MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk
Seri Idris Haron has stepped into the controversy at Kampung Chitty in Gajah
Berang here, ordering a probe into the approval of a high-rise condominium
project at what is arguably the oldest settlement in the historical city.
According to a state government source, Idris wanted a
thorough investigation to identify those responsible for the approval of the
project in 2009.
The project is within the buffer zone of an area
recognised by Unesco as a heritage site.
The village was gazetted as a heritage village in July
2002.
The project, involving two 22-storey condominium
blocks, a 12-storey hotel annex and a six-storey car park, was believed to have
been shelved but was later found to have been approved.
The developer is said to have resumed work six months
ago.
The source said Idris was upset as the settlement of
“Indian Peranakans” was part of the city’s heritage.
It was learnt that the state government might have to
fork out about RM30 mil in compensation if it re-acquires the land.
The source revealed that Idris had told his officers
to look into solving the issue immediately as it was causing a major “headache”
to the administration.
“My boss wants to re-examine the documents pertaining
to the project and see how it can be resolved without affecting the heritage
site.
“He is serious about resolving the matter but he has
to manage it carefully as the approval was granted before he was appointed as
Chief Minister,” the source said.
Kampung Chitty’s Welfare and Cultural Association’
president K. Supramania slammed the state government for reneging on its
promise made during a Deepavali open house in 2012.
He said former Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali
Rustam had told the community the project would not go on.
“Despite feeling disappointed, we still have trust in
the state government to resolve the issue,” he said.
Supramania said the settlement preceded other ethnic
enclaves in the city, adding that the state government should not neglect the
welfare of one of the earliest communities in Malacca.
“There are many ways for the state government to
acquire the land, including getting funds allocated under the National Heritage
Act 2005, if it really wants to save the village from development.
He said the approval of the project should be
re-evaluated based on the principles of Operational Guidelines for World
Heritage by Unesco, ICCROM (International Centre for the Study of the
Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and Icomos (International
Council on Monuments and Sites).
He said three Hindu temples, dating back to more than
300 years, were at risk if piling work begins.
“Our only hope now is that the Chief Minister will
intervene and stop the project,” he added.
(R.S.N. Murali, The Star, 1 January 2014 – GET THE FULL BACKGROUND STORY - Idris Harun Suruh Cari Dalang.)
