Pekan Lama played a key role

A look into the past: Noridayu measuring the Qing Dynasty ­tombstones that were found at an old house in Pekan Lama, Pahang. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: The recent discovery of 200-year-old Chinese tombstones is evidence that Pekan Lama, Pahang was an important trading port in the country, according to an archaeologist.

Noridayu Bakry, who is also a curator at Pahang’s Sultan Abu Bakar Museum, said the findings were consistent with artefacts found around Kuala Pahang, such as old coins and pieces of porcelain recently.

“The unearthed Qing Dynasty tombstones will help to identify the historical evolution of Pekan Lama, including its trade with China and prove the prosperity of the port at that time.

“Together with the recent discovery of ancient coins and ceramics in Kuala Pahang, these discoveries are very important to further prove that Pekan Lama was once the earliest trading port in the region, ” she said in a Sin Chew Daily report.

The authorities, she noted, will further confirm that the cultural relics are contemporary items and study the potential value of their cultural heritage before proceeding with more follow-up work.

The daily reported on Tuesday that nearly a dozen Chinese tombstones were unearthed outside the old house belonging to the eighth Pahang mentri besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Jusoh in Pekan Lama.

Broken pieces of ceramics were also found on the open field behind the house.

The open field was once the headquarters of the British army and the Japanese troops during World War II.

The tombstones were discovered by gardeners who were cutting grass on Saturday.

Measuring 60cm by 30cm, each of the tombstones was laid down flat in a straight line and buried under a layer of soil.

Noridayu was one of the representatives from several government departments and NGOs who visited the site on Tuesday.

They included the East Coast Cultural Department, the Pahang Public Library, the Pahang branch of Persatuan Sejarah Malaysia, the Pekan local council and the Royal Palace.

According to her, the artefacts were a local cultural heritage and would merit further research.

“Even though unearthed cultural relics are considered national treasures, even so, we will hold discussions with Chinese societies to reach a consensus.

“We will respect the wishes of the Chinese community and seek to find a win-win solution, ” she said.

It was earlier reported that Pekan MCA chief Datuk Tan Yang Meng wanted to have the tombstones moved to a Chinese cemetery to provide the ancestors with a proper final resting place.

The Chinese dynasties’ relations with Malay Archipelago sultanates date back to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with the Melaka Sultanate voluntarily became a protectorate and tributary state for the Ming Dynasty in turn for protection against its enemies.

This happened long before the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912) and according to history records, the trading between the Chinese and the Malay peninsula dates back to even longer time ago.

The presence and unearthing of cemeteries and tombstones is an important indicator of the existence of the Chinese community in Malaysia.