Balancing act: Protecting Fraser’s Hill’s environment, charm – Pt 1

THE demolition of the Maybank Lodge in Fraser's Hill last July signalled the threat looming over the unique built heritage of the hill station. It also highlights weaknesses in heritage preservation regulations, which leaves the fate of built and natural heritage preservation and protection, in the hands of state officials.

To date, none of the buildings in Fraser’s Hill, which feature unique Tudor style architecture, are gazetted as heritage structures under the National Heritage Act 2005. This includes the iconic clock tower in the middle of town that graces tourist brochures ever so often.

The National Heritage Department (NHD) has submitted to the Pahang state government Notices of Intention to list four heritage structures in the National Heritage Register. These are the Fraser’s Hill Post Office, the Police Station, Ye Olde Smokehouse and the Temerloh Bungalow (which was slated to be converted into a hospital).

Whether these buildings are listed or not now depends on the decision of the Pahang state government, as per Section 30 and 31 of the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645) which states that the Heritage Commissioner must obtain the consent of the state authority before any designation is made. 

Section 31 states: (1) Where the Commissioner, after hearing the parties, if any, is satisfied that – (a) the site is of cultural heritage significance, and (b) the state authority has given its consent under section 30, he shall – (i) designate the site as a heritage site; (ii) record the heritage site in the Register; and (iii) give the owner a written notice of the Commissioner’s decision.

Even if the state consents, there is then another hurdle to overcome if these buildings have private owners – which is the case involving several of Fraser’s Hill bungalows. The owner of the site or any other person affected or likely to be affected by the designation of the site as a heritage site may make an objection to the designation of the site under Section 28 of the Act. A hearing must then be held.

Right now, the Notices of Intention to list the four buildings above have been submitted to the state government and are awaiting further action. The NHD can only proceed with listing the structures in the national heritage register once it obtains the state’s permission.

The Association of Nature and Heritage of Fraser’s Hill (PAWBF) together with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-Malaysia) have been calling for the declaration of Fraser’s Hill – its built heritage and forest complex included – to be declared as a heritage site.

PAWBF chairman Nik Jassmin Hew said the state could be resistant to the idea as this would hinder further development and commercialisation of the land. It views the land as its own rather than a national asset.

For nature lovers

Fraser’s Hill has always maintained a level of exclusivity. It does not have much of a commercial draw compared to Cameron Highlands, which is popular with tourists for its tea plantations, fruit and vegetable farms, and plant nurseries. Fraser’s is not a place renowned for shopping or specific products.

Up till the early 80s, it was treated as an exclusive retreat spot for high-ranking government officers and rich Chinese tycoons who built and owned properties that were managed mostly by Hainanese caretakers. It is also a favourite for nature lovers, birdwatchers, bikers, hikers, trekking, camping, horse-riding and exploring the lush rainforests of the Titiwangsa ridge.

Efforts to list the forest reserve as a natural heritage is complex as it involves two state authorities – Selangor and Pahang – and requires a plausible dossier.

The calls for protection and preservation of Fraser’s Hill’s built and natural heritage got louder last year, following the demolition of Maybank Lodge. This drew attention to the threats and vulnerability of the hill’s heritage, including the decay of some privately owned properties, not being maintained by their owners or are amid legal wrangles.

The Raub District Council is also been questioned over its approval to build a 15- storey hotel and spa on the site of the now-demolished Maybank Lodge without an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA).

History of the hill station

Starting off as Pamah Lebar, a tin mining community initiated by Scotsman Louis James Fraser in 1890, this hill station was depleted and abandoned by 1913, only to be renamed Fraser’s Hill and redeveloped as a hill station almost a decade later.

There are several structures here that were built by the British administrators. These are now mostly owned and managed by the Pahang state government. Several others were/are privately owned by business tycoons, private companies and organisations.

There are concerns that the acquisition of Maybank Lodge, followed by its demolition, will set a precedence and seal the fate of remaining heritage houses in the area – even government-owned properties.

Efforts to gazette the entire hill, including its built heritage

The PAWBF has filed a petition to review the construction of the 15-storey ‘Fraser’s Hill Resort and Spa’ at the site of the four-bedroom Tudor style Maybank Lodge. The project has thus been suspended as of August 13 last year. The lodge and abandoned Jelai Resort were demolished to make way for this resort.

Nik Jassmin said PAWBF has a list of buildings that it would like gazetted. But it is hoping the entire hill will be gazetted, not just the built heritage, owing to the unique biodiversity in the area which falls within the purview of the Selangor and Pahang state governments.

She said several attempts have been made to list the buildings and the entire hill under the NHD but the state government has not opened up to the idea.

Many tycoons owned properties up here. Only the wealthy and senior colonial officers could experience Fraser's Hill at one time. It was very exclusive, right up till the 1980s.

Nik Jassmin said every house on this hill has stories to tell. The demolished Maybank Lodge was owned by business tycoon Dato' Eu Eng Hock, who was Malaya's first Olympian, founder of the first official stevedoring company in Port Swettenham (now Port Klang) and grandfather of actress Tiara Jacquelina. There is even a haunted house that to this day, somehow cannot be occupied, she said.

About four heritage bungalows are now in limbo due to ongoing legal disputes. Tenancy issues that should not have happened. These houses are dilapidated and decaying because the tenants cannot pay rent but refuse to leave, said Nik Jassmin.

“The design of the built heritage in Fraser’s Hill is one thing, but what it represents is important. PAWBF's mission is to restore not just the built heritage (we are restoring a building now), but to restore the Fraser's Hill experience that is slowly fading away – that unique experience of ‘Little England’, a taste of (English) country living complete with butler service.”

Nik Jassmin said the new district local plan is being drawn up by Iktisas Planners for Raub. But she is not sure whether the consultant will include provisions about the built heritage of Fraser’s Hill.

The Fraser's Hill Development Corporation (FHDC) had made efforts to get some buildings gazetted, but the state government hasn't agreed to this for years, she added.

A Raub district council source said the district plan is being drafted and will incorporate development guidelines for Fraser’s Hill. These include height restrictions and building design stipulation, amongst others. A public hearing for the draft plan is to be held in mid-2021 depending on the current movement control order in place to curb the Covid-19 infection rate. – The Vibes, February 27, 2021

What is the significance of Fraser's Hill heritage and the threats surrounding it? Find out in Part Two tomorrow.