The Cameron Highlands District Council has recently taken decisive action to demolish a Santorini-inspired tourist attraction known as Cameron Santorini. The decision came after it was discovered that the site had not received the necessary approvals from the authorities.
The demolition was led by Azmil Hadid Maznan, the president of the Cameron Highlands District Council, and involved a coordinated effort with staff from various enforcement agencies. These included the Cameron Highlands District and Land Office, the police, the Pahang State Enforcement Unit, the Cameron Highlands Public Works Department, and Tenaga Nasional Berhad.
In a statement on Facebook, the council explained that the operation was carried out in accordance with Section 70(1) of the Street, Drainage, and Building Act 1974 (Act 133), which addresses construction without prior approval.
“This enforcement action aims to serve as a warning and reminder to all parties considering development projects to fully comply with the relevant procedures and regulations,” the council emphasized.
Cameron Santorini, which opened its doors in April this year, was designed to replicate the iconic Greek island of Santorini. The attraction quickly became popular among both local and international tourists, including visitors from China, Singapore, and Thailand. Entrance tickets were priced at RM40 for adults and RM20 for children and senior citizens, according to Google reviews.
The owner of Cameron Santorini, CL Cheah, expressed his disappointment over the demolition but remains optimistic about the future. Cheah, 62, has been operating the tourist attraction on land that has been in his family for 60 years. “I was inspired by my visit to Greece and wanted to bring that concept to Cameron Highlands. With this idea in mind, I transformed my father’s land from a vegetable farm into a tourist spot to boost tourism in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026,” Cheah explained.
Construction of the Santorini-themed site began three years ago. Despite its recent success and popularity, the lack of proper approvals led to its demolition. Cheah has stated his intention to seek the necessary approvals from the relevant authorities to potentially restore and reopen Cameron Santorini.
So, business owners, please ensure you have all necessary approvals and adhere to regulations before beginning any construction projects!
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