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| MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT 20 April 2010 LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Badan Warisan Malaysia is deeply concerned to read reports in the newspapers on the possible transfer of the historic Kuala Lumpur Railway Station and the Railway Administration Headquarters buildings to the private sector for development.
Both the Railway Station and the Railway Administration buildings were gazetted under the (now repealed) Antiquities Act, 1976, (22 March 1983, Gazette number P.U.(A)142) and in June 2007, they were placed on the National Heritage Register.
If this exchange takes place, Badan Warisan is concerned with the very high probability this could involve extensive redevelopment not just of the buildings but also of the land in their vicinity which acts as a buffer zone. Sections 40 (3)(b) and 25 of the National Heritage Act 2005 (NHA) provides the Minister of Information, Communications and Culture with the opportunity to control the development of the adjoining lands for a distance of two hundred meters from the boundary of the land of the gazette property. Similarly, any proposed works to be undertaken are bound by provisions in the NHA including Sections 36, 37, 40, 45, 46 and 112.
The Railway Station and the Railway Administration Headquarters buildings are not just part of Kuala Lumpur’s history – they are architectural icons and remain among the most notable landmarks in the city celebrated together with the ensemble of buildings of the British ‘Raj’ Style, which “…reached its climax in the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station which was completed in 1911.” (Chen, V.F. Ed., Encyclopaedia of Malaysia Vol.5, Architecture, pp 82-83). Both these buildings have been captured in innumerable documents as well as through the camera and film lenses for the past century, all of which demonstrate undeniable the sense of grandeur and the great iconic value of these buildings.
Badan Warisan Malaysia does not pose any objection to the transfer of these heritage properties to a new owner from the private sector. We have seen an excellent example of how a new owner has demonstrated the highest level of care and concern for our national heritage as in the case of PNB’s purchase and subsequent restoration and conservation of Stadium Merdeka.
However, we hope that even before any exchange takes place, the heritage authorities will no doubt meet with the present owner, as well as the potential new owner, to ascertain the proposed use and any future development plans, in order to advise on the highest standards demanded for the care of our National Heritage assets.
The appropriate authorities hopefully will use the powers vested in them by the NHA to impose and enforce the most stringent guidelines for the conservation and preservation of the sites as provided under Section 72 (1) of the National Heritage Act 2005. Badan Warisan Malaysia stands poised to help in any way to ensure that our National Heritage is conserved and preserved forever.
Tun Ahmad Sarji bin Abdul Hamid
President, Badan Warisan Malaysia
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