The Ipoh City Council is seeking RM300,000 to build a better road into Gua Tambun.
PLANS are afoot to develop Gua Tambun, which is known for its prehistoric cave drawings, into an eco-tourism site.
Ipoh mayor Rumaizi Baharin said Ipoh City Council (MBI) was seeking an allocation of about RM300,000 from Perak government to build a better road to the site.
He said MBI had just been given responsibility to manage the location and would now work to develop the area into an eco-tourism site.
“We expect works to start towards the end of this year, beginning with roadworks.
“Once the roadworks are completed, we will start developing the area,” he said after chairing the city council’s full board meeting.
The prehistoric drawings in the cave are believed to be from the Neolithic period.
The paintings depict animals and humans, with the main image believed to be a dugong.
The food court at Sultan Abdul Aziz recreational park is being renovated.
Rumaizi said he was aware of allegations that the site had been neglected.
“Now that we are managing it, we will look after it,” he said, adding that Gua Tambun was an important historical site.
“I understand that acts of vandalism are still being reported and we want to deter it.”
On another matter, Rumaizi said the food court near the Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreational Park or Polo Ground would be turned into a tourist destination.
He said the food court, currently undergoing renovation, was expected to start operating in December.
“A study showed that people from South-East Asia, especially Indonesia and Singapore, like to go to food courts,” he said.
The mayor said there would be 50 traders, operating at stalls and from food trucks, serving mainly Malay fare.
“Most of the traders operating by the roadside near the recreational park have agreed to relocate there,” he added.
During the meeting, Rumaizi also tabled MBI’s budget for next year, with about RM33.5mil expected to be spent on developing the city.
He said development expenditure included upkeeping and beautification projects, upgrading of facilities at public parks and city council-owned buildings, flash flood mitigation work and developing locations for businesses and tourism.
He also said that about RM226.5mil would be allocated for management expenditure and operational costs. The Ipoh City Council is seeking RM300,000 to build a better road into Gua Tambun. The food court at Sultan Abdul Aziz Recreational Park is being renovated.
