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Now I know why they set 2007 as Visit Malaysia year.

Here is my speculation : if you don't visit Malaysia in 2007, all history heritage will be destroyed and you will never see it after 2007.

Could it have made a difference if it was called Bodowi house instead?

if they call it bodowi house. definately it wont be demolished but instead be upgrade with millions ringgit security services to protect from terrorist.

istana zakaria shld be made a heritage house.

Another piece of Kuala Lumpur’s colourful past was yet again unceremoniously torn down yesterday. Bok House, a monument to the industry and perseverance of Malaysian pioneers who toiled the fertile land of the then Malaya and made it rich, and in the process showed thousands of Malayans and also modern Malaysians that hard work is the key to success, is nothing now but debris and rubble. Its once proud giant columns will now be carted away to be reused in other faceless construction projects. The Bok House was one of the remaining buildings of its kind in Malaysia, well documented through the years. By setting bulldozers to tear down this mansion, Kuala Lumpur has lost part of its soul which it can never retrieve by building a hundred high-rise condominiums or office blocks in its place, and shout to the world that it is special.

History in this country is not something to be treasured. It is merely an impediment to developers out to make a fast buck. In Europe, we do not see monuments of historical value being mown down to make way for a new highway or an office block. In Malaysia, we talk breathlessly about how we value history and take pains to tell foreigners about our rich culture and heritage, but without even a moment’s reflection, destroy what little of historical value that we have in favour of the almighty Ringgit.

History has been systematically dismantled in this country these days. School text books have been rewritten to exclude the contribution of the pioneers of Malaysia, the Chinese and Indians, who came from faraway lands to help build and develop this land that we still call with pride, our country. History is nothing but just numbers and dates to be remembered, so that exams could be passed. It is in essence, a nuisance that just needs to be shunted aside and quickly forgotten. The contribution of the non-Malays who fought and sacrificed their blood and lives to fight the Japanese occupation and the communist insurgency are virtually erased amongst the memory of young Malaysians. The white washing of this country’s rich multi-racial, multi-cultural legacy is a stain on the integrity of this once great nation of ours. I do not now consider this country being poised for greatness; instead, a country that remains in fear of its history and past, will forever be mired in self-doubt.

what'z?
how come?
brother jeff,
what can we do? is it too late????
i thought MALAYSIA wants to protect our identity and heritage 'cos it's so frail...
or is this part of a bigger darker plot to erase all forms of a colonial legacy, like the building's architecture?????

At 22:50 PM, Bernama published an item "Beyond Govt's Ability To Save Bok House, Says Rais" which had a rather disturbing angle - Rais was quoted as saying that "The DBKL action to demolish it could not be stopped".

Have a look at:
http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v3/news.php?id=236940

What on earth has KL City Hall got to do with the demolition?

I know someone who is more concerned about his son/SIL's 'pot of rice' being demolished.

can somebody give me a link which actually tells me the historical significance of this house?

i've had dinner at that house when it was called Le Coq D'or way back in the seventies with my folks.

recently i was stuck in traffic right in front of that house, and looking at the unkempt nature of it's grounds i found myself saying 'this house has gone to the dogs,' and then just noticing the place was full of stray dogs.

i suppose its sad to see the place go as its one of the structures i bothered to look at while passing and its juxtaposition against Petronas TT as a backdrop. but at rm1000 a sq ft ... not a difficult decision to make for some.

somebody made a lot of MONEY..

A scandal where the culprits should be hung in front of the Bok House in public!
The main cause: heritage organisations with no power, a government that gives a shit, and a general public in Malaysia that lacks any interest in preserving their history!
In this country only $$$ counts...betul Malaysia bodoh!
Another beautifull building gone forever....great job DBKL you can be proud of yourselves.

We may skirt around the issue, but of course we all know the reason it was demolished was because the Goverment is not really interested in preserving non-Malay heritage sites, or road names, or park names etc.

Yes, it is sad to see Bok House gone. I remember dates with my husband way back in 1989/90. It felt so colonial, travelling back in time.

What's the historical value asks YB Rais? The building was built by founder of C&C, like the grand houses in Penang (Boon Siew's mansion). Question is why C&C or a bank could not conserve the building like those in Penang.

I would like to know PM's or DPM's views on this.

Another point is why DBKL cut down trees to put a concrete eye right in town. KL is not Melbourne or Paris where climate is temperate. KL is hot like furnace.

Where is the wisdom?

Other countries are very good in conserving buildings. Many grand hotels or resorts are colonial buildings. It could have been made into a Library or a museum for the people who helped build Malaysia to what it is today. This building was more opulent that the Tun Razak museum in Lake Gardens.

I am horrified and disgusted at the Demolition of the Bok Mansion. 2 weeks after and everytime i think of what happened it still sickens me.

To me, this tantamount to murder. I like to compare our old heritage buildings with protected wild animals. Imagine if the Bok House was not a house but a Malaysian Rhino...

The ficticious story would go something like this;

Newspaper front page, "Starving Orang Asli Family traps Last Malaysian Rhino in KLCC Park"

SPCA (read Badan Warisan) appeals to Malaysian Wildlife Department (read DBKL) to move The Rhino (read Bok House)from KLCC Park to a nature reserve and protect the species...

SPCA also seek the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism to appeal for support so that the Rhino can be protected by Law...

So the Wildlife Department approaches the family, decides that seeing as the animal belongs to them (finders keepers) they are entitled to do whatever they want with it... as they are hungry maybe they could eat it. Hmmm... Hey! Rhino meat is quite valuable so maybe they should slaughter the animal before it is illegal to do so... In fact if they need assistance they will even do it for them.

The Minister of culture arts and tourism says, "The Government cannot take over all RHINOS considered by many as having heritage value due to the high cost of rehabilitation and conservation". How prudent. I suppose they could buy the Orang Alsi some KFC instead but no... too expensive!

So the Wildlife department sent over a couple of guys with machineguns, blew the Rhino into a million pieces in a very short period of time.

Oh but before they did this they surrounded the Rhino with a tall curtain so nobody could see what was happening.

Anyway... the Rhino died... and the owners got to eat exotic meats. Everybody lived hapily ever after.

The End.

Whats wrong with this? Thats it people... no more BOK house. Game over. Gone forever.

Now how can we be sure this will not happen to another building?

Who is held accountable for this killing? In most developed countries, i would expect either a solid explanation or a resignation and apology- all followed by some pretty swift bridge mending.

Oh incidentally- i am sure the proposed development will not start for at least 3 years... in the meantime we have the pleasure of a new carpark near KLCC. Yay!!

car park or another mamak store or better yet a row of beautiful shop house painted in PINK. why malaysian architects love pink we will never know...