Country's First Underground Bunker Discovered in Perak

An underground shelter was discovered by the Malaya Historical Group while conducting historical research near the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) area on December 27, 2017.

Based on initial research, this underground shelter discovered by the Malaya Historical Group is believed to have been built around 1940 and 1941 by contractors from China. The construction of this underground shelter was intended to provide protection for British troops against air raids during the Japanese occupation. For your information, loyal readers of orangperak.com, the discovered underground shelter measures approximately 9 x 9 meters wide with a height of 2.5 meters. At a glance, it is estimated to accommodate between 30 to 40 people at one time.

This discovery revealed by the Malaya Historical Group (MHG) is the first of its kind found in our country, Malaysia, with its structural integrity still intact. Its construction elements, such as pillars, concrete walls, and air vents, remain solid and sturdy to this day.

Usually, underground bunkers that are decades old would have been destroyed by the passage of time or mortar attacks. Therefore, the condition of the underground shelter found at the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) is quite remarkable.

According to Shaharom Ahmad, Head Researcher of the Malaya Historical Group, "This discovery is a very significant historical event. With it, we can conduct more detailed studies regarding the construction and use of the bunker, and the government as well as other stakeholders can plan appropriate developments so that it is preserved and turned into a military history tourist attraction."

Previously, three war relics were found around the Sultan Azlan Shah Airport (LTSAS) area near the site of this underground shelter discovery, namely a bunker and two pillboxes, which are still under study by the Malaya Historical Group.

Adapted and credited to suaraperak.com