Oldest limestone cave in Ipoh at risk of destruction from trespassers, says Perak rep

via Malay Mail, 11 February 2020: Spotlight on Gua Matsurat, where some rock art is mentioned, and talk about encroachment by trespassers. Interestingly, some Chinese deities have been placed in the cave and it looks like the cave is becoming a makeshift shrine; the authorities are signalling that they wish to discourage this practice.

Few cities can boast of having limestone caves that are naturally beautiful and rich in history within their borders. Gua Matsurat in Perak’s capital is one of them.

Located near the famous Gunung Lang Recreational Park, it is also the oldest limestone cave here and features large stalagmites and stalactites as well as charcoal drawings on its walls by the aboriginal people of peninsular Malaysia depicting curious animals and a life gone by.

However, Kepayang assemblyman Dr Ko Chung Sen has warned that the limestone cave’s natural beauty and historical value is in danger from trespassers.

Alerted by residents from a village nearby and invited to visit the site by a group of volunteers from the Ventrex Outdoor Recreation during their conservation and cleaning programme over the weekend, the lawmaker was aghast at the graffiti and detritus left trespassers on the government preserved land.

Source: Oldest limestone cave in Ipoh at risk of destruction from trespassers, says Perak rep | Malaysia | Malay Mail