Terengganu: From “Where Nature Embraces Heritage” to “The Government Embarrasses Nature and Heritage”

Terengganu’s Heritage Demolition Department at work — destroying 100-year-old building:

Masjid Raja Chendering — Gone.

“I am not aware of the history behind Masjid Raja.”

— Datuk Shaikh Harun Shaikh Ismail, Terengganu State Religious Affairs Department Commissioner.

[Link: Kecek-Kecek – Heritage Is Just Some Dead Wood]

Masjid Raja Bukit Besar — Gone.

Another mosque bites the dust under orders from Terengganu’s Heritage Demolition Department; a tree weeps in grief; and the wind sweeps away another piece of history.

[Link: Kecek-Kecek – Old Mosque Bites the Dust II]

Kedai Payang, Jalan Bandar & Jalan Banggol — In progress.

I heard in disbelief recently when the present Menteri Besar of Terengganu say – with some exasperation – to a bemused audience in London’s Malaysia Hall that their toughest task is to change the minda of the people. It’s kinda cute isn’t it that people who seem to be the least possessed of such minda are now ruining and burning our cities in Malaysia with the kitsch of their desires and telling us without the slightest hint of irony that they – they – are the saviours of our soul. And what is minda for them if not money?

The curse of Terengganu is that it has too much money and too little people. No, it is not underpopulated, but the people who govern us are dwarves, little people with big delusions of grandeur.

They have already destroyed most of our heritage; they have razed down Kampung Datuk Amar to build an ersatz Ottoman market, and they have pulled down two old mosques that were parts of our glorious history. All in the name of minda, I dare say.

[Link: Kecek-Kecek – Mabuk Kepayang]

Terengganu: From “Where Nature Embraces Heritage” to “The Government Embarrasses Nature and Heritage”!

Link:

1. Al-Masjid
2. Warisan Trengganu
3. Alam Akademik