The Selayang Municipal Council (MPS) did not permit the clearing activities done on a land next to a cemetery where the victims of the May 13 riots were laid to rest, reported The Star.
Given that the clearing works were unlawfully done, MPS issued a stop-work order on 3 March, but they weren’t able to know who the perpetrators were as they have escaped from the scene.
There are talks that the illegal work done earlier this month aims to clear the area for a parking lot. However, the council revealed that no one has submitted an application for development for the site.
Following the unauthorised clearing works in the vicinity, residents and non-government organisations (NGOs) have lodged an appeal to the authorities to preserve the cemetery for its historical significance.
The cemetery was previously situated within the former Leprosy Settlement, but was eventually relocated at the back of the Sungai Buloh Hospital mosque.
It comprises 112 headstones siting on an area around the size of two badminton courts. However, it looks rundown with the headstones covered in undergrowth and the peripheral fence falling into disrepair.
According to MPS Councillor Ng Wei Keong, it is out of their jurisdiction to preserve the cemetery as a heritage site. Only the National Heritage Department can initiate such action.
“However, if we do not receive any directive from the department, we will need to follow the usual procedure of complying with the landowner’s wish if they apply to develop the site,” he added.
A check with the Gombak Land Office revealed that the land is in the process of being given to the Sungai Buloh Hospital, which is under the Health Ministry.
Meanwhile, MP for Subang R. Sivarasa plans to suggest to Chief Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali to halt the plan to give the land to the agency. He also intends write to the ministry and the Prime Minister’s Department to consider recognising the cemetery as a historical site.
“This is one of the two sites approved by the government as cemetery for the May 13 riot victims, it should still be recognised for the history it contains. Unfortunately, it has been completely neglected,” he said when contacted.
Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall Head Tang Ah Chai, who played a key role in preserving the iconic structures of the former Leprosy Settlement, also plans to forward the residents’ appeal to the state government and National Heritage Department.
“A family member of one of the May 13 victims contacted me after reading the news report. She also hopes that the cemetery can be preserved. The riot was a painful page in the country’s history, but history should not be forgotten, to remind us Malaysians that we should never take racial harmony for granted,” he said.
Among Sungai Buloh‘s latest developments that are not tampering any sacred monuments or memorial grounds are:
1. Amverton Hills, Sungai Buloh
2. D’Sara Sentral, Sungai Buloh
Image sourced from The Star
Radin Ghazali, Content Writer at PropertyGuru, edited this story. To contact her about this or other stories email radin@propertyguru.com.my
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