NOVEMBER 10 — “Excuse me, what is this place?” asked a young Middle Eastern tourist as we stood in front of the 100-year-old Vivekananda Ashram.
I told him this is a building that hosts a variety of arts and cultural programmes. It used to be a hostel for students.
“Is it open? How do I enter?” he asked further.
I looked at the gates and it was locked. Not wanting to disappoint him, I told him it was best if he returns another day, preferably in the evening, before I said goodbye.
I was disappointed as I was not able to tell him more about the site. From the look on his face, he was fascinated with the rustic colonial style building which stands out among the other modern skyscrapers in Brickfields.
I returned home, and through my trusted friend, Google, I learnt that the building was in fact 110 years old and is named after the Indian spiritual leader Swami Vivekananda who visited Malaya in 1893.
Such a significant piece of information should be etched at the entrance of the building to not only inform tourists about the site but educate the locals. Many people do not know that the bronze statue which stands in front of the building is that of Vivekananda.
My encounter with this young gentleman was some two weeks before news broke that Vivekananda Ashram chairman Tan Sri Dr K. Ampikaipakan said the board of trustees had approved the decision to sell the 0.4ha plot of land surrounding the building to private developer F3 Capital Sdn Bhd for the construction of a 23-storey service apartment.
There have been many cases of historical buildings torn down in the name of development and the latest edition riled up many, including politicians from both divides.
Despite Dr Ampikaipakan’s assurance that the structure of the main building and Vivekananda’s statue will remain, sceptics say the old structure will not stand when heavy construction begins.
Dr Ampikaipakan had reportedly said while people often talk about the Ashram’s symbolic value, the board do not have funds to even repaint the building.
However, the claims by the trustees that funds were also needed for schools under its purview were challenged by Deputy Education Minister P. Kamalanathan, who said the government had given RM6 million to SJK (T) Vivekananda Brickfields, SJK (T) Vivekananda PJ, and SMK Vivekananda over the last two years.
Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz, who visited the site last week, had hinted of initiating legal action if efforts to keep the site were unsuccessful.
Calls were also made for the Malaysian Anti Corruption Commission to step in following reports the CEO of F3 Capital was the former treasurer of the ashram committee.
The ashram, it was revealed, had also rejected a government’s offer in 2008 for the site to be gazetted as a heritage site without any reasons.
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The National Heritage Department heritage commissioner Dr Zainah Ibrahim, had in a Sunday Mail report yesterday, said the ashram would have been able to generate income and apply for grants to carry out conservation and preservation work for the building.
Zainah said the management would have been able to charge entrance fees and it would be promoted as a tourist site.
Dr Ampikaipakan had, however, chose to remain silent despite the series of allegations which has raised serious contentions over the true intention to sell off the private land.
Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor had claimed that since the ashram sits on private land, there is very little that can be done except to advice the developers to retain the building.
Kuala Lumpur City Hall had said while the land could be developed, the heritage elements must be maintained by either keeping its facade or incorporating it into the proposed development.
According to the Draft Kuala Lumpur City Plan 2020, which has yet to be gazetted, the building had been marked as a Category 2 heritage building identifying it as a significant form of historical and architectural importance.
Development is needed but it should not compromise our history. The intention to develop must be sincere and embarked on a transparent manner. This will dismiss allegations of abuse of power and corruption.
The trustees must realise many people are willing to help preserve the beautiful ashram. And, rest assured, its supporters will take the authorities to task should they back out from their promises.
While the ball is in the trustees’ court, the authorities should not take the matter lightly as clearly, something smells fishy.
The authorities should not grant any approvals for the proposed development project until all alleged irregularities concerning the redevelopment project is addressed.
The trustees are holding the land on trust on behalf of the Indian community and it is only right for the people to have their say on the future of the ashram.
Do not rob Kuala Lumpur of another historical site.
*This is the personal opinion of the columnist.
