Adios to Another 100-year Landmark

The almost 100-year-old government quarters in Brickfields will be demolished today by developer Malaysian Resources Corporation Bhd (MRCB).

The 1.4ha land however has not been transferred to the developer yet and they have not received a development order from Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

The developer has however taken the responsibility to demolish the buildings as many residents in the area had expressed concerns of vandalism and theft that was going on at the battered site.

“The place has become a hazard as the vacant units have been vandalised and had become a refuge for undesirable elements including drug addicts,” said MRCB executive vice-president Datuk Dell Akhbar Khan at a press conference.

Dell Akhbar added that they had obtained the necessary approval for the demolition from the Bahagian Pengurusan Hartanah which falls under the Prime Minister’s Department, which oversees the land, and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

“It will only get worse if we do not demolish it now. This is not a takeover but a corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiative done by us for the community,” said Dell Akhbar, adding that residents in the area have already been notified.

Plans to develop the area are part of a 2010 privatisation project with the federal government in exchange for the development of Little India in Brickfields, which was fulfilled by the developer.

Built in 1915, the three rows of 100 houses (better known as 100 Quarters) that run along the Jalan Rozario, Jalan Chan Ah Tong and Lorong Chan Ah Tong is prime land that is situated opposite KL Sentral.

Dell Akhbar added that checks had confirmed that it is not a heritage site and said that the development of the area does not have anything to do with controversy over the future of the adjacent Vivekananda Ashram.

“It (the Ashram) does not affect us,” he said. He also said the demolition, which would take two months, would not affect the hawkers nearby as it will only focus on the quarters.

Reproduced from The Sun Daily (http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1431748) on 27 May 2015

Adios SK Pykett Methodist

Historic school to shut down in 2019

GEORGE TOWN: Classes will be over at the 124-year-old SK Pykett Methodist school once its final term ends in 2019.

Studies at the historic school will continue until the current batch of Year Two pupils complete their primary education. The intake for Year One pupils was stopped this year.

Bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia Dr Ong Hwai Teik said its education council had been in talks with the Education Ministry to phase out the school since 2010.

“It was finally decided by the authorities that SK Pykett Methodist Penang will be phased out gradually within the time frame of five years (2015-2020).

SK Pykett Methodist was founded as part of the Anglo-Chinese School Penang of Methodist Boys School by Reverend B. H. Balderstone.

The school’s enrolment, said Dr Ong, had been dwindling over the years.

“This is a phenomenon that seems to affect schools located within the inner city – not only in Penang but in other urban centres in the country,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

The council, said Dr Ong, was also aware of the aspirations under the National Education Blueprint, which sought to maximise the use of human and financial resources.

“We believe that the decision by the ministry to phase out the school is in line with such considerations,” he said.

However, Dr Ong gave an assurance that the phasing out of SK Pykett Methodist would not diminish the church’s commitment to its education mission, especially in Penang.

“The Methodist Church has and will continue to contribute to the field of education.

“This has been our mission for more than a century and SK Pykett Methodist, set up in 1891, is a good example.

“But times are changing and we will have to adjust our strategy and make new plans to continue with our mission,” he said.

The future of the school’s site at Westland Road, said Dr Ong, would be made by the relevant authorities.
“We have not reached that stage yet,” he said of the land that is owned by the church.

It was earlier reported that several parents were shocked and disappointed that the school was being phased out.

(Reproduced from:  http://www.thestar.com.my/News/Nation/2015/03/01/Historic-school-to-shut-down-in-2019/)

Sneak Peak - National Heritage Act 2005

I come across this article while doing my usual reading on this topic and it was a really insightful article, especially the paragraphs on the shortcomings of this legislation. Though written in the year of 2013, many points in the article are still relevant until to date.

Title: Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Malaysia: An Insight of the National Heritage Act 2005 by Nurulhuda Adabiah Miustafa and Nuraisyah Chua Abdullah
http://www.academia.edu/6050854/Preservation_Of_Cultural_Heritage_In_Malaysia_An_Insight_Of_The_National_Heritage_Act_2005

Due Diligence for Everything - Including Museums and Galleries

Reference:

British Museum:
https://www.britishmuseum.org/pdf/Note%20on%20Due%20Diligence%20procedures%20DRAFT%2008-04-03%20%282%29.pdf

UNESCO Handbook:
http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0014/001461/146118e.pdf

Protection of the Past in Malaysia - National Heritage Act 2005

A recent conversation with my superior prompted my long-delayed visit to the famous Cheong Fatt Tse Mansion (Blue Mansion) in Georgetown. As much as I enjoyed the surrounding of this heritage site in the city listed on UNESCO World Heritage List, I was reminded of the law protecting the same - the National Heritage Act 2005.

Plan Isn't Decision: Relocation of Non-Muslim Cemetery Lots

The Applicants are the descendants of those claimed to be buried in 5 non-Muslim cemeteries ("Cemeteries") in Mukim Pengerang, Johor. On 19.7.2012, the Director of the Economic Planning Unit Johor wrote a letter ("Letter") purportedly conveying its decision ("Purported Decision") to relocate the Cemeteries to make way for the project called "Oil and Gas Hub" and the Land Administrator (District of Kota Tinggi) was seeking alternative sites to relocate the Cemeteries. The Applicants then challenged the Purported Decision in the High Court of Malaya in Johor.

Issue: Whether a decision has been made by the State Government of Johor?

The court's decision: 

No. 

"The contents of the documents merely concern plans for relocation and alternative sites based on safety considerations. It was especially important to note that particular lots had not been identified for the relocation exercise. This itself negatived the assertion that a decision in this connection had already been made by the 3rd Respondent. The Applicants had obviously failed to produce sufficient material facts and particulars pertaining to the decision that is sought to be impugned."

Citation:

Chong Chu Yet, Hong Thian Hwa, Chong Ah Sin & Lim Kui Hak v. Pentadbir Tanah Daerah Kota Tinggi, Pengarah Unit Perancang Ekonomi Negeri Johor & Kerajaan Negeri Johor  [2013] 1 LNS 614