Realising conservation efforts at clan jetties

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Lim (third from left) looking at the old planks that need to be replaced during a tour to the clan jetties. With her are (from left) Wong, Gooi and Muhammad Hijas.

THE upgrading of the Chew and Lim jetties in Weld Quay, George Town, will commence next week with a total budget of RM400,000 allocated for the project, says Tanjung MP Lim Hui Ying.

 

Lim, who is also the Deputy Education Minister, said each jetty has been allocated RM200,000 for the conservation project given their significance within the George Town World Heritage Site.

 

Materials required for the project have started arriving in the past week and construction is set to kick off in the coming week.

 

The project is expected to take about three months, with completion anticipated by December this year.

 

Lim (fourth from left) at the presentation of the mock cheques to the representatives of the Chew and Lim jetty clans. With them are Wong (fifth from left) and Gooi (second from right).

 

“The project’s goal is to uplift and repair the existing conditions of the jetties while improving the livelihoods of the locals living in these areas,” said Lim during a site tour today.

 

“These clan jetties carry a rich history and cultural value. Hence, proactive measures will be taken to ensure their preservation during the upgrading process.

 

“They have always attracted a large number of tourists. I believe this upgrading plan will have a positive impact on the local economy, allowing them to welcome more tourists when completed.”

 

Lim (second from right) looking at the new materials that have arrived for the use of renovation works at the Lim and Chew jetties.

 

Lim mentioned that after being elected as the MP for Tanjong, she immediately engaged in discussions with the then Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi regarding the much-need upgrades.

 

In May this year, she pledged an allocation of RM200,000 for the Chew and Lim jetties’ renovation.

 

Following a tendering process in June, the Northeast District and Land Office of Penang appointed a contractor for the project.

 

Concerns about the safety of the jetties have arisen in recent times after a Singaporean tourist injured herself when stepping on a rotten plank.

 

Muhammad Hijas showing Lim the waterway at clan jetties in Weld Quay.

 

The press conference was also attended by Daniel Gooi, the state executive councillor for Youth, Sports, and Health and who is now the Padang Lalang assemblyman; Wong Yuee Harn, the new Pengkalan Kota assemblyman; Muhammad Hijas Sahari, manager at the Department of Built Environment and Monitoring; Benji Ang Ming Quan, an MBPP councillor; Chan Kim Keat, the chairman of MPKK Clan Jetties; Chew Choon Seng, the chairman of Chew Jetty; and Lim Chin Hee, the chairman of Lim Jetty.

 

Story by Norman Sim

Pix by Norman Sim and Lee Jia Ying