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. |
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.
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
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。
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。
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。
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。
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。
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。
