By Danial Dzulkifly
KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 – The Federal government has no intention of nominating Kampung Baru as a Unesco World Heritage site as the designation will hinder plans to further develop the Malay enclave.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the government is instead committed to developing the over century-old settlement into a Malay City, while preserving the rights, culture and heritage of the original settlers there.
“Among the guiding principles for the development of Kampung Baru are cultural values and heritage conservation, innovative land development planning, preservation and regeneration to create a quality and sustainable environment, and most importantly, safeguarding the interests of property owners.
“Since the establishment of the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur in 1974, several areas within the Malay Agricultural Settlement land have been developed, but only a small number of traditional houses remain, including Rumah Limas, Rumah Johor and Rumah Bumbung Panjang on individual-owned land.
“Additionally, there are historical buildings such as the Sultan Sulaiman Club located on Jalan Kelab Dewan Sultan Sulaiman that still exist today and are under the care of the Selangor state government,” she said in the Dewan Rakyat today.
She was responding to a question by Pasir Salak MP Jamaludin Yahya on whether the government has any plans to nominate Kampung Baru as a Unesco World Heritage site.
Dr Zaliha said the Kampung Baru Development Corporation (PKB) has prepared the Kampung Baru Development Masterplan 2040 (PIPKB 2040), which serves as a guideline for its redevelopment.
“The policy direction to redevelop Kampung Baru will be maintained, inline with the existing masterplan,” she said.
“As such, to ensure the development goes as planned, the government does not intend to nominate Kampung Baru as a Unesco heritage site. This is because Unesco recognition will hinder any proposed development in Kampung Baru from proceeding.”
Dr Zaliha also pointed out that Kampung Baru does not meet some of the criteria set out by Unesco, which are not in line with its characteristics.
“Heritage recognition involves three levels, starting with a heritage site title given by the National Heritage Department, followed by national heritage recognition by the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry and finally the world heritage recognition accorded by Unesco.
“Recognition at each of these three levels entails certain criteria that need to be met, and some of these do not align with the current characteristics of Kampung Baru,” she said.
