IPOH: All cave temples built on state-owned land will have to apply for permission from the Perak Land and Mines Department, says Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.

       The Mentri Besar said the applications would be processed accordingly with no special treatment given.

       "Based on the meeting of the special committee on Monday (Feb 7), the cave temples' management will need permission to build on state-owned land.

       "This is the standard and legal procedure for anyone who wishes to put up houses or buildings on state-owned land," he told a press conference at a hotel here Wednesday (Feb 9).

       On Jan 7, several cave temples in the Kinta Valley received eviction notices from the department.

       A special committee to review the status of the cave temples was then set up by the state government.

       Saarani said once an application is made, the department would then consult the relevant agencies and departments.

       "It will check with the Fire and Rescue Department, state Public Works Department, Ipoh City Council, Mineral and Geoscience Department, and other relevant agencies.

       "It is important to get evaluation and feedback from these departments first as it involves lives and safety precautions," he said, adding that the eviction notice was still being enforced.

       "The temples need to apply and the authorities will follow procedure.

       "No special treatment will be given to them (to speed up the procedure) as it might spark anger among those who applied earlier," he added.

       Separately, Saarani hoped that tighter Covid-19 standard operating procedure would be introduced before reopening international borders.

       "Perak has only one international border, which is next to Thailand.

       "While we believe that allowing international tourists (to visit) will help boost the state's economy, we hope for tighter SOP to protect Perakians.

       "The positive cases for today are over 17,000 (nationwide) so we need the SOP to protect our people," he said.

       On an unrelated matter, Saarani said he would contact the state Health director on the parking issue at Hospital Raja Permaisuri Bainun.

       "We were not aware of any parking issues at the new hospital building.

       "While the building is under the hospital management, I will contact the Health director and hospital management since there have been complaints that visitors are not allowed to park there," he said.