Batu Bersurat

Batu Bersurat or Batu Bersurat Terengganu i.e. the inscribed stone of Terengganu can be found in the Terengganu State Museum. This stone provides one of the oldest evidences of Jawi writing i.e. Arabic alphabets used by the Malaysian people. Batu Bersurat was founded near the Teluk Gedong waterfront and was listed as a United Nation’s Memory of The World.

As of date, the stone’s replica can be found in Kampung Buluh, Kuala Berang and in Ladang Roundabout, Kuala Terengganu. Its inscriptions prove that Islam was the state religion. The stone rises to a height of about 89 cm and weighs about 214.8 kg. Batu Bersurat bears 3 facades and its 4 sides bear inscriptions on opposite directions. While the inscriptions talk about the spread of Islamic culture, they also provide an insight into the life of Malaysian people who existed during the 10th and 11th century. A proclamation by the ruler of Terengganu can also be found on Batu Bersurat. In this proclamation, the ruler urges his subjects to uphold Islam and he also states the 10 basic Sharia laws. A symbol of the Dutch East India Company is also carved on the stone. Information about regional trade is also inscribed on it. Further, it also bears the depiction of a tiger that appears to be stealing a child.