IPOH: A special committee has been set up by the Perak government to review the status of 14 cave temples that have received eviction notices by the Perak Land and Mines Department, says Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

       He added the committee will also discuss in detail the condition that needs to be complied with by the temples based on their status.

       “All 14 temples are currently located on government owned-land.

       “Their status will be determined through Gazetted Procedures (Kaedah Perizaban), their Temporary Occupancy Licenses or land leases,” he told a conference at the State Secretariat Building here on Wednesday (Jan 12).

       On Monday (Jan 10) Saarani said meetings with local authorities and agencies, including Perak Land and Mines Department director, Kinta district officer and state exco were held over the matter of several cave temples that have received the eviction notices.

       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).

       Saarani added that the decision to issue the eviction notice was due to safety concerns.

       “Inspections by the Fire and Rescue Department revealed that some of the caves’ structures are not in good shape due to the construction done for the temple.

       “While it is good that the temples are often visited by tourists, we are worried if something happens and the state will be blamed.

       “Therefore I would like to stress that the issue is not discriminatory or racial in nature, but this is about safety matters,” he said, adding that the eviction notices have not been revoked.

       “We didn’t revoke the notices but instead we are discussing it with the temple management.

       “A thorough review by the Fire and Rescue Department together with the state Mineral and Geoscience Department will be conducted to see the condition of the cave,” he added.

       State MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon on Monday said a decision to revoke the eviction notices was made by the Perak Land and Mines Department after a meeting was held between the two and representatives from the cave temples.