Panel on cave temples will include opposition, says MB

IPOH: A special committee to determine the status of Perak’s cave temples will include political representatives as members, said menteri besar Saarani Mohamad.

Saarani said having members from both the government and opposition would prevent the matter from being politicised.

“This is not a political issue, so it is all right for us to get representatives from MCA, MIC, DAP or PKR in the special committee.

“We will call the technical department and temple operators together because we need to find an immediate solution. Safety should be the top priority,” he told reporters after visiting Kampung Klebang Tambahan yesterday.

Saarani said the Perak lands and mines office was waiting for a list of names from the temple operators.

“Once they have the names, we will set up the committee and get the state government to discuss with them to find the best way to solve this problem,” he said.

Recently, conservation group Badan Warisan Malaysia called for Perak’s cave temples to be gazetted as national heritage sites. Activists have also suggested that the temples in Kinta can be made safe through remedial work, instead of being evicted on grounds of public safety.

Saarani had previously said that encroachment activities and uncontrolled structural construction could create safety hazards as limestone caves were sensitive to climate change. — Free Malaysia Today