By Nadiah Zamlus
SHAH ALAM, Aug 22 — The process to determine if Selangor qualifies for geopark status is, the first ever in the state, is expected to be completed early next year, said state executive councillor for tourism and environment Hee Loy Sian.
He said the decision will be made by the National Geopark Main Committee Meeting which will convene in December, after the site visit was conducted between August 15 and August 18.
“In general, I believe Selangor stands a good chance at obtaining the Gombak-Hulu Langat (GHL) Geopark status,” Hee said when contacted earlier today.
The councillor added the 112,955-hectare location will become Malaysia’s seventh geopark, following in the steps of Jerai, Kinta Valley and Delta Sarawak, should Selangor qualify for the status.
In November 2020, the GHL Management Body was established to collect information, prepare data, promote the geopark, and identify relevant agencies to establish cooperation.
Selangor’s efforts to obtain the geopark status commence in 2019, as the Quartz Ridge in Gombak is still deemed to be not sufficiently mature for the recognition of its status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
