YTL subsidiary assures Gua Kanthan protection, says awarded lease in 1960

KUALA LUMPUR – Associated Pan Malaysia Cement (APMC) has assured that it is committed to preserving and protecting Gua Kanthan, located on Gunung Kanthan limestone hill in Perak, along with its endemic flora and fauna.

APMC, a subsidiary of YTL Cement, explained that the company was awarded a lease by the Perak state government in 1960, and began its industrial activities in 1964.

“Our investment since then has contributed to Perak state’s socio-economic development.

“Thousands of job opportunities have been created for the rakyat of Chemor, Perak and the economic livelihoods of businesses such as engineering, logistics, and other supporting industries have been enhanced,” APMC said in a statement to The Vibes.

Pointing out that the limestone hills in Kinta Valley have been designated for various purposes such as commercial, recreational, scientific and religious activities, APMC asserted that it is a responsible company committed to preserving and protecting Gua Kanthan.

“We have been collaborating with experts from leading institutions to conduct research into how biodiversity can be effectively managed and conserved.

“In recognition of our efforts and dedication, Gua Kanthan was declared a part of the Kinta Valley Geopark, Malaysia’s second national geopark that was officially launched by HRH (His Royal Highness) the Sultan of Perak in 2018,” APMC added.

Further, contrary to conflicting claims, APMC says the company has co-existed harmoniously with the local community, explaining that many farmers have continued making a living on their leased land without charge and other settlers in the area have been successfully relocated.

Currently, there is an ongoing issue between APMC and the Buddhist Sakyamuni Caves Monastery located in Gunung Kanthan.

The monastery contends that it has existed for nearly a century on the limestone hill.

However, APMC has initiated an Order 89 application in the Ipoh High Court to evict settlers on the land to which the company owns a lease.

The Vibes has confirmed with the monastery’s lawyer, Lee Jia Mian, that APMC intends to evict the monastery.

“After all of our gestures of goodwill were met with no response from the illegal meditation centre, we had no other recourse but to take legal action in accordance with Order 89 of the Rules of Court 2012,” APMC said.

“The trespassers have no regard for the law nor their safety,” it alleged. “As the rightful owner of the land, we are responsible for all that occurs on it.

“We cannot stand by the misleading of the public nor allow such negligence”

Reasoning that limestone hills are reactive to water or weak acid, APMC stated that occurrences of limestone landslides are natural geological disasters.

The company said that 15 cases of natural limestone falls have occurred in Perak since the 1970s.

“Amongst them are the devastation in Gunung Cheroh, Ipoh in 1973 which claimed 42 lives; and the incident in Perak Caves Temple in 2009, which resulted in deaths, severe injuries, and property damage.

“In 2020, there was a landslide at a luxury resort set in the limestone hills in Ipoh which claimed 2 lives,” APMC added.

Additionally, the company claims that the monastery is now attempting to disregard both law and safety.

“The current campaign by the illegal meditation centre is perpetuating untruths. It attempts to manipulate emotions and distract the public from the real issues at hand: safety and the sanctity of the law,” APMC said.

“The centre has dismissed and violated both by deliberately ignoring the legal rights of the registered owners of the land and the wellbeing of the public that they claim to welcome.” – The Vibes June 5, 2021