Latest news with #VivekanandaAshram
The Star
2 days ago
- Business
- The Star
Rezoning row raises questions on stewardship
THE more than two-decades saga of Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields offers a timely opportunity to reflect on the principle of stewardship. Its key application in governance is that stewards are entrusted to discharge responsibilities in an accountable and transparent manner. Officials exercise power on behalf of an entity; they are custodians of its resources and not owners. This trust must extend to all stakeholders – not just shareholders or members – but also to the broader community with a legitimate interest. According to a report in StarMetro on May 26, 2025, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) said the landowners of the 120-year-old Vivekananda Ashram had requested its site be zoned as 'main commercial'. With the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan 2040 (KLLP 2040) now gazetted and due to come into force on June 11, the key players involved in the ashram's rezoning must reflect on the cardinal principle of stewardship. The Vivekananda Ashrama Kuala Lumpur was incorporated as a Company Limited by Guarantee in 1934. Its core mission is described as 'involved in educational, spiritual, cultural and welfare activities'. There had been public appeals to rezone the site for educational and welfare use – appeals entirely in line with the organisation's stated purpose. The board of trustees' 2014 plan to build a 23-storey tower over the heritage site triggered public backlash and led to the building's heritage gazettement in 2016. The fact that this gazettement was challenged by the trustees and that they have now accepted 'main commercial' zoning speaks volumes. Even so, the ashram remains a cherished institution with deep intergenerational significance to the wider community. The 876 objections submitted from across the country and abroad, as well as the high participation in the public hearing, reflect this. DBKL's decision to rezone the 0.4ha heritage site is surprising. The agency had access to detailed presentations during the public hearing and subsequent submissions from the Save Vivekananda Ashram Brickfields community. Yet, it appears to have treated the board as just another landowner, without weighing the broader implications of its stewardship responsibilities. Was the entire community engagement process merely a performative exercise? It would be a welcome surprise if DBKL reconsidered its decision and rezoned the site as 'public facilities' before June 11. Is that too much to ask of those who govern a 'City for All'? The community must continue playing its stewardship role. Section 17 of the Federal Territory (Planning) Act 1982 [Act 267] provides a mechanism to alter the gazetted KLLP 2040. This avenue remains open for the board to submit an application to rezone the site as 'Public Facilities'. Meanwhile, the community must remain vigilant. Any proposed commercial development should be monitored to ensure full compliance with National Heritage Department guidelines and that all necessary approvals are obtained. At a minimum, the trustees should share their plans and adopt a more inclusive stewardship model. No matter how dwarfed the ashram may become by future soulless structures, its legacy as a monument to the contributions of Malaysia's pioneer generation will endure. Jayanath Appudurai Kuala Lumpur
The Star
07-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Vivekananda Ashram land zoned as ‘main commercial' under KL local plan
The public can check the draft KLLP 2040 at Menara DBKL 1 until May 9. — AZLINA ABDULLAH/The Star THE Brickfields area where the Vivekananda Ashram is located is still zoned as 'main commercial' under the revised draft of the Kuala Lumpur Local Plan (KLLP) 2040. The Save Vivekananda Ashram Brickfields (SVAB) action group expressed its disappointment that its request for the ashram area to be zoned as a public community facility was not taken into account when the revised plan was drafted. Lawyer Deva Kunjari Sambanthan, who is among those advocating for the iconic landmark's preservation, said the group was worried that the land where the ashram is sited could be designated for development in the future. 'The area is zoned as 'main commercial', the second highest in terms of allowed density. 'Although Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) officers responded to our queries saying that the site will be protected since the Vivekananda Ashram is classified as a 'Category 1 Heritage Building' under the National Heritage Act (Act 645), we are not convinced. 'It should be maintained as a public community facility zone so that no development will take place in that area,' she said. Lucky Garden resident P. Tamilwanan said they were concerned about the possibility of heritage buildings being degazetted. 'We do not feel comfortable about this. We do not want to allow any room for development to take place,' he said. DBKL is holding open-day sessions until May 9 from 9.30am to 4.30pm on the KLLP 2040 draft. Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif said, 'We have gone through the necessary steps, including going through public participation and holding hearings. 'The Prime Minister has also been briefed about the plan. 'We plan to launch and gazette the KLLP 2040 this month,' she told StarMetro. 'This open day is to inform the public about the draft plan and its changes. 'The public can see if their feedback was taken into consideration in the draft plan as well as the reasons why certain changes were not incorporated. 'We want to increase DBKL's transparency and accountability,' Maimunah added. Residential groups, architects and town planners as well as other stakeholders had come on the first day to see the finalised plan. Some accepted the changes of the finalised plan while others expressed disappointment. Lembah Pantai Federal Territories Residents Representative Council (MPPWP) sub-zone 3 secretary Michelles Foo said the draft plan took part of their feedback into consideration. 'I understand that the authorities cannot take into account all feedback from residents but I can see that some of our suggestions have been incorporated into the draft plan,' she said. 'For example, one of the areas in Kampung Kerinchi was earmarked for development in the previous draft but DBKL changed the land use to public community facility,' she added. Former Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Seri Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan, who was also present at the open day, said more efforts should be made to develop city parks. 'We should have more parks, like Hyde Park in London, to make Kuala Lumpur a liveable city. 'A task force must be established to manage development in the city,' he said. Nor Hisham also suggested Bandar Malaysia be constructed between the Selangor and Perak borders.
