IPOH: The eviction notices given to 14 temples housed in limestone caves were due to safety concerns, says Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
Based on inspections conducted by the Fire and Rescue Department, several structures in the caves were not in good shape, he said.
“I want to stress that there is no discrimination or racial factor at play. We are just concerned about safety,” he told a press conference yesterday.
On Monday, Saarani said meetings with representatives of local authorities and agencies, including the Perak Land and Mines Department director, Kinta district officer and state exco, were held over the matter.
The cave temples, including the 155-year-old Nam Thean Tong Cave Temple, had been served with notices last Friday to vacate the premises within 30 days.
Saarani said the state had set up a special committee to review the state of the 14 caves.
“All 14 temples are currently located on government-owned land.
“Their status will be determined through gazetted methods, temporary occupancy licences or land leases,” he said, adding that the eviction notices had not been revoked.
“We didn’t revoke them but instead we are discussing it with the temple managements.
“A thorough review by the Fire and Rescue Department together with the state Mineral and Geoscience Department will be conducted to assess the condition of the caves.”
On Monday, state MCA chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said a decision to revoke the eviction notices was made by the Perak Land and Mines Department after a meeting was held between him, the department, and representatives from the cave temples.
When contacted yesterday, MCA Ethnic Relations and Religion Affairs bureau head Cally Ting said the temple representatives were disappointed with the latest turn of events.
She maintained that the meeting on Monday, in which she was present, had conveyed that the eviction notice was revoked immediately.
“The temple managements are now anxious about having to evacuate,” she said.