KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 28 ― The Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields will be gazetted as a national heritage site, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said today.

He said the government's decision on the matter was final, which meant that the management of the ashram would not be allowed to carry out any form of development or construction on the ashram grounds.

“The Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields will be gazetted as a heritage site. The decision is final,” Nazri told Parliament during question time.

“There will be no form of development on the grounds of the ashram,” the minister added.

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The controversy over the status of the building erupted after it was revealed that the century-old ashram at Jalan Tun Sambathan is set to undergo major redevelopment which will see the construction of a 23-storey residential tower at the site.

Vivekananda Ashram chairman Tan Sri Dr K. Ampikaipakan was quoted in earlier reports saying the board of trustees had approved the decision to sell the 0.4ha plot of land to developer F3 Capital Sdn Bhd.