I refer to the letter What The Star's role in Coliseum drama?

I see nothing wrong with The Star highlighting Dr Chua Seong Siew's distress at the government acquiring his building, the Coliseum cinema in Kuala Lumpur. After all, how would any of us like it if the government forced us to sell our property?

Indeed, the government has the right to acquire property it needs for public projects at a fair market price but are there no alternatives like leasing the building from Chua or using alternative government buildings?

Heck, if Chua wants to use his building as a low-cost cinema, why not? It's his building and he's providing a service for members of the public who can't afford the high prices of cine-plexes.

Also, The Star said nothing about race or ethnicity unless Radzakov considers the mere fact that Chua is Chinese to be a racial or ethnic statement.

I'd hardly say a Chinese-owned cinema showing mainly Indian and Malay films is a bad thing. Let's hope they don't forcibly acquire the Coliseum Cafe next.

A friend pointed out today how the government has ruined Petaling Street and Masjid India by building awnings over them to supposedly make them more attractive for tourists.

The key attraction of these places was their basic style.

The conversion of Central Market into an arts and crafts centre was a good move but I foresee the forcible acquisition of the Coliseum will not produce a positive result.

Let's call it the Law or Karma. Things acquired under unhappy circumstances can't produce a happy result.