Remembering the past

Despite the ongoing protests against the actions of the authorities, there seem to be an ongoing systematic and planned demolition of heritage buildings in the country. The most recent of these was the Bok House in
Kuala Lumpur and now the former

Uplands
School in
Penang.

 

It simply goes to show the lack of respect for the wishes of the rakyat by the local authorities who blatantly bulldoze their decision without due consideration for the peoples opinion.

 

The Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry which pledges to protect and maintain all heritage sites and buildings appears to be either dumb founded or offering excuses every time a historical site or building is destroyed.

 

Our national heritage is something we should all be proud of but unfortunately our authorities are bent on destroying them one by one. If this trend were to continue soon all historical events and contributions of past generations to our success will be totally erased. Our future generations will never get to know and appreciate the greatness of past leaders and citizens who sacrifice so much to bring our nation to where we are today.

 

Most of our social ills are due to our ignorance of the sacrifices of earlier generations. If only children appreciate the sacrifices of their parents, many of them will be better people. Similarly if only the younger generation appreciate the contributions of their predecessors then many of the ills in the society will not surface.

 

Why are our authorities bent on demolishing our historical sites and buildings?

Penang Heritage Trust vice-president Tunku Ismail Mohammad Jewa rightly explained,

 

“All these decisions have been made in the name of the almighty ringgit, in blatant favour of a small but obviously powerful sector of society. It is being done despite public disapproval and protests.”  

Dr.Chris Anthony