THE STAR

PETALING JAYA: The Department of Museums Malaysia is ready to accept ancient artefacts recently found in Kuala Terengganu for display to the public if they are deemed fit for such display in museums. Department director-general Dato’ Ibrahim Ismail said it was also interested in conducting further research on the items, which included crockery and coins.

“Those artefacts which were unearthed in Terengganu should be protected because they are part of the country’s history and are of national interest,” he said yesterday.

Ibrahim pointed out that the Heritage Department was in charge of claiming the items and determining if they were of significant historical value. Ibrahim was commenting on the discovery of various items including a porcelain vase, coins with early Jawi writing, Arabic script and ancient Chinese emblems, ancient Indian ornaments and Chinese jars, plates and vases.

It was reported that workers uncovered the items when they were constructing a new ring road and sewage system in the Chinatown of Kuala Terengganu. Ibrahim added that the museum was open to accept anything offered to them from the find. “However, we would respect the Heritage Department’s decision if the artefacts were given to the state museum for display. The relics are precious and should be well taken care of,” he said.