There is no guarantee that the structure of the 110-year-old Vivekananda Ashram heritage building in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, will not be destroyed if piling for a 23-storey condominium block starts.
Save Vivekananda Ashramam Brickfields Action Group (SVAB) chairperson G Gunasegeran said this was because the building is very old, with some parts of it already showing clear signs of disintegration.
Gunasegeran said this was why restoration work was vital to save the structure, adding that he was shocked that the ashram's board of trustees were adamant in pursuing plans to build a highrise condominium at the site.
He said the ashram's founders had opened their first Tamil school there, in 1914, before launching other schools, a hostel and a kindergarten for the Tamil community over the years.
As part of efforts to keep the heritage site intact, a group of supporters plan to hold a candlelight vigil there tomorrow evening to protest the move to build the condominium.
Gunasegaran added that the vigil was also to appeal to the ashram board of trustees to withdraw their court action seeking to nullify the government's decision to list the ashram as a heritage site, which in turn bars all development plans for the site.
In their statement of claim filed in July, the trustees had demanded a compensation of some RM60 million from the National Heritage Department if they were prevented from undertaking the proposed condominium project at the site.
The candlelight vigil will coincide with the board of trustees' AGM tomorrow, which will discuss the latest developments pertaining to their court action.
Gunasegaran said a petition to save the Vivekananda Ashram has also gained momentum after landowners in the area gave their support in objecting to the proposed 23-storey condominium that will have 264 units.
'Sell away our culture and heritage'
The project is to utilise the hostel area of the ashram, with the main building being retained.
However, supporters point out that it is unlikely that the main historical building will escape unscathed with construction works in such close proximity.
"Let us stop a privileged few who are unable to carry out the ashram's real mission and purpose and instead sell away our culture and heritage, which, once gone, will be lost forever," Gunesegeran said.
He said the ashram has been home and refuge to many in the past and was an integral part of the Indian community's culture, history and heritage.
"It is our turn to save the ashram. Please get family and friends for the peaceful protest and candlelight vigil at the ashram from 5.30pm tomorrow.”
The ashram's board of trustees chairperson, K Ampikaipakan, said in an Oct 20 interview with BFM radio: "I must say I am disappointed with all the people who are protesting."
Defending the move to develop the site, Ampikaipakan said the money obtained from the sale of land and the joint redevelopment project would not only be able to maintain the ashram's current schools but could also build more for the community's children in the future. -Mkini
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