Should we move now to save Pudu Jail - a'national heritage treasure' from being demolished on Sunday?

At the very last minute, the UMNO-led BN government will reveal its decision....and there will be no time to protest or object.

Now, they are destroying the historical Pudu Prison - with its hand-painted walls. This is the prison, which reputedly was the place where many Malaysians detained without trial under that draconian Internal Security Act(ISA) were torture.

Now, a previous government under a different Prime Minister felt that this was an 'heritage site'...an 'historical site' that should be preserved. Hence, the doors of the former prison structure (like the Alcatraz in the US) were open to visits....and to the tourists. Considering its location, I believe this 'Pudu Prison' would attract a lot of tourists if properly promoted and maintained. But...they tell us now that they are tearing down the walls in a few days time..

Certainly no time for any protest by the people...certainly no time to save this heritage structure...and remember that it was Najib's government that destroyed yet another historical monument -- to build an under-pass? Certainly, there would have been other options..

The 300m stretch of the Pudu Prison wall along Jalan Pudu will be demolished on June 20-23 to make way for road widening and the construction of an underpass.

Where was the consultation with the people before this 'national treasure' is destroyed? That wall was one of the most attractive aspect of this 'national treasure'...

And they announce that the wall will be torn down...on Sunday? Should people protest? Should we protect the destruction of this 'national treasure'? Should we not fight to delay implementation until a public referendum could be done? Once destroyed - nothing can be done....and the Najib-led UMNO led-BN government would just be interested in 'underpasses' rather than the preservation of history and heritage sites...

Kuala Lumpur mayor Ahmad Fuad Ismail said the construction of the underpass gave priority to road users although it involved a national treasure.

"Every day we face problems because of this wall, getting to the office late, so this is just a matter of which one is a priority to DBKL (Kuala Lumpur City Hall) and the government," he told reporters after visiting the site and Taman Shamelin Perkasa.

The underpass will be an alternative route linking Jalan Pudu to Cheras and will reduce congestion at Jalan Hang Tuah.

Construction will be carried out in stages and the project is expected to be completed in December 2012.

Meanwhile, the construction of the RM59.5 million flyover directly connecting Taman Maluri with Taman Shamelin, which started in March last year, is expected to be completed in March 2012.

- Bernama- Malaysiakini, 17/6/2010, Historic prison wall to be demolished on Sunday