Residents want stigma removed
KUALA LUMPUR: Imagine living in a neighbourhood where there is an abandoned house or building which is rumoured to be haunted.
So infamous is its horror and urban myth stories that it attracts visitors from all over wanting to catch a glimpse of the so-called ghosts and supernatural beings.
These are what residents in Taman Sri Ukay Hillview, a stone’s throw from the infamous Highland Towers, have had to deal with for a long time.
Since the 1993 tragedy, life has never been the same for them.
The stigma of the “haunted” towers has attracted throngs of thrill-seekers and paranormal enthusiasts.
To the residents, these people are a nightmare, more horrifying than the so-called myths and urban legends about the towers.
Because of the stigma, they have not been able to sell their properties.
They have to pay to set up two security checkpoints to stop outsiders from coming into their housing areas and causing congestion.
The imam of Surau Al Muhajirin here, Ustaz Safri Abu Talib, 36, said the horror stories were just a myth.
“I have been an imam here since 2015.
“There have neither been ghosts sighted in the area nor local residents spooked by supernatural beings,” he said, pointing at the abandoned towers that are in clear view of the surau.
Outsiders who stopped by the surau and inquired about the towers will be advised not to believe what they hear about ghosts and hauntings of the Highland Towers and to turn back.
Safri is grateful with the recent announcement by Housing and Local Government Minister Zuraida Kamaruddin that the abandoned Highland Towers site would be demolished by June.
“It has become a negative symbol and bad stigma for the housing area, so it is good that the buildings will be demolished.”
Taman Sri Ukay Hillview Residents’ Association president Datuk Siti Hendon Chik also welcomed the government’s decision to demolish the Highland Towers.
“We laud the move. The abandoned buildings have been getting unnecessary attention. Residents here don’t need it.”
Siti Hendon is thankful that the police have been keeping an eye on the towers and the housing areas .
“Since the checkpoints were put up, most of the crowds that come are thrill-seeking college students.
Criminals no longer frequent this place because of the tight security.”
Siti Hendon said the superstitions and stigmas had negatively affected the property value of the place.
“It is difficult to sell a place where you can see the Highland Towers from your window. It has such a negative stigma.
“Hopefully, the demolishing of the towers will open a new chapter for the area.”
At first, Siti Hendon said she was also curious about the towers in the aftermath of the 1993 tragedy, and with all the rumours and horror stories flying around.
“I would keep watch at night just in case I caught something. But there was nothing to see except the abandoned towers.
“There’s nothing creepy or horrifying about the buildings. So we carried on with our life.”
Siti Hendon urged people not to be so obsessed by urban legends and let the tragedy be a thing of the past.