Perak govt waiting for affected cave temples to submit names for special committee, says MB

IPOH: The state government is waiting for the 14 affected cave temples to submit the names of their representatives on a special committee, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad (pic).

The Perak Mentri Besar said he called the Perak Land and Mines Department this week seeking an update on the matter involving 14 temples that received an eviction notice from the Kinta District Land Office.

“They informed me that they are still waiting for the temples to give the names of their representative on the committee,” he said.

“The committee will include representatives from both the government and the Opposition as I do not want to politicise the matter,” he told reporters after visiting villagers at Kampung RPT Chepor here on Sunday (Jan 16).

On Jan 9, 14 temples were served with eviction notices from the Kinta District Land Office and were told to vacate within 30 days, including the 155-year-old Nam Thean Tong cave temple.

Following this, Perak MCA Chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said on Jan 11 that the department had revoked the notice after a meeting with after a meeting with temple representatives.

However, Saarani said a few days later that the notices had not been revoked.

On Friday (Jan 14) MCA questioned the U-turn on the eviction notice after several DAP reps allegedly met with Saarani.

Separately, Saarani said the state would look into solving the flood issue happening at Kampung RPT Chepor.

“After meeting with some of the villagers, we heard their complaints. Even though what is happening here is not massive flooding, flash floods have cost villagers a fortune,” he said.

“We will bring the matter to the state meeting to see what we can do to solve this,” added Saarani.