Group brings up legal points that could stop Vivekananda ashram redevelopment plan

A memorandum to save the 110-year-old Vivekananda ashram has been submitted to Tourism Minister Mohamed Nazri Aziz.

Highlighting the necessary legal pointers that prohibit its proposed redevelopment plans, the team from the Save Vivekananda Ashram Action Committee (SAVB) had met with the minister in his office on Wednesday, The Star Online reported.

Present to see Nazri was DAP lawmaker M. Kulasegaran.

“This information will help the minister and the heritage commissioner when they prepare the paperwork to gazette the building,” Kulasegaran was quoted as saying. 

READ: Ashram may receive protection by early next year, says Heritage Department

READ: Outside locked gates, daily assemblies to save ashram

READ: Tourism Minister steps in to save ashram

According to the report, the memorandum explains that the ashram trustees – who have agreed to build a 23-storey tower over the ageing structure – have no authority to develop or sell the land.

“Other pointers include Sections 23 and 24 of the Companies Enactment 1917 (Sections 24 and 32 of the Companies Act 1965) pertaining to an association formed as a limited company for promoting inter alia art, science, religion, charity and other useful objects,” Kualasegaran reportedly said. 

For weeks, thousands of people have signed petitions urging authorities to stop plans to redevelop the site with daily signature drives happening outside the now locked ashram. 

Nazri had earlier stated that he would step in to help preserve the site.



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