IPOH: The poorly managed Pasir Salak Historical Complex requires a high cost to restore to its former glory as well as to maintain it, said Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad.
The matter, he said, had been raised at the weekly meeting with Datuk Nolee Ashilin who is in charge of state tourism and responsible for the issue.
"We have yet to get the actual cost, but we acknowledge that the cost is too high as it involves restoration (work) to the abandoned building and there are buildings that are already dilapidated.
"The actual cost has yet to be determined, if the state government can bear the cost, we will use the state government's budget. If not, we will seek help from the federal government," he said.
Saarani told this to reporters after attending a meet the people programme at the Indera Mulia Stadium here today.
The Pasir Salak Historical Complex details the events that led up to the assassination of the first British Resident, James Wheeler Woodford Birch, in 1875.
The incident gave rise to the Malay's resistance against colonial rule in Perak, which later spurred a nationalistic movement.
Launched in 1990, the complex is in the heart of Kampung Gajah, some 70km from Ipoh.
Saarani said the state government was also open to any private company or government-linked company (GLC) to submit their Request for Proposal (RFP) to maintain and restore the historical building complex.
"If there is any private company which wishes to manage the building, they can come to us to hand their proposal.
"What is important is not only to restore, but also to maintain the building. We might have money to restore it, but to maintain it we need a daily operator," he said.