Thursday August 3, 2006
Why acquire Coliseum cinema?
By M. KRISHNAMOORTHY
KUALA LUMPUR: The curtain may soon fall on Coliseum cinema.
One of the oldest landmarks in the city may be a picture of the past, if the authorities have their way in turning it into a National Heritage Centre.
And, this has distressed owner Dr Chua Seong Siew, who wants to know why the Government is trying to take away the almost century old cinema from him when there are so many empty Government buildings here that could be converted into a heritage centre.
His mother, who bought the building from a family estate in 1947, had restored and maintained the building.
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Dr Chua Seong Siew looking distressed as he stands in front of the Coliseum Cinema which is owned by him. He is crying foul that the Government is taking over the almost century-old building, one of the oldest landmarks in Kuala Lumpur, which will be gazetted as a National Heritage Centre. The Coliseum was bought by Dr Chua's mother from a family estate in 1947. |
“It's not fair. I feel sad, disgusted and angry that they want to take away a property that the family left to me. And, it is not fair because the Government had acquired three pieces of land in the past from me.
“I am an old man and I have not done any wrong. Why is the Government coming after me when I have sacrificed three of my properties for the development of the nation.”
In the 1990s, 655ha of choice land in his Madingley Estate made way for the development of Putrajaya.
Later, on two occasions he gave up land belonging to his family next to the Ampang LRT station.
He said that there were so many dilapidated buildings owned by the Government around the cinema that have become hideouts for dadah addicts, while the Coliseum provided an outlet for healthy activities.
“The Coliseum has been the hub for youths of all races so that they do not get involved in crime.”
Dr Chua was responding to a proposed Government Gazette that was served on him two weeks ago by City Hall officials asking him to furnish a separate valuation of the property, as the Government, under the Land Acquisition Act, wanted to acquire his property.
“The Government should realise that the Coliseum has generated millions of ringgit in revenue through entertainment and income taxes. I will continue to pay taxes from the revenue.
“The Government should consider using several government-owned unoccupied buildings and bungalows in the city and along Jalan Tun Razak, Jalan Kia Peng and in the Ampang area, instead.”
Built in 1921 by Chua Cheng Bok, the Coliseum was the place that popularised local movie stars like P. Ramlee.
The 888-seat cinema, renovated in 1962, in Roman-styled architecture is closely associated to the Coliseum Cafe next door, a famous and historic watering hole.
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