Group believes another structure exists near found bunker
IPOH: The Malaya Historical Group believes another underground structure is located near the bunker found next to the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here.
Its chief researcher Shaharom Ahmad said there should be another support structure which was used to provide provisions or supplies to those in the shelter – the first underground bunker from World War II to be discovered in the country.
“We found some pipes in the bunker. Based on our investigation, there could be at least one more underground structure, used to house an electric generator or to supply water or air nearby,” he told reporters during a visit to the site by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir here yesterday.
“We also hope to find other significant artefacts intact. If we do make any other discovery, they will be handed over to the respective authority to be restored or dis- played,” he said.
The discovery of the bunker – measuring 9.14m- long and 9.14m-wide – was made during a study of Malaysia’s airfields and airports on the grounds of the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport here.
Shaharom said the group would continue with its dig to locate the underground support structure in the area.
“We have not set any time frame. We hope to find it before our budget runs out,” he said.
After the visit, Dr Zambry said the underground bunker had the potential of becoming a tourist attraction.
“We have asked the Malaya Historical Group and the Heritage Department to conduct a study to find out the exact date it was built.
“We believe it was built between 1940 and 1941 as a bomb shelter during World War II.
“There are some former police quarters that used to be occupied then,” he said, adding that the area could be turned into a tourist destination like Green Ridge in Kampar.
“We will also need to ensure the bunker and the surrounding area is safe for visitors,” he added.
On the mistake-ridden notice outside the Tourist Information Centre here that went viral, Dr Zambry reminded all civil servants to always check with their immediate supervisors before coming out with notices.
“Such notices are considered official and will reflect badly on the government.
“It will make us a laughing stock as well as provide an opportunity for certain people to discredit us.
“The Ipoh Datuk Bandar has already briefed me about the incident,” he added.
Dr Zambry also reminded civil servants not to use Google Translate to translate text as it was not meant for such a purpose.
“It’s only to translate word by word. It cannot handle grammar,” he said, adding that all official announcements should be in Bahasa Malaysia.