The Perak government will cooperate with the National Heritage Department to ensure that several proposals made by Unesco, including the ‘Perak Man’ be returned to its rightful place in Lenggong Valley can be implemented.

State Industry, Investment, Entrepreneurial Development, Tourism and Women’s Affairs Committee chairperson Hamidah Osman said the proposals were being discussed by both parties.

“But to bring back the Perak Man from the National Museum is not an easy task as the skeleton (of the earliest human in the peninsular) had to be kept in a conducive room to make sure it is well protected,” she said when responding to a question from Mohd Tarmizi Idris (BN-Kenering) at the state assembly today.

Hamidah refuted Su Keong Siong’s (DAP-Pasir Pinji) claim that the government had received a warning from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) for not keeping the world heritage’s site well-managed.

“That’s not a warning, it was an advisory,” she retorted, adding that as Lenggong Valley was recognised as a world heritage site, Unesco told the authorities of the conditions that had to be fulfilled.

“This included ensuring that no development is allowed at the heritage site. We will gazette this in the development plan,” she said.

Unesco declared Lenggong Valley in Hulu Perak as a world heritage site on June 30.

- Bernama