THE Penang government is mulling over the idea of opening up ‘certain areas’ of Fort Cornwallis for visitors to view the two newly-conserved cannons while witnessing the conservation works that are currently ongoing at the fort.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said it would be an (unforgettable) experience for locals and tourists to view the cannons and the conservation works done at the site.
“The Chief Minister Incorporated as the site owner and the concession company managing the Fort Cornwallis will have to look at this aspect.
“We let them decide the area that can be opened to visitors and when it would be opened,” Chow told a press conference after attending the cannon handing over ceremony at the Gallery of Archaeology in Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) today.
Chow congratulated USM Centre for Global Archaeological Research archaeologist Prof Datuk Dr Mokhtar Saidin and his team for the job well done.
“The process to restore and conserve the two cannons took almost a year to complete. I believe it was a tedious and time-consuming process, which needed a lot of patience.
“The conservation of Fort Cornwallis is part of the north seafront project, following the George Town Special Area Plan.
“The north seafront project is spearheaded by George Town Conservation and Development Corporation (GTCDC).”
GTCDC is a tripartite partnership between the Penang government’s Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI), Think City Sdn Bhd and Aga Khan Trust for Culture; set up to improve the public realm following the George Town Special Area Plan.
Chow added that GTCDC was also currently working with the port authority to come out with a master plan to conserve the east seafront area.
“The east seafront stretches from the Swettenham Pier Cruise Terminal to the Clan Jetty, on both side of Weld Quay.
“We hope the land owners and port authority will follow the master plan once it is prepared,” he said.
The two newly-restored cannons, believed to be constructed during the reign of King George III (1760-1820), was handed over to the state government after the conservation process completed.
The two cannons were discovered on Feb 19 last year, together with some cannonballs a few days later.
The cannons weighed 1,500kg and 1,738kg; and were 2.2m and 2.35m in length respectively.
The Penang government, through George Town Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) allocated RM32,100 for the conservation work.
Meanwhile, Prof Mokhtar said the conservation work for the third cannon and a mortar, also found during the excavation works at Fort Cornwallis, would begin next month.
“It will take approximately a year to complete, depending on the process needed and the condition of the artefacts,” he said.
GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee thanked the state for the financial support and political commitment to make the conservation effort possible.
Also present were USM vice-chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Asma Ismail, state Tourism Development, Heritage, Culture and Arts Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Chief Minister Incorporated head of department S. Bharathi and GTCDC director Hamdan Abdul Majid.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud