Saying some quarters had falsely alleged otherwise, the ashram’s secretary, S Pasupathi, reiterated that the planned 23-storey condominium tower on the same parcel of land would not in any way affect the appearance or structure of the ashram.
“The development will be carried out behind the ashram. Anyone standing in front of its entrance will not notice any difference from the way it is at present.
“The public thinks we want to knock down the building but we have already given undertakings to the relevant authorities that the members’ wish to preserve the building at all costs will be strictly adhered to.
“It has also been ascertained by expert engineering advice that any new development on the site will not endanger the structure of the ashram building,” said Pasupathi at a press conference after its 95th annual general meeting yesterday.
Last month, the Board of Trustees applied for a judicial review to repeal the National Heritage Department’s move to gazette the ashram as a heritage site.
Minister of Tourism and Culture Nazri Aziz, however, said that the decision on the 111-year-old site was final.