Break, Prison Break
J-on
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Tuesday, July 27, 2010
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By Elween Loke Wei Jie
Being someone who appreciates history and culture, I was disheartened by the announcement of Pudu jail demolishment. My disappointment was even deepened when the announce was released three days right before the demolishment, leaving no chance for history enthusiasts like me, who is stuck in Kampar and buried under loads of assignments, to pay our last respect to the iconic wall.
The looming hulk ‘was’ located at the southwest of Berjaya Times Square. The star-shaped building began its construction in 1891 and was completed four years later by the British colonial government. Pudu jail was known for its mural and was even put on a high pedestal on the international arena for that of its length.
Khong Yen Chong, one of Pudu’s inmates in the early 80s was the artist behind the mural. He used some 2000 litres of paint in total to complete the remarkable masterpiece. He was later released half way through but volunteered to finish his work that earned him a Guinness Stout Effort Award for “outstanding achievement in his world record work of art”.
Khong Yen Chong, the mural artist, also a Pudu’s ex-convict displaying his awards of recognition. (picture from The Star)
I guess when time passed by, whatever record it once set no longer earned a place in people’s heart. Historical value the building possessed; and heartfelt stories behind bars– gone with the whirlwind of modernization and deafening traffic honking.
Take a look at the Fremantle Prison in Western Australia. The prison, regarded as the icon of Fremantle, was appreciated by the locals as well as tourists. Next, efforts had been done by the authority to preserve the Alcatraz prison in California despite the short history it had, and it is also another tourist attraction. And here comes a little conversation on our Pudu Jail. When the MP for Bukit Bintang Fong Kui Lun (DAP) asked why the building is not being retained as part of Malaysia's heritage, Deputy Finance Minister Awang Adek Hussain (UMNO-BN) replied: "To our opinion, it's not something to be proud of."
I would leave this conversation, which had made me misty- eyed, to your own interpretation.
My disappointment was further aggravated by people with ‘extra-intelligence’ specialised in the supernatural field of horrendous belief - Fragments of stone from the demolition of Pudu jail were believed to bring luck to gamblers in striking the lottery jackpot. It seems Pudu jail ghost stories circulated for years were not enough to embarrass ourselves. Just because it was a prison with a hundred year of history, we naturally allow our creative imagination to run wild. How mature is that. Anyway, just to let you know, many had died thousands and millions of years ago at where you are now. Feel free to scream or grab your hair.
The last farewell to our unrecognised national heritage before the clock strikes 10.00pm (by Chan Wai Hoe)
Some said it is a Malaysian mentality that we would do anything in order to progress alongside modernisation and development. We want to develop a high-income economy, achieve scientific advancement, and compete against fellow developing countries for world-class quality human capital. Yet often we forget to slow down our pace to recall and appreciate our past. We just could not be bothered as life is just too hectic.
The authority had decided to bring down this historical building to make way for road widening and the construction of an underpass. It is believed to reduce traffic congestion during peak hours at Jalan Hang Tuah.
For development purpose, we could only open one eye and close the other. It was unavoidable, right. Well, at least we still have the main entrance to commemorate this city icon. Many viewed the demolishment on a like-it-or-lump-it attitude, but I strongly believe that we are just throwing the baby out with the bath water.
I wonder how Lonely Planet Kuala Lumpur would edit the history of the history.
What you see is now what you get (by Chan Wai Hoe)
