Grand plans for neglected Bukit Malawati

KUALA LUMPUR (Nov 27): The richly historical Bukit Malawati in the coastal town of Kuala Selangor is a shadow of its former self.

The hill served as a fort against the Dutch during the reign of the second Sultan of Selangor Sultan Ibrahim Shah, and was declared a historical monument and historical site under the Antiquities Act on Sept 8, 1977.

A visit from The Malaysian Insider showed the rest stops looking forlorn and abandoned, draped with leaves, branches and dirt.

Stairwells and stairways in parts of the hill were unkept, with weeds sprouting through the ground.

The guardhouse was dilapidated with sprayed-on graffiti and the facilities had been vandalised. Shattered remnants of bottles of alcohol littered the grounds.

Klang Consumers’ Association president Devdass Anjan said that he was shocked at the state of Bukit Malawati.

“It is under MDKS (Kuala Selangor District Council)’s jurisdiction, it should be properly maintained. There is so much history here, and tourists still come. It is embarrassing that a heritage site is treated with so little respect,” he said.

Devdass said the Selangor government needed to ensure that MDKS did its job. “The government needs to care more as tourism is a very important source of revenue,” he said.

Devdass said tourists paid to visit the site and it was poor manners to treat them to such a sight.

In response, MDKS secretary Azahari Sairin told The Malaysian Insider that Bukit Malawati had been included in its five-year plan to improve Kuala Selangor.

“It is in our plans to improve the overall landscape of Bukit Malawati for a positive impact on those who visit," he said.

Azahari said the council would also revive the “classic” atmosphere by planting trees and re-structuring the landscape.

“The work will include a thorough cleaning of the area, refurbishment and utilisation of disused buildings for commercial appeal,” he said.

Azahari said landmarks such as the remaining walls of the fort, royal graves, 100-step ladder, museums in the area, rest houses, the flat stone used to behead offenders, poisonous well and more would be restored or refurbished.

He said the tram service that passed through Bukit Malawati would be extended to Kompleks Bukit Tanjong Keramat, complete with tour guides trained and knowledgeable in the history of Kuala Selangor.

“The five-year upgrade plan is also mindful of the needs of the disabled,” he said.

Azahari said the upgrading works were scheduled to be completed in five years. -- The Malaysian Insider