The FT Minister says his ministry cannot do anything as the ashram is on private land.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Federal Territories Ministry has no power to stop development at Vivekananda Ashram in Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, as it sits on private land.

Minister Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said the ministry would discuss the issue with the parties concerned.

We will talk to them (property owner, project developer and Vivekanda Ashram (board of trustees) and hope they listen to the public outcry (on development of the area).

We will advise them to retain the heritage elements but dont expect the government to take over the project. The people will be outraged, he told reporters after launching the Sarapan Pagi 1Malaysia programme organised by Federal Territory Wanita Barisan Nasional (BN).

News reports said that a 23-storey apartment building and an eight storey car park would be constructed on a 0.4 hectare land in the ashram area.

The ashram area has a facade over 100 years old and a bronze statue of Swami Vivekananda.

The Vivekanda Ashram board of trustees reportedly sold the land to F3 Capital with commitment the ashram was retained while the funds obtained were to be used for operating SJKT Viveknanda (Brickfields) and SJKT Thamboosamy Pillai (Sentul).

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Ahmad Phesal Talib who was also present said Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) did not have the right to reject any application to develop the area.

As the planning authority, we have to process the developers application. If the public says it cannot be developed as it is sensitive and has heritage value, it is up to the trustees to reconsider the decision (development plan).

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Ku Nan powerless to stop ashram development