarman I, who after destroying the city of Gangga Negara (now Beruas in LowerPerak) turned his attention to Kota Gelanggi.

Raimy said he did not expect to find in Kota Gelanggi structures similar to Angkor Wat,as the lost city in Johor Gelanggi was much older.


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Manuscript leads to lost city http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2005/2/3/nation/100702...

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Click on image to get moreinfo on archaeological sites inSouth-East Asia.

We can expect to find simple granite and brick structures, walls, buildings and possiblyundisturbed tombs.

Based on the data I have collected and consultations with archaeologists over the years,it is believed that Kota Gelanggi in Johor, which some scholars believe to be the kingdomof Lo-Yue, was also the first centre of trade for Sri Vijaya.

It was in Johor that the whole Malay civilisation was born. The Sri Vijaya site in

Palembang has artefacts which date back to the 13th or 14th century, he said.

There is a wealth of information we can derive fromthis city.

He said that official Japanese records noted that anImperial Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Takaoka,Shinnyo Hosshinno, reportedly met his death in Lo-Yueafter being attacked by a tiger. Perhaps we may find histomb here, he said.

Raimy said that while its main activity was a tradingpost, Kota Gelanggi was also a centre of sacredlearning.

Hinduism and Buddhist statues and figurines may exist but what I hope to find isepigraphic inscriptions (writings on granite), he added.

Related stories:Lost city believed found in JohorMuseum hopes Johor will assist in lost city quest






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Sri Vijaya, IndonesiaOne of the longest lasting empires in human history. Itcontrolled the Straits of Malacca for 640 years, from itsfounding in 650 A.D. to its defeat by the Javanese in1290. At its peak, Sri Vijaya expanded its territory andcontrolled parts of Southern Thailand, peninsularMalaysia, West Java, and the western portions of Borneo.

Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley), MalaysiaLocated on the foothills of Gunung Jerai, researchindicates that an ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom washere as early as 300 A.D. It is the richest archaeologicalsite in Malaysia, thus far.

Angkor Wat, CambodiaConsidered the absolute masterpiece of Khmerarchitecture and is a pyramid temple built by KingSuryavarman II between 1113 and 1150 to honour theHindu god Vishnu. Angkor Wat covers an area of 81haand is surrounded by a 174m wide moat and about6.4km long. The monument and the entire city of Angkor were declared a World Heritage Site by theUnesco World Heritage Committee in 1992.

Kota Gelanggiis believed to be 1,000 years old. Raided by the Indian-Chola conqueror Raja Rajendra Cholavarman I, of the South IndianChola Dynasty in 1025 A.D., the ruins could be as old as Borobudur,and may pre-date Angkor Wat. Simple granite and brick structures,walls, buildings and possibly undisturbed tombs are expected to beunearthed from this site. Researchers suspect that Kota Gelanggimay be the first centre of trade for Sri Vijaya, which was transientand moved around where trade and security was best.

Borobudur Temple Complex, IndonesiaBuilt during the Sailendra dynasty between 750 and842 A.D. It was built 300 years before Cambodia'sAngkor Wat. One of the greatest monuments in theworld, Borobudur was composed of 55,000 squaremetres of lava-rock and erected on a hill. Borobudurwas restored with Unesco's aid from August 1913 to1983 and declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco.

Archaeological sites in South-East Asia

Angkor Wat

LembahBujang

Sri Vijaya

GRAPHICS 2005

Johor

Borobudur


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tory Print Friendly http://straitstimes.asia1.com.sg/sub/storyprintfriendly/0,5578,2994...

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STI Home > Asia > Malaysia > Story > Print >> Back to the article

Feb 5, 2005

Heritage group doubts 'lost city' claimsJOHOR BARU - CLAIMS about the discovery of an ancient lost city in Johor have been greeted with

scepticism by some Malaysian researchers.The Johor Heritage Foundation has been searching for the lost city of Kota Gelanggi since 1996 buthas been unable to pinpoint its exact location.

The foundation's deputy director, Mr Mohamad Ismail Zam Zam, said: 'Based on the Malay Annalsand academic writings, the site exists. But as there has been no thorough research on it, we do notknow the exact location.'

The Star newspaper yesterday quoted Mr Raimy Che-Ross, an independent researcher who spent12 years studying Malay manuscripts, as saying that the unusual formations he saw in the Johorjungle from the air had led him to believe that the site could be the first capital of the Malay SriVijaya empire, which dated back to AD650.

This led him to suggest that Kota Gelanggi could be older than the Angkor Wat in Cambodia andBorobudur in Indonesia.

Mr Raimy's claim that the lost city could be more than 1,000 years old is 'hard to accept', said thefoundation.

'It is also hard to accept that it is older than Angkor Wat and Borobudur. Kota Gelanggi may beyounger than the Bujang Valley,' it said.

The structures of Bujang Valley, at the foot of Gunung Jerai in Kedah, are about 300 years old.

Mr Ismail said the foundation's own findings pointed to the possibility that the ruined city could bein the forests near Ulu Tiram. -- NEW STRAITS TIMES

Copyright 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved. Privacy Statement & Condition of Access.


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The Star Online: Lots of challenges ahead http://thestar.com.my/services/printerfriendly.asp?file=/2005/2/11/n...

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The Star Online > Nation

Friday February 11, 2005

Lots of challenges aheadBY ROYCE CHEAH

PETALING JAYA: Any expedition in search of the lost city that is reportedlylocated in Johor can expect to meet a variety of challenges, some of which mightinclude predators, booby traps and thick forests that have reclaimed the land.

According to Prof Datuk Abdul Latiff Mohamad of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia(UKM), an abandoned settlement located in the jungle could be reclaimed by forest injust 80 years.

Weeds would creep in first, then pioneer tree species would come in leading to asecondary forest in about 80 to 100 years.

In just 300 years, a primary forest would have emerged, totally covering the area, hesaid.

Prof Abdul Latiff added that the lighter shade of trees that seemingly denote walls orareas on the ground in aerial pictures of the reported lost city could mean the lightershaded trees are younger than those surrounding it.

Tropical-type trees can grow on top of the rocks as there would be many cracks and

crevices for its roots that would have been created by erosion throughout the years.

Its also a possibility that the lighter shade of trees are heath forests trees of shorterstature that give the appearance of a lighter shade of green from above, said theUKM Science and Technology Faculty dean and botany professor.

For archaeologist Prof Datuk Dr Nik Hassan Suhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman, anexpedition to the Kenderung Mountains that had a similar forest environment hadhim using forestry officers and orang asli as his guides.

They helped us clear the undergrowth of the forest as they knew the forest best. Wedid not have to cut down any trees to get to the site.

At the same time, we needed to be wary of tigers and leopards in some parts of theforest.

Furthermore, the area the lost city is reportedly in was a black area during theEmergency. There have to be military personnel along to make sure the way is freefrom mines and traps, he said.

Prof Abdul Latiff said it would be difficult to imagine how the past 1,000 years of forest growth would affect the journey to, and the state of, the lost city in Johor.


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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Tuesday, February 15, 2005 6:21 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star: Lost City report, 12 Feb 2005

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THE STAR Online Saturday February 12, 2005

Mysterious city of black stone

BY AUDREY EDWARDS AND ZUHRIN AZAM AHMAD

KOTA TINGGI: Villagers and orang asli in this part of Johor have grown up with stories about amysterious lost city made of black stone.

Some say they may have actually seen the city and others say they have seen artefacts from that city,which independent researcher Raimy Che-Ross claims could be the ancient lost city of Kota Gelanggi,reputed to be made of black stone.

Kampung Sri Jaya village head Hussin Md Noor, 64, said he once saw what he believed was anartefact from the city.

It was made out of jade and was 25cm long. It looked like a part of a stand for a decorative table. I keptit with me for about two days. That was a few years ago.

It belonged to a friend of mine who was a forest ranger. He saidhe had obtained it during one of the trips when he broughtloggers into the area, said Hussin, who scours the area forartefacts and is known around here as a history buff.

Hussin said he once met someone who had found a cak lempong (musical instrument) but had to take it back.

He had a dream that night and a voice told him to return theinstrument or replace it with his life. So he returned it, Hussinadded.

Despite his lack of formal education, his wealth of localknowledge had prompted Johor Heritage Foundation to publishan article by Hussin about Kampung Sungai Telor, KampungSemanggar and Kampung Rantau Panjang.

He is also a committee member of the Malaysian HistoricalAssociation (Kota Tinggi branch) and has traded stories about

the lost city with other villagers in the area.

They talked about unusual incidents that took place at this city, which they called Kota Batu Hitam (Black Stone Fort),'' he said.

He also said that the former village head, Ahmad Budin, had told him of a villager who believed he had

HISTORY BUFF: Hussin showingseveral artefacts, which he saidwere of Chinese origin, that he hadfound along the Johor River.


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stumbled into the city while looking for wood.

Dia jadi tetamu rakyat kota itu dan dia kata rakyatnya ramai . (He became a guest of the residents ofthat city and he said there were many of them).

After three days, they asked him to go back and he made markings on the pillars so that he could find

his way back there. But when he returned, he found his markings on trees, he added. Such local folklore reiterates the elusiveness of the citys location.

Historians and archaeologists have been trying to locate this city for decades as it has been mentionedin a number of historical documents.

Researching these documents and studying aerial surveys, Raimy believes he has found the location ofthe city.

A ground expedition, to be mounted by the national museum and state authorities, is in the pipeline.

Kampung Pasir Intan orang asli head Tok Batin Abdul Rahman Abdullah, 85, claims to have seen theplace more than five decades ago.

There was a fort-like structure made of stones. It was quite bigand I remember seeing holes on the walls like windows, hesaid.

He remembers a lot of banana plants in the area.

The bananas were red but I didnt try to taste it.

A light drizzle of rain always fell whenever my friends and I werethere, he said, adding that they rarely spent more than an hourthere.

The place was quiet but we often heard people, a lot of them,talking, like in a marketplace.

At the same time, there were many animal marks, especiallythose of tigers, suggesting their regular presence there, he said.

Abdul Rahman said that more than 50 orang asli families lived near the area until 1950s when theywere relocated by the British Army following the communist insurgency.

The head of Kampung Kempas Menang, Tok Batin Daud, also remembers the city and the fruit treesthere.

Yet, each time he went to the site, he noticed that the position of some of the stones had changed.

Once, when I fell asleep in the area, I heard voices telling me not to do sinful things or act arrogant, hesaid.

FROM THE PAST: This is apicture showing a collection ofkeris that Husin had found alongthe Johor River.

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THE STAR Online Sunday February 13, 2005

Researcher cheered by response

BY FLORENCE A.SAMY

PETALING JAYA: The past week has been gratifying but sleep-deprived for Raimy Che-Ross, the independentresearcher who believes he may have located Kota Gelanggi, a 1,000 year-old lost city in the jungles of Johor.

After years of having his findings dismissed, he is suddenly in the limelight after The Star highlighted his efforts.

It's surreal. No one took me seriously before. Now an expedition is being planned to see if my findings lead tothe city, said Raimy, who has been inundated with calls from foreign media at all hours.

The Canberra-based researcher had his first radio interview with the Spanish News Agency at 8am the morningthe news broke.

Raimy has backed his findings with 17th century Malay manuscript references, topographical evaluations, a sitevisit and personal aerial photographs showing unusual structural formations believed to be remnants of a

fortified city.

The Government said on Feb 4 that it was giving top priority to the search of the lost city and would provide thenecessary funding for it.

I'm thankful that the Government, especially Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim,recognise the validity of my preliminary findings. Their reaction has been overwhelming and humbling, he said.

He notified the authorities, including Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, of his discovery inDecember 2003 in accordance with the Antiquities Act.

Raimy described his 12-year search for the lost city of Kota Gelanggi as a pastime that has turned into apassion

However, the best reward so far, Raimy said, was the international coverage for Johor and Malaysia, which hasincluded interviews with the BBC and ABC of Australia.

It's not about who discovers a potential lost city. If proven right, it will radically change how we view the historyof Malaysia and South-East Asia.

It may be the kingdom of Srivijaya, he said, adding that he was willing to give public lectures and answerquestions.

It's been 1,000 years since Kota Gelanggi was raided and destroyed, so we'd be lucky to even find a coin or justslabs remaining, but there is a Lost City out there waiting to be discovered.


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His article The Lost City of Kota Gelanggi appears in the latest issue of the Journal of the Malaysian Branchof the Royal Asiatic Society. The reality of it all has not really hit me yet.

Previously, I was told to leave archaeology to real archaeologists.

But now, people take me seriously, he said.

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THE STAR Online Monday February 14, 2005

Rais: Further action will depend on govt decision

BY FLORENCE A. SAMY

PETALING JAYA: Experts will be invited to discuss the issue of the lost city which is purportedly in Johor afterthe Cabinet makes a decision on the matter.

I cant say yet when well be meeting them but well be informing them of the Governments decision and thenext course of action, said Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said a preliminary report on the 1,000-year-old lost city would be submitted to the Cabinet on Wednesday.

The Cabinet needed to discuss the report by the Department of Museums and Antiquities before any further actionwas taken, he told The Star .

We must regard the whole issue with utmost care as its a national heritage, he said.

Dr Rais added that an expedition to the site would only be mounted once the Government made a decision.

Dr Rais had said on Feb 4 the Government was giving top priority to the search for the city, which independentresearcher Raimy Che-Ross said was Kota Gelanggi, and would provide the funds for it.

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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 9:46 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/ Lost City: A lifes mission for Johorean

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THE STAR onlineWednesday February 16, 2005

A lifes mission for Johorean

BY MAZWIN NIK ANIS AND AUDREY EDWARDS

KOTA TINGGI: He has gone on many excavations along the Johor River to unearth artefacts but thesearch for the mysterious lost city of Johor has become a lifes mission for Kamarudin Abdul Razakbecause, if found, it would be of great pride to his home state.

It is a mission for me because Johor has never been considered a truly historical state, especially inhaving an early beginning, unlike other states like Kedah.

And Johor will become important in the country's history if this lost city is found. I want to prove thatthis city existed before the Malacca Sultanate as mentioned in the Sejarah Melayu , said the JohorHeritage Foundation ( Yayasan Warisan Johor ) museum division head in an interview.

Independent researcher Raimy Che Ross believes he may have located the lost city of Kota Gelanggithrough studying old Malay manuscripts, aerial photographs and a preliminary ground search.

Kamarudin said he had read Raimys article about Kota Gelanggis possible location published in thelatest issue of the Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society .

Once the foundation verified the possible location, it would put together aground expedition in collaboration with other relevant authorities, Kamarudinsaid.

Kamarudin, who hails from Muar, quit his job at the Department of Museumsand Antiquities and joined the foundation in 1995. He holds a degree inarchaeology from Universiti Udayana in Bali and earned his Master's fromUniversiti Malaya.

Kamarudin said he decided to return to Johor because he wanted to developarchaeology in the state as it was uncharteed territory.

Since his return, he and archaeologist Prof Datuk Dr Nik Hassan SuhaimiNik Abdul Rahman and others from the foundation have gone onarchaeological digs along the Johor River at Panchur, Johor Lama andSayong Pinang, among others.

The first expedition I took was to survey (the area) from the mouth of theriver right up to Sayong Pinang. We identified 14 sites but have onlyexcavated three so far. Our team usually has about 15 to 20 people.Sometimes, UKM (Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia) students and officersfrom other state museums also come along.

HISTORICAL VALUE:Kamarudin showingsome pieces ofporcelain from the MingDynasty during a recentinterview. The pieces,along with those on the


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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2005 9:50 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/ Lost City: Rais: Team must submit report by August

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THE STAR online Thursday February 17, 2005

Rais: Team must submit report by August

PETALING JAYA: An expedition to search for a lost city in Johor has been ordered to be put togetherimmediately by the Cabinet yesterday.

Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the research and verification expedition forKota Gelanggi would be headed by the Department of Museums and Antiquities.

We have asked them to go in immediately. They have to report to us, the latest by August, regarding anythingconnected to Kota Gelanggi, he said yesterday.

Whether they find it or not, they will have to tell us the state of affairs.

Dr Rais briefed the Cabinet yesterday about the search for the lost city and it accepted his report.

Other members of the expedition would include independent researcher Raimy Che-Ross, ministry officials andexperts from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Johor Heritage Foundation, JohorForestry Department and Malaysia Centre For Remote Sensing (Macres).

Raimy believes he may have located the long-sought city of Kota Gelanggi, also referred to as Klang Kiu, throughstudying old Malay manuscripts, aerial photographs and a preliminary ground search.

Although certain quarters have expressed scepticism, Dr Rais asked everyone to keep an open mind until theground expedition came up with their findings.

They will have to verify the age of the city by possibly carbon-dating the artefacts, he said.

In the event that we do not have the necessary expertise, we will involve foreign experts.

The departments director-general Datuk Dr Adi Taha said the team hoped to enter the site by mid-March.

All the people involved in the expedition would meet next week, he said.

We will work with Raimy to get the location and interview the local village heads and other people, he said,adding that Macres' images would be able to indicate whether there were unusual markings in the forest cover.

The cost for the expedition has yet to be ascertained.

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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Friday, February 18, 2005 6:10 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star / Lost City: Government to decide future expedition in August

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THE STAR onlineFriday February 18, 2005

Government to decide future expedition in August

KUALA LUMPUR: Future missions to unearth the secrets of the lost city of Kota Gelanggi will depend on themaiden expedition to locate the site next month and the findings submitted to the Cabinet in August.

Whats important is that come August, well have the report and decide whether we should conduct furtherresearch, said Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim at the Malay College KualaKangsar's centennial celebration.

Dr Rais said several scientific observations would be made in Johor.

What we are concerned about is the history of Peninsular Malaysia at that time.

But we have to be careful and not make any announcements that will confuse the public until the experts areclear on the real situation, he said, adding that his Cabinet colleagues wanted to know more about the lost city.

The expedition members would comprise independent researcher Raimy Che-Ross and experts from UniversitiKebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Sains Malaysia, the Johor Heritage Foundation, the Johor Forestry Departmentand the Malaysian Centre For Remote Sensing.

Department of Museums and Antiquities director-general Datuk Dr Adi Taha said the members would have theirfirst meeting on Feb 24 and hoped to start the expedition by the middle of next month.

Although the site in Johor may be of a different name, well use Kota Gelanggi as the working name for theproject. The first phase is to make sure the site exists and well carry on from there, he said.

Dr Rais also said his ministry would be organising a writing competition on local history to create interest in thecountrys history among Malaysians.

We hope the contest will stir the community's love for local history, especially of their hometowns and villages,he said.

He hoped that with the competition, more Malaysians would write about local history instead of relying onforeigners.

Thats why Im proud of people like Raimy who did research on the lost city. It shows that locals are just ascapable as others of writing and researching.

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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2005 1:01 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/Lost City: Satellite confirms structures of Kota Gelanggi

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THE STAR online Saturday February 19, 2005

Satellite confirms structures of Kota Gelanggi

BY TEOH TEIK HOONG AND AUDREY EDWARDS

PETALING JAYA: The search for the lost city of Kota Gelanggi has taken a leap forward with satellite mapsconfirming the existence of structures on site.

A remote sensing satellite image taken by the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (Macres) has revealedpossible structures which match aerial photographs taken by Canberra-based independent researcher Raimy Che-Ross last year.

The image has also shown that the apparent structures are much more extensive than previously thought.

Raimy, when contacted yesterday, said the satellite image and other recent evidence had convinced him that hehad found the lost city of Kota Gelanggi.

Call it by any other name, but this is definitely the Lost City of Kota Gelanggi.

Thanks to both the evidence and the satellite images, I am absolutely sure that my original hypothesis andfindings are correct, he told The Star yesterday.

A Kuala Lumpur-based Geographical Information System (GIS), mapping and remote sensing consultant whoanalysed the satellite image said there was no doubt that there were peculiar structures.

Johor does not have natural rock formations and what is seen in the satellite image is man-made. The lines couldbe walls or trenches, he said.

However, the consultant added that there were also other possibilities of what these structures could constitute.They include former logging trails, fluvial networks caused by receding waters of a dam which is the result of sedimentation.

It could also be the lost city of Kota Gelanggi.

What is sure is that you have the same site shown in earlier pictures. I am 90% sure the image is that of the areathe authorities are looking for.

On the possibility that some of the lines seen on the satellite image were modern-day fences, the consultant said,Fences are never built around dams in the country. I suspect these could be 'fences' built long ago.

He said it was necessary for the authorities to go and verify the authenticity of the site.


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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Saturday, February 19, 2005 1:02 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/Lost City: Site as big as KLs golden triangle

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THE STAR onlineSaturday February 19, 2005

Site as big as KLs golden triangle

PETALING JAYA: The entire lost city of Kota Gelanggi is approximately the size of the golden trianglein Kuala Lumpur, according to Canberra-based independent researcher Raimy Che-Ross.

He said the estimate was based on the satellite images supplied by the Malaysian Centre for RemoteSensing (Macres).

I am now also able to confirm my original finding that the earthen walls form an almost perfect squaretrench embankment around the city, about the size of KL's golden triangle, he said.

At first, I was quite stunned when I realised how large the place was, and did not want to jump to anyconclusions, he added.

He said that he had kept silent because he had been ridiculed when he spoke of the lostcity before.

Imagine trying to say that it is about the size of Bukit Bintang-KLCC and Jalan RajaChulan area. But the latest satellite images have verified this scientifically, he told The Star yesterday.

As such, he said, he decided to reveal the information now because of unforeseencircumstances and other factors.

He added that the tall and large embankments framing the entire city could be seen vividlyfrom the images.

To imagine the size of the lost city, he said, one had to walk along Jalan Sultan Ismailfrom Lot 10 to Concorde Hotel, proceed along Jalan Ampang to KLCC and finally to JalanRaja Chulan past KL Plaza, and then back to Lot 10.

He added that he was gathering research material from his library and study in Sydney and Canberra toprepare for two public lectures in Malaysia and his impending expedition with the authorities in mid-March.

Raimy had spent the last 12 years researching the lost city by studying old Malay manuscripts, aerialphotographs and doing a preliminary ground search. His findings were published in the latest issue ofJournal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society 2004 .

Raimy:'Atfirst, I wasquitestunnedwhen Irealisedhow largethe placewas'.


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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 5:37 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/Lost City: Ancient texts point to black stone structures

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THE STAR onlineSunday February 20, 2005

Ancient texts point to black stone structures

PETALING JAYA: Ancient Chinese manuscripts have indicated the existence of the lost city of KotaGelanggi as a city of shining black stone, according to a Chinese history expert.

The city, also believed to be called Klang Kiu , was mentioned in the more than 1,000-year-oldmanuscript found in the book Strange Countries from the Cambridge Library Rare Books Collection,said Universiti Putra Malaysia chemical engineering Prof Dr Tan Ka Kheng who has been researchingfor several years.

Tan, who minors in History of Science, said the book had an illustration of a bell adorned by twoBuddhas, lotus flowers and birds, which apparently existed in the city, which had a stupa-like multi-tiered structure.

The structure according to the book was 32 chang (each chang is 3.3m) high and they weresurrounded by 300 graves, he said.

The structure could accommodate 360 people at any one time, he told The Star .

The scriptures had indicated that this city was somewhere in the peninsula, he said.

Another sketch from the manuscript had a picture of a Buddha and a Hindu deity on analtar and a worshipper paying homage to them and this could also be from the lost citywhich was also called Pulau An, he said.

He said Pulau An meant peace and took four nights by boat to travel from Majapahit inJawa then.

Dr Tan also noted that Chinese maps dating 1600AD had mentioned the existence ofthe ancient city in the peninsula.

The city was an important point for trade and supplies and functioned as a stop overfor people, he said.

Many of the scriptures recorded the observations of Chinese travellers at their port ofcall such as the characteristics of the people and the area, distinct cultures and customs of the locals,he added.

Dr Tan said artefacts found downstream from the site in Kota Gelanggi, which were being kept by theJohor Heritage Foundation, confirmed that the city was a trading post.

Among the artefacts found were porcelain items from the Chinese dynasties like the Soong, Ming andQing, and from Thailand, Khmer and Vietnam.

Dr Tan: 'Thecity was animportantpoint fortrade'.


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Earthenware with carvings believed to be from the 11th century had also been located.

Dr Tan, who has studied Chinese maps and scriptures for 15 years, said the city of Klang Kiu shouldnot be confused with Langkasuka, which is believed to be sitting at the bottom of Tasik Chini inPahang.

Chinese scriptures indicated that Langkasuka had lotus ponds and people who wore sarong, madepottery and had the practice of cutting their long hair, he said.

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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 5:34 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/Lost City: D-G: Too early for conclusions

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THE STAR onlineSunday February 20, 2005

D-G: Too early for conclusions

BY TEOH TEIK HOONG AND AUDREY EDWARDS

PETALING JAYA: Authorities said that the satellite image of the possible site of the lost city of KotaGelanggi has strengthened the belief that something existed in the area.

Department of Museums and Antiquities director-general Datuk Dr Adi Taha said the image acquired byThe Star from the Malaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (Macres) had confirmed that some structuresor logging tracks existed in the area.

There is no doubt about that now, he said.

Adi said although it was too early to make conclusions, satellite images had in the past helped inarchaeological research even in the discovery of Angkor Wat.

He said the department would meet Macres officials this week to get their help.

We will lead a team to the site and engage professionals to be part of the team, he added.

Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said the expedition team to be led by thedepartment to locate the lost city in Johor have been told to leave no stone unturned in carrying outthe job given to them.

SUPERIMPOSED IMAGE FOR THEPOSSIBLE CHANDI KOTA GELANGGI Photo by Raimy Che-Ross

Possible features of the chandi


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He said that full responsibility had been handed over to the department and the ministry would onlyassist when necessary.

I was shown the images by various people but being a sceptic myself, I realise there is no scientificconclusion as to what was underneath, he said when commenting on the satellite images.

The Museums Department already has some formative pictures but it is not comprehensive unless we

go there and find out for ourselves. What we have now presently is not comprehensive enough to indicate that what lies below is aformation.

But it does give the perimeter and aerial view of the area, he said.

Rais said the required report on the team's work would have to be submitted to the Cabinet in August.

If they find that they cannot go on, then the ministry will come in to assist them, he added.

The team is expected to have their first meeting on Thursday to plan for a mid-March expedition.

1. Slightlty small than Borobudur, and may either be thesame age or slightly older

2. Entire complex sits on a large square platform, which sitson a larger lozenge-like mound dais

3. Attached to the chandi's northwestern flank facing the riveris an ancillary temple flanked by a double-walled enclosure,which may be a royal temple or the abode for senior monks

4. Framing its southeastern end is a sharply pointed platform,resembling the tip of an arrow, with steps in the middleleading up to a small temple pavilion that forms the gatewayto the main chandi itself. There are also earthen and graniteramparts zigzagging up the sides of the chandi.

5. There are numerous other temples and ruins scatteredthroughout the area

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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Sunday, February 20, 2005 5:35 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/Lost City: Orang asli manuscripts depict ancient temple

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THE STAR online Sunday February 20, 2005

Orang asli manuscripts depict ancient temple

PETALING JAYA: A chandi (temple) is believed to be located in the lost city, according to anillustration on rare orang asli manuscripts.

The manuscripts together with a pictorial book have been kept by orang asli families who lived near thearea until the 1950s, when they were relocated by the British Army following a communist insurgency.

Independent researcher Raimy Che-Ross believes that the manuscripts depict a naive but highly-accurate front elevation and ground-plan representation of the Chandi Kota Gelanggi and its ancillarytemple-complex when the orang asli visited the site in 1920-30s.

He cautiously assumes the basic chandi was slightly smaller thanBorobudur and could be the same age or slightly older.

The most important and significant historical and archaeological structurethat lies in the ruins of this lost city is the Chandi Kota Gelanggi. It is a largemulti-terraced chandi crowned by a triple-layered stupa. There is no otherstructure comparable to it in the Malay peninsula.

One of the manuscripts drawing show the double-walls of the templeenclosure, with crenulations (regular gaps along the top of a castle for firingarrows) along its upper walls. There is also a detailed drawing of the maintemple-gateway and the terraces leading up to the triple-stupa, he saidwhen contacted.

Raimy also said another manuscript showed a small pavilion-like structureframed by thin granite pillars, inside of which were granite walls with tworound windows on either side of its main doorway, similar to that found atthe Cheng Hoon Teng Temple in Malacca.

The squiggles drawn all around the temple are referred to by the orangasli as their 'prayers'. It is possible that they represent epigraphic

inscriptions, which may be found carved and inscribed onto the temple walls, he said.

He added that the squiggles could resemble an attempt to replicate examples of Kawi or Sanskritsimilar to those found on existing Srivijayan Prasasti (inscribed prayers and historical statements onstone).

If this is true, and we do indeed find epigraphic inscriptions on the chandi , then the immense value ofthe discovery for Malay history is beyond imagination, he added.

The manuscripts are being kept by 41-year-old Edin Lekok, who received it from his father, Lekok

Edin (right) andKampung SayongPinang village head

Adong Kuwau showingthe orang aslimanuscripts and pictorialbook (on table) recently.


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Jenta, last year.

They were passed down by his great-great grandmother Nenek Tunggal.

The orang asli from this area who practice a kind of worship called Alam Mulia, however, do not knowwhat the manuscripts mean but consider them holy items.

The colour of the ink has not faded through the years and Edin has laminated the manuscripts to keep itfrom falling apart.

Edin also said that although he had known of the manuscripts' existence, his father did not show themto him until the day they were handed over to him.

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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Friday, February 25, 2005 3:24 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/ Lost City: Funding and expertise needed for archaeological projects;

Expedition group to be split into three teams

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THE STAR onlineWednesday February 23, 2005

Funding and expertise needed for archaeological projects

BY AUDREY EDWARDS

BANGI: Funding and the involvement of scholars from multiple disciplines such as the sciences, artsand humanities are two major challenges facing anyone organising archaeological projects in the

country.

Research is very expensive and not many people want to invest in something when they are not sureof getting anything in return, said Institute of the Malay World and Civilisation (Atma) director ProfDatuk Dr Shamsul Amri Baharuddin yesterday.

Another challenge is attracting scholars. We can have the best archaeologists but then there is nosupport from areas such as science.

We need experts in various fields such as literature, environment, religion and the economy. There arejust not enough qualified people, he said.

Consequently, he said, finding the lost city in Johor was just the tip of the iceberg and bigger tasks layahead.

It is not so much locating a lost city. It is like locating the Sungai Besi toll and not knowing why it wasbuilt, he said.

He added that any discovery should neither be overemphasised nor underrated.

Archaeologists, such as Prof Datuk Dr Nik Hassan Suhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman,who is also with Atma, have been involved in numerous excavations inMalaysia including around the Johor River, Perak, Tasik Chini in Pahang andthe Bujang Valley in Kedah.

Independent researcher Raimy Che Ross recently claimed he might havelocated the long-sought Kota Gelanggi through the study of Malay manuscripts,aerial photos and a preliminary ground trip.

Institute of the MalayWorld andCivilisation (Atma)


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Friday February 25, 2005

Expedition group to be split into three teams

KUALA LUMPUR: The group that will be setting out in search of a lost city in Johor will be split intothree teams and enter three different parts of the possible location of the ancient site, most likely inearly April.

Department of Museums and Antiquities director-general Datuk Dr Adi Taha said the area locatedaround the Linggiu River would be divided into Kangkar, Kahang and Madek.

We are writing a research proposal to guide us in this research and to have a more focused approachwith the same level of expertise at the different locations.

We have identified the areas and the approach will be concentrated at the mentioned areas.Archaeologists from the universities have agreed to work together, he said yesterday after chairing ameeting between various parties.

They included Culture, Arts and Heritage (heritage division) ministry officials, archaeologists from publicuniversities Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia andUniversiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Malaysian Remote Sensing Centre (Macres) representatives.

Representatives from Johor were from the Forestry Department, Heritage Foundation and Orang AsliAffairs Department.

Adi said that Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim would be briefed on themeeting.

Independent researcher Raimy Che Ross had recently claimed that he may have located the long-sought lost city of Kota Gelanggi through the study of Malay manuscripts, aerial photos and apreliminary ground trip.

Adi said the first field trip, which was initially planned for mid-March,would now take place in early April.

This will give members more time to carry out additional research such as going through historical andforest harvesting documents and global positioning system data from Macres.

Adi said the number of members per team had yet to be determined but would comprise of specialists.

The areas are not only the ones that Raimy identified but also based on other sources including theorang asli, prior research by UKM, department curators and oral history.

Each area will be a few kilometres in radius, he said, adding that Raimy would also be included in theexpedition.

We have to have a scientific approach and this project is of priority to us, Adi said.

director Prof DatukDr Shamsul AmriBaharuddin

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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Saturday, February 26, 2005 3:26 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/Lost City: Teams to look for Linggiu

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THE STAR onlineSaturday February 26, 2005

Teams to look for Linggiu

SUNGAI PETANI: The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry has named the expedition to locate the lostcity of Kota Gelanggi as The Search for Kota Purba Linggiu.

There is proof that the place was noted as Kota Purba Linggiu (Old City of Linggiu) and we will stick tothat, said minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

Dr Rais said the three expedition teams searching for the possible site in Johor had been given twoweeks to come up with ways on how to approach the task in a uniform and co-ordinated manner.

He said he would meet the teams once they had worked outthe details in order to brief the Johor government.

The state governments assistance was needed for theprovision of basic infrastructure facilities, including the settingup of a base camp and security arrangements, Dr Rais saidafter visiting the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum inMerbok near here where he also viewed new historicalexcavations in Pengkalan Bujang.

The Star reported yesterday that the teams comprisedministry officials, archaeologists from Universiti KebangsaanMalaysia, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Sains Malaysia andUniversiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris and Malaysian RemoteSensing Centre representatives.

They hoped to enter three different parts of the site'spossible location by early April.

Interest in the lost city was triggered after researcher Raimy Che Ross claimed that he might havelocated the lost city of Kota Gelanggi

Dr Rais (left) being briefed by theMuseums and Antiquities Deptdirector-general Datuk Dr Adi Taha atBujang Valley in Merbok, Kedah,Friday. - Bernamapic


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From: "Chua Ai Lin" To: "[singaporeheritage]" Sent: Thursday, March 03, 2005 8:29 PMSubject: [singaporeheritage] The Star/Lost City: Evidence of land clearing as recent as six months ago

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THE STAR onlineMonday February 28, 2005

Evidence of land clearing as recent as six months ago

BY FLORENCE A. SAMY

BANGI: Part of the Johor jungle, where the reported lost city is believed to be located, has beencleared for logging and agriculture as recent as between six months and 10 years ago, according to ageologist.

Prof Dr Ibrahim Komoo of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia said the satellite images taken by theMalaysian Centre for Remote Sensing (Macres), which showed light green patches of rectangular lines,revealed the different stages of land clearing conducted within that time frame.

Im really surprised to see that some of the land had been cleared so recently, he said.

From the images you can also see that the bottom left part hadbeen cleared between six months and few years because newvegetation is growing, he added.

The section of light brown patch above it had been clearedabout six months ago as it is still barren, he said, adding thatyellow patches showed that the grass had either dried up or wascleared.

It is not impossible to find a city in cleared areas as those whocleared the land may not be aware of its archaeological value,he said, adding that land clearers could provide valuableinformation that could contribute to the search for the lost city.

They might have seen unusual formations be it a rock or a wall,even if its just the top portion, while clearing the land, he said.

There was also evidence of several dirt roads built from differentdirections along that area, possibly for logging purposes, headded.

Dr Komoo also noted that it was crucial to determine the age ofthe site and it could be done through carbon dating artefacts and

studying the soil behaviour and layering.

He added that geophysical techniques could be used to detect structures buried between 15m and 20munderground.

If sandstones or laterite rocks were used 1,000 years ago, they will be badly weathered by now.

This satellite image shows variouspatches of land clearing (note thedifferent colour shadings). The lightgreen patch is a secondary forestthat had been cleared not morethan 10 years ago while the bottombrown ones had been clearedbetween six months and a fewyears.


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2005 articles from the star on johor lost city

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