Historical find: Mohd Faris (right) showing the Majapahit-era statue to Johor Tourist Guides Association chairman Jimmy Leong (centre) and association members who paid a visit to the gallery at Komtar JBCC here in Johor Baru recently. — THOMAS YONG/ The Star
JOHOR BARU: To the world, Indiana Jones is a fictional character made famous by American actor Harrison Ford but to Mohd Faris Johari, the fedora-wearing, bullwhip-wielding archaeologist is his hero in finding lost treasures.
The 35-year-old said he has been mesmerised by the Indiana Jones movies since he was a child growing up in Kota Tinggi.
“Because of Indy, I just love history. He makes treasure hunting look so cool and the adventures he goes on are simply amazing.
“Although he is not a real person, Indy has inspired me to keep searching for lost artefacts or items with historical value,” he said when met at the Johor history gallery, which he operates at Komtar JBCC here.
Mohd Faris said he has been collecting historical items since 2016 and has amassed thousands of artefacts from the Majapahit era up to modern times.
Some of the artefacts, he added, were bought from other collectors but most of those at his gallery were found by him and his team.
“About 90% of the items were those we found around Johor, especially along Sungai Johor in Kota Tinggi, and I do believe that there are still many more waiting to be discovered.”
Mohd Faris said that previously, he would give away some of the artefacts he had found to museums, universities or even state agencies so that they could safeguard them.
That changed after he met the Johor prince, Tunku Temenggong Johor Tunku Idris Iskandar Al-Haj Ibni Sultan Ibrahim, last year.
“Tunku Temenggong Johor advised me that it is better for the people to see what I have collected over the years. So that’s what I am doing with this gallery,” he said, adding that entrance to the facility is free.
Mohd Faris also said with the gallery located at one of the major shopping malls in the city, he has received many local and foreign visitors who even offered to buy some of the items.
“Some of them offered me thousands of ringgit for the artefacts but I told them they were not for sale. I want these objects to be seen by the younger generation so that they will understand our country’s rich history and be proud of it,” he said.
