Ex-Bukit Bintang MP supports move to realign MRT line in Jln Sultan

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FORMER Bukit Bintang MP Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye has joined the chorus to support the Jalan Sultan traders’ call to realign the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

“Although I am no longer the MP in this area, I am here because of the feeling of nostalgia for the old buildings. I will do what I can to support this cause,” said the former MP who served in the Bukit Bintang constituency for more than 20 years.

Earlier, Lee met the affected traders and visited the area including landmarks such as the century-old Selangor Yan Keng Benevolent Dramatic Association’s building and the Lok Ann Hotel.

Lee said the traders must now garner as much public support for their call to realign the route.

Concerned group: Lee (with cap) visiting the affected areas in Chinatown.

“This area is also one of the tourist attractions in Kuala Lumpur. Tourists want to see cultural value not highrise buildings and concrete jungles.

I would like to suggest that the traders try to get more NGOs to come and support this call to preserve the old buildings.

“This must not be seen as a Chinese or racial issue but a heritage and historic issue. This is an issue that concerns the history and heritage of Kuala Lumpur. Instead of acquiring and demolishing these historic buildings, the government should take steps to gazette them as heritage buildings for preservation,” said Lee.

Lee added that he had contacted Badan Warisan to set up a meeting for the traders and they have agreed to meet for a dialogue on the issue.

Several property owners, historians and Chinese cultural activists had objected to the acquisition of the land in Jalan Sultan for the project, saying it would involve tearing down century-old heritage buildings.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz said recently that he would meet Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak over the acquisition of land for the Sungai Buloh-Kajang line of the Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit (MRT).

Nazri said he would also hold discussions with Syarikat Prasarana Sdn Bhd, which was undertaking the project, to consider several matters including an alternative route before any acquisition.

Estimated to be completed in 2016, the MRT will begin operations in January 2017.