Nature at risk: According to the landowner, only part of the boulder formation is being demolished in order for him to build his house in Kampung Baru Buntong. — Photo courtesy of Kinta Valley Watch
IPOH: It may have taken millions of years to form, but a limestone formation located on private land here is now being partially cleared to make way for a house.
Limestone hill conservation group Kinta Valley Watch has expressed sadness over the loss of this natural wonder, although the landowner has explained that some sections of the boulder will remain intact.
The situation was first highlighted by Kinta Valley Watch on its Facebook page on Wednesday, which noted that heavy machinery had been spotted breaking parts of the limestone pinnacles and levelling the site in Kampung Baru Buntong, a neighbourhood also famous for its kacang putih snacks.
Such jagged limestone pinnacles are common in the area, often found in overgrown plots, along roadsides and even within residential compounds.
News about the presence of machinery there led to concern from residents and environmental observers which, in turn, caused much distress to the landowner, who identified himself as Choong.
He said he was taken aback by social media posts accusing him of “destroying heritage rocks” and “acting like an illegal quarry operators”.
Choong, who recently purchased the plot classified as a residential lot, said: “We bought it with our savings. We just want to build a small house to live in.
“The land has a valid grant and we obtained a permit from MBI (Ipoh City Council) for minor land clearing. We are not doing anything illegal.”
He explained that he is only removing part of a boulder obstructing construction works.
The boulder sits right in the middle of the property, making construction impossible, he said.
“The rest of the limestone around it will remain untouched.
“People think we are demolishing the whole area, but that is not true. Everything we are doing is legal and approved,” he said.
Choong said he now fears for his family’s safety, stressing that they are ordinary people, not part of any company or conglomerate.
“We are just a small family building a single-storey home,” he said, adding that social media posts have painted an unfair picture of the situation.
“I have no intention of profiting from the limestone and would even reuse the remaining rock as part of the house foundation.”
On the site, there is a MBI signboard stating that the owner has permission for minor construction works from Nov 6 to Dec 5.
Kinta Valley Watch spokesman Ching Boon Tat acknowledged that he had been told that the private land owner had a valid grant.
“However, the authorities should advise and monitor such activities,” he said in an interview.
He highlighted the need to preserve the natural karst landscape, describing it as part of the state’s geological heritage.
“This is our natural heritage. It’s not right to destroy it even if you own the land,” Ching said.
He suggested that the authorities designate areas with such stones as educational sites or turn them into nature reserves or parks.
“Places like this are rare. I hope the area can be conserved under the existing laws,” he added.
Perak Mineral and Geoscience department director Nizarulikram Abdul Rahim, when contacted, said little can be done when the land is privately owned.
“The right to use the land belongs to the owner. What can be done is to hold amicable discussions to preserve the valuable part of the limestone pinnacle,” he said.
He recalled a similar incident, though on a larger scale, in Kampar in March, when a fossilised limestone pinnacle located on land owned by a housing development company was removed to make way for a project.
“At that time, the department had called in the developer and project consultant.
“We requested that the pinnacle be carefully cut, and the parties agreed to incorporate it as part of the landscape in the green area of the housing development,” he said.
