Torn down: Council staff members and those from other agencies dismantling structures at the Cameron Santorini spot in Brinchang. — Photo taken from Cameron Highlands District Council’s Facebook
IPOH: The owner of Cameron Santorini, a popular tourist destination in Brinchang, hopes it can be restored after it was demolished by the Cameron Highlands District Council because its construction did not get any approval from the authorities.CL Cheah, 62, had been operating the tourist attraction on land his father had owned for 60 years.
“I had this idea when I visited Greece and wanted to bring the concept to Cameron Highlands.
“With this idea in mind, I transformed my father’s land from a vegetable farm to a tourist spot.
“I wanted to boost tourism in Cameron Highlands in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026,” he said when contacted.
Construction of the tourist spot, styled after the world-famous Greek island of Santorini, began three years ago. It became operational in April.
Cheah said the site was popular not only among locals but also among foreign tourists including those from China, Singapore and Thailand.
As for his next move, he said he would seek approval from the relevant parties to reopen the site.
In a statement on Facebook, the Cameron Highlands District Council said the demolition operations were held from 9am to 11.30am on Monday. It was led by council president Azmil Hadid Maznan, the council said.“This enforcement action took place in accordance with Section 70 (1) Construction without Approval under Act 133 of the Roads, Drains and Buildings Act 1974.”
It said others that took part in the operation were the district and land office, the police, the Pahang enforcement unit, the Public Works Department and Tenaga Nasional Bhd.
“Hopefully, this enforcement action will serve as a warning and reminder to any party intending to carry out development projects to fully comply with the relevant procedures and regulations,” it added.
