[OVERVIEW] Will We Be Able To Save This 110-Year-Old Ashram From Turning Into Apartments?
The Vivekananda Ashram board of trustees wants to redevelop the ashram into a commercial development to the objection of not only the community, but the government too.
By Mei Mei Chu — 06 Nov 2014, 03:05 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
The 110-year-old Vivekananda Ashram building in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur is facing threat of being developed in a 23-storey residential tower with 264 units and an eight-storey car park
On Oct 16, StarMetro reported that the iconic building has been earmarked for a major development that will see a 23 storey residential tower with 264 units built, and eight-storey car park built at the site.
thestar.com.myBuilt in 1904, the Vivekananda Ashram is a major tourist attraction along Kuala Lumpur's heritage trail. The beautiful architecture was named in honour of the spiritual leader Vivekananda who visited Malaya in 1893.
For the Indian community, the Swami Vivekananda Ashram is a symbol of its presence in the country with the first school built by Ashram in 1914.
The Ashram supports four schools: SJK (T) Vivekananda in Brickfields; both the Vivekananda primary and secondary schools in Kuala Lumpur and SJK (T) Thamboosamy Pillai in Sentul.
themalaysianinsider.com
This elegant whitewashed building with Moghul style embellishments was named in honour of the Indian spiritual leader Vivekananda who visited Malaya in 1893. His statue stands in front of the entrance.
malaysia-traveller.comThe board of trustees' decision to turn the historical site into a commercial development has been met with protests and strong objections, mostly from Indian communities in the area
According to media reports, the Vivekananda Ashram board of trustees’ plan to redevelop the site in Brickfields into a 23-storey apartment had sparked off a spate of controversies including protests from the Indian community in the area.
Hindraf today urged the National Heritage Department to take immediate steps to protect the Swami Vivekananda Ashram at Jalan Tun Sambanthan, in Brickfields. “Hindraf strongly urge the National Heritage Department steps in to object on the proposed development to protect and preserve this cultural heritage as part of the rich Malaysian heritage,” said its chief P. Waytha Moorthy in a statement to The Malaysian Times (TMT) today.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
The Malaysian Associated Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (MAICCI) wants an immediate halt to the proposed redevelopment of the historic Swami Vivekananda Ashram site in Brickfields and the conversion of the land it occupies.
abnxcess.com
The development plan shows that the Ashram and the 121-year-old statue of Swami Vivekananda would not be touched by the new structures, but opponents are worried that the enormous construction may lead to the collapse of the aging building
The development plans for the project – which boasts Veritas Designs as its architect – show an eight-storey car park that cantilevers over the Ashram. The plan illustrates what the Ashram trustees have been saying all this while – that the Ashram and the 121-year-old statute of Swami Vivekananda will not be touched by the project, where only the hostel and multi-purpose hall behind the Ashram will make way for the project.
themalaysianinsider.com
However opponents of the redevelopment say that the 110-year old Ashram’s main building may not withstand the enormous construction that will take place over it. Among the chief concerns is that piling work for the 23-storey building will weaken the historic building and this may precipitate its collapse.
themalaysianinsider.com
The controversy is so worrying that even Tourism and Culture Minister Nazri Aziz is stepping in with a plan to save the Ashram - by convincing the board to declare it a national heritage site
Tourism and Culture Minister Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz today stressed that the land surrounding the 110-year old Vivekananda Ashram building in Brickfields should be declared a national heritage site. He said any artifacts and building structure which is more 100 years old is a national heritage.
We are awaiting a reply from the board to keep the historical site as it is more than 100 years old. We will also be meeting Federal Territories Minister (Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor) to discuss how to ensure the site is maintained and not to allow the developer to carry out any demolition of the historical building,” he told reporters after visiting the site in Brickfields, here today.
The National Heritage Department once offered the Vivekananda Ashram Board to gazette the site as a national heritage in 2008, but the board turned down the offer
He said the National Heritage Department has once again offered the Vivekananda Ashram Board to gazette it as a national heritage site recently even though the offer made on November 13, 2008 was turned down.
If the board declined the ministry's offer again, Nazri Aziz is ready to discuss it with the Federal Territories Minister and bring the matter to court
Nazri said that if the trustees declined the ministry’s offer, the next course of action would be to have a meeting with Federal Territories Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor to find other ways to gazette the land as heritage. “And if that fails we will take the matter to court and let the court decide,’’ said Nazri.
malaysiaedition.net
“If people are not happy with that they can challenge it in court. Even so, I believe the court will decide in our favour,” he said when met by reporters at the site.
therakyatpost.com
Nazri Aziz seems to be serious in his efforts to preserve the building and the value of spirituality it symbolises; he also wants to upgrade the status of the building from heritage class two to class one
The iconic Vivekananda Ashram in the city’s “Little India” enclave, which is currently classified as a Category 2 building in the Draft KL 2020 Local Plan, will be pushed to Category 1, says Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz.
malaysiaedition.net
Nazri also explained that the government was looking to upgrade the status of the building to heritage class one from class two, where it could not be “touched by anyone”. His ministry, Nazri said, was not only looking at the preservation of the building but the land itself. “Where we come in is to preserve the whole land and the value of spirituality which it symbolises.”
therakyatpost.com
Defending their plan, the board said that the development would provide funds for schools, charity homes and other future plans. The Education Minister has debunked this reason with statements of accounts showing at least RM6 million given to the Ashram since 2012.
The board of trustees defended their action that the move would provide funds for schools and charity homes under its care and for its future plans.
The trustees’ contention that funds were needed for the schools under their purview had also been debunked 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. They were issued by cheques under the name of the Vivekananda Ashram trust – and verified by the Ashrams own statements of accounts made available to The Edge.
themalaysianinsider.com
“Allocations amounting to RM3 million were issued in 2012, and another RM3 million in 2013,” he had said. An additional RM20,000 had also been given to SJK(T) Vivekananda PJ for upgrading works. Kamalanathan said SJK(T) Thamboosamy Pillai in Sentul would be receiving RM2 million soon, for the building of an extra block.
themalaysianinsider.com
Philanthropist Raja Singam has offered a solution: he pledged to donate RM500,000 to the Ashram if the redevelopment plan is shelved, and that's only the tip of the iceberg
A philanthropist has thrown his support to help preserve the century old Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields from being redeveloped. Raja Singham, who is also one of the owners of Brickfields Asia College has pledged to donate RM500,000 to the ashram on condition that the redevelopment plan is shelved. “Apart from the RM500,000, we will also support all the four schools under the trust and do what is required to be done to keep the schools running,’’ he said.
thestar.com.myRaja Singham said that since money was the main reason the trustees agreed to the redevelopment, he was offering them a solution. “They said they have no money to paint the building, so we will get the people together to help paint the place,’’ he said.
thestar.com.myRaja Singham said that the RM500,000 was only the tip if the iceberg adding that there were many people out there who would help finance the ashram if given the chance. “This is not an Indian issue, this is a Malaysian issue. I have all my Chinese, Malay and Indian friends who want to help save the building and are willing to sign the petition. As a far as I am concerned I am willing to put the money where my mouth is,’’ he said.
thestar.com.myHe finds it strange that despite numerous interests and offers to help, Ashram has not been accepting any new members since 2004
Raja Singham also said that there were many people who wanted to join the trust as members, but were not allowed to do so. He added that he plans to apply as a member next week and wants to see if his membership will be accepted.
thestar.com.my“Since 2004, the current trustees have not accepted any more members even though there are many people who want to join and help. I find that strange for a trust who says that it has no funds,’’ he said. “When people go there to donate the gates (of the ashram) are closed. They want to become members but it is not allowed. So let’s see if they accept me,’’ he said.
thestar.com.myThe Ashram has a membership of 90 people – which according to sources have remained stagnant for years.
themalaysianinsider.comThe controversy deepens when it was revealed that the CEO of the developer, F3 Capital Sdn Bhd, once held the honorary treasurer position on the Ashram's managing committee
The proposed development of the 110-year-old Vivekananda Ashram site in Brickfields is courting new controversy with revelations that the CEO of developer F3 Capital Sdn Bhd was a senior office bearer of the Ashram Committee.
themalaysianinsider.com
Documents made available to The Edge revealed that as of January 29, 2014, K. Vignesh Naidu was holding the post of honorary treasurer of the Ashram management committee while also a director of F3 Capital. Appointed to the F3 Capital board on April 2, 2004, Vignesh, 41, is also a substantial shareholder with 1 million shares.
themalaysianinsider.com
Committee officials were tight-lipped but it is understood that Vignesh stepped down as treasurer in March before tenders were called for the redevelopment plans of the Ashram. However discussions and deliberations for the development of the Ashram site for a 23-story service apartment had been ongoing for a while.
themalaysianinsider.com
An online petition to save the Ashram has received over 20,000 signatures, including Nazri Aziz
Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz today signed the ‘safeguard Vivekananda Ashram’ petition to show his support to preserve the 110-year old ashrama in Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields.
themalaysiantimes.com.my
The SAVE VIVEKANANDA ASHRAMAM BRICKFIELDS petition is organised by the Save Vivekananda Ashramam Action Committee (SVAB) Brickfields Community Society. They are looking to get 100,000 signatures. To sign the petition, go here.
saveashram.comNazri Aziz sums up the need to save the Ashram perfectly when he said: "National heritage buildings are reducing in number and even those of value are being demolished. We have to wait another 100 years to have heritage buildings."
Nazri said he was saddened by the rejection of the government proposal by the owners of the building as the government wanted to retain the building as a national icon and heritage. Malaysia would lose a heritage tourism product that attracted foreign tourists, particularly from India, if the building was to be demolished for a commercial development as planned, he added. “National heritage buildings are reducing in number and even those of value are being demolished. We have to wait another 100 years to have heritage buildings,” he said.
themalaysiantimes.com.my