By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: The Perak state government will introduce guidelines to ensure that religious sites located in caves operate according to regulations.
Currently, these locations are operating without clear policy references for submitting legal, safe, and sustainable development applications.
As such, all 14 cave temples located on government land have been officially informed not to carry out any construction work until the committee finalizes the guidelines.
Perak State Executive Councillor for Housing and Local Government, Sandrea Ng, stated that some parties have been found to be defying the directive.
She said further action will be taken in accordance with the law to ensure public safety.
“The Perak state government respects religious freedom, but the principles of safety and the rule of law must be prioritized.
“We believe the best solution is through a legal framework that is inclusive and sustainable, aiming for a balance between heritage preservation and development,” she said.
She was speaking after attending the Special Committee Meeting on the Development of Caves and Limestone Hill Areas in Perak.
The meeting finalized the Guidelines for the Development and Safety of Cave Temples.
This outlines the application procedures, technical safety requirements, and compliance responsibilities for the relevant parties.
The formation of this special committee aims to resolve the long-standing issue with full accountability and a focus on public safety.
The framework not only paves the way for compliance among existing cave temples but also provides a clear reference for any future development.
