KUALA LUMPUR: Many former students of iconic girls’ school Convent Bukit Nanas fear that it could fall victim to development someday.
One of them, award-winning actress Vanidah Imran, has urged the government to renew its lease and preserve it as a heritage building.
In an Instagram post yesterday, Vanidah, 47, said: “Which greedy parties are eyeing the land where Convent Bukit Nanas stands?
“This school has a letter of support from the Ministry of Education. I don’t understand why can’t they renew its lease.”
Vanidah added: “If CBN is demolished, KL will lose another building of significant architectural interest. Le Coq D’Or has been turned into W Hotel, Pudu Jail into Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC), and Tasputra Perkim founded by Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra into an international school, just to name a few buildings we’ve lost in the past.”
She urged Malaysians to cherish the country’s culture and heritage, and reminded business owners to be aware that they were also “members of society”.
“How can we change the narrative of our country? To be inclusive, to be proud of our history, culture and heritage?
“Businesses should look at things from a stakeholder lens, not just a shareholder lens.”
Vanidah’s statement received the thumbs-up from Netizens, including performing arts lecturer Dr Norzizi Zulkifli and singer-actress Adibah Noor who also studied in CBN.
Norzizi said: “Fully agree with you, Vee. Don’t forget Bukit Bintang Girls’ School has become Pavilion. Tragic!”
Adibah said: “Many people don’t care about heritage. Sad!”
Yesterday, the High Court heard CBN’s judicial review application to challenge the government’s decision to not extend the school’s land lease which is due to expire on Sept 6. CBN was established in 1899 and is located along Jalan Bukit Nanas.
More than 15,000 Netizens have signed a petition in the Petition.org portal urging the government to save the school.
See: Chua, D. (2021, April 20). #Showbiz: “Convent Bukit Nanas must be saved” – Vanidah Imran. New Straits Times.
