Kg Chitty will remain as heritage site

MALACCA: A development project at the fringes of a heritage site housing three Hindu temples will not threaten the existence of the traditional village, said state execu­tive councillor Datuk M.S. Mahadevan.

Refuting allegations on social media, he said the Malacca government was monitoring the controversial high-rise condominium project at Kampung Chitty in Gajah Berang here, arguably the oldest enclave in the historic city.

Mahadevan, who is exco member for sector affairs, human resources and NGOs, said Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron had given him the responsibility to protect the three ancient temples there: the Sri Muthu Mariamman, Sri Anggala Para­meswari and Sri Kailasanathar temples.

“The temples will be scrutinised by building engineers and even the slightest damage to any structure will draw an immediate stop-work order (on the development project) by the relevant authorities,” said Mahadevan when interviewed by The Star.

Several groups are asking the authorities to stop the project, alleging that it is within the buffer zone designated as a Unesco heri­tage and that the settlement was also gazetted by the state as a heritage village in July 2002.

The project involves the construction of two 22-storey condominium blocks, a 12-storey hotel annexe and a six-storey car park on private land adjacent to the settlement.

It was temporarily stopped some time back but the developer was said to have resumed work six months ago.

The state government had reportedly said it would have to settle a compensation of about RM30mil if it re-acquires the land.