Desecration risks in rezoning Vivekananda Ashram

The status of Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields has changed from mixed development to main commercial in successive Kuala Lumpur local plans. — Filepic
A NATIONAL heritage group has raised concerns over the rezoning of the century-old Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields under the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (KLLP 2040).
Badan Warisan Malaysia (BWM) president Lim Wei-Ling said the ashram building was 'at real risk of being desecrated'.
'Gazetted in 2016, it is an important heritage building of historical and cultural significance, together with the site on which it sits in Brickfields.
'The rezoning and classification also pose an alarming risk of not having a sufficient buffer zone around the building.
'While we agree on the need for development, this should happen within reason and land around heritage sites should not be prone to overdevelopment,' she said in a media statement.
Lim was responding to a StarMetro report on May 26, 'Vivekananda Ashram at a crossroads' where stakeholders highlighted an inconsistency in the revised draft of the KLLP 2040.
While the ashram is classified as a Category 1 Heritage Building under the National Heritage Act 2005, the 0.4ha site is now zoned as 'main commercial', raising concerns that it could be overshadowed by future development.
In the earlier draft of KLLP 2020, the land surrounding the ashram was designated for facilities, utilities and infrastructure within a heritage zone.
By the time the KLLP 2020 plan was gazetted, the zoning had changed to 'mixed development'.
Lim also expressed support for stronger provisions in the KLLP 2040 to protect heritage sites from development.
'Sites like Vivekananda Ashram, which are surrounded by skyscrapers, are in jeopardy of being lost and demolished within Kuala Lumpur.
'These small and meaningful heritage sites are part of the diverse historical references that define Kuala Lumpur.
'They should be celebrated and protected as part of Warisan Kuala Lumpur, an initiative launched recently by our Prime Minister,' said Lim.
She stressed that authorities should offer greater protection to heritage buildings and sites in support of that vision.
When contacted, Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said in the case of the ashram, 'if a proposal is submitted and follows the local plan, we can look into the sensitive design around the site.'
'There are mechanisms in place to protect the heritage building,' she said.
On concerns that stakeholder input was not considered in the amended KLLP 2040, Maimunah said that when she assumed office in August, the local plan study was already nearing completion after public participation.
'The committee presented me with the outcomes and proposed amendments in October.
'Proposals that align with the plan will be approved while those that do not, will be rejected,' she said.

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