No enforcement against Perak cave temples pending govt decision - lawmakers

 

The Perak Land and Mines Department (PTG) will not take any enforcement action against the cave temples in Kinta district which have received eviction notices until the state authority makes a decision on land use application by temples.

In a joint statement, DAP's Howard Lee (Pasir Pinji), A Sivanesan (Sungkai) and Tan Kar Hing (Simpang Pulai) said this was the assurance given by the PTG in a meeting between them two days ago.

"We attended the first meeting of the special committee on limestone cave place of worship at the invitation of PTG. We welcome the acceptance of our recommendation to establish a cross-party committee that will definitely involve opposition lawmakers in resolving the long-outstanding issue.

"In the meeting, we raised concerns over the possibility that the gazetting efforts may fail even before its commencement if the existing planning and construction guidelines are adopted as the standard of consideration.

"However, upon request for clarification from us, the PTG assured that no enforcement action (eviction and demolition) will be taken as long as certain measures have not been explored and implemented in-depth by relevant parties," they said. 

This included the application for land use as places of worship; status assessment; views of agencies were referred; decision by state authority and the setting of conditions to be complied with, they said.

The meeting also reaffirmed that the eviction order was not revoked as claimed by certain quarters, they said.

The meeting was held after the Perak state executive council decided on Jan 12 that all cave temples that sit on government land should submit an application for use of government land according to the law.

They stressed the committee should work toward reserving and gazetting all affected sites as legitimate places of worship. 

"We are of the view that all temples which have received eviction notices should be given support, assistance, and guidance so that they can continue their activities safely," they said. 

It was reported that the cave temples - including the 155-year-old Nam Thean Tong Cave Temple - were served with notices on Jan 7 to vacate their premises within 30 days.

The cave temples are mainly located in Gunung Rapat, Simpang Pulai, Bercham and Tambun. 

On Jan 10, Perak MCA chairperson Dr Mah Hang Soon said the eviction notices served on the cave temples had been revoked after the PTG met with the affected temple representatives. 

However,  Perak Menteri Besar Saarani Mohamad denied withdrawing the evacuation notices, citing safety reasons. - Mkini