-M. Kulasekaran, MP., January 12, 2016.

Malaysians were all elated when on  October 28,  2015 the Minister of Tourism Minister Nazri announced that the Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur would be gazetted as a national Heritage site.

Surprisingly, the Trustees appealed to the High Court to quash/ cancel the decision to gazette site. On January 6, January 2016, the Trustees informed the court that they wanted to speak and discuss with Minister Nazri on this matter again.

Later on January 28, when I met Minister Nazri in Parliament, he told me that he would not meet and discuss with the Trustees as his decision to gazette the site is final and irrevocable. He said his decision is for the benefit of all Malaysians. I salute him for this bold decision and his refusal to meet the Trustees.

The Trustees have proposed to redevelop the Ashrams site into a 23 story residential tower with 264 units and a 8 storey car park. This commercial development will erase the Vivekananda site as an icon site ideally located in the Brickfields as it is an area most populated with Indians. It’s also a very tourist interest area.

If the development had been approved or allowed commercial activities would have sprung up in a site where Vivekananda’s vision of peace and harmony would have to be compromised!

The Ashram membership should be opened to all who are in line with Vivekananda Ashrams principles and stand. Presently the membership is restricted to a few as though it is a private concern.

As it is the overwhelming wish of the people there to maintain the site as heritage site, I call upon the Trustees to act in interests of the people. The Trustees should not have any commercial aims to make money by redeveloping the site. If they have any reason to raise money, kindly discuss and engage the community who will be more than happy to assist.

Today, the matter was heard by High Court Judge Hanipah Fari Kullah and David Gurupathan appeared for the trustees. Lawyer Tommy Thomas appeared for A. Yogesvaran who had filed an application to intervene in these proceedings. A. Yogesvaran is also a member of the Ashram and 20 other members are supporting him. The application to intervene in the proceedings was allowed by the Judge. The AG appeared for the Minister Nazri and the Government. The Trustees’ application was dismissed.

I now openly urge the Trustees to drop all plans to redevelop the site. Also they should not appeal this matter further but listen to the people who want the site to be preserved.