Support from Taiwan

各位朋友：

與樂生院同為長年遭到隔離的漢生病友居住的馬來西亞毛糯院正面臨拆遷的危機，我們邀請您連署聲援毛糯院並於本週五一同至馬來西亞駐台單位遞交抗議信。

時間:9/28上午十點
地點:馬來西亞辦事處(台北市敦化北路102號)

聯絡人:青年樂生聯盟 何欣潔 0911371768

(News)NST-Spotlight: Home sweet... gone?

2007/09/08

Ali Long, 63, gazing forlornly at the eastern part of his 'home' which has been demolished. He hopes the settlement will be spared "for memory's sake".

The 77-year-old Sungai Buloh leper settlement was once hailed as the most scenic and impressive leprosarium in the world. Now bulldozers are crashing through this unique garden city in the name of development. TAN CHOE CHOE checks out the place.

Chui Ying, 70 (left), and her husband Kong Cheen, 75, are doubtful if their home can be saved from development.

This 1969 picture shows a patient-turned-farmer working on a plot of land that he'd been allotted.

THE scene is right out of a watercolour painting. The sky is overcast; the landscape dotted by farmers growing flowers, grass and potted plants; coconut trees swaying in the breeze with ripe fruits beckon at every corner.

But on closer look, one can see scores of abandoned cottages, some roofless, some partially collapsed, and some with trees growing right through them.

Strangely, the farmers, although friendly, are not leprosy patients but mostly Indonesian workers.

This is the much talked about Sungai Buloh leper settlement, once noted as the most beautiful and modern leprosarium in the world because of the surrounding lush forests.
It was built by the British colonial administration in 1929 as a self-contained settlement for leprosy patients uprooted from society and condemned to live in isolation under the Leper Enactment.

Badan Warisan executive director Elizabeth Cardosa wrote in her New Sunday Times column in July that the settlement "represents a part of our medical and social heritage, which sadly most of us know nothing about".

Author Joyce Wong Chau Yin, whose book ‘Valley of Hope’ details the history of the settlement and its inmates, described it as "a very important part of the history of leprosy in this country as well as the world".

The leprosarium originally covered an area of 230ha, but was reduced to 120ha to make way for the new Sungai Buloh Hospital, a nursing college and a new highway.

The area will be further reduced because 16ha on the eastern side of the settlement has been alienated by the Health Ministry for Universiti Teknologi Mara to build its medical faculty.

The construction of the faculty is estimated to displace between 40 to 50 residents of the settlement, most of whom are elderly former leper patients.

The authorities are still mulling over whether to gazette the area as a heritage site, giving hope to the inmates that their home won’t be taken away from them.

But in a move that was described as a "blow to heritage" last Sunday, UiTM had gone ahead and torn down some walls and removed tiles from the roof of the old prison — making some of the inmates nervous about their future.

"It’s the only home we know and we’re all mostly elderly people now. Why can’t they let us live out our lives in some semblance of dignity and peace?" asks former patient Kong Cheen, 75.

Kong Cheen has lived in the settlement since he was 25 years old. He met his wife Chui Ying, another leprosy patient, when she was admitted in 1961.

"They said we will be given houses on the western side, but what about our farming plots here?

"We will lose our main source of income if we move and they destroy our farm," says Chui Ying.

The couple admits that they are too old to work their farm plots themselves. Instead, they lease it to an outsider who employs foreign workers to work the plots for them.

"We get a few hundred ringgit in return to supplement the monthly allowance of RM136.80 from the government. It’s not much but it’s a lot to retirees like us," says Kong Cheen.

Another villager, Sin Kok Han, 72, says he has lived in the settlement for over 55 years.

"I don’t want to leave. This place bears testimony to the story of my life and my wife’s. How would you feel if I ask you to leave your place of birth? That is how we will feel if they evict us," says Sin.

Echoing his sentiments is Ali Long, 63, a leper patient who has lost both his hands and legs.

"It will be a loss (sayang) if they give this place up to development. This place has witnessed much... so many stories... so many memories," says Ali.

Those still living in the settlement are mostly elderly people in their 60s and 70s or very young children.

Many youths have since moved out and assimilated with society at large in the ‘outside world’.

One youth who remained after his father — a former leper patient who has passed on — is Lourdes Surenderen, 29, and he welcomes development because he feels that the settlement is being exploited by outsiders.

He says many immigrants have settled in the area, occupying some of the abandoned cottages, "getting free electricity, water, and shelter".

"They are causing us social problems. There have been increasing cases of theft and vandalism since they came here," he claims.

Malaysian Leprosy Relief Association (Malra) secretary-general Datuk E.J. Lawrence believes it’s time the settlement was developed, but for different reasons.

Lawrence, who helped found Malra in 1959, says the association was set up to help former leprosy patients rehabilitate and live independently.

"The interest of the outside world in this settlement shows Malra has succeeded in eroding the stigmatism that has long been associated with people afflicted with leprosy.

"It shows that people are no longer afraid to come here and mingle with the patients and this should be viewed positively," he says.

Leprosy was once considered an infectious disease that could not be cured — "but it’s no longer true", says Lawrence.

By 1969, powerful drugs had been discovered that could halt, in a matter of days, early cases of the debilitating disease and prevent the hideous deformities that are often its legacy.

Leprosarium facts

• Officially opened in 1930, it was hailed as the most modern and impressive leprosarium in the British Commonwealth because of its scenic setting and modern buildings and facilities.

• It was second largest only to the Culion Island Settlement in the Philippines that was established in 1910, with a population of about 6,000.

• Divided by a hill in the centre, the west section is for the sick and disabled who required care; the east is a village for cured patients to live independently, each working their allotted plot of land to grow fruits, vegetables and raise livestock.

• Every kind of imaginable facility was provided — a school, churches, mosques, Indian and Chinese temples, grocery shops, workshops, etc.

• The settlement was managed by the lepers themselves, working as clerks, police, hardeners, watchmen, dispensers, dressers and nurses.

• Between the 1930s and 1980s, it was a major centre of treatment and research in the world, especially for trials of alternative drugs

• At the height of the illness in the 1950s, it housed some 3,000 patients.

• About 300 patients still live there today, although most have been cured and are free to leave.

---

Gazetting a piece of history

IN the limelight after it was abruptly ordered to halt demolition works at the leprosarium last Sunday, UiTM is asking for answers from the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry on why no efforts had been made to gazette the settlement even though it has existed since the 1900s.

The question arises: How exactly do the authorities go about gazetting a heritage site?

Under the National Heritage Act 2005, the Heritage Commissioner is responsible for the National Heritage Register and the National Heritage Department (Jabatan Warisan Negara) is the administrating department for this.

The commissioner, Datuk Prof Zuraina Majid, has the power to identify areas that are to be gazetted, including the buffer zone around the area, if necessary.

Anyone who thinks a site is of heritage value can nominate the site to the commissioner, by sending an application letter with information on the historical background of the site, its built and usage.

The application should also include photographs of the building, building plans and site plan with the location of the buildings clearly indicated.

"Once we have identified the area, we will visit the site and examine its heritage value and authenticity of history," says Jabatan Warisan Negara head of enforcement Khalid Syed Ali.

This is done after a notice is given to the owner of the site, seven days in advance, of the visit.

Once the significance of a site is verified and the commissioner thinks it suitable to be gazetted, the commissioner will send a notice of her intention to the owner of the site — 60 days before making the designation.

"A notice of intention will also be forwarded to the Land Office," says Khalid.

If the commissioner thinks it necessary for the purpose of conservation and preservation, she will issue an interim protection order to the owner, with the concurrence of the state authority.

Then she will publish the intention to gazette in local newspapers after getting consent from the state .

"We are open to objections from the public for 30 days after the gazette is published, as stipulated under Section 28 of the Act," says Khalid.

If there’s no objection, the commissioner will issue gazette notice to the owner and the local town and city planner, and publish the designation in the Gazette and local newspapers.

If there are objections, the commissioner will set a date, time and venue to listen to the objection and then decide whether to go ahead with the designation or not.

Badan Warisan executive director Elizabeth Cardosa says a site can be gazetted as Grade 1, 2 or 3, which corresponds to the interest, uniqueness, level of authenticity and architectural significance of the site.

Grade 1 is the highest and is synonymous to the term National Heritage, while 3 is the lowest.

"Grade 1 and 2 sites are likely to qualify for conservation grants, but not Grade 3. There are guidelines on what owners or custodians can and cannot do with their sites once gazetted," she adds.

For example, for Grade 1 sites, the external face and internal layouts of the buildings must be retained along with all architectural elements and materials, "but appropriate adaptive re-use is permitted".

In the case of the leper settlement, researcher Lim Yong Long had submitted a nomination form to the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage on July 10 for it to be gazetted as a National Heritage site.

And Badan Warisan’s views on the settlement are clear in a Press statement issued on Tuesday where its president, Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid, said: "Badan Warisan has written to, and spoken with, the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, on the historical importance of the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement at national as well as international levels.

"… The history of leprosy is an extremely valuable legacy to humanity … the role and significance (of the settlement) is found in all references to the history of leprosy of the world …"

"It was so successful that it became a model on which other leprosy centres around the world were based."

Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia heritage and conservation committee chairman Mohd Zulhemlee An agrees with Badan Warisan.

"We should conserve the leprosy centre, not because it’s a heritage building but because it’s an independent and sustainable community that is of historical value to us ... since the 1920s.

"The buildings may just be simple cottages to many people, but they were built with colonial features and adapted to tropical climes. They are of architectural significance," he says.

Source: NSTonline

News: （光明日報）麻瘋院獲批禁拆 仍有官員到來巡視

■於國慶日後，承包商開始進行拆建工作。(放大)

■於週一沒有操作的神手仍停留在工地內。(放大)

■部份房屋連屋頂上的屋瓦也被拆完。(放大)

■黃錦鴻：文物部已援引法令發出庭令，禁止瑪拉工藝大學工程承包商在90天拆除雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院，以待內閣討論，能否成為保留地。

（雪蘭莪•雙溪毛糯訊）文化、藝術及文物部已於週一（3日）取得庭令，禁止瑪拉工藝大學的承包商停止拆除雙溪毛糯麻瘋病 院，但週一仍有7至8名高教部的官員到現場巡視病院內的情況，並表明當局將在拆遷事件上保持一定的平衡點，即具有歷史價值的監獄建築或許被迫拆除，但穆斯 林回教堂和祈禱室將被保留。

其中一名官員指出，當局要拆除該院的原因，是想要讓病人有更美好的生活環境。當記者詢問他是否已接獲庭令時，他竟然拋出一句“你怎麼看待這裡的病人呢？”，似乎在逃避記者的提問。

神手仍停放工地

隆雪華堂總執行長陳亞財和建築學者劉永龍，也跟隨高教部官員巡視痲瘋院環境。

《光明日報》記者於週一到現場巡視時見到於前兩天進行拆除工作的神手已停工，惟所有的拆牆工具與神手仍停放在工地內。

雙溪毛糯痲瘋病院獲悉法庭已發出庭令禁止當局繼續動工時，大家都感到欣慰。他們希望政府不要為難年老的他們，讓他們能安享晚年。

他們並不反對當地有更好的發展，但在發展的同時，希望政府能開墾另外一幅地，好好安頓已與家人失去聯絡的病人，畢竟逼遷對他們來說是非常殘忍的。

文物部發出禁拆指令
麻瘋院暫保留90天

文化、藝術及文物部副部長拿督黃錦鴻披露，文物部已援引2005年全國文物法令第27及33條文於週一發出指令，禁止瑪拉工藝大學工程承包商拆除雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院，為期90天。禁令實行期間，該部門將完成文化遺產保留研究報告，再提呈內閣討論，以保障有價值的文物遺產。

他指出，在2005年國家文物法令第27條文下，瑪拉工藝大學工程承包商受令停工90天。為了避免承包商施予小動作和以各種不同的藉口和方式繼續開工，法庭也同時發出2005年國家文物法令第33條文，即暫時保護令，為該痲瘋院作雙重把關。

根據條令，若承包商牴觸庭令，他們將被罰款5萬令吉，坐牢5年或兩者兼施。

牴觸庭令罰款5萬

他接受《光明日報》電訪時聲稱，部門專員曾於週日（2日）在承包商動工時前往阻止，但對方卻絲毫不為所動，繼續拆除雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院的屋頂圍牆，因此，該部門才決定於週一向法庭申請庭令，最終獲得批准。

“我們已知會衛生部（地主），該部門也支持我們的決定，接下來，我們將按照內閣的指示儘快完成研究報告。不過，由於此地還涉及高等教育部，因此它最終的結果如何，能否成為保留地，則需通過內閣討論和同意。”

他說，站在文化、藝術及文物部立場而言，雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院確實具備歷史、古早建築及醫療等文化遺產特色，值得內閣仔細考研。

未列入保留範圍
院方不能100%放心

住在痲瘋院已58年，現任該院參議會工作人員的李初成告訴《光明日報》記者，當他們知道停工令批准後，都感到一陣欣慰。但只要此地一天不列入保留範圍，他們就不能100%放心。

“如果90天後我們還是得搬遷，搬去那裡？搬遷費如何處理等問題？叫我們該交給誰去解決？”

他指出，病人住在這裡已60年，東區逾40戶人家是拆遷工程下影響最深的病人。大家都希望社會人士和知識分子，尤其是大馬律師公會協助他們保衛家園。

盼律師主動協助

“我們無法出去找律師幫忙，希望律師們能主動進來接觸我們，以他們的法律知識協助我們解決問題。”

現年61歲的林梅影說，她自7歲那年住進痲瘋院開始就不曾離開這裡，她辛勤照料寬大1英畝的花圃，數十年的心血實在不忍被承包商的機器剷平。她苦笑的說：“我們是病人，也是人啊，自己也要生活”，希望政府能體諒他們的處境，給他們一個安樂窩。

雙溪毛糯痲瘋病院共有306個病人，他們全部已康復。老人院住著年齡介於60至80歲的老人家，分別是95名老公公及64名老婆婆，他們都有專人照顧起居飲食。還有105人擁有自己的小房子，他們大多以種植盆栽和花草維持生計。

李家全將帶上內閣討論

衛生部政務次長拿督李家全指出，地方發展和遺產保留並不是對立的關係，只要各牽涉的部門協調合作，這件事情就能有個圓滿的結果。

他週一巡視痲瘋院後告訴記者，他將把週一的巡視狀況向衛生部長拿督蔡細歷報告，週三（5日）時，此事將帶上內閣討論，相信很快就有議決。

他指出，兩週前，衛生部首席秘書已接獲指示處理此問題，但由於涉及的部門和單位繁多，才會延伸後來的問題，包括停工與否、土地擁有權及庭令等問題。

他聲稱，他不清楚地主是誰，需要向土地局查證，也不曉得停工令是否已發出，他需要搞清楚整件事，才召各部門好好協調。

此外，李家全於週一早上在國會走廊對於雙溪毛糯痲風病院，於週日被拆除感到驚訝與不解，因為衛生部較早已指示承包商停止任何拆除行動，以申請將該院列為國家文化遺產。

他說，文物部長拿督斯里萊士雅丁也已同意這麼做，但是，有關承包商卻不聽從指示。

他認為承包商不聽指示，可能是因為相關法令還未正式頒佈；相關法令一旦製定及生效，任何人擅自拆除已被列為文化遺產的建築物就等於抵觸法令，將會受到對付。

詢及拆除痲瘋病院事件是否會影響病人時，李家全指出，政府當初是想充分利用麻瘋病院土地而決定在該區展開發展計劃，因此肯定也已為如何安頓病患做好打算。

他指出，事實上他們已經將痲瘋病人安置去擁有更先進良好設備的醫院，因此病人並不是問題，問題是如何將它正式列為文化遺產。

痲瘋病院演進表

8月8日
瑪拉工藝大學取得土地局批准，擁有痲瘋院東區部份土地，計劃興建行政及管理中心。

8月14日
痲瘋病院院長賈斯敏在國家遺產局官員協助下，成功停止承包商拆除東院東區廢置的小監獄。同一天，東區3個花圃業者接到土地局的指示，要他們必須在一個月內清空他們所霸佔的地段。

8月21日
文化、藝術及文物部副部長拿督黃錦鴻宣佈，部門將討論把雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院列為國家文化遺產，衛生部也諭令承包商暫時停工。

9月1日、2日
瑪拉工藝大學工程承包商於週六及週日悄開到麻瘋病院，以神手企圖強拆建築，受到當地居民大力阻止。

9月3日
文物部向法庭申請庭令，禁止承包商拆除痲瘋病院，為期90天。 （光明日報•2007.09.03）

News: （東方日報）功能消退擋不住發展洪流 麻風小城 衛土抗敵

-6th Sep 2007

人類史上有過不少集合了前人智慧結晶的偉大傑作，為當代帶來貢獻，甚至起了顛覆性作用，讓后世無數人的命運得以改變，變得更好。但隨著時代演變，它們卻因原有扮演的功能已褪色，而走向沒落。


在大馬，就有一些具有重要歷史價值的城鎮，因失衡的計劃，畸型的開發，或人口的流失，被遺棄了。終久失修，人去樓空，連剩余的破舊建築物也可能從地面上被「抹掉」。

《東方日報》尋訪這些曾為大馬人做出偉大貢獻，但今天已瀕臨湮沒的城鎮，包括貢獻鐵苗的龍運鐵山、錫苗的林明、煤礦的煤炭山，以及最近因開始被拆除而引起人們關注的麻風病院社區雙溪毛糯。

《湮沒城鎮》系列將分開不同時段連載。讀者每閱一段，可以沉殿思考，才再繼續。首先登場的，正是近期成為新聞焦點的田園社區「烏托邦」雙溪毛糯。

雪蘭莪雙溪毛糯麻風病院，已在月前被本地民間學者證實，該院在人類文明史及麻風病治療史上，都有非凡意義。若獲良好與完整的保存，后世人能從中學習它對世人帶來的教育意義；反之，只殘留依稀記憶。

該病院社區除了有重大醫學發現外，在歷史文化、建築學、城鎮規劃概念方面，其重要價值也是不可被忽略。

《東方日報》實地調查和向各方瞭解后發現，事實上，雙溪毛糯麻風病院的貢獻並不局限在本區域，而是涵蓋了全世界，但由于77年來未曾被大肆宣揚，以致其偉大貢獻鮮為人知。

社區如今剩300病患

再加上，隨著人類在1960年發明了由3種藥方組成的聯合化療（MTD），得以治愈糾纏人類數千年的麻風病，更中斷該病症的傳染性，令到「麻風」兩字不再可怕，全世界麻風病患人數也開始劇跌。

雙溪毛糯麻風社區從居住了逾2000名病患居民的頂峰時期，逐漸沒落至如今僅有約300名病患，許多特別供病人居住的小屋因而騰空，社區內的許多公共設施建築物，如福利機構、宗教場所及監獄等也停止運作。

瑪拉大學相中建校

正因為如此，該院極為重要的東院部分，在2年前被瑪拉工藝大學無聲無息地相中，通過地方政府將東院40英畝原屬衛生部的土地，規劃為該校校地，並敲定今年8月2日動工。

儘管衛生部和文化、藝術及文物部介入，要展延工程的進行，以便進行研究工作，來決定是否列為國家文化遺產，將具有歷史及文化價值的病院社區保留下來，但讓人遺憾的是，瑪拉工藝大學並沒有擱置建校工程，至今已3度強行展開拆除工作。

該院內具有象征意義的監獄，已有部分被破壞。每次拆除行動本報記者都趕到現場進行報導，見到民間學者和當地病患居民雖嘗試阻止拆除，卻無能為力。都得請求衛生部及文化部官員到來制止，而每次制止喊停后，過不久承包商仍會繼續發起再一次工程行動。

9月3日，該院3度遭承包商強行拆除后，文化部終于動用2005年保護法令第27條停工令，及第33條文暫時保護法令，對已再三漠視停工指示的承包商發出最嚴厲警告。法令有效期限是90天，觸犯者可面臨最高5萬令吉罰款或5年監禁，或兩者兼施。

無論如何，雙溪毛糯麻風病院已消退的功能，及廣大群眾對該院的重要性認知不足，導致保留該院社區的力量變得單薄，可能更多有歷史意義的建築物將夷為平地。

Source: 東方日報

News: （東方日報）雙溪毛糯麻風病院功成身退？

-6th Sep 2007

雙溪毛糯麻風病院裡，社區監獄雖有重要象征意義，但由于早已被廢棄，于是成了拆除行動首個目標。圍牆已倒，屋瓦沒了，拄著拐仗的病患居民慨嘆何時會拆到他的家？圖片右上角可隱約看到推倒建築物的「怪手」。 -詹華祥-

從肩責重任．到回歸平淡

1923 白人醫生特拉維斯在新加坡的熱帶醫學大會上，提出以開明政策創造一個「近乎自供自足的社區」，以改善麻風病患生活條件。

1930 西院和東院建竣，雙溪毛糯麻風病院于8月15日正式成立，成為當時英殖民共和聯邦國家最大、設施最先進的麻風療養院和研究中心。

1935 發行只限院內流通的紙鈔，檢驗紙鈔會否傳染疾病，直至1938年停止發行。

1936 配合病患人數日益增加趨勢，最后階段的中院部分工程展開，以增加更多房屋。

1946 第一個有效治療藥物Dapsone（DDS，氨苯（石風））開始投入治療麻風病。

1948 在雙溪毛糯院內初步發現麻風桿菌已變種，開始對Dapsone產生抗藥性。

1964 該院與英國倫敦的醫藥研究院合作，使用試驗老鼠經過1年研究后，在該院發現有抗藥性的3名病人，證實了對Dapsone的抗藥性。

1969 百年歷史的檳城木蔻山麻風病集中營的315名病患，大規模遷移至雙溪毛糯，前者于較后關閉。

1976 發現首宗原始耐藥。雙溪毛糯的動物之家被用來進行腳墊調查，這是第一次在亞洲進行。

1981 雙溪毛糯麻風病院與英國醫藥研究院的14年合作計劃，共在多份醫藥和科學刊物發表了約百份研究報告。

1981 世界衛生組織建議使用Dapsone、Rifampicin和Clofazimine 3種藥物組成的聯合化療，成功解決麻風桿菌對單一藥物治療的抗藥性。麻風病變得容易治愈，病患人數開始劇跌。

面對拆除命運

2007

7月10日本地古跡研究學者林永隆以個人名義，致函文化、藝術及文物部、衛生部、雪州衛生局及高教部等單位，要求整體保留雙溪毛糯麻風病院為古跡，並說明其保存價值。較后衛生部長宣佈成立跨部門委員會研究。

7月22日古跡保護機構執行主任伊麗莎白卡多薩在《新海峽時報》發表「There's Hope for The Valleyof Hope」。

8月12日隆雪華堂青年團率團前往該院進行實地考察。8月13日瑪拉工藝大學承包商首度展開拆除工作，東院監獄成為首個下手目標，導致病人和學者不滿和擔憂。

9月3日該院3度遭承包商強行拆除后，文化部動用2005年保護法令第27條停工令，及第33條文暫時保護法令，對漠視停工指示的承包商發出最嚴厲警告。法令有效期限90天。

從與世隔絕到開放

這個特別功能社區成立于英殖民時代的1930年8月15日，當時被稱為The FederalLeper Settlement at Sungai Buloh，1965年改名為雙溪毛糯麻風病院。

它在1 9 6 9年被我國政府重新命名為「國家麻風病控制中心」（Pusat Kawalan KustaNegara）。

整個病院社區佔地562英畝，分為西院、東院及中院3個部分。最早的西院于1929年建竣，由病房和行政區組成，該病房是專門安置失明、殘障等情況嚴重的病患。

東院于1930年建成，主要是讓已痊愈或情況不嚴重的病患居住的場所，中心地帶集中了民眾會堂、學校、福利機構、宗教場所及市集等建築物，供居住的小屋則圍繞中心地帶而建。

中院是1936年興建，主要為配合當時病患居民人數劇增的需要，而興建更多房屋。

整個病院社區處在森林和山區等天然屏障內，與世隔絕的環境，早期要從外界出入該院須經過特別通行，后來才隨著當地交通設備的發展與時代改變，開放讓外人自由出入。

但迄今真正被允許在社區內居住的，主要還是麻風病患或其家屬。

希望之谷：兼顧病患生心理

雙溪毛糯麻風病院興建于1930年，是當時英殖民和共和聯邦國家中最大、最現代化的麻風病療養院，佔地562英畝的病院社區，涵蓋了醫院、病患住所、小鎮、農場及森林區。

古跡研究兼現代建築學者林永隆向《東方日報》說，該病院社區的設計概念來自白人醫生特拉維斯，從該院區如今的保留情況，還能從中發現它每個部分都經過周詳計劃來興建，堪稱為「偉大傑作」。

所謂周詳設計，包括選擇了雙溪毛糯這個策略性地點、兼顧了病患在生理和心理層面的需求，以及當地每間建築物的存在與規劃，都有其深意和作用，帶出的教育意義尤其值得讓后世更進一步研究。

由于這座病院社區讓許多麻風病患從此重獲新生，它也被稱為「希望之谷」。

林永隆說，雙溪毛糯麻風病院成立前，當時馬來亞半島也有其他麻風病患收容所，用以將病患從人類社會隔離在收容所內。「但，這些收容所的設施及治療都不理想，導致病患無比的痛苦，甚至須長期依靠吸食鴉片麻醉自己才能過活。」

從事種植活動　病患經濟來源-6th Sep 2007

隨著麻風病治療的突破，如今在大馬就算感染了麻風病，也能在簡單的療程下得到治愈。


若說起雙溪毛糯麻風病院， 或許還有許多人不認識它，但是，若說起雙溪毛糯的著名售賣盆栽、草皮及橘子等植物的地方，相信很多人都不會陌生。

這個靠近雙溪毛糯醫院的著名植物買賣地點，正是在雙溪毛糯麻風病院社區內。

每間小屋四周，都保留了土地的設計特質，在超過70年前這裡設立麻風病院時，它的社區規劃模式，就是特別顧及麻風病患的心理和生理層面的需要而設計，讓在這里居住的居民能從事種植活動。

在病院社區已開放的今天，種植行業也成了病患居民的主要經濟活動，瑪拉工藝大學的發展計劃，導致在東院居住的40多名病患居民受到最直接影響，因為投入畢生心血的種植和居住多年的環境，即將因而讓路搬遷。

社區五臟俱全　病患自治管理-6th Sep 2007

雙溪毛糯麻風病院曾是一個自給自足、沒有藩籬、沒有圍牆的社區， 也是病患離鄉背井后的家園，在1935年時還一度發行只限在院內流通的紙鈔，長達3年。


社區裡具備的各種設施，包括宗教場所、福利機構及公共設施等，成功讓病患能自治管理，並在健全環境下生活，多元種族共存的和諧社會，也在這里獲得實現。

設施失修

無論如何，病患人數逐年減少的趨勢，導致如今許多小屋出現空置，許多具備各種功能的公共設施因而荒廢，在年久失修情況下變得陳舊不堪。

原有功能逐漸消退，讓失色的雙溪毛糯麻風病院，需要找到重新定位的價值。

民間學者努力讓該院的保存價值浮上台面之際，瑪拉工藝大學的發展計劃是否有辦法與文化遺產的保留並存？應該是值得當局參考方案，但近期的事態發展似乎不樂觀。

Source: 東方日報

News: (NST)Three ministries to resolve leprosy settlement issue

2007/09/06

KUALA LUMPUR: Three ministries are to discuss together a solution to the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement issue.

The three ministries involved are the higher education, health, and culture, arts and heritage.

Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said yesterday the secretaries-general of the ministries would meet to thrash out the issue tomorrow.

They will discuss the possibility of at least preserving the mosque, church and the prison precinct at the site.

"A solution will be presented to the cabinet next week."
Rais told the New Straits Times: "We don’t want to hinder the development of Universiti Teknologi Mara in building the medical faculty.

"However, we have due respect for the wishes of families as well as the Health Ministry to preserve structures that have historical importance."

"We can’t preserve everything as we want to develop the place as well."

In the meantime, he said, the cabinet agreed yesterday that no statements should be made about the issue until the meeting is held.

Last Sunday, UiTM, which had started demolishing some of the buildings on the site, was served a stop-work order by National Heritage Commissioner Datuk Prof Dr Zuraina Majid.

By then, however, four of the abandoned chalets had been torn down and the roofing on several other buildings removed.

UiTM had said that something "fishy" was going on as it had gone by the book in demolishing the buildings, which it said had no heritage value.

Source: NSTonline

News: (NST)Health Ministry in the dark over work

2007/09/04

THE Health Ministry is in the dark over why demolition work had started at the Sungai Buloh Leprasarium.

Its parliamentary secretary Datuk Lee Kah Choon was surprised by the contractor’s actions as he had been directed to stop demolition work two weeks ago.

"The buildings have historical value and we are going to preserve part of the buildings. I do not know why the demolition works continued. I need to clarify this with my ministry’s secretary-general Datuk Dr Nasir Ashraf."

He said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek had proposed that part of the buildings be turned into a heritage site. Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim had agreed.

Lee said the issue was not about the patients as the ministry could relocate them to better facilities.
"I don’t think the patients are the problem. The issue is preserving part of the buildings."

Meanwhile, Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat said the area had yet to be earmarked as a heritage site.

He said Universiti Teknologi Mara had been given the green light by the Finance Ministry to build a hospital there.

"I have no knowledge on the status of negotiations between the various ministries."

Source: NSTonline

News: (NST) Varsity: Demolition done by the book

By : Heidi Foo

Demolition work at the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium came to a halt yesterday.

KUALA LUMPUR: The demolition of buildings at the historic Sungai Buloh Leprosarium was halted yesterday. But the question is whether it came too late.

At least four chalets were completely torn down and two-thirds of the wall surrounding the abandoned prison within the leprosarium were destroyed.

The roofing on several buildings in the area had also been removed.

The order to stop the demolition was given to Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) by Heritage Commissioner Datuk Prof Dr Zuraina Majid on Sunday.

About 16ha of the leprosarium land had been alienated to UiTM by the Health Ministry for the construction of its medical faculty two years ago.
The New Straits Times yesterday quoted researcher Lim Yong Long as saying the site had significant historical value because it used a garden-city concept to create a modern community.

It also reported that demolition work had started.

Yesterday, UiTM vice-chancellor Datuk Seri Prof Dr Ibrahim Abu Shah rose to the defence of its action, saying the demolition was done "by the book".

He also said the buildings that were torn down had no historical or heritage value.

Ibrahim said: "According to the law, it is not necessary for us to follow the stop-work order as the commissioner should have given us a 60-day notice.

"They themselves are not complying with the law. The reason we are complying is because we have due respect for both the law and the commissioner," he said yesterday.

He provided documents to show they had acted accordingly.

Ibrahim said the ministry agreed to offer UiTM 16ha of land to build a medical faculty in April two years ago.

"In May last year, the director-general of land and mines gave UiTM approval to enter the area and proceed with destroying the buildings."

However, he said, the department later received a letter from the Health Ministry with instructions to freeze the offer of the land awarded to UiTM.

"We were informed that the decision was made so that the Health Ministry could proceed with its own development on another 47ha of land within the leprosarium area.

"The whole idea was to develop the area."

Ibrahim also said the freeze was later lifted, as stated in a letter signed by Selangor Health Director Datin Dr Ang Kim Teng addressed to Gombak Public Works Department. UiTM then proceeded to demolish the buildings.

"As we were doing this, we received instruction from the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry not to destroy the prison and chalets."

He added that it was agreed that the surau and chapel in the area be maintained and that the 40 residents who would be affected by the development would receive compensation and be housed in 36 chalets nearby.

"I hope the relevant parties will take a look at these buildings. They have been abandoned for a long time."

He urged the government to also consider the first batch of medical students who will be graduating next June.

"One of the requirements to get accreditation is that the programme has facilities.

"The quality and recognition of our medical graduates will be at stake if the delay continues.

Earlier, Deputy Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong, who visited the site, said his ministry had issued an order to UiTM to cease work in the area.

He said according to the National Heritage Act, the ministry had the authority to issue an order of up to 90 days with regard to an area in dispute.

"Meanwhile, the ministry will use this period to get to the bottom of the issue and decide whether the site should be demolished or remain untouched."

Source: NSTonline

News: (NST)Blow to heritage: Tearing down hopes of saving leper settlement

By : Heidi Foo

Tiles have been removed from the roof of the old prison which now stands bare. The external walls surrounding the old prison quarters have already been demolished.

SUNGAI BULOH: Historical buildings at the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement are being torn down even before a decision to develop the area has been reached.

Datuk Prof Dr Zuraina Majid says site has historical value

A perimeter wall at the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement has been demolished, while roof tiles on some buildings have been removed.

The demolition exercise began three days ago, although negotiations between several ministries, Universiti Teknologi Mara and other parties to preserve the settlement were still going on.

National Heritage Commissioner Datuk Professor Dr Zuraina Majid rushed to the site yesterday on getting information that buildings were being demolished and tried to prevent workers from continuing.

"They should not begin demolition while negotiations are going on. All related parties are seeking a balance between heritage preservation and the need for development.

"We want an amicable solution. Our main concern is preserving the site, which is of historical value," she said.
Among the ministries involved in the negotiations are the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry, the Health Ministry, the Tourism Ministry and the Housing and Local Government Ministry.

Non-governmental organisations and concerned individuals are supporting efforts to preserve the site, which was a leprosarium for more than 70 years. The key buildings were built in the early 1900s.

Centre for Modern Architecture Studies in Southeast Asia researcher Lim Yong Long, who had studied the settlement, said the site had significant historical value because it used a garden city concept to create a modern community.

"The concept boasts extensive multiculturalism from the different cultures and races, to the places of worship evident till today."

Leprosy settlement committee member Lee Chor Seng said 45 lepers on the east section would face eviction if the demolition continues.

"In this community, there are 306 patients between the ages of 60 and 80 who have lived here all their lives. Many are too old to move around and depend on the sales of their plants for income," said the 70-year-old resident.

Lee hopes the government would intervene and save the site not only for historical reasons but to consider the plight of the people who live in some of these buildings.

It is learnt that the 16ha east section of the settlement would be redeveloped for a Universiti Teknologi Mara hospital. The east section is believed to be the oldest and most historically precious site.

About 10 workers were seen removing the tiles from the roof of a former prison and two chalets, which were once inhabited by lepers. The external walls surrounding the old prison quarters have already been demolished.

The site was the pioneer leper settlement that used a self sustainability concept and also a reputable research centre for leprosy. It used to be the second largest such settlement in the world.

Source: NSTonline

Editorial: (NST) Conserving a community

WHEN less than two months ago Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek acknowledged the historical value of the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement and announced that the cabinet had agreed to the formation of a working committee — which included representatives from the Higher Education and Culture, Arts and Heritage ministries — to look into the matter of turning it into a heritage site and a tourist attraction, it seemed assurance enough that there would be a stay of execution on the plans to develop a medical campus.

It was, therefore, more than a little shocking that the walls of some buildings had been torn down and tiles had been removed from the roof of the old prison. With so many parties involved, it could just be a matter of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. In which case, while the damage has been done and what has been destroyed has been irrevocably lost, it is not too late to save the rest. There is no reason why the confusion cannot be speedily straightened out, as appears to be the case now that the order has been made to stop the levelling.

But this does not appear to be just a problem of a demolition that has jumped the administrative gun. Sadly, this is not an isolated case. More often than not, heritage conservation has consisted of valiant rearguard actions against the destruction of the built historical landscape rather than the long-term commitment to protect the legacy of the past. Like the stigma that still seems to stick to leprosy, this appears to be another case that reflects an aversion to heritage preservation.

Just as bad are the mutations and modifications in the name of conservation which compromise the authenticity of heritage buildings and sites and devalue their historical, social and cultural significance. Bearing in mind that the 77-year-old settlement is still home to a self-sufficient society of patients from diverse backgrounds, races and religions who have been living there since they were young, growing flowers, fruits and vegetables, and developing strong bonds of friendship and community with each other, it becomes even more imperative that it continues to become a living testimony to its social as well as its medical heritage. And this should include preserving the nurseries which are very much a part of the settlement’s identity. It is vital to maintain the spirit and substance of the community and its way of life even as plans are made to redevelop the settlement.

Source: NSTonline

News: (TheStar)Cabinet to discuss demolition of buildings in Sungai Buloh

Tuesday September 4, 2007

KUALA LUMPUR: The Cabinet will discuss the demolition of buildings in the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Centre on Wednesday to seek the best solution, said Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.

He said the Health Ministry and his ministry had agreed that Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) should not be rushing into abolishing all the buildings at the Leprosarium.

"On the technical part, it is too late for us to save the buildings that have been pulled down. However, the Heritage Commissioner has been asked to do an assessment on what has been demolished and what we can still save," he said.

He said the lesson from the episode was that certain quarters should not act hastily in demolishing old buildings, with historical elements, as it would cause the country to lose part of its history.

However, he said the negotiations between Health, Culture, Arts and Heritage and Higher Education Ministries were necessary as the country should also not allowed itself to lose out in development just because it wanted to keep a heritage site.

The Heritage Commissioner issued a stop work order on Monday to stop further demolition of the building until a decision is made as to whether to preserve it as a heritage site.

The order was to protect the site pending discussion between the three ministries.

The leprosy centre opened in 1930 and was once the Commonwealth’s largest and most modern facility for the research and treatment of the disease with up to 3,000 patients.

It is learnt that 16ha of the east section of the settlement would be redeveloped for a UiTM hospital.

Source: www.thestar.com.my

News: （星洲日報）文化部長將與2部長共商 麻瘋院課題5日內閣討論

updated:2007-09-04 20:40:24 MYT

（沙登訊）文化、藝術及文物部長拿督斯里萊士雅丁指出，他將在週三（5日）的內閣會議上，提出討論雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院被拆除的課題。

他說，這課題事關重大，他本身將與衛生部長拿督斯里蔡細歷，以及高教部長拿督斯里慕斯達法在週三的內閣會議上，尋求適當的解決方案。

他表示，本身對發生這起事件深感遺憾，不過基於發生技術問題而導致麻瘋病院部份具有歷史價值的建築物最後還是無法倖免被拆。

歷史價值未在憲報公佈

他說，問題主要出在當局沒有及時把具有歷史價值及最重要的部份建築物在憲報上公佈所致。

“文化部和衛生部皆同意瑪拉工藝大學不必倉促拆除雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院所有的建築物，畢竟有部份的確能夠保留作為國家醫藥歷史的遺產，校方應該跟我們討論 。”

他披露，文化遺產委員會已受指示在未來針對一些可以保留及哪些不能被拯救的情況，作出詮釋。

萊士雅丁週二是為選舉委員會（SPR）出版的“大馬50年民主與大選圖冊”主持推介儀式後，在新聞發佈會上受詢及此事時這麼說。

有關大選圖冊是選委會配合成立50年金禧紀念日而出版，作為大馬獨立以來奉行民主選舉制度一個完整的歷史記錄；全書共厚200頁，編委會精選了過去11屆全國大選的圖片，並一一把它匯輯成圖冊。

萊士雅丁說：“我們應該從這件事吸取教訓，即當局不應該倉促拆除那些擁有歷史價值的古老建築物，否則國家以後將失去部份珍貴的文物遺產。”

文化部有權阻拆文物遺產

萊士雅丁指出，文化部在一些程度上確實有法律權力去阻止任何一方對文物遺產建築物進行的拆除行動。

“只是，在雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院的課題上出現技術問題，就是我們準備要把部分保留的地方通過憲報公佈，礙於未有最後決定，所以有關方面就能以發展理由來把它拆掉。”

他認為，假如政府一早鑒定有關建築物的部份地方必須保留作文物遺產，今天就不會出現這種局面。 （星洲日報•2007.09.04）

News: （星洲日報）指獲衛部批准拆院建樓 瑪拉工大堅持立場

updated:2007-09-04 20:39:36 MYT

（巴生訊）瑪拉工藝大學為拆除痲瘋病院行動作出辯護，並表示上述佔地16公頃的土地，是於2005年4月22日，獲得衛生部批准作為該大學興建學生宿舍和學術樓用途。

該大學校長拿督斯里依布拉欣教授說，去年5月22日，聯邦土地理事會同意該大學發展上述地段。

“不過，在2007年8月14日，假該大學召開的遺產理事會會議，開會討論上述建築物是否已被頒佈為歷史建築物。

“過後，瑪拉工藝大學多次聯絡遺產理事會，但卻得不到任何的答案。”

他是針對報章報導，指上述地段還未獲准發展，即動工拆除地段上的歷史建築物的事件作出澄清。 （星洲日報•2007.09.04）

News: （星洲日報）黃錦鴻：發出禁令後 拆痳瘋院者將被控

updated:2007-09-04 20:38:31 MYT

（吉隆坡訊）文化、藝術及文物部副部長拿督黃錦鴻今日（週二，4日）說，在發出禁令後，任何涉及拆除痳瘋院舊建築物者，將會被提控。

他說，文化部已援引2005年全國文物法令第27及33條文發出禁令，並在週一（3日）把文件傳達給負責單位。

他說，任何觸犯上述條文者，可被罰5萬令吉或5年監禁或兩者兼施。

黃錦鴻出席國家圖書館配合國家獨立50年，為特殊中小學生舉辦的“國慶”文娛活動主持開幕後，在新聞發佈會上這樣表示。

他說，文化部一直都在關注上述課題的演變，並會在最近將研究報告提呈給內閣，以決定是否要保留痳瘋院舊建築物。

他指出，在獲悉痲瘋院建築被拆時，文化部立刻發出禁令。

3部門尋求解決方案

他說，雖然有些建築被拆掉，這些都是意料不到的事，拆除單位可能選擇國慶日假期進行拆除行動，這種做法帶有不良意圖。

他指出，上述課題涉及3個部門，除了該部外，尚有衛生部及高等教育部，因此，3個部門會再次商討，尋求解決方案。

推動閱讀風氣
撥3500萬設“鄉村圖書館”

黃錦鴻說，為了推動閱讀風氣，文化部將撥出3500萬，在國內多個內陸鄉區設立“鄉村圖書館”。

他說，一旦計劃落實後，生活在鄉區者，仍有機會接觸到讀物。

此外，他吁請國內企業家，充份採納“特殊青少年”，讓他們能在社會一起生活和工作。

他說，這些特殊者對本身的工作通常會全心投入，進而提高生產率。

參與這次特殊中小學生國慶活動，共有來自聯邦直轄區19間中小學250名學生參與。 （星洲日報•2007.09.04）

News: （星洲日報）李家全：涉數部門需時間協調 拆麻瘋院帶上國會

updated:2007-09-04 09:53:12 MYT

（雙溪毛糯訊）衛生部政務次長拿督李家全將把雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院被拆課題帶上國會討論。

他說，由於牽涉多個部門，其中包括衛生部、文化、藝術及文物部以及高教部，所以需要時間做出協調。

“衛生部長拿督斯里蔡細歷非常關注雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院被拆課題，而且在2個星期前已經指示衛生部秘書長為首的特別委員會著手處理。”

具歷史價值值得保留

他補充，雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院具有歷史價值，可以作為國家文化遺址及旅遊景點，而且屬於自治社區，值得保留給下一代子孫。

他表示，目前並不清楚該地段的用途及擁有者，如果證實由該部擁有該地段，將會更方便處理。

他針對承包商繼續展開拆除雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院工程時，進行突擊巡視時如此表示。

陪同出席者包括溪毛糯麻瘋病院院長賈斯敏、醫藥助理官林添財等。

有關的拆除工程在接獲由文物部申請的庭令後已經暫時停工。

感覺被騙
居民激動憤慨

雙溪毛糯地方參議會理事李初成，希望李家全可以協助保留該處。

他形容政府的做法猶如迫害年邁及只想安享晚年的居民，甚至剝奪他們基本的討生權利，讓他們的生活無以為繼。

他說，由於病患一直以來都只靠政府提供住宿及食物上的捐助，因此為了有錢可以購買生活用品，病患都會自力更生地種花來維持生活。

李初成認為，政府部門這邊廂口口聲聲安撫居民說不會拆除雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院，那邊廂卻讓發展商繼續工程，讓居民有被欺騙的感覺。

由於李初成及其餘居民的情緒一度激動，李家全也答應居民會儘快協助他們解決問題。 （星洲日報•2007.09.04）

News: （光明日報）麻瘋院或列文化遺產 承包商悄悄拆牆

麻瘋院或列文化遺產 承包商悄悄拆牆

updated:2007-09-02 20:04:33 MYT



■承包商出動神手強行拆除建築物。(放大) ■黃錦鴻（右）剛於上週二（8月21日）巡視麻瘋病院內的監獄，不料承包商卻於週六悄悄開抵進行拆除工作。(放大) ■高達10呎高的外牆，已拆至所剩無幾。(放大) ■承包商派工人爬上監獄屋頂拆除瓦片。(放大)

（雙溪毛糯訊）文化、藝術及文物部副部長拿督黃錦鴻上週二（8月21日）已宣佈，將討論把雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院列為國家文化遺產，但是，瑪拉工藝大學工程承包商卻於國慶日隔天的週六（9月1日）悄悄開到麻瘋病院，以神手企圖強拆建築，由於受到當地居民大力阻止，最終承包商仍病樓內部監獄的圍牆。

據黃錦鴻當時表示，麻瘋病院建於1926年，後來成了一個社區，裡頭有回教堂、天主教堂、墳場，甚至監獄，留有許多文物遺產。因此，他會向文物部長匯報，並交由內閣決定是否保留它。

《光明日報》週日（2日）到場瞭解情況時，發現東院病樓監獄的10呎高圍牆，已被拆剩約三分之一，屋頂瓦片也被拆光。承包商的10名員工出動神手，週日仍在現場進行拆除工作，由於大批媒體出現，這些工人再次停工。

媒體出現工人停工

據悉，馬來西亞文化遺產機構的負責人週日上午曾到場，並要求承包商停工，但工人一度停工，待馬來西亞文化遺產的負責人離開後，工人又繼續進行拆除工作。

雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院擁有80年的歷史，有“希望之谷”的稱號。它於1926年動工建造，分為東院、西院和中院三個部份，佔地570英畝，為世界第二大麻瘋病院。

目前麻瘋病院東院的土地已歸瑪拉工藝大學所擁有，並計劃利用東院的土地建立醫學院。

---

你知道嗎？ 世界第二大麻瘋院 被稱“希望之谷” 雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院擁有80年的歷史，有“希望之谷”的稱號。它於1926年動工建造，3年後全面使用，分為東院、西院和中院3個部分，佔地570英畝，為世界第二大麻瘋病院。 西院是供讓行動不便的麻瘋病人居住、東院則是收容能活動的病人、中院則是後期應付病樓爆滿而興建。為了照顧當時被社會遺棄的病人，裡頭有回教堂、天主教堂、墳場、監獄，甚至擁有本身的貨幣，成為一個社區。 目前麻瘋病院東院的土地已歸瑪拉工藝大學所擁有，並計劃利用東院的土地建立醫學院。

（光明日報•2007.09.02）
Source: www.guangming.com.my

News: 獨立新聞在線系列報導

	三麻风病人接搬迁通知 麻风病院再陷拆迁愁云 (314)	15.8.2007 4:23 pm 本刊陈慧思
	保留麻风病院方案未出炉 玛大承包商动工惹怒病人 (667)	14.8.2007 7:32 pm 本刊曾薛霏
	周日组团考察麻风病院 隆雪华青欢迎公众参加 (313)	6.8.2007 11:52 am 本刊记者
	麻风病院创造人类隔离模式 学者冀与政府沟通保留方案 (384)	24.7.2007 7:13 pm 本刊陈慧思
	双溪毛糯麻风病院应完整保存 古迹学者促政府公布发展详情 (595)	22.7.2007 7:32 pm 陈慧思
	下周一抢救希望之谷！ 探讨麻风病院保存价值 (645)	19.7.2007 11:27 am 本刊记者
	双溪毛糯麻风病院意义非凡 月底恐遭玛拉大学工程破坏 (1593)	17.7.2007 9:24 pm 本刊陈慧思

News: （當今大馬）居民盼卫生部保留麻风病院 李家全亲临巡视但未作承诺

王德齐 07年9月3日 傍晚7:37

这两日来险遭强硬拆除的双溪毛糯麻风病院，今日迎来另一名政府高官——卫生部政务次长李家全亲临巡视，但是他依然无法对这座具有80年历史的历史遗产许下任何具体承诺。 继文化、艺术及文物部副部长黄锦鸿之后，李家全在今天下午3时与双溪毛糯麻风病院院长贾斯密医生（Dr Jasmeet Singh）会面，并前往上周末面临强拆命运的东院进行约长半小时的巡视，以了解该麻风病院的整体情况和所遭受的破坏。 玛拉工艺大学工程承包商是在国庆日隔日，忽然重新启动暂停半月的拆除工作，并成功拆除东院专为惩罚犯规的麻风病人而设的监狱的一部分围墙。不过，拆除工作最终在贾斯密医生和雪州卫生部总监洪金定介入而停止。 不过，承包商却在昨日反口，继续强拆剩余的围墙和另一间空屋，并和国家遗产局专员祖莱娜教授玩“躲迷藏”，导致后者被迫两度折返以阻止工程。承包商在今天并未进行任何拆除工作。 李家全认可麻风病院遗产价值 据当时在场的隆雪华堂执行长陈亚才披露，李家全（左图）今天巡视的主要目的是要搜集更多麻风病院的资料，以向卫生部长蔡细历作出报告，为决定该院命运的跨部门委员会会议进行准备。 闻讯前来的当地居民也借此机会向李家全表达，他们对承包商说拆就拆态度的强烈不满。他们也要求卫生部协助完整保留麻风病院，以及他们赖以维生的花圃。 “不过，李家全只是说他会尽量保留麻风病院，不过并没有保证一定会成功。他也表示认同麻风病院拥有历史古迹的文化意义和价值。” 陈亚才也表示，李家全在被问及承包商不理村民和文化部阻止继续动工的问题时，后者也答应将回去部门了解麻风病院所牵涉的土地问题，以确定麻风病院的地主和权限。 遗产局发保护令阻工程继进行 此外，他也透露，国家遗产局专员祖莱娜教授已在今早援引2005年国家文化遗产法令，发出通知信给玛拉工艺大学校长，表示文化部有意将麻风病院列为文化遗产。 “国家遗产局专员今早也发出短期保护令，暂时将麻风病院列为文化遗产，并要求玛拉工艺大学停止拆除行动，等待该局完成研究工作。有关保护令的有效期长达30天，而她也能在有效期结束后继续延长指令。” 請至當今大馬網站閱讀完整新聞

News: （當今大馬）强拆麻风院承包商“躲迷藏” 国家遗产局总监两度折返力阻

司徒旨祥与杨凯斌 07年9月2日 下午5:41

继昨日推倒监狱的围墙，夷平两间废置的房子后，玛拉工艺大学工程承包商今日继续强拆拥有80年历史的双溪毛糯麻风病院，违反昨日的停工协议。 推倒剩余围墙，夷平一空屋 承包商一行人今早10点，又出动一辆铲泥机（神手）和约数名工人，将剩余的麻风病院东院监狱围墙全面推倒，夷平附近仅存另一间空屋。过后，还出动人手拆除部分监狱建筑物的瓦片。唯后来因为天不作美，两度下起倾盆大雨，才导致承包商不得不停工。 国家遗产局总监祖莱娜虽然在11点左右赶到现场，欲阻止承包商继续施工，但是态度强硬地承包商却表示，若没有黑字白纸，本身只会听令玛拉工艺大学的指示才会停工。 承包商：昨日停工协议无效 毫无肆忌的承包商甚至反口说，昨日与雪州卫生部总监洪金定所达至的暂停拆除监狱工程的协议不合法，因此作罢。 在场的古迹研究学者林永隆（左图）透露，祖莱娜在向承包商交涉时，炮轰他们没有人情味，不断强拆的行径太过分，也不等待正在研究如何维护麻风病院的内阁作出定夺，就急不急待施工。她透露将会寄发一封内阁目前正在研究此事的指令，给承包商。 祖莱娜除了斥责承包商没有权力擅自动工外，也质问究竟是谁允许承包商进行强拆。 第二度强拆，承包商“失踪” 由于交涉过程时，下起倾盆大雨，有关的承包商拆除工作不得不宣告中止，双方也因躲雨而中止交涉。祖莱娜也原以为承包商在经过交涉后，将会自行动工，而先行离开。 不过在大雨结束后，承包商旗下的工人却开始以人手，拆除部分监狱建筑物的瓦片，承包商此时却恰好宣告“失踪”。不过，稍后又开始下起第二场雨，导致拆除工作再次宣告暂停。 在林永隆的联络下，祖莱娜再次折返现场以协助阻止承包商继续进行拆除工作。正当林永隆和祖莱娜，正在头痛如何寻觅失踪的承包商交涉时，一名经过的工头向他们证实，今日的拆除将会到此为止，让麻风病院的监狱暂时逃过被夷平的危机。 請至當今大馬網站閱讀完整新聞

News: （當今大馬）国庆隔日承包商强拆东院遭阻 双溪毛糯麻风院命运周三定夺

杨凯斌 07年9月1日 晚上8:23

当举国上下仍沉浸在昨日欢庆50周年国庆的气氛中，已被文化、艺术及文物部宣布为国家文化遗址的双溪毛糯麻风病院，今日仍难逃被玛拉工艺大学工程破坏的阴影。 暂时妥协拆监狱围墙和空置房子 今 日下午两点开始，玛拉工艺大学工程承包商tunas jaya 派出一辆铲泥机（神手）和约10名工人，企图前往强拆被列入为医学院大楼范围的双溪毛糯麻风病院东院。不过在当地居民、建筑学者林永隆和白小保校工委会副 秘书庄白绮的大力阻止之下，承包商不得不暂时停工，只拆除了东院专为惩罚犯规的麻风病人而设的监狱的围墙。 在阻止拆除的过程中，数名居民不惜“以身挡车”，趋前喝制神手司机和承包商工人停工。而长期关心麻风病院议题的林永隆更遭一名工头出言恐吓说“若你再讲，我就打人”。有关工头嚣张的举止，也引起当地居民的公愤。 闻讯而至的麻风病院院长贾斯密医生（Dr Jasmeet Singh）以及雪州卫生部总监洪金定，在与承包商负责人会晤之后达至妥协，只允许他们拆除监狱附近空置的几个房子，暂时解除了东院遭全面拆除的噩运。 完整新聞，請連線至當今大馬網站瀏覽

Elizabeth Cardosa: There's hope for the valley of hope

By : Elizabeth Cardosa

The original Sungai Buloh leper asylum.

IF any of my friends in the Klang Valley want to buy plants, they are likely to drive to Sungai Buloh, about 25km from Kuala Lumpur.

Young and vibrant. The leprosarium's cadet corps get into line in 1969.

Many of the commercial nurseries which thrive there are within the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium, which can trace its history back to the mid 1920s.

From the earliest times, those suffering from leprosy (Hansen’s disease) were ostracised by society and forced to live in inhumane conditions.

Lepers were segregated in compounds with fences surrounded by barbed wire, as if they were criminals.

In the 1940 Straits Times Annual, Harry Miller’s article titled "Lepers at Sungai Buloh … A Model Settlement in Malaya" informs us that of the 3,000,000 lepers in the world then, 2,000 lived at the Sungai Buloh settlement. The inhabitants were a mixture of races:
"Chinese, most of the races of India, Malays, Javanese, Thais, Eurasians and a sprinkling of other nationalities.

"They form a big family of men, women and children with different languages, religions and customs isolated by law, bound by the common fetter of leprosy, yet living in complete harmony."

Back in 1922, Dr Ernst Travers (after whom Jalan Travers is named) took charge of the leper asylum in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

What he found was 400 men, women and children living in appalling conditions, with no clothing, blankets or food.

He offered them compassion, treatment, clean bedding and clothes — turning around a wretched situation, wracked with daily riots and disturbances, into one of hope.

It was his advocacy that was to see the lepers transferred from the asylum in Kuala Lumpur to a new settlement at Sungai Buloh.

When the settlement was officially opened in 1930, it was the largest and most modern leprosarium in the British Commonwealth, said to be the "most impressive because of its scenic setting and its modern buildings and facilities" (www.leprosyhistory.org).

The Sungai Buloh Leprosarium was also a noted centre for research.

From as early as the 1930s, drug trials and development of alternative drugs and other scientific investigations were carried out until the early 1980s.

Among these were investigations, from the 1940s through the 1960s, into the first successful multi-drug treatment and the development of a new regime for leprosy which has cured millions of patients.

And this model of a self-contained settlement had a profound influence on the design of other leper settlements in other parts of the world.

Anthony Joshua-Raghavar in Leprosy in Malaysia. Past, Present and Future (1983) calls the Sungai Buloh Settlement a model of modern human settlement planning.

Clear zones for housing, social facilities and medical facilities, with modern sewerage, safe water supply, and buildings which were functional and modest, were constructed.

In response to the tropical climate, deep overhanging roofs and good ventilation provided more comfort for the lepers, who were very sensitive to bright light and high temperatures.

Two sections were divided by a hill with forested slopes and the reservoir.

The west, for sick and disabled patients who required care, and the east which was the "kampung" for those who were healthy and could live independently, working the allotments which they were given to grow fruit trees and vegetables, and raise animals.

There were also communal facilities — a school, churches, mosques, Indian and Chinese temples, grocery shops, workshops, etc.

Originally covering an area of 230ha, it was reduced to 120ha when the new Sungai Buloh Hospital was built, together with the nursing college and new highway access.

In 1940, the settlement had several social clubs, one for women to play both outdoor and indoor games, one for Indians and another for Chinese and even an English speaking club.

A drama club, a book club, educational facilities, and food and sundry shops were found here, and there were even special currency notes to eliminate the possibility of infection spreading outside of the settlement.

The settlement was managed by the lepers themselves, working as clerks, police, gardeners, watchmen, dispensers, dressers and nurses.

It was a self-supporting and empowered community whose inhabitants could live with self-respect and dignity.

Today, one still passes through a small gateway to enter this township of gardens and nurseries. Homes are neatly laid out along narrow streets meandering through the area, but only a few hundred inhabitants still remain.

In the book, Valley of Hope (2006), Joyce Wong Chau Yin and co-author Phang Siew Sia record the story of the settlement and its residents. Wong’s parents were patients there and she was born there and grew up nearby.

In an interview, Wong says: "Sungai Buloh is a one-of-a-kind place, probably in the whole world. Very seldom can we find such a well-organised, self-sufficient community.

"It is a repository of stories of patients who have struggled to live through both the physical and psychological sufferings caused by leprosy.

"As such, it is a very important part of the history of leprosy in this country as well as the world."

The Sungai Buloh Leprosarium represents a part of our medical and social heritage which, sadly, most of us know nothing about.

In May this year, Badan Warisan Malaysia awarded a Mubin Sheppard Memorial Prize Measured Drawings Grant to a group of students from Taylor’s College to document a selected number of buildings in the Sungai Buloh Leprosarium.

During their research, supervising lecturer Lim Yong Long (to whom I am indebted for much of the research for this article) learnt that the eastern section of the settlement is to be demolished soon and the area is to be redeveloped into new facilities for the Universiti Teknologi Mara Medical Faculty.

On July 10 this year, Lim submitted a nomination form for the settlement to be included in the National Heritage Register.

His passionate appeal appears to have caught the sympathetic ear of the Minister of Health who is reported to have said that his ministry had decided to preserve some parts of the centre because of its historical significance and there were plans to "turn part of the centre’s heritage buildings into a heritage site ... (and) a tourist attraction" (NST, July 21).

With this stay of execution, I hope that a cultural heritage impact assessment is carried out on the whole site to help make informed decisions on what is best in this redevelopment plan; that the stakeholders, most especially the inhabitants and their carers, are consulted and their views taken cognisence of.

Could, for example, the original dwellings be preserved and converted into accommodation, the wards turned into care centres for the surrounding communities, the existing religious facilities maintained and used by the local population?

For this to be a viable and vibrant tourist attraction, the historical, scientific, social and cultural significance of this model centre for treatment and research in leprosy must retain its authenticity and its heritage values.

It is reassuring to know that this settlement will continue to be a living testimony of the story of leprosy in Malaysia.

The writer is executive director of Badan Warisan Malaysia. She can be contacted at heritage@badanwarisan.org.my.

Source: www.nst.com.my

News: (TheStar)Four chalets already torn down despite Cabinet directive

By ROYCE CHEAH

PETALING JAYA: The Sungai Buloh Leprosy Centre is under siege with four chalets already demolished and the roof tiles of the former prison building being removed to make way for a UiTM campus building.

This is despite the Cabinet directive that discussions between all parties must continue to preserve the site while allowing some development.

The contractor hired by UiTM demolished two chalets last Saturday before Selangor Health director Dr Ang Kim Teng went to the site to order them to stop.

According to Lim Yong Long – an advocate for the preservation of the centre – the contractor had broken his promise to Dr Ang that they would wait for a Cabinet decision on Wednesday.

Heritage gone: Demolition work being done at the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Centre yesterday.

Yesterday morning, the contractor demolished two more chalets and were removing roof tiles from the former prison that used to house convicted lepers, said Lim.

This time, Heritage Commissioner Datuk Zurainah Majid was alerted.

Lim said that a heated discussion ensued, with the contractor asking Zurainah for orders in “black and white” to stop work.

“Part of the settlement has been earmarked for heritage purposes. It is this very part that the contractor is demolishing to make way for a UiTM medical hospital,” said Zurainah.

“The Cabinet has instructed that all parties continue discussions, so I do not know why they have gone ahead,” she said, adding that the contractor told her they were under orders from UiTM to continue.

Zurainah said discussions with the committee in charge of the preservation of the settlement would continue today.

It was reported two weeks ago that eviction notices were served on some nursery operators at the centre after they had stopped an attempted demolition of the former prison building on Aug 13.

In July, Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek had said that part of the leprosy centre would be turned into a heritage site and tourist attraction.

Source: www.thestar.com.my

Comment: Colony is worth preserving

SPEAKING UP

I READ “Living legacy” (StarTwo, Aug 21) with great interest. I am aware that the debate on preserving the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Settlement started in July, but your article was an eye-opener on the true significance of the place.

I strongly believe that the whole colony is worth preserving, and the communities that live there and their culture need to be kept as authentic as possible, in order to maintain the true meaning and spirit of this settlement, for future generations to appreciate.

If the present generation is not fully aware of the existence of such an important site, just imagine what historical “emptiness” we would be passing on to our young if places like this settlement were to come to an abrupt end.

It would be a great loss to let the structures just deteriorate with time, or worse, be demolished on the lame excuse of building some structures that could be easily accommodated on other sites.

Preserving heritage sites must surely be as important as the management of modern infrastructures. Therefore, I hope that the government will put more emphasis on keeping invaluable sites intact, even as it makes plans to build new projects.

Moreover, careful planning must be made before turning any historical place into a tourist attraction. Otherwise, the essence of its heritage may become “commercialised”, not to mention the threat of environmental degradation due to overpopulation or uncontrolled human activity.

Like the effects of global warming, such losses can never be redeemed with tourism revenue, or any other revenue! – Doris, Johor

Source: www.thestar.com.my

News:(The Star)Comment: Living in leprosy nurseries

I READ with great distress the article about the eviction notices being served on some of the nursery operators at the leprosy centre in Sungai Buloh (Nurseries to make way for UiTM campus – The Star, Aug 17).

The nurseries at the Sg Buloh leprosy centre are a favourite haunt of plant lovers, gardening enthusiasts and horticulturists. These nurseries have existed for a long time and have contributed to the development of the local horticulture industry.

Many of these nurseries were run by residents of the leprosy centre. This makes it even more special because rather than just suffer in silence, they worked hard to make a decent living and to gain a sense of dignity.

This to me is a true embodiment of Malaysia Boleh. It is ironic that this eviction notice is being served just as we are gearing up for the 50th Merdeka celebration.

In an enlightened society, the Sg Buloh nurseries would have been given the necessary support to become a major horticultural centre for Malaysia.

UiTM has many branch campuses and even if it needs more space, why of all places does it have to pick this little green haven in Sg Buloh?

Even if the nurseries have to go, the brave pioneers of our horticulture industry should be given a decent place to operate.

SURIN SUKSUWAN, Lausanne, Switzerland.

source: www.thestar.com.my

Comment:(TheStar) Preserve Sg Buloh leprosarium

I READ with dismay that yet another place of heritage value has to give way to development.

I am talking about the Sungai Buloh Leprosy Centre.

If so much sentiments and consideration can be given to Universiti Malaya as a heritage site being one of the oldest institutes of higher learning, I see no reason not to give the same reverence to Sungai Buloh. It has equal importance in its rich history as a previous asylum for the leprous community and also for its contribution to medical research for leprosy and its treatment.

Let's not be too hasty to erase bit by bit the living proof of our rich history and heritage.

What is removed and destroyed will be lost forever.

There will always be land to build institutions but there will never be the same Sungai Buloh if we allow development that will mar its natural settings.

Dr TGM, Ampang, Selangor.

Source: www.thestar.com.my

News:(TheStar) Nurseries to make way for UiTM campus

Story and photo by ELAN PERUMAL elan@thestar.com.my source: www.thestar.com.my EVICTION notices have been served on some of the nursery operators at the Leprosy Centre in Sungai Buloh. It is learnt that more than 50 houses will be demolished soon to make way for the construction of the UiTM campus building in the area. The occupants of the Leprosy Centre claim that about 10ha has been allocated to the institution by the Federal Government. Several signboards have also been placed in the area stating that the present occupants were illegal encroachers of the government land. Green sight: One of the nurseries that is expected to make way for development. According to notices issued by the Federal Land and Irrigation Department Director General, the occupants of Lot 2165 have to vacate the land within 30 days. The notices are not dated. The notices undersigned by Mohamed Kamil Mohamed of the Federal Enforcement and Asset Section on behalf of the Director General of Federal Land and Irrigation were given out to individuals considered illegal occupants or trespassers of the Federal government land. Sungai Buloh Leprosy Centre secretary Leong Chee Kuang said the notices were only served to the three nursery operators after they had stopped an attempted demolition of the former prison building at the centre on Monday. He said they were shocked that such things were being done to an area that was created by the Government after the land was gazetted as Reservation of Land for Public Purposes under the Land Code in 1926. “We were told that the land had been degazetted and don’t know when this was done and why it is being done this way. “The centre is historical. Leprosy patients and those who have recovered from the disorder and their families are staying in houses and nurseries that were provided for them by the Government,’’ he added Chief executive officer of the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Teng Ah Chai said they were taking up the matter with the government authorities and the demolition exercise on the houses had been stopped until a meeting was held between the occupants and the government. “We feel for the patients, former patients and their families who have been staying and cultivating the land here for so many years and hope they will be fairly treated,’’ he said One of the three nursery operators, Lai Yoon Kgen, 35, who inherited the nursery from his parents said he was shocked over the term encroacher used to describe him. “I am disappointed as we have been paying rental to the Leprosy Council for the use of this land,’’ said Lai, adding that his Green Garden nursery covered about 0.4ha of land and that it was impossible for him to move out within the 30 days.

評論:（星洲日報）張集強: 非一般的文化遺產

雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院，政府的承諾是否會兌現，讓病院得以完善保留？（林永隆攝）

　　7月初，雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院即將拆除的消息曝光後，政府旋即組織了跨部門委員會，成員包括高教部、衛生部、文化部等，商討該病院的發展與保留事宜，衛生 部長蔡細歷也對外宣佈，政府有意將該病院指定成國家文化遺產，強調在發展的過程中，會將部分的病院保留下來，成為國家文化遺產中心，或是局部發展成傳染疾 病控制中心。這項消息傳出後，的確讓關心病院前途及居民的人士寬心不少。

　　在兩周前舉辦的“搶救希望之谷”座談會中，主講者包括提呈請願書給各單位的林永隆講師、陳亞才先生、主持人楊有為先生及本人，都不約而同對政府這次的即時動作感到欣慰，跟前不久發生的蔡正木故居拆除事件相比，麻瘋病院的前途看起來是光明不少。

　　在此次的麻瘋病院保存運動當中，政府表達有意願將它指定成古蹟（目前尚未正式在憲報公佈），即代表有了好的開始。接下來，希望政府組織的跨部門 委員會可以先針對麻瘋病院的歷史及其國家文物的價值，先做充分的研究，確認她的價值後，再妥善的規劃，在發展過程中不能犧牲任何一點古蹟意義，同時也應該 要以開放透明的方式，讓民間可以共同參與這具有特殊意義的保存工作。這是一個很好的機會教育，讓人民知道政府是如何成熟的透過內部協商的方式，周全考量國 家的文化保存及發展，深思謀慮提出完善的解決方案，如果麻瘋病院成功保存下來，則證明了政府處理事情還是具有一定的魄力。

　　雖然如此，目前民間對政府的信心還是不足，在講座會上，有聽眾明確表達對我國政府辦事能力及態度持保留的態度；換句話說，以往許多的經驗告訴我 們，政府所承諾的事情不能百分百信任，因此民間還是需要持續關注事情的發展，尤其是政府會不會在尚未研究，便草率的提出結論，然後即刻動工，這跟政府承諾 保留的意願是相違背的。因此，麻瘋病院的前景如何？在政府還未正式憲報公告將她指定為國家遺產之前，民間還是必須持續的關注及監督，避免蔡正木故居拆除的 事情一再重演。

　　對我個人而言，麻瘋病院的價值在於其整體規劃，以及人為創造出來的理想社會模式。這個社會的結構儼然是一個理想馬來西亞的模式，多元種族共同生 活在一個社會中，有各種宗教文化場所，彼此尊重、互相學習，雖然這些人被外界稱為病患，但他們的心靈卻比正常社會中的人還要健康。如果說我們的國家領導人 想要學習如何治理一個多元文化的國家，不必向東或向西，理想的多元種族社會模式，在雙溪毛糯便可以找到。

　　因此，麻瘋病院的保存方式，必須是百分之百完整保留下來，才能顯出她特出的人文價值，局部保留或選擇某些建築樣式保留，會造成價值的破壞；這好比收藏一套古董茶具，只留茶壺不留茶杯，或是茶壺已破裂成幾個瓷片，價值就會馬上從天上掉到地面上，失去珍藏的意義了。

星洲廣場‧作者：星洲日報／街巷語絲．張集強．05／08／2007

Archives: http://my.hibiscusrealm.net/Rainforest

評論：（星洲日報）張集強: 搶救世界第二大麻瘋病院

從南北大道經過雪蘭莪雙溪毛糯（Sungai Buloh）路段時，一般人通常會注意到大道旁聳立一棟剛落成不久的雙溪毛糯大醫院，嶄新宏偉的外觀吸引了無數過客的目光；然而又有多少人知道這醫院的前方，座落一所將近80多年歷史，規模堪稱世界第二大的麻瘋病院？ 麻瘋病院裡的建築規劃整齊，病人住區居分為單身及家庭兩種，大部份都為雙併式（Semi-Detached），房子之間沒有圍篱，如同病院裡的病患一樣彼此守望相助，這種社會模式可能要比正常社會來得健康許多。 　　這病院的命運，有如當年被送進來的麻瘋病人一樣，很快就遭世人遺忘；在這遺忘的過程中，恰好反映出許多年來人們看待麻瘋病的態度：因為對疾病錯誤的理 解，讓那些原本應該與正常人一樣，有權力享受正常社會生活的病患遭到遺棄與隔離，人人聞麻瘋而色變；而這所病院，縱然對我國的醫療史、甚至世界疾病醫療史 上曾經有巨大貢獻，然而她的下場也跟病人一樣，受到發展主流的遺棄。有消息指出，這命途坎坷的病院即將在本月底拆除。 　　第一次聽聞麻瘋病院，是去年底的一篇新聞報導上，當時病院裡的義山土地被外人強行佔用為種植花卉及桔子樹，侵佔者不僅利用墓地之間的空地做種植 用途，在土地不夠使用後，竟然將一些墓碑破壞，完全佔據了這原屬於病患的土地。事情後來因為一些家屬在清明節掃墓時發現先人墓地被破壞而揭發，一些組織包 括隆雪華堂與新紀元學院一些師生前往關懷，經過協調後，花農搬離義山，事情就宣告落幕。 　　今年3月，透過在台灣成大唸建築碩士班的學妹，認識了泰萊學院現代建築研究中心的研究員林永隆。他提起了雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院，建議我找個時間去看 一看那裡的建築，因為病院設立當初，是經過英殖民政府的規劃，全區建築分為幾種類型，在設計好之後便大量興建，這情況有點像緊急狀態時期設立華人新村的手 法，只是雙溪毛糯病院的規劃，比緊急狀態還要早了20多年。 　　後來因為忙於教務一直找不到時間去走一走，直到上兩個星期收到永隆寄來的電郵，告知該病院土地已交由瑪拉工藝大學做發展用途，建築工程將在7月開始動工，如果再不阻止，這所特殊的病院就從此消失。 三種不同類型的病患住所（Chalet），最早期為磚造，中期為水泥預鑄，晚期仍使用木構造，木構造之房舍設計與大部份新村房子相似。 　　永隆在這段時間內針對麻瘋病院做了相當多的研究，包括到現場去勘察、到檔案局去蒐集相關文獻，更難得的是，他已經搜尋了全世界麻瘋病院的保存情 形，比較後發現雙溪毛糯這所病院，竟是世界面積第二大，而從規劃的角度來看，可以說是最完整的其中一所。在這些研究資料輔助下，永隆以個人名義提呈了一封 請願信給文化、藝術及文物部長萊士斯雅丁、文物專員西蒂祖萊娜教授、衛生部長蔡細歷、馬來西亞古跡信託主席阿莫沙基等人，希望能獲得政府的重視，重新思考 此病院的價值，將她指定為國家文物，甚至將她提名為我國申請世界文化遺產的項目之一。 　　在看過永隆的請願信後，覺得事情非同小可，馬上聯絡同樣關懷古蹟的陳亞才先生，再透過亞才聯絡上新紀元媒體系講師傅向紅，相約一起前往雙溪毛糯勘察。 　　當車子開進病院範圍後，迎面而來的是簇簇的花叢，這是由早期駐院醫生教導病人自力更生，以種植花卉來增加收入的成果；在50年代麻瘋病可以治療之後，病院開放，開始有一些外人遷入，目前我們看到的大部分都是外來人種植的花卉了。 雙 溪毛糯麻瘋病院的規劃圖，清楚顯示出該規劃概念乃使用田園城市（Garden City）的都市計劃概念，在該概念中提倡將土地依照使用功能分區（zoning），同時使用放射狀路線規劃，以縮短各區之間連繫的距離，目前我國另外一 個使用田園城市規劃出來的城市便是行政首都布特拉再也。 　　雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院共佔地570公頃，整個院區分為若干部分，包括醫療區、病房、研究中心、病患住宅區（不同時期興趣、共有4區）等。由於當初倡議建立 麻瘋病院的德拉威斯醫生（Dr.Travers）希望將此病院規劃成一個完整的聚落，並實施人性化管理，因此病院設施相當齊全，一般人很難想像在病院中竟 然會有中小學、禮堂、市場、警察局、郵政局、俱樂部、改良所、基督教堂、天主教堂、回教堂、佛學院、華人寺廟、監獄，甚至專屬義山！這儼然成為了一個小型 都市了，此外病院自行發行貨幣，只有在病院裡流通，外人如果到來這所病院，感覺就像到了另一個國度一樣。 　　這所病院始建於1926年，共耗費了4年的時間完成，於1930年正式開幕。在此之前，馬來半島各地收容麻瘋病患的病院，僅是集中收容所 （camp）的概念，例如在馬六甲的Pulau Serimbun（1850）、檳城的Pulau Jerejak（1871）及雪蘭莪的文良港營（1893）等，雙溪毛糯病院的規劃，對醫治麻瘋病患有明顯的進步。經過永隆的比較後，發現目前全世界最大 的麻瘋病院乃菲律賓Culion Island的麻瘋病院，然而該病院乃依照早期集中收容所的概念所建，比較之下，這所雙溪毛糯病院是世界上首座完善規劃的麻瘋病院！同期的尚有巴西 Aimores（1936）及Itapua（1940）麻瘋病院，而這兩所病院的設計概念，相信是受到創立雙溪毛糯的德拉威斯醫生所影響。 　　目前病院有些部分已經破損，但不會減低她的價值，從空中鳥瞰，仍可以看出此病院的規劃是使用田園城市（Garden City Planning）的概念。目前我國尚有另一個使用田園城市概念規劃的城市，那就是行政首都布特拉再也！ 　　無論從醫療史、建築史、都市計劃史，乃至於社會歷史，雙溪毛糯麻瘋病院都有相當重要的意義，從各個方面看來，她都有條件成為我國的國家文物（甚 至世界文化遺產），希望政府可以看到這個重要性，暫停瑪拉工藝大學的改建計劃，為我國過去在世界醫療史上的貢獻，留下一些見證！ 星洲廣場‧作者：星洲日報／街巷語絲．張集強．22／07／2007