Johor could become as starting point of, modern Malay civilization Options

[Nusantara]

Lost City Believed Found in Malay Peninsula

Aerial view of an unusually well-defined ‘block’ (right), possibly the base of a temple complex or stupa. (Courtesy of Raimy Che-Ross).

CAIRO, February 3 (IslamOnline.net) - A 1,000-year-old lost city, possibly older than Angkor Wat in Cambodia and Borobudur in Indonesia, is believed to have been located in the dense jungles of Johor, Malaysia, a discovery that may set to transform the historical landscape of the Asian region, according to a leading daily Thursday, February 3.

The discovery of what is thought to be the site of Kota Gelanggi or Perbendaharaan Permata (Treasury of Jewels) by an independent Malaysian researcher has prompted museum officials to plan an expedition to confirm the finding, The Star online said.

“If indeed the site is that of the lost city, it is set to transform the historical landscape of the region,” the paper quoted as saying Raimy Che-Ross, who spent 12 years researching Malay manuscripts all over the world and conducting aerial searches of the area before locating the site.

The discovery of “unusual formations” from the air had led him to believe that the site could be the first capital of the Sri Vijaya Malay empire dating back to 650AD, he said.

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

“Once verified, the honour will go to Johor, as one thousand years ago Malacca had not even been established,” he told the paper.

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, the paper said.

Expedition

Raimy pointing to an unusual square earthen platform which was discovered along the pathway leading into the reported site of the lost city.

Department of Museum and Antiquities director-general Datuk Adi Taha said an archaeological expedition would be mounted this year to verify the location of the lost city, with Raimy’s assistance, as per the Star.

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

Adi told the paper he and the department were very enthusiastic about Raimy’s research findings and would work with him to verify the location of the lost city, which could be spread out over a few hundred square kilometres.

It was an old Malay manuscript once owned by Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of Singapore, in a London library that led Raimy to the existence of the lost city in Johor, the paper revealed.

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

Manuscripts, Tales

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

In his paper, he said the place was raided by the Indian-Chola conqueror Raja Rajendra Cholavarman 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 told the Star, adding that aerial photographs taken over the site and tales from the orang asli had indicated the existence of structures.

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

“I have verified all the information by reviewing and reassessing old colonial records and travellers tales.”

Information on Kota Gelanggi appears in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) which was edited and revised by Tun Seri Lanang, the Bendahara (equivalent to the prime minister of a sultanate) of the Royal Court of Johor in 1612 AD, the paper said.

“The manuscript narrated an account of the devastating raids by Raja Rajendra Cholavarman I, who after destroying the city of Gangga Negara (now Beruas in Lower Perak) turned his attention to Kota Gelanggi.”

This amulet from the Sri Vijaya period depicting Buddha surrounded by eight Bodhisattvas was found in Gua Chawas.

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

“We can expect to find simple granite and brick structures, walls, buildings and possibly undisturbed 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 kingdom of 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.

“There is a wealth of information we can derive from this city.”

He further added that official Japanese records noted that an Imperial Crown Prince of Japan, Prince Takaoka, Shinnyo Hosshinno, reportedly met his death in Lo-Yue after being attacked by a tiger. “Perhaps we may find his tomb here.”

Raimy said that while its main activity was a trading post, Kota Gelanggi was also a center of sacred learning.

“Hinduism and Buddhist statues and figurines may exist but what I hope to find is epigraphic inscriptions (writings on granite).”

This post has been edited by Nusantara: Feb 9 2005, 01:37 AM

[Iron Malayan]

searches of the area before locating the site.
In his paper, he said the place was raided by the Indian-Chola conqueror Raja Rajendra Cholavarman I, of the South Indian Chola Dynasty in 1025A.D.

That was no raid. It was a full scale attack by the southern Indians utilizing their entire resources. The Malay kingdoms along the straits were fully prepared for the attack and were only defeated by sheer numbers.

Prior to the invention of guns, the large population of an empire still had a chance to beat underpopulated but racially superior neighbours.

[the model racist...]

Today, under the same meritocracy quota system, the local universities are actually MANUFACTURING graduates.

In order to place as many as those unqualified matriculation people in public universities, matriculation exam standard is lowered, then in universities, this kind of students cannot survive, there are side effects - the ratio of the fail students is too much, what lecturers can do?

They will be blamed by dean or head of department, so lecturer will narrow down the subject's exam difficulty, or giving tips before exam........

With the meritocracy quota system, our universities produce only: UN-EMPLOY-ABLE GRADUATES.

And the number is growing and growing.

One fine day, the political idiots from Umno will find themselves surrounded by 'graduates' asking for a RM500 job.

The MADE IN MALAYSIA graduates realize that they themselves are not up to mark. For this reason, they can only ask for a RM500 job.

So, our public universities produce useless graduates, unemployed students........

These are MADE IN MALAYSIA graduates who cannot even find employment elsewhere.

[Iron Malayan]

Today, under the same meritocracy quota system, the local universities are actually MANUFACTURING graduates.

In order to place as many as those unqualified matriculation people in public universities, matriculation exam standard is lowered, then in universities, this kind of students cannot survive, there are side effects - the ratio of the fail students is too much, what lecturers can do?

They will be blamed by dean or head of department, so lecturer will narrow down the subject's exam difficulty, or giving tips before exam........

With the meritocracy quota system, our universities produce only: UN-EMPLOY-ABLE GRADUATES.

And the number is growing and growing.

One fine day, the political idiots from Umno will find themselves surrounded by 'graduates' asking for a RM500 job.

The MADE IN MALAYSIA graduates realize that they themselves are not up to mark. For this reason, they can only ask for a RM500 job.

So, our public universities produce useless graduates, unemployed students........

These are MADE IN MALAYSIA graduates who cannot even find employment elsewhere.

Explain why most public university graduates can find jobs.

[malaccan]

Actually, what happened to the Kota Gelinggi story? No follow-ups?

[gadismelayusejat...]

kota gelinggi???

[Sharm]

No update huh? The elusive Johor Bigfoots are probably hiding there..