Salvage company denies planting ancient coins at treasure site

JASIN: A company engaged to look for hidden treasures of the Melaka sultanate in Pulau Nangka today dismissed an allegation that it had planted the two ancient coins found there last week.
Smart Partnership International (M) Sdn Bhd said the coins were found by its workers while they were drilling through a stone wall on the island.
Its managing director, Mohammad Foad Khushairy Mohd Said, told reporters on the island that the company handed the coins to the Melaka Museums Corporation to verify its authenticity.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron had said he was not convinced that the coins were artifacts found on Pulau Nangka.
Mohammad Foad said it was believed that the entrance to a cave containing the hidden treasures was located below several huge boulders which the company was in the process of removing.
Meanwhile, Region 2 Marine Police commander ACP Paul Khiu Khon Chiang said the police were monitoring the island to ensure security and let the work to locate the treasures go on unhindered.
"Marine police personnel will be in touch with the company to keep track of the developments during the search," he said.
He also said that Pulau Nangka was a restricted area and advised the public not to go there without a permit from the authorities. – Bernama