IPOH: The Perak Land and Mines Department has revoked the eviction notices served on 19 cave temples in the Kinta district.
State MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the decision was made after a meeting between him, representatives from the cave temples and the department on Monday (Jan 10).
Dr Mah said the department director agreed that some of the cave temples were culturally and historically significant and had tourism value as well.
"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 the temple committees prepare the necessary documentation to resolve these issues for the long term," he told a press conference after the meeting.
The cave temples - including the 155-year-old Nam Thean Tong Cave Temple - had reportedly been served with notices to vacate the premises within 30 days last Friday (Jan 7).
Dr Mah had on Sunday (Jan 9) night met with representatives from the cave temples to discuss a resolution to the problem.
He said moving forward, several matters would be discussed by the department and temple committees.
These, he said, included plans to gazette land for temple use or granting a Temporary Occupancy Licence to the temples to continue using their respective sites.
"We also recommended that the department sends 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 added.
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