KUALA LUMPUR, May 4 — Local councils are allowed to take over pre-war buildings if they have been left in an uninhabitable state.
Under Section 127 of the National Land Code, a property or building that has been left in an uninhabitable or alienated state can be forfeited to the authority of the state government.
Responding to Malay Mail’s report on abandoned pre-war buildings in Taiping on Monday, local government and planning law expert Derek Fernandez said the state should exercise its right to reclaim the land, if necessary.
The abandoned buildings include some 100 old houses, shoplots and the 132-year-old Perak Railways building located at the junction of Jalan Stesen and Jalan Lim Tee Hooi.
Before such an action can be taken, he said, a listing of pre-war buildings had to be made based on their heritage as well as historical and cultural value.
“We must first know the value of these buildings ... it is also important to determine if they are on private or government-owned land,” he said.
“The state must identify which buildings come under the Heritage Act, and if they don’t, it may still be protected under the Town and Country Act 1976 via the urban design guidelines in the local plan.
“If some buildings are not worth saving, then the state can proceed to carry out development, especially if the land is not kept in good condition.”
Fernandez said through the list created by the state on pre-war buildings, local councils would be able to determine the funding required for the repurposing and development of such land.
“In areas like Taiping, it wouldn’t cost too much to forfeit the land for repurposing, hence it should be a part of the yearly budget,” he said.
Fernandez also said it was a shame many old buildings in Malaysia were left in ruins because of lack of care.
“Pre-war architecture is beautiful and should be kept alive, if possible,” he said.
“Designers and architects can repurpose buildings in their original fashion. It costs money but it’s worth it.”
* Editor's note: An error was made in the print version of this story which has since been corrected here.
By May Robertson
Malaymail Online
Taiping Heritage Society
Friday, May 5, 2017
Tuesday, May 2, 2017
Taiping pre-war buildings battered
TAIPING, May 1 — If the walls of the abandoned buildings in Taiping could talk, they would share tales of life in the quiet and serene town during the pre-war days.
Some 100 old houses, shoplots and even the 132-year-old Perak Railways building located at the junction of Jalan Stesen and Jalan Lim Tee Hooi, have been left abandoned, leaving many clueless of their history.
Many residents and visitors are unhappy and question what steps are being taken to preserve the town’s historical structures.
Although most are privately owned, the architecture of these buildings gives an insight to the art, lifestyle and economy of the town when they were set up. Some of the structures, including the Perak Railways building, are located within the town’s heritage trail.
Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said there were about 100 abandoned buildings in the historical town.
“They include privately-owned shoplots, and unoccupied government buildings and bungalows previously used as government quarters,” he said.
“These buildings are an eyesore and with this year being Visit Perak Year we are seeing an influx of tourists to the state and town.”
The Perak Railways building, set up in 1885, has been vandalised, its walls and roof are in bad shape because of the extreme weather over the years.
During its heyday, the building served as a ticketing counter and office for the state’s first railway station. Next to it was a government rest house.
Later, it functioned as the Public Works Department office and temporarily housed the Sessions Court.
Those who visit the building today would find it has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, with pillows and clothes, believed to belong to vagrants, scattered on the floor.
Yeap said the buildings started deteriorating when they were abandoned 30 years ago.
“They can be saved. The authorities should gazette them as heritage buildings as they have unique designs, especially the interior courtyards,” he said.
“If the authorities don’t have funds, they should offer it to the private sector,”
He said there were many other shoplots and bungalows, with rich history, that were demolished in the past.
“These buildings pose a safety hazard to the public. They attract drug addicts and snakes. It’s sad to see them in such condition,” he said.
“Taiping is known for its history. Ideally, they should be restored and preserved, regardless of whether they are located along the heritage trail or not.”
Yeap urged the authorities to implement stricter enforcement and strategies to ensure privately-owned buildings would be spared from ruin.
“The authorities should restore the government buildings and penalise owners who allow them to rot,” he said.
By Loghun Kumaran
The Malay Mail OnlineMay 1, 2017
Some 100 old houses, shoplots and even the 132-year-old Perak Railways building located at the junction of Jalan Stesen and Jalan Lim Tee Hooi, have been left abandoned, leaving many clueless of their history.
Many residents and visitors are unhappy and question what steps are being taken to preserve the town’s historical structures.
Although most are privately owned, the architecture of these buildings gives an insight to the art, lifestyle and economy of the town when they were set up. Some of the structures, including the Perak Railways building, are located within the town’s heritage trail.
Taiping Heritage Society president Yeap Thean Eng said there were about 100 abandoned buildings in the historical town.
“They include privately-owned shoplots, and unoccupied government buildings and bungalows previously used as government quarters,” he said.
“These buildings are an eyesore and with this year being Visit Perak Year we are seeing an influx of tourists to the state and town.”
The Perak Railways building, set up in 1885, has been vandalised, its walls and roof are in bad shape because of the extreme weather over the years.
During its heyday, the building served as a ticketing counter and office for the state’s first railway station. Next to it was a government rest house.
Later, it functioned as the Public Works Department office and temporarily housed the Sessions Court.
Those who visit the building today would find it has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, with pillows and clothes, believed to belong to vagrants, scattered on the floor.
Yeap said the buildings started deteriorating when they were abandoned 30 years ago.
“They can be saved. The authorities should gazette them as heritage buildings as they have unique designs, especially the interior courtyards,” he said.
“If the authorities don’t have funds, they should offer it to the private sector,”
He said there were many other shoplots and bungalows, with rich history, that were demolished in the past.
“These buildings pose a safety hazard to the public. They attract drug addicts and snakes. It’s sad to see them in such condition,” he said.
“Taiping is known for its history. Ideally, they should be restored and preserved, regardless of whether they are located along the heritage trail or not.”
Yeap urged the authorities to implement stricter enforcement and strategies to ensure privately-owned buildings would be spared from ruin.
“The authorities should restore the government buildings and penalise owners who allow them to rot,” he said.
By Loghun Kumaran
The Malay Mail OnlineMay 1, 2017
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)