28.04.1993
Disk 56

SPEECH BY THE PRESIDENT OF PERTUBUHAN AKITEK MALAYSIA (PAM) AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCHING OF THE PAM YOUNG ARCHITECT’S PRIZE 1993 AT THE FOYER, BANGUNAN DEWAN BANDARAYA, KUALA LUMPUR

On behalf of PAM, I would like to thank the DBKL for their continued interest and support towards the activities of the architectural profession; and in particular to our Datuk Bandar, Dato Dr. Mazlan Ahmad for agreeing to officiate at today’s launch of the ‘Young Architects’ competition for 1993.

To our esteemed friend Borneo Co., without whose continued support, the ‘Young Architect’s Prize 1993’ would not have been possible. PAM says a big ‘thank you’. It is in the setting of such encouragement and support that our profession is able to sustain itself and progress towards creating an environment most conducive for quality living for Malaysians.

City Hall’s agreeing to the site for this competition demonstrates awareness towards the need for quality urban architecture and space. The selection of the Coliseum carparking site signifies the emphasis for a Malaysian solution to a Malaysian city problem. Jalan Tuanku Rahman is exemplary of a Malaysian cityscape as you can get anywhere; it epitomizes all the ‘colours and flavours’ embodied in our multi-plural society.

This competition is to test our younger members’ keenness and perception towards creating a contextualized architectural solution for this part of Kuala Lumpur. Whilst most of our architects are trained from Western universities, it is essential when seeking architectural solutions to our needs that we do not lose our ‘Asian-ness’ and more important our ‘Malaysian-ness’. The belated influences of western modern Architecture has over-dominated Malaysian Architects’ works and this click here call for re-focusing of our values.
This competition is opportune to test this challenge.

As we strife for architectural excellence in the Malaysian landscape, we are unable to succeed without a spontaneous response and support from the Government, Developers and other professionals allied to the development industry of Malaysia. The quality of the built environment is of utmost concern to the profession. Co-jointly, we are able to achieve the best for our nation. The ‘ills and shortcomings’ within the building and housing industry cannot and should not be brought to bear upon the Architects. Legally, ‘short-falls’ in the contract of house buyers is not the responsibility of the architects but that of the client-developer. Misinterpretation of the Sales & Purchase Agreement between purchasers, vendors and financial-institutions cannot be blamed on the Architect. Parties concerned must bear some of the responsibility.

We look towards closer understanding for a meaningful and fruitful co-operation between all parties. Homeowners need to be fairly treated and adequately protected.

In this respect we value the constant exchange and dialogue with DBKL over current issues affecting our city and the industry. It is through these regular exchanges that problems are ironed out or discussed openly with a common objective of providing Kuala Lumpur with a beautiful environment for local as well as visitors to enjoy and to make Kuala Lumpur into Asia’s leading city for others to emulate. The current quality of our city life in Asia is the envy of many. Let us collectively work towards maintaining this place of pride.

I wish all participants every success and once again thank you to everyone for your keen support.