Food court in Gombak cave: Geosciences Dept not consulted, says DG

AUTHORITIES have confirmed that no applications have been made by the operators of a food court to operate in a limestone cave in Gombak, Selangor.

The Minerals and Geosciences Department (JMG) director-general Datuk Zamri Ramli said that the department had not been asked to review the technical aspects of proposed business activities or any activities already conducted within the cave.

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“According to the procedures practiced in physical planning proposals, applicants must submit their proposals to the local authority for the area.

“The local authority must then request technical reviews for the proposal from JMG, which is one of the State Technical Agencies,” he said in a statement to StarMetro.

He added that any development in the limestone hill area must be based on JMG’s “Guideline for Determination of Hazard Zone at Limestone Area” to determine safety zones around the limestone hill.

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Zamri said that the existence of the Gua Lepak food court within the limestone cave had been raised several times in the local media.

Among the issues raised, he said, concerned the safety of visitors, the risk of geological disasters, conservation of fossils on-site, the status of the restaurant’s operational legitimacy, vandalism risks, disruption of endemic biodiversity, as well as preservation and sustainability issues related to the geosite, which is part of the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark (GHLGp).

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“In the context of the geopark development, community wellbeing and generating local economic activities are essential elements that can add value to a geopark.

“However, this value-added activity must align with the concept of geopark development, which involves three key elements: conservation, education, and sustainable development.

“JMG strongly recommends that the National Geopark Development Plan 2021-2030 and the National Geopark Implementation Plan, decided upon for adoption at the 42nd National Physical Planning Council Meeting, be used for every geopark development.”

StarMetro had highlighted the encroachment by the operator of Gua Lepak food court, found to be operating within the 400-million-year-old cave.