In the name of development?

Source: http://www.mmail.com.my/content/16078-part-pudu-jail-comes-down

Part of Pudu Jail comes down

Historic landmark to make way for road expansion

REENA RAJ

Friday, October 16th, 2009 13:00:00

A PORTION of the 114-year-old Pudu Jail was demolished last Thursday by City Hall to make way for a road expansion and tunnel project on Jalan Pudu.

Despite public objection to the city’s historic landmark being destroyed, demolition work continued for the project, aimed at easing traffic congestion in the area.

The road expansion project costing about RM83 million will enable motorists to bypass the crossroads next to the old prison.

The tunnel will end before the traffic light junction into Puduraya. The project is expected to be completed in 2011.

Malay Mail paid a visit to the site yesterday and discovered that a small portion of a cell block near the road had been knocked down and flattened.

Meanwhile, UDA Holdings Sdn Bhd, the company that is said to have acquired the prison land and the empty plot next to it, indicated that there were no plans to develop the area anytime soon.

“We have yet to complete the planning stages and have not applied for any building permits. So far, we don’t plan to do anything, definitely not this year or early next year” said a spokesperson, declining to elaborate further.

The spokesperson said the acquisition of both land parcels has not been completed and UDA does not fully own the land.

“The part of the land that City Hall is using for the road expansion project belongs to them and not us,” added the spokesperson.

In previous reports, UDA revealed plans to turn the 8.1-hectare prison ground into a commercial hub consisting of retail centres, offices, residences and parks. There were also plans to include a residential development comprising affordable apartments.

Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Ahmad Fuad Ismail said that City Hall contractors have been assigned to demolish approximately 25 metres of the prison building to make way for the project.

HISTORY DEMOLISHED: Part of Pudu Jail comes down

He said the contractors would also build a 300 metre-long wall with a height of 2.7 metres around the prison ground. Afterwards, the current wall surrounding the prison will be demolished.

“This is to enable the five-lane underpass to be built outside the prison area,” he said.

Ahmad Fuad said the road expansion and underpass was part of the Ninth Malaysia plan and discussions had been held with the Director-General of the Land and Mines Department (JKPTG) before the demolition work was started.

Pudu Jail was built in 1895 and used to house criminals and drug offenders. The prison was closed in 1996 and reopened in 1997 as a museum for a short period before being closed again. Currently, it serves as a day-holding facility for prisoners attending court hearings.