THE Penang government has taken the initiative to conserve and preserve historic military pillboxes in the state.
Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin said his office has pioneered the move.
“The conservation and preservation project will be implemented via the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI).
“The objectives of the project are to conduct research on the pillboxes, and to examine the pillboxes which have the potential to be conserved and preserved as heritage tourist attractions. Heritage tourist attractions can add value to our local area.
“In a meeting on Dec 17, 2020, the Penang executive council has agreed to implement the conservation and preservation project,” Yeoh told a media conference before checking out two historic pillboxes in Jalan Tokong Thai Pak Koong, Tanjung Tokong, today.
Yeoh said the implementation of the project would involve six phases – documentation review (Phase One), appointment of a qualified conservator to prepare assessment reports (Phase Two), preparation of long-term conservation plans (Phase Three), engagement sessions (Phase Four), appointment of contractors to carry out conservation and preservation works (Phase Five) and prepare a heritage trail programme (Phase Six).
“The implementation of the project was postponed during the movement control orders. The Phase One of the project began in November last year.
“As of Feb 7, the team had completed 90% of the works under Phase One,” Yeoh said.
GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said GTWHI had identified 14 pillboxes in Penang so far – 13 on the island and one on the mainland.
“Some of the pillboxes were in fine condition, while others were quite dilapidated,” she said.
Yeoh said that GTWHI was in the midst of getting a written response from the National Heritage Department, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, and the Ministry of Defense before conducting the physical conservation and preservation works.
“Getting a written consent from the landowner and the owner of the pillboxes is necessary to enable the project team to be authorised to enter the site and carry out the conservation and preservation works.
“I have also proposed to assign these pillboxes as heritage sites under the Penang State Heritage Enactment 2011.
“This will enable the officers from GTWHI to enter the said sites to inspect, survey, investigate and to carry out the necessary works for the purpose of designating the sites as heritage sites, while awaiting the formal approval from landowners and the owner of the pillboxes,” he said.
GTWHI seeks assistance from the public to take photos of pillboxes and e-mail them (together with the necessary details such as GPS coordinates) to GTWHI if they come across any military pillbox in Penang.
The public can e-mail the photos and details to [email protected]
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Law Suun Ting