MIC, DAP welcome move to list Vivekananda Ashram as a heritage site

MIC Youth and a DAP member of Parliament today welcomed Tourism and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz's announcement that the century-old Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields will be listed as a heritage site.

MIC Youth Chief C.Sivarraajh said the announcement is a victory for the people of Malaysia who fought to save the site from development into a luxury condominium.

“The Government rightly has rejected the appeal by the Board of trustees of the ashram,” he said in a statement today.

He said the wing also welcomed the role played by Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor who had made things easier for the government to reach the heritage decision.

“We say the government has responded to the public outcry by declaring the site into a heritage belonging to all Malaysians and in perpetuity,” he said.

“This is finally a grand gesture to the memory of a truly great man – Swami Vivekananda – who can rest in peace now,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ipoh Barat member of Parliament M. Kula Segaran said he had raised the matter in Parliament late last year and Nazri himself had visited the ashram.

"He agreed that the area could be listed as a heritage site within the meaning of the Heritage Act after due process," said Kula Segaran.

He also congratulated Nazri for putting the interest of society at large rather than the proposal to redevelop the area in order to build a residential tower

"The Ashram is a unique place that was built early last century where the early Indian settlers had resided," explained Kula Segaran.

Meanwhile, Nazri said that the decision to declare the area as a heritage site was made based on several factors.

"Besides its high cultural value, the place is also a significant landmark for the Ceylonese Tamil community," said Nazri during a press conference at the Parliament lobby this morning.

Although there were appeals against the decision, Nazri said he had rejected them in his capacity as the minister in charge.

"The community has done much for the nation whether serving in the Government as well as being involved in the construction of the railway here.

"Besides that, even the first Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman was invited to officiate the place," said Nazri, adding that surely the ashram had much significance for the Prime Minister at that time to be invited for to officiate the building.

It has been reported last year that there were development plans involving the ashram.

The news drew flak from the public and the government was urged to intervene and stop the project.

READ: Govt offer to gazette Vivekananda Ashram as heritage site rejected - Tourism Minister

Meetings were then carried out between the Heritage Commission with non-government organisations and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) regarding the proposal.

After much deliberation, the Heritage Commission, under Section 31 under National Heritage Act has declared the ashram as a heritage site.