Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia (PAM), Sabah Chapter has reiterated its view that all heritage sites that have been gazetted in Sabah, including the Atkinson Clock Tower and Padang Merdeka, should be treasured and protected.

Referring to its statement made more than six years ago, PAM Sabah also strongly objected to the construction of a proposed multi-storey commercial building on a site sandwiched between the Atkinson Clock Tower and Padang Merdeka.

“Heritage sites should be preserved and protected not only for the current generations but also for future generations to cherish,” said PAM Sabah chairman Arnold Kwan in a statement yesterday.

Kwan said PAM Sabah welcomed investors taking interest to invest and develop Kota Kinabalu City but developments should be sensitive to the environment, and the design should be in context with and respect the immediate surroundings.

In view of that, he reckoned that appropriate planning and design guidelines for sensitive and heritage sites should be formulated and adopted.

“A lot of people have overlooked the fact that the proposed multi-storey commercial development is also located next to another heritage site in KK city, the Padang Merdeka where Sabah’s independence was declared on Sept 16 1963.

“In fact, the proposed development is sited within a strip of heritage sites which can be classified as a heritage precinct for KK City.

“The Padang Merdeka, the Atkinson Clock Tower, the Australia Place, Kota Kinabalu Community Centre through to the Sabah Tourism Board building and the burnt old Welfare Building are all worthy to be preserved and protected,” he added.

On the issue of the Sabah Tourism Board (STB) building celebrating its 100th year anniversary in March 2018, Kwan said a join committee between PAM Sabah Chapter and STB had been formed to celebrate the occasion next year.

Kwan, meanwhile lamented that the gazetted old Welfare Building site is an eyesore at the moment.

“Nothing has been done since it was burnt in 1993. With the consent of the state government, PAM Sabah Chapter wouldn’t mind to adopt the site and rehabilitate it along with heritage and conservation principles.

“PAM Sabah Chapter appreciates the government for taking the initiative to identify and gazette some of the important sites, buildings, and structures within the state capital since the implementation of the Cultural Heritage (Conservation) Enactment 1997.

“However, having gazetted these important sites, buildings, and structures, it is important to make sure that they are properly maintained and protected and with proper guidelines set in terms of development, adjacent to these sites,” he said.

Source:
courtesy of THE BORNEO POST

by BORNEO POST

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