SINTOK: The Sultan of Kedah, Sultan Sallehuddin Sultan Badlishah, has consented to the construction of the Kedah Tua Museum to house artefacts and document the development of the ancient civilisation.
Sultan Sallehuddin said the museum would be developed by Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM), with RM15 million in funding currently being raised.
He said the heritage of Kedah Tua reflected the state’s historical identity and achievements, which should be preserved for future generations through proper documentation.
“The land of Kedah Darul Aman has a history far older than the institutions we have built today. For centuries, people have come to this land, bringing goods, beliefs, languages, ideas and cultures.
“Their encounters led to the exchange of knowledge, which brought progress and eventually gave rise to a civilisation, with Kedah emerging as a prosperous kingdom based on trade and the iron industry,” he said at UUM’s 39th convocation ceremony here today.
Also present were Kedah Regent Tengku Sarafudin Sultan Sallehuddin and Tunku Mahkota of Kedah Tunku Shazuddin Ariff Sultan Sallehuddin.
Among those attending were Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor, UUM Pro-Chancellor Tengku Tan Sri Mahaleel Tengku Ariff and UUM Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Ahmad Martadha Mohamed.
Sultan Sallehuddin said iron-smelting activities had flourished in the Sungai Batu and Bujang Valley areas, attracting traders from various regions.
He said the activities had produced many local experts, making Kedah Tua one of Southeast Asia’s major economic centres.
“This heritage not only reflects the state’s identity and past achievements, but is also a source of knowledge that can guide and inspire future generations.
“Therefore, I have consented to UUM building the Kedah Tua Museum. It can introduce the Kedah Tua civilisation to younger generations, covering its system of governance, topography, an overview of Kedah Tua and the Sungai Batu civilisation.
“The museum will also house artefacts including swords, iron ore, iron smelting furnaces and a collection of currency,” he said.
At the convocation ceremony, Weststar Group founder Tan Sri Dr Syed Azman Syed Ibrahim received an Honorary Doctor of Philosophy in Technology Management, Operations and Logistics.
National Parent, Community and Private Sector Engagement deputy chairman Zainol Abidin Mohamad was awarded an Honorary Master of Science in Educational Management.
A total of 6,442 graduates received their degrees across nine sessions of the university’s convocation ceremony.