Recent evidence of the city's existence and approximate location was presented as the result of a decade-long research project based on Malay manuscripts, cartographical and topographical surveys, aerial inspections and assessments of local folklore. Based on these sources a preliminary discussion on the subject was published as a lengthy academic paper entitled "The "Lost City" of Kota Gelanggi" in 2004. Prior to its publication, the paper's author Raimy Che-Ross, an independent researcher, had tabled and discussed his findings with experts at the "Asia Research Institute" (ARI), National University of Singapore, the Johor chapter of Badan Warisan Malaysia (Malaysian Heritage Trust) and archaeologists at the "Jabatan Muzium dan Antikuiti Malaysia" (Museums and Antiquities Department of Malaysia), between January–June 2004. The paper received wide coverage in the Malaysian media, who prematurely reported the introductory article as the announcement of a major "discovery". This prompted the then Minister for Heritage, Culture and the Arts to announce ambitious 'plans' for selected museum and government officials to "discover" the city which they did not.