MALACCA: Surprised by Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Idris Haron’s announcement that the state government plans to acquire the Nam Hoe Villa, the owners’ niece expects to see it put in black and white.
Fiona Tan, who acted as spokes-man for Tay Hock Seng and Tay Hock Beng — the two sons of Nam Hoe Villa’s late owner Tay Boon Seng — who live abroad, said they were not aware of the state government’s plans to acquire the property.
“We expect to see it in black and white, with the state government notifying us through proper channels before we decide on the next course of action.”
Fiona declined further comments, noting that the mansion did not belong to her.
She also refused to provide contact details of her uncles as they have declined to speak to the press.
“We have to wait and see. I can’t say anything because my uncles make all the decisions.
“If they ask us to stop the demolition, then I will help to stop it. If they ask to continue, then I will continue,” she said.
She added that a Malacca Historical City Council officer had contacted her cousin in Singapore and the latter had informed the officer to contact her instead.
“The city council officer told my cousin to produce a notice of demolition and he had asked them to contact me.
“But, thus far, I have not been contacted by the officer yet.”
The city council had, last Wednesday, issued a stop-work order before the owners began demolishing Nam Hoe Villa’s structure, in time for conservationists to save the building, which played a prominent role in the early years of the nation’s independence.