THE Penang government remains committed to safeguarding heritage sites in the state.
Caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said preserving all heritage sites in Penang is important for future generations.
Chow said this is proven when the state government has spent a significant amount of money on this purpose.
He said as an example, the Penang government had spent RM13 million to upgrade the Esplanade seawall which is now accessible to the public.
“The state government has also spent RM20 million to restore the moats at Fort Cornwallis, which will be completed and opened to the public by 2025.
“Furthermore, the state has allocated RM1.5 million to convert the restored storerooms of the fort into a mini gallery, and it is expected to be completed in August this year.
“Meanwhile, on the mainland, the century-old British-Siamese Boundary Stone in Pinang Tunggal has also been restored.
“We have also begun the process to repatriate the Guar Kepah skeletons from the Netherlands. They will be placed at the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery in Kepala Batas, which is still under construction and is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2024.
“This shows our commitment and continuous efforts in safeguarding heritage sites in Penang,” Chow said in his speech during the Penang Walkabouts Members Day that was held in conjunction with the George Town World Heritage Day at the New World Park in George Town today.
The Penang Walkabouts Members Day was organised by the Penang Walkabouts Group, a Penang-based community group on Facebook.
The objective of the event is to encourage Penangites to do a walkabout around Penang.
Also present during the event were Deputy Education Minister Lim Hui Ying, who is also the Tanjong MP, caretaker state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, caretaker state Welfare and Environment Committee chairman Phee Boon Poh, former Pulau Tikus assemblyman Chris Lee Chun Kit, Bukit Bendera MP Syerleena Abdul Rashid and Penang Walkabouts Group admin Robert Teh.
Speaking about the George Town World Heritage Day, Chow said since recognised by Unesco as a world heritage site in 2008, the oldest part of George Town reflects the city’s character in the past and present.
“George Town also represents an exceptional example of a multicultural trading town in Southeast Asia, forged from the mercantile and civilisation exchanges of Malay, Chinese, Indian and European influences.
“Certainly, Penang is where modernity and preservation converge, but it’s the people who splash colours and vibrancy across the state, making us proud of our diversity.
“Everyone, from the young to the old, whether Penang-born or having the opportunity to build new lives here, has all contributed to the progress, harmony and diversity of our beloved state.
“We will continue our efforts and commitment to realise the Penang2030 vision of ‘A Family-Focused Green and Smart State that Inspires the Nation’,” he said.
Separately, when asked about the preservation of the Hokkien dialect in Penang, Chow replied that the home environment is very important other than the school.
“Parents should also play their part by communicating in Hokkien with their children to preserve the dialect.
“Apart from that, Chinese clan associations should also play their parts such as organising Hokkien based-programmes or activities to spark interest, especially among the young generation to learn and speak Hokkien fluently.
“Such efforts can be focused on other Chinese dialects as well, such as Cantonese, Hakka and Teochew,” he said.
When asked whether the next draft local plan by Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will include more heritage buildings, Chow said that there is a George Town Special Area Plan for such a matter.
“If there is a need for that to revise the George Town Special Area Plan to add more heritage buildings, the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), Penang State Heritage Department and MBPP will discuss it together in terms of the legislation and legal frameworks,” he said.
On another matter, when asked whether the Seven Streets Precinct should be recognised by Unesco as a world heritage site, Chow replied that the application for that matter was already done during the previous administration.
“However, it was not successful due to some technical problems at that time.
“Nevertheless, although the buildings there are not recognised by Unesco as a world heritage site yet, still, they are still subjected to the MBPP classification of Category One and Category Two heritage buildings,” said Chow.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud
Video by Siti Nuratikah Rahmat