KUALA LUMPUR – At least 19 eviction notices that were issued by the Perak Land and Mines Department to cave temples in the state have been revoked by authorities.
English daily The Star quoted MCA Perak chief Datuk Mah Hang Soon saying the decision was made following his meeting with the Land and Mines Department and cave temple representatives earlier today.
“I will set up and chair a temporary committee to continue discussions with the department to work out solutions to the issues faced by the cave temples.
“I will also help temple committees prepare the necessary documentation to resolve these issues for the long term,” he reportedly said.
Mah included how the Land and Mines Department director had agreed during the meeting that some of the cave temples are culturally and historically significant and have tourism value as well.
He said the discussion with the Land and Mines Department was preceded by a separate session he held with representatives from the cave temples last night.
The report includes how several matters have been slated for discussion in future meetings between state authorities and temple committees, among them, their plans to gazette land for temple use, or granting a Temporary Occupancy Licence to temples to continue using their respective sites.
“We also recommended that the department send experts to survey and evaluate the cave temples and help them make the premises safe for the public, while protecting the environment and historical monuments.
“We will also continue to raise awareness and have the temple committees ensure that future activities at their premises do not damage the environment and are safe for visitors,” he was quoted as saying in the report.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad had told The Vibes he expects to release an official statement concerning the issue on Wednesday.
“A statement will be released after the state exco meeting on Wednesday,” he said, following reports of two Perak cave temples receiving eviction notices from state authorities on Friday; the 155-year-old Nam Thean Tong Cave Temple in Ipoh, and Gopeng’s Gua Naga Mas Cave Temple.
While Nam Thean Tong Cave Temple is not as prominent as the more popular Sam Poh Tong Temple, it has its fair share of visitors and historical significance.
Gopeng’s Gua Naga Mas was only established in 2013, and have yet to have its applications for a land lease approved. The temple was set up soon after the fossil of a tiger was found lodged in the namesake cave.
Previously, it was reported that the century-old Sakyamuni Cave Monastery at the foothills of Perak’s Gunung Kanthan had also been served with an eviction notice.
In November, a representative said the temple was still awaiting a court decision to determine the fate of the temple. – The Vibes, January 10, 2022
