State To Meet Quarry Operators Says Tan Kar Hing

(left) Tan Kar Hing (right) Caving group exploring Gua Air, Gunong Lanno

State Tourism chairman Tan Kar Hing said that the state would meet with quarry operators in the next forth night to see how to address the issues of Gunong Lanno.

“The state is aware of this issue since over month ago. I personally raised the issue earlier at the weekly exco meeting.

At the last exco meeting it was decided to call a meeting to be led by the state secretary, myself and state related agencies with the quarry operators and see how we can address the issues.

At this stage I cannot promise any outcome from this meeting but we will try to come away with a win-win situation for the state and for the country”.

Tan made the comments after the launch to announce the Perak tourism ambassador.

Gunong Lanno is one of the largest mountains in Kinta Valley which caving group Kinta Valley Watch is trying to preserve from the threat of quarry activities.

The mountain has 36 unique limestone caves housing a rich and natural biodiversity of flora and fauna and fossils. Within one of its caves, Gua Gatsch houses remains of the tin mining activity which the group is trying to preserve to showcase the industrial heritage of the Kinta Valley.

Tan also confirmed that Gunong Lanno had been recently gazetted as being part of the Geopark but could not provide details saying he would disclose them later.

He also confirmed there was no order to stop quarry- blasting operations around Gunong Lanno.

When alerted that the quarry operators have blasted into the 500 meter buffer zone Tan replied that he was not aware of it.

He added that if there was anything illegal both JMG (Mineral and Geosciences Department) and PTG (Department of Land and Mines) are monitoring and would take the necessary actions.

JAG