IPOH: The Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) will meet the state government over the alleged threat of demolition for quarrying activities concerning the Dhamma Sakyamuni Caves Monastery in Gunung Kanthan in Chemor.
Suhakam Commissioner Abdul Kadir Jailani Ismail said that the meeting would take place after the commission completed its investigation and obtained feedback from eight agencies involved in the matter.
He said the commission visited the monastery after receiving a memorandum on Aug 27 and had since begun gathering information from the relevant parties.
“We have issued letters to eight agencies seeking information. Some have responded, while others have yet to do so.
"We are waiting for their responses. If necessary, we will visit the agencies to ask about the matter and its solution,” he told reporters after a site visit here on Tuesday (Nov 3).
Among the agencies involved are the State Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman’s office, the Perak Land and Mines Office, the state Environment Department and the National Heritage Department, State Parks Corporation, the Perak Department of Minerals and Geoscience and the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM).
Monastery abbot Chiong Sai Tin claimed that monks and devotees had been facing stress and intimidation due to the presence of police and restrictions on access to the premises.
He also claimed that drones flown at low altitudes near the monastery and devotees required to register before entering caused unease among those staying at the monastery.
He cited the placement of concrete barriers ans and an incident involving an ill monk who had been unable to leave the premises until the barrier was forcibly removed.
He urged the authorities to remove the barriers, saying they could obstruct emergency services such as ambulances.
He claimed that there is a pending appeal in the Court of Appeal and an application for a stay of execution pending hearing.
"They're thinking that once we are forced to move out, they'll blast the hill for quarrying activities.
"We definitely want to ask all the authorities to help us for our human right to freedom of religion and safety," he said.
He added that the site had been identified as an area where quarrying was not permitted under the Local Plan 2035.
Also present were Chiong's lawyer, Leong Cheok Keng and Sahabat Alam Malaysia field officer Meor Razak Meor Abdul Rahman.
