Batu Bersurat Terengganu
The Batu Bersurat Terengganu (“Inscribed Stone of Terengganu”) was listed as one of the United Nation’s Memory of The World, a UNESCO’s program to preserve valuable heritage archive worldwide. The stone was found by a gold and tin miner Arab trader, Syed Hussin Ghulam al-Bukhari, in 1903 in Kampung Buluh, a village 3km from the town of Kuala Berang. The locals had actually discovered the stone 15 years earlier when a flash flood revealed the stone which was jutting out of the Sungai Tersat riverbank. The locals carried the stone to their mosque and used it as a platform to perform ablutions. It was at the mosque that Syed Hussin ‘discovered’ the inscribed stone. While he was washing his feet to prepare for midday prayers, he noticed the stone he was standing on is inscribed with Jawi words. With curiosity, he presented the stone to the Sultan of Terengganu after obtaining the permission of the village leader to do so.
The Sultan could not find anyone who was able to solve the mystery of the inscription on the stone. The Sultan then placed the stone in the fort of Bukit Puteri before a British colonial official sent the stone over to Raffles Museum for examination in year 1922. A photograph of the stone was sent to London and only then were the ‘mysterious’ inscriptions deciphered.
The writing on the stone was revealed to be a proclamation issued by a Sri Paduka Tuan of Terengganu for his subjects to spread and uphold Islam. The inscription on the stone provides 10 basic laws for their guidance. The date inscribed on the stone was month of Rejab, 702H or year 1303 AD.
The Inscribed Stone of Terengganu is important as an evidence of the acceptance of Islam by a local ruler, a testimony to the spread of Islam, an insight to the life of the people of the era and Islamic culture under a set of religious laws. The Jawi inscription on the stone is believed to be the oldest Jawi writing found in Malaysia. The discovery also refutes the earlier claim of “Islam started on the western side of Peninsular Malaysia, Melaka” when Islamic principality in fact had existed in Terengganu almost 100 years before Melaka was found.
Today, the replica of the stone is placed in two locations – a memorial in Kampung Buluh, Kuala Berang and a mammoth replica at Ladang Roundabout in Kuala Terengganu. The original stone is displayed at the State Museum of Terengganu.
Contact details
Lembaga Muzium Negeri Terengganu
Bukit Losong, 20566 Kuala Terengganu
Terengganu Darul Iman
Tel: 60 9-632 1200
museum.terengganu.gov.my
Opening hours
The Terengganu State Museum is open daily from 9am until 5pm.
Map
Suggestions?
Got any good tips to share with us? Do you know of any great things to do in Malaysia, or tips on the best places to eat? Let us know by leaving a reply below!
Keep Exploring Malaysia
-
Royal Selangor Visitor Center – A surprisingly fun museum in Kuala Lumpur
-
Klias Wetlands – A Great River Cruise Through the Mangrove Forest
-
Malaysia Family Travel Guide: Best Attractions for Kids
-
Gaya Street Sunday Market. A great Sunday market in Kota Kinabalu
-
8 Best Museums To Visit in Kuala Lumpur
-
Ultimate Guide to Genting Highlands
brandon 16/07/2026
It’s always fascinating to read how important historical discoveries can happen during everyday moments. The story behind the inscription really highlights the value of preserving cultural heritage for future generations. I recently came across some well-organized information on https://tulsacountyassessors.org that also shows how documented records help preserve local history and ownership details over time. Thanks for sharing such an interesting piece of history and its remarkable journey to recognition.
Ryan 16/07/2026
What an incredible piece of history—it’s amazing that such an important artifact was once used so casually before its significance was recognized. Reading stories like this always makes me appreciate how preserving historical documents and official records matters across generations. Resources focused on https://govbackgroundchecks.org also highlight the value of documenting and verifying information over time. Thanks for sharing this fascinating glimpse into Terengganu’s rich cultural heritage.
David 15/07/2026
It’s always fascinating how everyday objects can end up preserving such an important part of history. The story behind the discovery makes the inscription even more meaningful, especially since it was unknowingly used for years before its significance was recognized. I also enjoy exploring historical public records, and https://davidlmossinmatelookup.us has been useful for learning how archived records are organized in a completely different context. Thanks for sharing this remarkable piece of Terengganu’s heritage.
Andrew 15/07/2026
Really appreciate the effort put into organizing this information in a way that’s easy to understand. While comparing different property resources, I found http://pimacountyassessor.or to be a useful reference for learning about assessment records, parcel details, and valuation information. It helped me better understand how property data is presented without having to search through multiple sources. Great post and thanks for sharing these helpful insights!
sa 12/04/2023
qwert