PETALING JAYA: MCA president Wee Ka Siong has called for efforts to develop New Villages instead of debating over their suitability for recognition as Unesco World Heritage sites.
Citing an academic study by Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Wee said the New Villages were created during the Emergency to consolidate the Chinese population as a measure to counter communist activities.
“They were established to get all the Chinese in one area because at that time, they didn’t want to provide food for the communists.
“Based on this historical fact, you cannot deny that (the New Villages) were set up for this purpose during the Emergency from 1948 to 1960.
“But the most important thing is for the government to enhance the economic activities and infrastructure of the New Villages,” he told a press conference here today.
Wee, the Ayer Hitam MP, acknowledged the differing opinions on the heritage status of the New Villages, but said the government should not neglect the welfare and development of these communities.
“As a former minister overseeing (the development of) New Villages, I understand that discussions on heritage designation would involve diverse opinions.
“However, it’s crucial for the government to demonstrate commitment to developing them. We can explore their potential as tourist destinations or modernise them,” he said.
The New Villages came under the spotlight again after housing and local government minister Nga Kor Ming proposed that they be nominated as Unesco heritage sites.
Perikatan Nasional MP Ismail Muttalib questioned the proposal, alleging that the New Villages were linked with communism.
Among the many others who opposed the proposal was Umno secretary-general Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki, who argued that it would impact the position, constitutional status and rights of the Malays. - FMT
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