Raimy Che-Ross Happy

Researcher cheered by response
BY FLORENCE A.SAMY

PETALING JAYA: The past week has been gratifying but sleep-deprived for Raimy Che-Ross, the independent researcher who believes he may have located Kota Gelanggi, a 1,000 year-old lost city in the jungles of Johor.

After years of having his findings dismissed, he is suddenly in the limelight after The Star highlighted his efforts.

“It's surreal. No one took me seriously before. Now an expedition is being planned to see if my findings lead to the city,” said Raimy, who has been inundated with calls from foreign media at all hours.

The Canberra-based researcher had his first radio interview with the Spanish News Agency at 8am the morning the news broke.

Raimy has backed his findings with 17th century Malay manuscript references, topographical evaluations, a site visit and personal aerial photographs showing “unusual structural formations” believed to be remnants of a fortified city.

The Government said on Feb 4 that it was giving top priority to the search of the lost city and would provide the necessary funding for it.

“I'm thankful that the Government, especially Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim, recognise the validity of my preliminary findings. Their reaction has been overwhelming and humbling,” he said.

He notified the authorities, including Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman, of his discovery in December 2003 in accordance with the Antiquities Act.

Raimy described his 12-year search for the lost city of Kota Gelanggi as a “pastime that has turned into a passion”

However, the best reward so far, Raimy said, was the international coverage for Johor and Malaysia, which has included interviews with the BBC and ABC of Australia.

“It's not about who discovers a potential lost city. If proven right, it will radically change how we view the history of Malaysia and South-East Asia.

“It may be the kingdom of Srivijaya,” he said, adding that he was willing to give public lectures and answer questions.

“It's been 1,000 years since Kota Gelanggi was raided and destroyed, so we'd be lucky to even find a coin or just slabs remaining, but there is a Lost City out there waiting to be discovered.”

His article “The ‘Lost City’ of Kota Gelanggi” appears in the latest issue of the Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society. “The reality of it all has not really hit me yet.

“Previously, I was told to leave archaeology to real archaeologists.

“But now, people take me seriously,” he said.