Masoorat Cave fossil damage: Production company fined, wait for USM’s final report
IPOH: The filming production party that caused damage to the million-year-old fossils and walls in the Masoorat Cave here, has been fined, said Datuk Bandar Datuk Rumaizi Baharin.
Speaking about the latest development of the results of the study regarding the damage value of the heritage asset, he said, his side is in the final phase waiting for the expert’s response from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM).
“Because, I have to get (research results) from the Department of Minerals and Geosciences (JMG) and USM. But it hasn’t come out from USM yet. The only one that got it is JMG. Therefore, it can’t be announced yet.
“We have already fined that production, action has already been taken. We fined a certain amount of money, which I don’t remember how much, we have to confirm the information again.
“They have already been fined. Because, in fact, they entered without permission,” he said at a press conference when he was present at the Launching Ceremony of the Kuih Bulan Festival at People’s Park, here, last night.
In the meantime, Rumaizi said, his party has now initiated conservation work in the fossil area.
“We have done conservation work and in that area there have been some new fossils discovered.
“We also work with paleontologists (fossil experts) and universities for that purpose (conservation).
“When I get the results of the expert’s full report on the value of the damage, I have to check first, because it involves national treasures.
“I need to get advice from a more knowledgeable party, after that we will inform the public of the results of the report,” he added.
Previously, the media reported that the Ipoh City Council (MBI) was waiting for a full report from a paleontologist to determine the value and cost of a compensation claim against a filming production that resulted in damage to million-year-old fossils and walls in Masoorat Cave.
It was also reported that the Perak state government will take firm action and demand damages from the drama production company that filmed at the location, causing damage to national treasures and heritage.
source – Aida Aziz
