Government should ensure the preservation of all national heritage
buildings
Media Statement
by Teresa Kok Suh Sim
(Petaling Jaya,
Tuesday):
DAP welcomes the announcement by the Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi that Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara will be
preserved as national heritage buildings.
The decision is a long-awaited one as there had been much uncertainty over
the fate of the stadiums in view of plans to demolish them for purposes of
development.
It comes as a relief to all that Stadium Merdeka especially will be
preserved as it is the site where Bapa Malaysia and our first Prime
Minister, Tengku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj proclaimed the nation's
independence. As such, the stadium holds great historical value and is a
heritage that must be preserved at all cost as a legacy for future
generations.
The government's decision to grant United Engineers (M) Bhd the right to
demolish the stadiums and develop the sites in 1994 had been met with great
public opposition. In fact, DAP Socialist Youth (DAPSY) was the first to
protest the move and held a peaceful demonstration in front of the stadiums
to urge the preservation of the historical buildings.
From the very start, the government should have designated the stadiums as
national heritage buildings instead of toying with the idea of demolishing
them to make way for development. The need for development should always be
tempered by the need to preserve our national heritage.
Following from this, the government should ensure that all other historical
buildings such as old churches and temples and other important sites be
classified and preserved as part of our national heritage and promoted as
tourist attractions.
(11/2/2003)
* Teresa Kok,
MP for Seputeh and DAP Wanita Secretary
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