IPOH: Residents of Taman Saikat, located next to Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village, have requested the Ipoh City Council allow the residential area to be turned into a gated and guarded community.
Residents' spokesman Surindar Singh said it was an option for the city council to consider, should the tourist spot be reopened.
Surindar said there had been talk that the tourist spot would reopen, along with the launch of a "Friendship Park" by a minister in early August.
"The residents here just do not want to be disturbed by tourists. If anyone wants to go to the tourist spot, they can use another road to get there," he told a press conference on Saturday (July 25).
"We stress that we are not against development, but we do not want cars taking a shortcut through our residential area to get there.
"That is why we suggest the city council fund a boom gate in front of our residential area, as well as a retaining wall between the tourist spot and our area.
"The city council should also bear the monthly maintenance fees," he added.
Residents first voiced displeasure over the operation of the cultural village in 2014, citing traffic congestion and safety issues caused by large numbers of visitors.
The premises were ordered to close in April 2024 after a foreign tour guide was killed by a falling rock, allowing authorities to evaluate safety aspects.
The Star has reached out to the city council and Perak local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng for comment.
