IPOH: Security factors are among the reasons that prompted the notices to be served to 14 operators of temples built in caves located on state government-owned land around Mukim Sungai Raya and Mukim Hulu Kinta here recently.

Explaining the matter, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said the notices were served under Section 425 of the National Land Code 1965 to inform the operators that any occupation, settlement or activity carried out in the caves without permission was an offence under the law.

He said the serving of the notices was, among others, due to the illegal construction work, which had been rampant in the areas, thus creating safety hazards and damaging the nature of the caves as a natural area to be protected.

"The safety threats are not only on the operators but also visitors and participants of the religious activities, as well as tourists.

"Besides, the Perak Land and Mines Department (PTG) has also taken into account the critical slope monitoring report by the Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMG) Malaysia, especially involving limestone caves, prior to the serving of the notices," he told a press conference after chairing the state executive council meeting at Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan here today.

Saarani said in this regard, the meeting also decided that a special committee would be set up to determine the status of all the temples located on government-owned land either through reservation method, issuance of Temporary Occupancy Licence or reserve land lease.

The media reported that the management of the Nam Thean Tong Temple in Gunung Rapat here received an eviction notice from the Kinta District Land Office last Friday to vacate the cave within 30 days.

The temple located in the cave is said to be 155 years old and is one of the most frequently visited locations and is located next to the Sam Poh Tong Temple which is a popular tourist destination.

Meanwhile, Saarani repeated that stern action would be taken against those mining and removing sand from the Pasir Panjang beach without approval from the relevant authorities.

However, he said that this activity had so far not been detected at the turtle landing area.

"We have laws and of course, the perpetrators will be arrested and eventually brought to justice and punished," he said.

Under the Perak State Mineral (Amendment) Enactment 2013, anyone found removing mineral without a license could be fined up to RM250,000 or jailed not exceeding five years, or both, if convicted.

Yesterday, two environmental non-governmental organisations (NGOs) urged the Menteri Besar to take stern action against the alleged ongoing illegal sand mining activity at the Pasir Panjang beach in Manjung.

The two NGOs are Sahabat Alam Malaysia (SAM) and Persatuan Aktivis Sahabat Alam (KUASA).

On Jan 3, Perak PTG director Mohamad Fariz Mophamad Hanip reportedly said that sand mining at the site had been detected since last November and with the cooperation of the Manjung Municipal Council, it was ordered to stop while waiting for approval.

He said that on checking the application, the company involved wished to develop the area as it had the potential for mining of sand for silica.

-- BERNAMA