IPOH: A century-old Buddhist monastery in Gunung Kanthan here is not giving up hope and will continue its fight to stay and preserve the place despite the Court of Appeal granting a cement manufacturer the right to evict the institution.
Malaysia Dhamma Sakyamuni Monastery (Caves Monastery) abbot Dr Chiong Sai Tin said that there are between 15 to 20 monks staying in the cave and they would fight until a win-win solution is reached.
"We will remain and continue to fight until a win-win solution is reached. The next legal action will be taken care of by our legal team.
"Never would we move out. We will continue our religious practice until a solution is found that benefits all parties," he told the New Straits Times when contacted.
It was reported that the monastery would have to make way soon after the Court of Appeal granted a cement manufacturer the right to evict the institution.
Associated Pan Malaysia Cement (APMC) won its appeal after the company sought a High Court order in Ipoh in January last year for the eviction of all squatters from the land, located at Lot No. 46497 in Hulu Kinta here.
Chiong added that he hoped the monastery would continue its religious practice peacefully, and the cement factory would continue to quarry in the existing areas (Zone A and B) and pursue a profit-making business.
"I hope both parties agree on a win-win solution," he said, adding that the state government should interfere in this issue as Gunung Kanthan has been listed as one of the 19 limestone hills in the Kinta Valley National Geopark.
Chiong added that the state government had promised the monastery between 2013 and 2020 that the cement manufacturer would not disturb this sacred place.
"The state government should intervene. The state government has promised the monastery not to renew the lease when it expires on Dec 17, 2020, or to declare the untouched portion of Gunung Kanthan (Zone C and D) as natural and cultural national heritage.
"We want the state government to officially recognise the Malaysia Dhamma Sakyamuni Monastery in Gunung Kanthan as a place of worship," he said.
He added that this matter should also be addressed by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who is also a Tambun member of parliament and urged the state government to fulfil their promise.
Having a unique karst (limestone area) ecosystem and having been identified as one of the most important karsts in Perak for conservation, parts of Gunung Kanthan have already been destroyed, namely Areas A and B, while Areas C and D, which are home to critically endangered flora and fauna, are still intact.
Among the endemic flora species found in the area categorised as critically endangered are Meiogye kanthanensis, Gymnostachyum kanthanensis and Vatica kanthanensi.
While the endemic fauna categorised as critically endangered are a prehistoric spider, Liphistius kanthanensis and a lizard called Cytrodactylus guakanthanensis.