GEORGETOWN’s oldest heritage building, the Town Hall located in Jalan Padang Kota Lama, will undergo an RM8 million restoration and conservation works to maintain its heritage value.
State Local Government, Housing, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the restoration works for the 140-year-old heritage building would take 18 months to be completed.
He said the commencement date was on June 16 this year and the completion date would be on Dec 15, 2021.
“The restoration works involve the whole structure of the 21,215sq ft building such as mechanical and electrical works, piping system, roof and floor repairs.
“However, we will maintain the building original layout and architecture as it falls under the Georgetown’s UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) World Heritage Site.
“This is important as we must comply with the strict conditions imposed by UNESCO or we might risk being delisted from their ‘heritage listing’.
“As an example, one of the strict conditions that must be followed is that we have to use the same materials that had been used for the building before.
“So, if we cannot get it locally, we have to source for it internationally and this applied for all heritage buildings in Penang under UNESCO to preserve the building heritage value. The state government takes this very seriously,” Jagdeep told reporters during his visit to the construction site today.
Also present was Penang Island City Council (MBPP) mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.
Jagdeep added that since George Town has been enlisted by UNESCO as a world heritage site in July 2008, the state government has proactively done its part to ensure the preservation of all the heritage buildings.
“This includes the restoration works of the Fort Cornwallis moat and the Queen Victoria Clock Tower as well as the strengthening of the Esplanade seawall, work on the Lebuh Light promenade and improvements to Dewan Sri Pinang,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi