The Stream

Ancient ‘candi’ crushed by Malaysian developer

Destruction of 1,200-year-old temple outrages Malaysians online.

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Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, an ancient temple similar to the destroyed site, in Bujang Valley, Kedah, Malaysia. Photo via Flickr user _alladdin_ [Creative Commons]

Malaysians online were incensed over reports that a 1,200-year-old temple ruin had been razed by a developer clearing land for a residential housing project. 
 
The temple ruin, known locally as “candi”, is reportedly one of more than 90 in Malaysia’s Bujang Valley,  or “Lembah Bujang”. The NGO Badan Warisan Malaysia is trying to get the valley recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.