Group Urges Perlis Govt To Defer Building Caf In Geopark Cave

---

 



The Perlis Climbing Association (Perlis Climbers) has called for a halt to the construction of a café inside Gua Cenderawasih in Kangar, Perlis, pending an environmental impact assessment and technical study by geological experts.
In a statement today, the association’s secretary Aizat Zahid, said the move is necessary to better understand the long-term effects on the geological heritage and allow remedial measures if needed.
“This issue poses a significant challenge to the integrity and preservation of the Perlis Geopark. It raises questions about whether we are truly committed to safeguarding the state’s geological heritage, or if we are prioritising short-term profits without regard for long-term environmental consequences.
“As Perlis citizens, we must ensure that this highly valuable geological heritage is wholeheartedly preserved, not only for our generation but also for those to come.
“If we want the Perlis Geopark to gain international recognition, we must show genuine commitment to conserving nature and adhering to sustainable and ethical development principles,” he said.
‘Geological contamination’
The call is among the proposed solutions to address concerns over the construction of the café, which has sparked worry among various parties.
Aizat said that constructing a café inside the cave could lead to geological contamination.
He stressed that altering or damaging natural heritage, such as defacing or painting rock formations, is a criminal offence.
“Painting the surfaces of stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave not only alters their natural appearance but also interferes with the geological process of calcium carbonate formation.
“Any damage to these rock formations can have long-term effects on this delicate cave ecosystem," he said.
ADSVisitor safety
Additionally, Aizat pointed out that visitor safety and comfort are also key concerns.
He noted that excessive human activity inside the cave could compromise the stability of rock structures and disrupt the flora and fauna living there.
“Caves are unique ecosystems inhabited by various species of flora and fauna that are specially adapted to the cave environment. Excessive human presence, along with potential pollution from the café construction, risks disturbing the balance of that ecosystem,” he added.
Aizat emphasised that Gua Cenderawasih - also known as Gua Sami - located at Bukit Lagi, is one of the key geological sites within the Perlis Geopark, which received National Geopark status in 2023.
According to him, the site holds high scientific value, with limestone formations estimated to be around 480 million years old - making them among the oldest in Southeast Asia.
“The beautiful and unique stalactite and stalagmite formations make this cave not just a tourist attraction but also an important natural laboratory for geological and palaeontological research,” he said.
Preventing vandalism
On May 1, Perlis Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli was reported as saying that the white paint applied to the walls of Gua Cenderawasih was not an attempt to destroy the site’s natural beauty, but rather a means to cover up profanities resulting from vandalism.
He said the café operator renting the cave area had used a temporary chalk-based paint, which can be removed, to conceal the offensive writings that tarnished the site’s appearance and the state’s image.
Perlis Menteri Besar Shukri Ramli“Imagine opening a café and tourists see vulgar words inside the cave. It creates a bad impression of our culture. So, the operator took the initiative to cover them up,” he was quoted as saying by Harakahdaily.
On April 22, Utusan Malaysia quoted Kangar Municipal Council (MPK) president Affendi Rajini Kanth saying that the structure built inside the cave was a temporary one that could be dismantled at any time.
“The temporary structure is also located outside the cave and does not damage the existing ecosystem.
“MPK has also imposed conditions on the café operator, including a prohibition on cooking inside the cave, allowing only for the preparation of beverages,” he said.
Affendi also mentioned that MPK approved the café’s operation in the area as it had previously been plagued by vandalism, faecal dumping, and other negative activities.
“In addition to attracting tourists to the café, we can also use this opportunity to educate the public on historical heritage, as I’ve been informed that the area contains numerous fossils dating back hundreds of millions of years, while also helping to promote the geosite,” he added. - Mkini

---