Chinese Press: Demolition of Wong Ah Fook mansion gets int'l notice

Last Updated: 4:52pm, May 21, 2014

THE demolition of 100-year-old Wong Ah Fook mansion in Johor Baru has gained international attention with China's media showing interest in the news.

Oriental Daily News reported that the news and chronology of the demolition have been published on China's news portals, drawing international attention.

Checks showed that Singapore's media Asiaone had also carried the news.

The historical building was taken down on April 30 by its new owner, a Malaysian residing in Singapore, despite efforts from various parties to preserve it.

Oriental Daily writer, Zhong Shi Yu lamented that the demolition has once again proved that the state government was not serious in preserving our cultural heritage.

Zhong said that the mansion was one of a handful historical buildings left in Johor Baru.

Despite calls from the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar Al-Masyhur to preserve the building, the state government and relevant authorities failed to act on it, leading to the regretful event.

Wong Ah Fook was Johor's iconic philanthropist and contractor. He born in 1837 and said to be closed to the then state ruler Sultan Abu Bakar in the mid-1800s.

According to earlier report, he had built some of the most recognisable heritage buildings in Johor, including Istana Besar, Balai Zaharah, the residence of the state's first menteri besar, Datuk Jaafar Mohamed, at Bukit Senyum and the Johor Baru prison in Jalan Ayer Molek.

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Chinese Press: Demolition of Wong Ah Fook mansion gets int'l notice