IPOH: A thorough investigation needs to be conducted before the World War 2 underground bunker discovered recently on the grounds of Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here can be listed as a tourist spot in the state.
Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir said the state government would ask Malaya Historical Group (MHG) and National Heritage Department to determine the size and to date the bunker.
“The investigation is crucial as this is one of the treasure troves discovered here and it has a huge potential to be another tourist destination in Perak.
“I was informed by the researchers that the bunker was used by the British to protect their soldiers and civilians from enemy air strikes between 1940 and 1941 during World War 2.
“This is based on their initial research on the bunker structure. In fact, some of them said there could be another bunker at this place,” he said after visiting the site today.
Also present were state Tourism, Arts, Culture, Multimedia and Communications Committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohammed Radzi, state Secretary Datuk Seri Abdul Puhat Mat Nayan, and MHG head researcher Shaharom Ahmad.
It was reported on Friday that the discovery of the underground air shelter by the group was made during a study of Malaysia’s airfields and airports on the grounds of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here.
Measuring 9.14m long and 9.14m wide, the bunker is made of concrete and can accommodate 40 people. The bunker located at an empty field about 500m from the airport’s main building resembled those found in Singapore and Europe.
Translated from Berita Harian