Properties from a Feng Shui perspective: Part 176
By David Koh and Joe Choo | Jan 28, 2011
Feng Shui: Jalan Universiti, Petaling Jaya
Jalan Universiti is one of Petaling Jaya’s main artery roads. It services Universiti Malaya, Sections 11, 12, 13, 16 and 17, and provides access to other busy parts of the city. It is also one of the most congested roads during peak hours. (For Google map reference, please log on to http://maps.google.co.uk/ and search for “Kuala Lumpur”.)
The largest landmark here is obviously Universiti Malaya (UM), or rather the UM Medical Centre which faces the road at the intersection with the Federal Highway. The entrance to the university proper is located further north at Jalan Lingkungan Budi.
Jalan Universiti runs northward and curves to the west until it reaches the intersection with Jalan Kewajipan and Jalan Dato Abu Bakar. This used to be a roundabout and the centre of horrendous traffic jams. A few years ago, it was converted into a diamond-interchange with an elevated flyover. The curve of the road embraces Sections 11 and 12 but elbows the entire Universiti Malaya grounds. The university sits on hilly terrain and has several water landforms, such as a lake and a few river streams. One of these flows eastward to the Klang River. There is one that flows south-west exiting near SM Sultan Abdul Samad. There are probably a few more in there.
The existence of rivers originating from this 360ha tract of land is due to the lush secondary jungle that covers a large part of the property. The green lung’s verdant trees with their deep roots create a capillary action, drawing water from deep in the ground upwards. Thus, even when there is no rain, the rivers still keep running.
Redevelopment
Due to its strategic location in between the cities of Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, there has been a lot of interest among developers to acquire this piece of real estate for redevelopment. In 2009, the university authorities applied for permission to develop 11ha of its “under-utilised land” to “enhance” the university’s assets. The extent of “under-utilisation” is debatable as the site included land allocated for the UM Alumni Association clubhouse and the Reserver Officer Training Unit’s camp. After a short furore, the plan was scrapped.
Universiti Malaya began life back in 1905 as a medical school in Singapore. The Straits and Federated Malay States Government Medical School was renamed King Edward VII Medical School in 1913, and then King Edward VII College of Medicine in 1921. The college merged with Raffles College in 1949 into University of Malaya to cater to both the Federation of Malaya and Singapore.
The Kuala Lumpur division of the university became Universiti Malaya in 1961 by an Act of Parliament while the Singapore division went on to eventually become the National University of Singapore. It is quite interesting – and sad – to see the disparity between the two premier varsities in the region. When QS World Rankings started a list of top universities in the world, we rated 89 while Singapore went 18. By 2010, the gap widened.
THES-QS World University Rankings
While it is possible that there are many new universities gaining recognition, it is unthinkable that a well-established and revered institution could fall so badly compared to its peers. We need look no further than Singapore which continues to hold its ground.
The government decided to issue its own academic ranking and UM came in first. That is a sad indictment – there are no better universities in the country and our best is far from it according to global standards.
Could this be a reflection of the deteriorating academic standards in the country? Or could there be a more fundamental reason – the impact of Environology or earth energy?
Hilly terrain
Let us concern ourselves with the Environology aspect. Universiti Malaya sits on hilly terrain. The hills are part of a range that stretches from Ulu Kelang, down through Kiara and Bangsar, and on to Gasing Hill. Earth energy originates from the top of mountains and flows downhill. It moves in a vortex and its pattern is affected by the land’s composition and density. This tensor effect creates signature patterns unique for each specific area. Downhill moving energy is considered too powerful. It is not conducive to live in uphill-facing properties as the occupants are likely to be overwhelmed by the energy.
 |
|
Landmark: The UM Medical Centre faces Jalan Universiti at the intersection with the Federal Highway. - Filepic
|
When this energy reaches a medium of different rigidity such as a river, lake or sea, it cannot pass through. Instead, it is reflected backward and deflected along the banks. Even roads have this effect, thanks to moving traffic. If the banks or kerbs are curved in a parabola, the reflected earth energy will collect in a gentle and homogenous pool. This is considered very good and conducive for success.
Within the UM campus, each faculty and hostel should be oriented to face downhill and be embraced by water bodies or roads. Those that do are likely to do well. The degrees offered by these faculties would be more prestigious and respected compared with those that sit in un-conducive orientations. Perhaps the conducive environment helps educators and students to think and perform better. Similarly, hostels with the right orientation are likely to be conducive for the students living there.
There is one major landform that could be an impediment to the varsity’s aspirations. The stretch of Jalan Universiti servicing UM creates a giant convex elbow against the entire campus, including the hospital. Perhaps what we see today is the long-term effects of unfavourable landform on a once-revered institution.
We will look at the surrounding neighbourhood next week.
Feng Shui tale (cont.)
Our story of Lai Pu Yi continues with his father returning from the temple of the dragon’s daughter with a gift. It was a plain piece of cloth made from cotton. The message from the dragon’s daughter was clear. Cotton was used by common folk while satin was reserved for the nobility. Thus, the elder Lai was advised not to go out of his way to make his son an imperial minister. He was only entitled to cotton.
Though chastened, he was still hopeful. The following year, Lai sent Pu Yi off to sit for the imperial examinations, where the top scholars would be given ministerial positions. According to Lai’s Feng Shui calculations, Pu Yi ought to excel in the exams and fulfil the former’s wishes.
As Pu Yi prepared to go, Lai said to him. “This journey will not be easy for you. By the time you return, I will be gone. Your knowledge should be enough to see you through. Promise me one thing: do not help anybody you meet, no matter what.”
Pu Yi promised and set off to the city. Like all other scholars sitting for the exam, he arrived a few days earlier to find lodging and make final preparations. It so happened at the inn where he stayed, there was another scholar who was very ill and coughed miserably the whole night, every night ... (to be continued next Friday)
This series on Feng Shui and real estate appears courtesy of the Malaysia Institute of Geomancy Sciences (MINGS). Koh is the founder of MINGS and has been a Feng Shui master and teacher for the past 36 years.You can e-mail questions on Feng Shui and properties to Prof David Koh at davidkoh618@yahoo.com
Other articles on Feng Shui by Master David Koh and Joe Choo:
|