Letter to Unesco catches GTWHI off-guard

Story by Chan Lilian

GEORGE Town World Heritage Inc. (GTWHI) general manager Dr. Ang Ming Chee on Aug 12 revealed that Penang Forum, represented by Dr. Lim Mah Hui, had submitted a letter to the Unesco World Heritage Centre in Paris.

“Dr. Lim had submitted the four-page letter dated June 23 which had 11 pages of text annexes and 13 pages of photos. The action of Penang Forum had caught both GTWHI and the Department of National Heritage off-guard,” Dr. Ang said.

“I wish to emphasise that GTWHI recognises that various parties may have differences in views but we believe that all stakeholders can find common ground in contributing to the betterment of Penang. Although I respect their right to submit their views, there are alternatives,” she added.

Members of the media asked if the action could be seen as a form of sabotage to derail the state’s plans.
“I wish to report that GTWHI is working closely with the Department of National Heritage on this issue. We hope Penang Forum can cite the source of their claims. There are inaccuracies in their letters too. For example, the periodic monitoring report is every six years but to quote Dr. Lim, he said it is 10 years. Anyone can make a statement but one has to be accurate and state the source,” she replied.

“If I was informed of this matter in June, I would be able to arrange and meet with representatives from World Heritage Centre during the World Heritage session in Turkey last month. Unfortunately, I was not given this opportunity by the Penang Forum,” she said.

She pointed out how Penang Forum’s failure to copy their letters to the Department of National Heritage or GTWHI (authorised site manager) had caused.an issue.
Dr. Ang did not wish to reproduce the letter from Dr. Lim as she preferred that the media request them directly from Dr. Lim.

Requests from Buletin Mutiara to Dr. Lim has gone unanswered.
“It is premature for Penang Forum to make conclusions at this stage without consulting GTWHI. Let us wait for evidence from the detailed report by the archaeological professionals from USM. The letter under the subject ‘Melaka and George Town World Heritage Property: Request for UNESCO Advisory Mission and Impact Assessment of Proposed Transport Master Plan in Geore Town, Penang’ touched on the Sia Boey site and also the Transport Master Plan.
Both of these issues are still pending