Earlier
Raoul called up Omar as soon as he was out of the home after dropping the kids with Lyana coming back. He made up a story about trying to find about the Buddhist sculptures which had been found in the Bujang Valley and wanting some information about a few sculptures. Omar invited him to come over in his cheerful voice. Putting the car in the traffic moving towards the Bujang valley, he could not but think about the events of the last two days.
He was puzzled as to why anyone would be interested in a sculpture which had been discovered way back in 1941. He had found out in his research at the library that the 'Standing Buddha' had been shifted out of Malaysia when the Britisher's left and was kept in the London museum. It had been stolen and was out of the public eye for about next 20 years and it had been mysteriously donated to the Bujang Museum a few years back. Raoul shook his head with confusion hoping to get a clearer picture after meeting with Omar.
The museum had the usual smattering of a few visitors; it was generally the case. The museum did not offer guided tours and the two or three people who had been appointed by the Government made halfhearted attempts at interacting with the guests. It was a typical Government building which had been touched with apathy as the rest of the Government. Although there was a positive aspect to the museum; there was no entry fee to the Museum, but the fact that the visitor had to rely upon himself/herself for finding about the artifacts displayed made the visit a monotonous affair.
The security was almost non-existent at the Museum, making it easy for any possible heist very easy. Raoul was wondering if it would not be possible to just walk out of the museum with an artifact, quite unnoticed by the untrained staff. Hoping for his fears to have no basis in reality, he decided to broach the subject once he was meeting Omar.
Omar greeted Raoul with his familiar grin and escorted Raoul towards his office. Raoul launched directly into the questions, not waiting to be seated. Omar's expression changed as he listened to Raoul's query about the sculptures. He was very pleased to know that Raoul had come here to discuss about the Buddhist sculptures which had been found in the last 60 years. His expressions were animated as he discussed something which was close to his heart. Towards the end of the meeting, Raoul asked Omar if he had not felt trepidation due to a non-existent security at Museum.
Omar's face was pinched and the sadness reached his eyes, when he admitted that he was aware of the almost non-existent security present at the Museum and the probable threat of loss of an artifact; but he was helpless in view of the government's apathy towards the development of modern features for Museum. He told Raoul that he had many representations to the officials in the Department of Culture but was yet to receive an encouraging news from the ministry. Raoul nodded at Omar's information; it was only a confirmation of what he had already know. It would be a child's play to take away the prized statue.
The acceptance of the fact shook him through and he felt a chill run down his spine. He debated telling Omar about it but knew that till he actually had a proof there was not much he could do or say in the matter. He took leave from Omar assuring him that he would be returning in case of any issues requiring the genial man's help.
to be continued...Raoul - 6
Raoul called up Omar as soon as he was out of the home after dropping the kids with Lyana coming back. He made up a story about trying to find about the Buddhist sculptures which had been found in the Bujang Valley and wanting some information about a few sculptures. Omar invited him to come over in his cheerful voice. Putting the car in the traffic moving towards the Bujang valley, he could not but think about the events of the last two days.
He was puzzled as to why anyone would be interested in a sculpture which had been discovered way back in 1941. He had found out in his research at the library that the 'Standing Buddha' had been shifted out of Malaysia when the Britisher's left and was kept in the London museum. It had been stolen and was out of the public eye for about next 20 years and it had been mysteriously donated to the Bujang Museum a few years back. Raoul shook his head with confusion hoping to get a clearer picture after meeting with Omar.
The museum had the usual smattering of a few visitors; it was generally the case. The museum did not offer guided tours and the two or three people who had been appointed by the Government made halfhearted attempts at interacting with the guests. It was a typical Government building which had been touched with apathy as the rest of the Government. Although there was a positive aspect to the museum; there was no entry fee to the Museum, but the fact that the visitor had to rely upon himself/herself for finding about the artifacts displayed made the visit a monotonous affair.
The security was almost non-existent at the Museum, making it easy for any possible heist very easy. Raoul was wondering if it would not be possible to just walk out of the museum with an artifact, quite unnoticed by the untrained staff. Hoping for his fears to have no basis in reality, he decided to broach the subject once he was meeting Omar.
Omar greeted Raoul with his familiar grin and escorted Raoul towards his office. Raoul launched directly into the questions, not waiting to be seated. Omar's expression changed as he listened to Raoul's query about the sculptures. He was very pleased to know that Raoul had come here to discuss about the Buddhist sculptures which had been found in the last 60 years. His expressions were animated as he discussed something which was close to his heart. Towards the end of the meeting, Raoul asked Omar if he had not felt trepidation due to a non-existent security at Museum.
Omar's face was pinched and the sadness reached his eyes, when he admitted that he was aware of the almost non-existent security present at the Museum and the probable threat of loss of an artifact; but he was helpless in view of the government's apathy towards the development of modern features for Museum. He told Raoul that he had many representations to the officials in the Department of Culture but was yet to receive an encouraging news from the ministry. Raoul nodded at Omar's information; it was only a confirmation of what he had already know. It would be a child's play to take away the prized statue.
The acceptance of the fact shook him through and he felt a chill run down his spine. He debated telling Omar about it but knew that till he actually had a proof there was not much he could do or say in the matter. He took leave from Omar assuring him that he would be returning in case of any issues requiring the genial man's help.
to be continued...Raoul - 6
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