szehoong
March 7th, 2005, 11:34 AM
Millennium Monument remains closed
By GEETHA KRISHNAN
http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2005/3/m_01mow.jpg
IT HAS been 18 months since former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad unveiled the National Millennium Monument in Putrajaya, but the structure remains closed to the public to this day.
The obelisk-like, amber-coloured monument in Precinct 2 was built as a timeline, marking Malaysia’s historical milestones from the Malacca sultanate’s formation, through independence, and the present day.
Work on the tourist attraction began in July 2002 and was to have been completed a year later. But, the monument was closed soon after its launch on Aug 30, 2003.
http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2005/3/m_pg03eyesore1.jpg
Sand, stone and pebbles meant for the project are left on the grounds near the monument.
Renovation works were cited as initial reasons for the closure, disappointing tourists who headed to the monument for photo opportunities and glimpses of the structure through the scaffolding.
A check by Star Metro on Wednesday revealed that the access road to the monument has been blocked. The path to the tourist attraction was also in a state of disrepair, lined with broken tiles.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Putrajaya Corporation said “the monument will be opened to the public as soon as some infrastructure matters like sewerage and drainage are settled”.
The monument is still listed in tourism brochures as one of the many tourist attractions in Putrajaya. Given its location on the fringe of the Putrajaya Lake, it was even promoted as a designated stop for the Putrajaya Lake cruise.
Visible from the Putra Mosque towards the south and the Seri Wawasan Bridge from the North, the 68m-tall monument sparks curiosity from local residents as well as the foreign tourists. A beacon was supposed to illuminate the structure at night.
The overall design is based on an abstract of the hibiscus, the national flower. The tapering tower is divided into the primary eras of pre-independence, the past (1957-1970), the present (1971-2020) and the future (2020 onwards).
The surrounding area of the monument was built to offer facilities like a restaurant, lakeside promenade, information kiosk, parking bays for cars and buses, gazebos and public washrooms.
Unforttunately, as it stands now, it is nothing but a crying shame.
By GEETHA KRISHNAN
http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2005/3/m_01mow.jpg
IT HAS been 18 months since former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad unveiled the National Millennium Monument in Putrajaya, but the structure remains closed to the public to this day.
The obelisk-like, amber-coloured monument in Precinct 2 was built as a timeline, marking Malaysia’s historical milestones from the Malacca sultanate’s formation, through independence, and the present day.
Work on the tourist attraction began in July 2002 and was to have been completed a year later. But, the monument was closed soon after its launch on Aug 30, 2003.
http://metro.thestar.com.my/news/2005/3/m_pg03eyesore1.jpg
Sand, stone and pebbles meant for the project are left on the grounds near the monument.
Renovation works were cited as initial reasons for the closure, disappointing tourists who headed to the monument for photo opportunities and glimpses of the structure through the scaffolding.
A check by Star Metro on Wednesday revealed that the access road to the monument has been blocked. The path to the tourist attraction was also in a state of disrepair, lined with broken tiles.
When contacted, a spokesperson for Putrajaya Corporation said “the monument will be opened to the public as soon as some infrastructure matters like sewerage and drainage are settled”.
The monument is still listed in tourism brochures as one of the many tourist attractions in Putrajaya. Given its location on the fringe of the Putrajaya Lake, it was even promoted as a designated stop for the Putrajaya Lake cruise.
Visible from the Putra Mosque towards the south and the Seri Wawasan Bridge from the North, the 68m-tall monument sparks curiosity from local residents as well as the foreign tourists. A beacon was supposed to illuminate the structure at night.
The overall design is based on an abstract of the hibiscus, the national flower. The tapering tower is divided into the primary eras of pre-independence, the past (1957-1970), the present (1971-2020) and the future (2020 onwards).
The surrounding area of the monument was built to offer facilities like a restaurant, lakeside promenade, information kiosk, parking bays for cars and buses, gazebos and public washrooms.
Unforttunately, as it stands now, it is nothing but a crying shame.