via New Straits Times, 18 November 2019: Anyone with spare RM10 million to spare?
All that is needed to kick-start the restoration of the decaying buildings on Jalan Raja here is RM10 million.
Conservationist Steven Thang estimated that it would take RM200 million to take the 109-year-old FMS Survey Office, the former Supreme Court and the equally old City Hall building to their heyday.
He, however, stressed that the funding need not be given all at once and could be sourced from their custodian, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry.
“If you wait for RM200 million it will never materialise, but spreading RM10 million in stages through yearly budgets of RM10 to RM20 million over the next decade or two means priorities can be set and urgent work done.”
Thang said the heritage quarter, which generates much tourist revenue, was one of the most photographed spots in the nation’s capital.
The buildings have been left vacant for over 10 years since the courts moved to Jalan Duta.
