Wisma HRIH Lotus
KUALA LUMPUR: The construction of a new RM35mil complex for the High Commission of India is taking shape in Taman Duta, overlooking Istana Negara.
The premises, just fronting Jalan Tuanku Abdul Halim (formerly Jalan Duta), are also a stone’s throw away from former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s family home in Jalan Langgak Duta.
Indian High Commissioner B. Nagabhushana Reddy confirmed the development.
A high commission official, who refused to be named, told Bernama that the site used to house the former premises built in 1993 and which had been demolished to make way for the redevelopment work, since April 2023.
"The plan is to redevelop the premises and build a new four-storey 3,900-square metre chancery building, a three-storey 2,150-square metre Indian Cultural Centre and a three-storey 3,100-square metre 16 staff quarters - four more than the older quarters.
"There will also be an underground car park and a security post.
"In total, the newly built-up area - including office space and corridors - will come to about 11,000 square metres, much larger than the previous 5,284 square metres.
"Overall, the new premises will be modelled after India’s deeply-rooted traditional heritage and culture is added to the concept and core design,” said the official, adding that redevelopment is expected to be completed next year.
Part of the topography, he said, included the ‘brahmastana’ open-space courtyard and a chancery façade folding into geometric pleats that allude to iconic stepwells of India.
"The arrival atrium will be designed to represent the rich traditional tapestry of art and culture, integral to the Indian identity.
"It will feature an abstracted motif of the tree of life - carved in relief on a monumental stone that transitions to the intricate tracery of a stainless-steel wrap-around ‘Jaali’ (netted or latticed) screen,” he said.
While awaiting the new premises, the high commission is operating at Wisma HRIH Lotus in Jalan Pahang near the KPJ Tawakkal Specialist Hospital.
Veritas Design Group was reportedly awarded the contract in 2018 as quantity surveyor, landscaper and architect to redevelop the new premises to be initially ready by 2020, but it is understood the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic delayed plans.
An official signboard erected to publicise construction work also listed HSS Integrated Sdn Bhd as the appointed structural, electrical and mechanical engineers.
Although the premises are located in the city’s posh high-end residential area, it is surrounded by lots of greenery.
"The redevelopment will portray a modern diplomatic complex reflective of Indian heritage and cultural values.
"It will be equipped with state-of-the-art building services, energy-efficient features and security infrastructure,” the official said.
Noteworthy to say, many other foreign missions in Malaysia either fortified and rebuilt their embassy premises, or moved over to high-rise intelligent-building complexes the past two decades.
This followed heightened security concerns following the 9-11 terrorist attack on the United States on Sept 11, 2001.
An effort by former Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, while in his first term in office in the late 1990s, to house all foreign missions at the diplomatic enclave in the new administrative capital Putrajaya, did not succeed entirely, with perhaps a handful taking the offer.
Many large premises were disinclined to shift as they had heavily invested in upgrades to their current premises.
These include the United States, Japanese and Indonesian embassies and the Singapore High Commission all around Jalan Tun Razak; the South Korean and Thai embassies in the Jalan Ampang area; and the Philippines embassy and Australian High Commission in the vicinity of KLCC.
However, others like the German Embassy in Jalan Kia Peng (near KLCC), and the French Embassy and British High Commission in Jalan Ampang sold off their properties to occupy commercial buildings.- Bernama
