PM calls for Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall conservation, heritage recognition

KUALA LUMPUR (Feb 18): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim (pictured) on Tuesday called for conservation efforts to be carried out on the 100-year-old Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH) building in Jalan Maharajalela.

He said this is to facilitate the requirements for the building to be recognised as a historic building and national heritage.

As such, he asked the Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh to coordinate the KLSCAH building conservation efforts and collaborate with Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Fadlun Mak Ujud to facilitate the matter.

The prime minister also instructed Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, along with all relevant committees, to sit together to discuss so that the recognition efforts can be achieved.

"This building just reached 100 years [of age] and is required to get government recognition. So, Hannah and the mayor will resolve this before bringing the matter to me. Don't turn this issue around. Don't worry about the status of this land. Ours is, you know, a caring society, and we also want to preserve this heritage.

“We treat this building as a historic building, as heritage. Therefore, we give special consideration. So, I would like the committee to work together so that we can see this place be preserved,” he said when attending the Chinese New Year celebration at KLSCAH here.

According to the Department of National Heritage website, construction of the KLSCAH building began in 1910 and was fully completed in 1923. One of its main purposes is to serve as a welfare centre for the Chinese community in Malaysia, particularly in the economic and cultural sectors.

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