Penang state again lost another heritage building???. It was reported to be the family residence of Khaw Sim Bee by the local press. According to the Sin Chew Daily and local press, the Mansion was demolished on 26-7-2010 afternoon. The mansion was located at Pykett Road. Today the history repeated 1993 Metropole Hotel(formerly Asdang House) incident?.....
It was filed in Bursa Malaysia on 2-12-2009, reported the announcement that the mansion and the land was sold on 2-12-2009 by Khaw Bian Cheng Sdn Bhd(formerly Bian Hum Sdn Bhd) to wholly owned subsidiary of Mah Sing Group Berhad, Klassik Tropika Development Sdn Bhd for the proposed acquisition of all that piece of prime freehold land in Pykett Avenue, Georgetown, Penang measuring in total approximately 13,694.94 square metres (147,416 square feet or 3.38 acres) held under GRN (First Grade) 33671, Lot No. 951, Seksyen 13, Bandar Georgetown, Daerah Timor Laut, Pulau Pinang bearing address No. 20, Pykett Avenue, 10400 Penang for a total cash consideration of MYR38,651,118 or approximately MYR262.19 per square foot.(source: Bursa Malaysia and Reuters, Wednesday, 2 Dec 2009). The purchase was completed on 20-7-2010 as reported in the Sin Chew Daily newspaper. From the internet, the property sector was fully aware of the acquisition. But the bungalow was described as "is a dilapidated unoccupied small bungalow on the site", no further description on the building and ownership, is the building a heritage building owned by a historical figure, related to Khaw Sim Bee?.
The following are extract from Bursar Malaysia website:
2.1 Information on Klassik Tropika
Klassik Tropika is a private limited company incorporated in Malaysia on 19 August 2009 under the Companies Act, 1965. The present authorised share capital of Klassik Tropika is RM100,000 comprising 100,000 ordinary shares of RM1.00 each, of which 2 ordinary shares of RM1.00 each have been issued and fully paid-up. Presently, Klassik Tropika is dormant.
2.3 Information on the Land and its proposed development
The Land is subject to two private caveats lodged by Gloria Bay Sdn Bhd and Khaw Cheng Bok (“Private Caveat”). Presently, there is a dilapidated unoccupied small bungalow erected on the Land.
The land is located along Pykett Avenue and Westland Road, and is close to Burma Road and Anson Road. The Land is proposed to be developed into a high end condominium. The location is well established and is considered a high end area in Penang island. The Land is in a matured area and is surrounded by residential dwellings and some low rise condominiums.
(source: http://announcements.bursamalaysia.com/EDMS/edmswebh.nsf/all/482576120041BDAA48257680001CB765/$File/Penang%20Land.pdf)
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If I have not mistaken, the house must be located at the corner of Westlands Road or Jalan Westlands and Pykett Road, just opposite the Sekolah Kebangsaan Pykett Methodist(Pykett Methodist Primary School). The mansion was reported had been abandoned for more than 20 years. Pykett Road was known as Pykett Avenue. The area around Westlands Road and Pykett Road I still remember in 1967, when I first walk the street, this mansion was still occupied, but the gate was always closed. The Mansion was different from the surrounding residential houses, as other houses are double storey houses, but this house is a bungalow, a mansion. That time houses at Lorong Pykett, TNB, KDU College was not built yet. The Bangunan Persekutuan located at the land in front of T junction of Westlands Road and Anson Road, was a bangalow mansion, with very big front field. Westland Primary and Secondary Schools are already there. The Redifussion( the only private radio broadcasting line by wire transmission) was there beside Westlands Secondary School. The building was still there in front of Penang Christian Centre.
Many had walk this road, many have looked at the Mansion. But as time pass by, the mansion was covered with trees, the mansion no longer attract the attention of the passes by. Nobody know this is Khaw Sim Bee's mansion, we all know the Jalan Khaw Sim Bee(Khaw Sim Bee Road) nearby. If the Penang people know this is Khaw Sim Bee's Mansion, someone will alert the authority, but nobody know, not even the residents nearby at Westlands Road.
The last resident of the Mansion was reported to be Khaw Kim Cheng(許綿清)family. From the information gathered the mansion is related to Khaw family, a historical family. This raised the concern by the heritage lovers and mass media. Is the building owned by Khaw Sim Bee, as it is located near Khaw Sim Bee Road?. That is the natural reaction of all natural lovers and citizens. Some said it was not the mansion of Khaw Sim Bee, and of no heritage value....moreover it is outside the heritage zone. The heritage value of the building is for authority and expert to determine.
Is the state's Heritage Monitoring system effective?
It was reported that the mansion was demolished without awareness by anybody, not even the authority. Ironically the MPPP had received the application to demolish the Mansion on 20th March 2010, but rightly they rejected the application. The Sale & Purchase Agreement was completed on 20-7-2010(source: Bursa Malaysia), 7th day after the completion of the purchase contract, the building was demolished. This is a sad story for MPPP, clearly they are aware of the intention of the party to demolish the mansion, yet there is no immediate monitoring system set up to monitor the situation. That is the weakness of our heritage management. We need a monitoring system, a form of heritage police in the statutory bodies, either state government or MPPP. But it seems we still cannot trust them to fully enforce the protection of heritage building. The site should have been placed with a warning sign notice to the public and disclosure that the site is a heritage building. MPPP need to do home work to confirm the historical value of the building first. They seems to be lack of "tooth", or may be political will...or ...tidak apa?.....the responsibility of the lost is on the MPPP, and the State need to provide the answer to Penang people if the building is a heritage building. The Penang people need to set up a voluntary alarming system to monitor the heritage still left in Penang. Otherwise we will lost all heritage....
Who is Khaw Sim Bee?
Khaw Sim Bee(许心美,b 1860 d 1913), the youngest son, Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi(พระยารัษฎานุประดิษฐ์มหิศรภักดี)became governor of Trang(董里府,舊稱什田府)from 1890-1900, and in 1900 commissioner of Monthon Phuket(มณฑลภูเก็ต, 東南六府). He was a bureaucratic tycoon and an appointed Thai Governor of Kraburi, Trang and later the Monthon of Phuket. In Penang, Sim Bee founded the Koe Guan Company Ltd, then one of the biggest shipping companies in British Malaya. He also pioneered the insurance business in Malaya with his Khean Guan Insurance Company. Sim Bee also had business interests in Tongkah Harbour Tin Dredging Co Ltd and Eastern Shipping Co Ltd. While he was so influential in south Thailand, he married a Chinese woman from Penang Lim Seng Kim as principal wife, with whom he had five sons. However, he was also polygamous and a notorious womanizer. This proved to be his undoing, as he was killed by a doctor in Trang whose wife he had his eyes on. The shooting took place on 25 February, 1913. Also wounded was his nephew,the Governor of Trang. Khaw Sim Bee and his nephew were rushed to the Penang hospital, but succumbed to their injuries on 10 April and 2 May respectively. New Strait Times on 6-6-1913, however reported that he was assassinated by a Siamese dresser, Ma Chan, in Trang on 25-3-1913. The accused was sentenced to death by judgment in Penang (source: NST dated 6-6-1913 Pg 8untitled, http://newspapers.nl.sg/Digitised/TOC.aspx?issueid=straitstimes19130606). Sim Bee's illustrious political and business career was cut short when he was assassinated in 1913. The incident was known as the Trang Outrage, the tragedy marked the slow decline of the Khaw business empire. His tomb was located at Ranong. Khaw Sim Bee's only son in Penang is Khaw Joo Chye(许如財), who was the one inherited Chakrabongse House.
However after Khaw Sim Bee's death in 1913, a commissioner from outside the area was appointed to stop the traditionally inherited administrative power of the family. The family essentially divided into the Malaysian and Thai portions of the family. In 1932 all Chinese immigrants and their descendants had to adopt a Thai name after the military coup. The family of Khaw Soo Cheang on the Thai side of the border had been given the name meaning "from Ranong" by the Thai King and became the Na Ranong family. In Malaysia and elsewhere they are still known as the Khaw family.
His contribution to Thailand was the introduction of rubber trees to Thailand, which at his time was only grown in Malaysia. He also initiated the connection of Trang with Nakhon Si Thammarat and Phatthalung by road as well as the railroad connection to Nakhon Si Thammarat, one of the first railroads of Thailand. A statue of him can be seen at Khao Rang hill in Phuket.
Jalan Khaw Sim Bee or Khaw Sim Bee Road, between Perak Road and Westlands Road was named after him.
(From my previous blog: Thursday, February 25, 2010; Thailand: Ranong( 拉儂)& Na Ranong Family ;Ranong Province; http://teochiewkia.blogspot.com/2010/02/thailand-ranong-na-ranong-family.html)
Time to disclose List of heritage buildings, especially outside UNESCO Heritage Zone
Chow Kon Yeow, MP for Tanjong, who is also a member of the Executive Council of the state of Penang as Chairman of the Local Government Committee, and represents the seat of Padang Kota in the Penang State Assembly, however did visit the site, immediately after received the news. But the visit was too late, it is merely a reactive action. The MPPP or the state should have been more proactive to have their man monitor the site, after their rejection of the property owner's intention to demolish the place for whatever reason. It is easy to escape the fine or responsibility, I just need to set up a RM2 company, transfer the land into the company, use the company to demolish the building, then I can even sold the building to a developer to start property development. The authority can only fine the RM2 company..... what is the matter, they can do it????. Moreover fine is too cheap for a property developer of prime land in Penang island!. Note: In Malaysia most developer company normally started with RM2 capital, and increased to RM250,000 when they need to apply for building license).
Why only take late action where heritage are concerned. The reason given by Chow was that the mansion is not located in UNESCO heritage area, and was not listed as heritage building. As MP for Tanjong, and since MPPP had awareness of the historical value and the site of the property, there is no reason to claim that the authority is not aware. The excuses that the building is not in heritage zone and not listed as heritage building are all lame excuses. If the building was confirmed by MPPP or state authority that it is a heritage building, then proper action and disclosure should be done. Otherwise incident of demolished heritage building will always happen in Penang. May be it is the time the state reveal the list of heritage buildings in the state, especially heritage buildings outside the UNESCO heritage zone, a disclosure of the list is crucial now, and let the Penang people be the eyes for their heritages.
If it is really Khaw's mansion, it is too late; may be Penang are worst than Ranong, Phuket, or even Trang to give honor to their historical personality.
One word....SAD....we cannot even protect our history in Penang....as Penang lang, we cannot trust our politician on our heritage...look what happen to Asdang House, another house related to Khaw family?..... sad....
...sincere reminder to all politician and enforcement agencies. Penang is Heritage City; Penang is Heritage, no compromise....
Otherwise, if we are not careful, may be one day, Sayonara, UNESCO Heritage City....
Meow, meow, meowwwwwwww......
Related article:
1. My previous blog, dated Tuesday, March 2, 2010, Where is Metropole Hotel & Asdang House ?
2. Ranong Province, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranong_Province
3. MPPP pre-empted as building is demolished, http://anilnetto.com/accountability/mppp-thwarted-as-building-is-demolished/
4. http://www.southgate.com.my/icon-residence/penang/design.php(Developer's website)
5. Icon Residence, Penang, http://www.apartment-penang.com/2010/03/icon-residence-penang.html
6. Mah Sing plans Penang condo, NST Dec 3, 2009, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_8016/is_20091203/ai_n42481792/
7. Mah Sing Group Berhad's Klassik Tropika Development Sdn Bhd Announces Acquisition Of Land, Reuters. Wednesday, 2 Dec 2009, http://in.reuters.com/finance/stocks/keyDevelopments?symbol=MAHS.KL&pn=3
8. Mah Sing plans Penang condo, http://www.malaysiapropertynews.com/2009/12/mah-sing-plans-penang-condo.html
9. http://announcements.bursamalaysia.com/EDMS/edmswebh.nsf/all/482576120041BDAA48257680001CB765/$File/Penang%20Land.pdf
10. http://www.klse.com.my/website/bm/listed_companies/company_announcements/announcements/index.jsp
11. 泰國橡膠之父家族前住區‧百年豪宅夷平地, http://mykampung.sinchew.com.my/node/107762?tid=4
Get your facts right
ReplyDeleteKhaw Sim Bee died in 1916
The hse was occupied until 2005
If the owner decides to sell the hse for development.
Does the government take over to maintain its heritage.
Are u implying that our tax money be used to protect the multi million dollar family's heritage.
u poor souls out there. U being lied cheated and mislead by the
people who are having their own agenda.
Here are 2 groups that are visible
Resident who do not want the development
People who are used to bring down the government
Don't use this hse as your tool for witch hunting.
Firstly It is not Khaw Sim Bee Mansion
ReplyDeleteGet your fact right.
Khaw Sim Bee died in 1916.
The Hse originally belong Presgrave the lawyer in Presgrave and Mathew.
The hse was bought by Khaw Joo Chie for his son Khaw Bian Cheng.
If the family decides to sell the hse and heritage with it.
Are the people of Penang willing to maintain such a large mansion for tourism??
If this one the mansion considered as Heritage what abt the rest in Penang.
Look around and u will find atleast a 50 other mansion that is left to rot. Better to redevelop than to have eyesore and white elephant on the people pocket.
We need redevelopment in Penang to go forward.
Just look at Georgetown all the heritage building that have fallen to pieces. Is that what the people want or just a few select people who want to control the property market
1. The forth son of Khaw Soo Cheang is Khaw Sim Khim(许心欽 b 1845 d 1903), who became became governor of Kraburi(กระบุรี,克拉武里). Khaw Soo Cheang's sons Joo Choe, Joo Tok(（許如琢,1871-1951) were in Penang. Most of the Khaw family of this son are in Penang.
ReplyDelete2. Khaw Sim Bee(许心美,b 1860 d 1913), the youngest son, the fact that Khaw Sim Bee died on 10-4-1913, he was assassinated by a Siamese dresser, Ma Chan, in Trang on 25-3-1913. He died in Penang. The shooting took place on 25 February, 1913. Also wounded was his nephew,the Governor of Trang. Khaw Sim Bee and his nephew were rushed to the Penang hospital, but succumbed to their injuries on 10 April and 2 May respectively. The accused was sentenced to death by judgment in Penang (source: The Strait Time Singapore dated 6-6-1913 as reported)
Khaw Sim Bee's only son in Penang is Khaw Joo Chye(许如財), who was the one inherited Chakrabongse House at Northam Road(now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah). Chakrabongse house was built back to back with Asdang House, Chakrabongse house facing the sea and Asdang House facing the road. Chakrabongse House was demolished to make way for luxurious family flats, Asdang was sold and demolished in 1993.
Most of the descendants are in Thailand under the name of Na Ranong.
3. The house was bought by Khaw Joo Chie for his son Khaw Bian Cheng. The hse was occupied until 2005. Khaw Joo Chie mentioned may be Khaw Joo Choe mentioned in some book. If the house is bought by Khaw Joo Chie (Khaw Joo Choe), Khaw Sim Khim's son, not Khaw Sim Bee. The house may not have relationship with Khaw Sim Bee, if that is the fact.
4. However Khaw Joo Chie(Khaw Joo Choe), the son of Khaw Sim Khim is not historical figure, unlike his father and uncle. Then the house has no historical value, if the info is true.
5. When the house has no historical value and located not in Heritage Zone; it is merely commercial value, unless the house has unique architecture of the time, where the house's architecture is of significant to history. That is another issue for authority & expert to decide.
6. The disclosure is important after the publicity by the mass media, all responsible citizen have duty to ask if it is a heritage building. We want heritage building as well as development. It is the duty of the transacting party to disclose, all details can be found in the title deed. Transparency is crucial when the transaction become an issue.
The comments may have some true in it, based on the historical fact. It is the authority and heritage expert to solve the dispute on the status of its heritage value, the clue is in the title deed. A responsible authority will disclose the fact, and put the issue to close. If the party has the true fact for the case, the proper disclosure and transparency is the answer....
Let the true prevail, and be transparent...
Khaw Joo Chie(or Khaw Joo Choe), may be the son of , Khaw Sim Khim(许心欽 b 1845 d 1903), who became governor of Kraburi(กระบุรี,克拉武里), who is the 4th son of Khaw Soo Cheang.
ReplyDeleteIf the building was purchased by Khaw Joo Chie, then it has no historical value; if it is owned by Khaw Soo Cheang, Khaw Sim Khim, or the uncle Khaw Sim Bee, then the heritage value is there.
Unless the building has a unique colonial architecture where it is significant to the building history of the state. That is for authority and expert to decide.
Otherwise the ownership has no historical value; the 3rd generation of Khaw family are not historical personality.
Based on the fact, the house may has no historical value.
Khaw Sim Bee((许心美,b 1860 d 1913), Ratsadanupradit Mahison Phakdi(พระยารัษฎานุประดิษฐ์มหิศรภักดี)became governor of Trang(董里府,舊稱什田府)from 1890-1900, and in 1900 commissioner of Monthon Phuket(มณฑลภูเก็ต, 東南六府) is the youngest son of Khaw Soo Cheang.).
ReplyDeleteHe was assassinated in 1913. The incident was known as the Trang Outrage. The shooting took place on 25 February, 1913. Also wounded was his nephew,the Governor of Trang. Khaw Sim Bee and his nephew were rushed to the Penang hospital, but succumbed to their injuries on 10 April and 2 May respectively. New Strait Times on 6-6-1913, however reported that he was assassinated by a Siamese dresser, Ma Chan, in Trang on 25-3-1913. The accused was sentenced to death by judgment in Penang (source: The Strait Time dated 6-6-1913). Most of the family are in Thailand know as Na Ranong family. Khaw Sim Bee's only son in Penang is Khaw Joo Chye(许如財), who was the one inherited Chakrabongse House at Northam Road(now Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah). Chakrabongse house was built back to back with Asdang House, Chakrabongse house facing the sea and Asdang House facing the road. Chakrabongse House was demolished to make way for luxurious family flats, Asdang was sold and demolished in 1993.
All the citizen in Penang need to know the actual fact of the building. The application to demolished has been declined by MPPP as reported. It become a public issue, all the citizen with the right mind will be concerned of the issue. Another fact may be it is close to Khaw Sim Bee Road, and the perception to the public that it may be owned by him.
ReplyDeleteIt is the duty of the authority and transacting parties to disclosure the fact since it become an issue. A responsible authority will be transparent, to the heritage lovers and to the Penang citizen.
The clue is in the title deed.....
Another question...
ReplyDeletePresgrave & Matthews is one of the oldest established legal firms in Malaysia and one of the largest in Malaysia. Founded in 1898 by Edward Presgrave (who had served on the Straits Settlements Legislative Council) and Bromhead Matthews (who had been a member of the Straits Settlements Legislative Council and the Solicitor General of the Straits Settlements) in Penang which at the time was part of the British Straits Settlements, it has since its inception produced many distinguished legal personalities including, the late Tan Sri Dato’ Eusoffe Abdoolcader, a former judge of the Supreme Court of Malaysia.
The House originally belong Presgrave the lawyer in Presgrave and Mathew.
Is the law firm was established in 1898, is the law firm a heritage? is the founder Edward Presgrave a historical figure?
Edward Presgrave((b. c.1795 - d. 1830) was Malacca Resident councillors in 1826 for a short while.
ReplyDeleteActing Resident Councillor of Malacca,Malaysia from (1826/1829-1830).
He was also in Indonesia for some time.
The above cannot be the founder of Presgrave & Matthews as he died in 1830. He has a son, with the same name. Edward Presgrave,b.1823,Fort Marlborough,Indonesia d.1858,Stone Cottage, St Peters, Isle of Thanet. He died in 1858, long before establishment of Presgrave & Matthews.
ReplyDeleteHis son Edward R.J.Presgrave(?-1919).
The family may not be related to Presgrave & Matthews
Edward Presgrave of Presgrave & Matthews, his actual name is Edward William Presgrave. Edward William Presgrave(1855?-1930) was from the Presgrave family of Bourne,Lincolnshire, England.
ReplyDeleteThe acting Resident of Malacca, Edward Presgrave is his grandfather.
Presgrave family is a historical family in not only England, but also Bengal India, Indonesia, Singapore and Penang, Malaysia.
There were a lot of houses once owned by Khaw's family along Northam Road. All the houses are heritage but I do not think government at that time treasure them.
ReplyDeleteI still remember Metropole hotel; the exact location of Condominium MayFair which is next to MACC building. The heritage building was demolished and replaced by so-call super condo. And the 'best' part is the developer 'rebuild' part of the building (with a dome) resemble the original building and make it as the main entrance/lobby. I was so disappointed. It is like you demolish colosseum in Rome and rebuild it the next day. The developer and architect must be out of their mind!!!
Dear Raymond,
ReplyDeleteYou are right that Khaw Sim Bee died on 1913 after being shot. It was reported on Straits Times 26 February 1913. I have the newspaper image from Lee Kong Chian Reference Library Singapore given to me by a friend from Penang Heritage Trust. If you need a copy. please email me.
PHT is organizing an event to commemorate to passing of Khaw this year as the 100th year of his passing.
I have visited Ranong and Trang and paid respect to Khaw Soo Chiang and Khaw Sim Bee's statute located in both the cities.
Thanks for this well written article.