MRT: We must not lose soul that ties buildings together

OUR built heritage is what gives us a distinctiveness and a sense of history and patriotism.
The shophouses in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown make up part of the original township of modern KL, with roots going back to the 1850s.

Until as recently as the 1970s, this was the town centre, a vibrant commercial district serving all the needs of the people who lived and worked in the area.

The (Draft) Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2020 recognises that the built heritage is important and this area has been designated a heritage zone.
Decisions on new development, especially within historic environments, must not be isolated from the historic, cultural, social and physical fabric.

Removing or destroying any part of this will damage the cultural significance of a place.

The approach to new development should recognise the totality of the site, the development phases and significance of the links between these layers.

Any intervention should be inclusive and engage the residents, who are the inheritors and custodians of that heritage.

Badan Warisan Malaysia is concerned that what will be lost in this is not just heritage buildings, but the intangible heritage, namely the soul that ties these buildings together, or the trades that have been there for generations, the uprooting of businesses and individuals who call this "home".

The question that needs to be answered is: how will this new development affect the historic setting, the tangible and intangible heritage of the area?

Badan Warisan Malaysia believes that the retention and future sustainability of the authenticity and integrity of one of KL's historic neighbourhoods can be determined only through a cultural heritage impact assessment by the authorities.

TUN AHMAD SARJI ABDUL HAMID, President Badan Warisan Malaysia

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