Wan Fayhsal Seeks Unesco Recognition For Kg Baru Malay Villages

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Bersatu supreme council member Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal has submitted a motion to the Dewan Rakyat speaker for Malay villages to be recognised as Unesco World Heritage Sites.
ADSIn a statement today, he said Malay villages are not merely physical settlements, but also the roots of culture, architecture, traditions, customs, and social systems.
He added that this is the basis for the survival of Malays as well as Malaysians.
“I have submitted this motion, and it will be brought to the attention of the Dewan Rakyat speaker (Johari Abdul).
“Accordingly, the House is urged to pass a resolution so the federal government, through the Tourism, Arts, and Culture Ministry, National Heritage Department, and related agencies, immediately initiate an official application to Unesco, in addition to strengthening cooperation with state governments and traditional institutions throughout the country,” he said.
Kampung Sungai Baru eviction operation, Sept 11Last year, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the government had no plans to designate Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, as a Unesco World Heritage Site so that planned redevelopment can progress without issues.
She explained that there are three levels of heritage recognition with criteria that Kampung Baru might not meet.
Commenting further, Wan Fayhsal said Unesco recognition of the area will protect it while providing it with international validation.
Preservation of long-standing settlement sites
According to a copy of the letter to Johari, Wan Fayhsal proposed a motion for the House to discuss the gazettement of Malay villages, Kampung Baru, and traditional villages across the country as Unesco World Heritage Sites.
“This motion is a specific matter to ensure the history and identity of Malaysia as a multi-racial, multi-religious, and multi-cultural country through the preservation of long-standing community settlement sites from eviction, takeover, exploitation, and unjustified seizure.
“This motion is also to take the spirit and uphold the words of Selangor Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah Al-Haj through his press statement dated Sept 18 regarding the issue of land redevelopment in Kampung Sungai Baru, Kuala Lumpur,” he said in the letter dated today.
Kampung Sungai Baru eviction operation, Sept 11He cited Standing Orders 18(1) and (2), which allow MPs to discuss matters of public importance.
ADSThe next Parliament session is scheduled for October.
Yesterday, the Selangor ruler reminded stakeholders involved in redevelopment projects within the Kampung Baru area to prioritise Malay interests.
Stressing that Kampung Baru’s heritage and historical role as a Malay enclave must be safeguarded, His Royal Highness said the issue must be handled carefully and prudently.
Previously, Titiwangsa MP Johari Abdul Ghani said he would meet Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Zaliha to ensure that redeveloped properties in Kampung Sungai Baru can only be purchased by Malays.
The plantations and commodities minister’s assurance came after court bailiffs, alongside several related agencies, led an eviction operation at Kampung Sungai Baru, a residential area within Kampung Baru.
The eviction met resistance and resulted in Dang Wangi district police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman sustaining injuries amid the chaos. The operation was being carried out following a court order meant to facilitate KL City Gateway Sdn Bhd’s redevelopment of the area. - Mkini

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