KUALA LUMPUR: The company managing the historic Carcosa Seri Negara, where the country’s independence agreement was signed, has accused the previous government of allowing the building’s condition to deteriorate.
KK Tan of the Asian Heritage Museum said when he took over as the building manager last year, he was shocked to see the state of the building.
“How could the government leave this place in such a horrible condition? How could they do that?” he told reporters today after welcoming the grandson of British colonial officer Gerald Templer.
Templer was the British High Commissioner to Malaya between 1952 and 1954, and had lived in the mansion overlooking the Perdana Botanical Gardens in the city centre.
Tan said Carcosa was part of the country’s soul, and that no expense should be spared in conserving it.
Tan said it would cost an estimated RM20 million to restore the building and hopes the new government would support the efforts.