Vivekananda ashram may be protected by early next year, says Heritage Department

Vivekananda ashram may finally see some form of protection after its proposed redevelopment was met with criticism.

The Vivekananda ashram and the land it stands on may receive national protection by early next year, if the gazette process goes smoothly.

We spoke to an officer from the National Heritage Department, who told us that the procedures to gazette the site have already taken place.

“We have sent a notice to the owners of the site to inform them of the application.  

“The next thing that happens is that we will put in a notice in the newspapers to allow the public to record any objections to this process,” said this officer, who wanted to remain unnamed.

The notice period lasts for 30 days, and may start as early as next week.  This public notice is still being finalised for advertisement.

This means that if there are no objections by the end of that period, the Vivekananda ashram would finally receive heritage recognition and legal protection of its historic and cultural significance.   

The owners of the heritage site are also allowed to charge an entrance fee, as a way to raise funds to maintain the site.

Based on the National Act 2005, the Commissioner of the National Heritage Department will then issue notices to inform the state authorities, land office and other relevant parties once the gazettement has been approved. 

Should this iconic landmark be protected, it would mean that no one is allowed to build, obstruct, modify or erect any other structures at the site without the approval of the Commissioner.  

Any person who does so may be liable to a jail term of no more than five years, or a fine of not more than RM50,000, or both.

Once notified of gazettement, either of this site or any general site, local authorities must take into consideration any policy, strategy or plan of action pertaining to the interest of the heritage site in preparing any development plan in that area.

The ashram’s trustees had once rejected the application for gazettement in 2008, but the recent issue of redevelopment has raised the possibility of protecting this ashram.

A recent announcement to redevelop the area by the trustees had led to a public backlash, resulting in a movement against any the proposed plans.  

The board had planned to allow the construction of a 23-storey residential tower – which would be built over the ashram – in order to get more money to continue charity work.

Tourism Minister Nazri Aziz stepped in to apply for the site to be protected on November 12, with the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) and ashram owners being informed on the matter.

Should there be objections to this gazettement, a hearing will be conducted to assess to the views of all parties before a decision is made.  Notices before such a hearing will be given out at least 21 days before the session.