Bujang Valley

I went for road trip, driving to north with Najidah last July for 8 days. I have been wanting to do this for quite some time. I always remember the drive to north is most beautiful and interesting with green padi fields dotted with Malay houses, hills and mountains and lush green trees in abundance. Many of the interesting hills, I found, have been marred by quarry works and they looked so ugly. Why oh why do Malaysians destroy what God has created, for money? I feel so frustrated and angry looking at the spoilt scenery.

One destination that I wanted to see so badly was the Bujang Valley. I remember reading about it when it was first discovered. After visiting so many historical sights overseas I wanted to see myself this archaeological findings that has made history in my own country. Though the drive was so pleasant, I lost my way many times. Fortunately Malay is the spoken language, so asking for direction was no problem. It was quite frustrating when you drive following the signage and suddenly you found yourself nowhere. It was unbelievable - the signage was so poor and being a Malaysian, you can get lost in your own country. Imagine a foreign tourist driving in Malaysia?

According to website southeastasianarchaeology, Bujang Valley is older than Angkor Wat. The pictures and the description in the website posted in Oct 2007 were vivid but when we went there there wasn't much to see. The archaeological site was beautiful with Gunung Jerai as background and surrounded by green padi fields. It was so serene and peaceful. There was nobody there except a lone guard. This scene is so different to so many historical sites I have visited where there were throngs of people coming to see history but not in Bujang valley - it was as silent as the soft passing wind. Why?? It could be a very profitable attraction for tourists had it been taken care and publicised well. I think we Malaysian lost a lot in promoting our country and the richness of our history. I wonder what the Kedah tourist board is doing.

Many of the artifacts, as I understand it, have been moved to the museum as what it should be. But the site is left uncared. The ground is clean and well-tendered but the sites of the diggings are overgrown with grass. There were no labeling to explain what is what, except at the main exhibition platform. That also is so pathetic. Oh Malaysia, tanah airku. What is happening?

I am sad and disappointed at the apathetic attitude of those responsible to promote our country. I am positive if the site is well-maintained and promoted, tourists from all over the world will come as it is not far from Penang. In the website, photos of different candis were attached, but I didn't see any, as there were no labels or explanations posted. I am still curious and hope this will change in future for the better - with loads of improvement. Who is listening to my complaints? Is there an email where I can write my dissatisfactions? Oh Malaysia tanah airku! sigh.......

Malaysia's poor signage is not new. Almost everyone who drives I talked to, has experienced the frustration of getting lost because of the signage. Do we need a special school or course on how to put on signages? Some spellings are atrocious too. We don't seem to move on with time. We should be tourist friendly as Thailand and Indonesia, our neighbours are.

Oh Malaysia tanah airku. I still love you.