What is the significance of the exposed cemetery in Pedu Lake?

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Exposed Cemetery in Pedu Lake Holds Historical and Familial Significance

The recent exposure of an old cemetery in Kampung Mong Gajah, Pedu Lake, due to receding water levels, holds significant historical and familial importance for local communities. This event, which previously occurred in 2020, has allowed approximately 300 next of kin and residents to visit and perform tahlil and prayers for the deceased. The cemetery is believed to be around 100 years old, predating the Pedu Dam project initiated in the 1960s, which submerged about 15 villages in the vicinity.
Historical Context of Submerged Villages

The Pedu Dam project, undertaken in the 1960s, led to the submersion of numerous villages, including Kampung Mong Gajah and Kampung Kuala. Residents like Ismail Md Daud, 62, whose grandfather is buried in the exposed cemetery, shared that his father relocated from Kampung Kuala due to mysterious illnesses. This historical displacement underscores the profound impact of the dam's construction on the local populace, displacing communities and altering the landscape.
Reasons for Cemetery's Non-Relocation

The old cemetery was not relocated during the dam's development because both the Kedah Islamic Affairs Department and the Kedah Mufti’s Department determined there was no necessity to do so, given its considerable age. This decision, made decades ago, has resulted in the graveyard remaining undisturbed beneath the waters of Pedu Lake until periods of low water levels.
Current Water Levels and Communal Gatherings

As of the reporting period, the water level at Pedu Dam stands at 33.21%, with Muda Dam at 7.80% and Ahning Dam at 78.50%. These receding levels have facilitated gatherings like the one attended by around 300 individuals for tahlil and prayers. Imam Mohamad Khori Idris of Kampung Tong Pelu noted that such events provide an opportunity for relatives of those buried in Kampung Mong Gajah and surrounding submerged villages to reconnect, and also allow for recreational activities.
Parliamentary Representative's Remarks

Padang Terap Member of Parliament Nurul Amin Hamid was also present at the gathering. He reiterated the historical context of the submerged villages and the decision not to relocate the cemetery. His remarks included prayers for the departed and for the replenishment of the lake's water resources, essential for domestic and agricultural use across Kedah, Perlis, and Penang.

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What is the significance of the exposed cemetery in Pedu Lake?

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