Waytha urges Heritage Department to stop the re-development of the building.

PETALING JAYA: Hindraf Chairman P Waytha Moorthy has sent out an urgent call to the National Heritage Department to stop the proposed re-development of the Swami Vivekananda Ashram in Brickfields.

He said in a statement today that the department must take immediate steps to acquire and protect the building because the proposed development would destroy the existing structure, which has been standing there for over 100 years.

He pointed out that the building was classified as a Category 2 heritage building in Kuala Lumpur City Halls gazetted Structure Plan for 2004.

He also noted that the National Heritage Act allows the Commissioner of Heritage to designate a site as having heritage value and to acquire it.

Waytha said the ashram must be preserved because it clearly fits all the necessary criteria in the form of its historic importance in Malaysian history, its social and cultural associations, its richness in exhibiting the diversity and the evolution of the multicultural social fabric of the Malaysian community.

The National Heritage Department has all the valid reasons to pursue with an objection to the demolition and/or change in the faade of a cultural heritage such as the Swami Vivekananda Ashram, he added.

Under the National Heritage Act, the minister in charge has the power to provide or issue policies, statements or directives in respect of any matter or conduct on the conservation and preservation of heritage.

Under Section 40, the Commissioner of Heritage is empowered to advise and coordinate with the local planning authority in safeguarding, promoting and dealing with a heritage site.

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Hindraf scrambles to save century-old Ashram

Myanmar and Sri Lanka are ancient and prominent Theravada Buddhists countries. The Buddha preached 'Eva Balawa', anybody can come and ascertain for themselves, what Buddhism is.

Ven Ashin Wirathu Thera, emerged from Myanmar as a protector of Buddhist rights in that country. Most Ven Ashin Wirathu Thera the founder of the '969' and the leader of that organization, and was in Sri Lanka recently on an invitation of the Bodu Bala Sena, to address the Maha Sangha Samuluwa held at the Sugathadasa Stadium on September 28.

According to Wirathu Thera, he dedicates his services to eradicate inhumanity, cruelty and all bad influences against Buddhists and Buddhism. Buddhists countries such as Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia face problems based on cultural and religious.

Q: What is the meaning of '969'?

A: '969' are the virtuous qualities of the Triple Gem. It includes the 24 virtuous qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. It enlists the first nine of the Buddha's virtuous qualities for being the Buddha, six Dhamma's virtuous qualities for the Dhamma and nine Sangha's virtuous qualities for the Sangha.

Q: Why did you found '969'?

A: I was determined to unite Buddhists. Actually, my target was the progress of the Buddhasasana. It is directly linked with the protection of pristine levels of my Buddhist country and our innocent Buddhists.

Q: What are the obstacles you faced when you launched your work through the '969'?

A: Yes, we had to face a number of difficulties in the past. I know those problems have not been eliminated. In the future too, we will have to face many difficulties from outsiders. Whatever it may be, we have to dedicate ourselves to protecting the purity of the Buddhasasana.

Even though Muslims try to create some unnecessary problems in our country, we feel that they have some fear and doubts about '969'. The other important thing is we have understood that outside forces who have not developed kindness, love and compassion fear the people who have developed such noble qualities.

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Myanmar, Lanka will protect Buddhism in its PRISTINE GLORY - Ven Ashin Wirathu Thera