DEVELOPERS are told to consult the local government authorities before developing any site that involves heritage buildings.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said this during the reopening ceremony of the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) Town Hall building at the Esplanade today.
Chow also told the developers not to simply demolish heritage buildings which are outside the Unesco heritage site boundary, be it on the island or the mainland, as there are certain guidelines to follow.
“For those developers who want to develop land that has heritage buildings or might seem like a heritage building, the proper way to do this is to send your consultants to consult the local planning authorities first.
“This is to get the proper guidelines.Do not start the development without any approval. Do not take the law into your hands,” Chow warned.
Elaborating further, Chow said there is a perception that the heritage buildings outside the Unesco heritage site boundary have the same status as the ones within the site.
“Recently, there were complaints made by some activists to the Unesco, National Heritage Department, as well as to the institutions involved in heritage conservation.
“The buildings outside the Unesco site may have their values, but they are not subject to the conservation guidelines of the World Heritage Site.
Chow said that the buildings mentioned in the complaint letters (by the activists) are not located at the Unesco site, or are not listed as Category One or Two (heritage building).
He said the matter needs to be handled by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), MBPP’s heritage department together with the Penang State Heritage Commissioner.
“Despite that, there are guidelines to control the development of buildings outside the Unesco heritage site, whether on the island or mainland,” he added.
After two years of renovation work, the Penang Island City Council’s (MBPP) iconic Town Hall has now resumed operation.
It was officially reopened today by Chow alongside MBPP mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying, state executive councillor Jagdeep Singh, MBPP secretary Datuk A.Rajendran, Komtar assemblyman and Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi.
Chow congratulated MBPP for its commitment to completing the project as well as for its heritage conservation efforts.
“First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to MBPP for organising this historic event.
“It symbolises the commitment of the state and the local authority to preserving tangible and intangible heritage on the island.
“The Town Hall is one of the tangible heritage that should be preserved for future generations to inherit,” Chow said in his speech during the ceremony.
Chow also said that he is delighted to be back in the Town Hall, which he has frequently visited when holding the local government and traffic management committee portfolio.
Meanwhile, Yew said the renovation cost RM8 million and it was borne by the council.
“Among the renovation works involved were the roof repair works, electrical wiring works, replacement of the dilapidated windows, as well as, providing facilities such as the lift and ramp for the disabled (OKU).
“The renovation works, which started in June 2020, were fully completed in August 2022.
“The Town Hall is the first Category One heritage building, to receive the Green Building Index (GBI) status,” he said.
On a separate matter, Chow said the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) has been asked to look into the matter concerning the rise of water bills in schools following the change in category – from domestic to non-domestic.
“I have asked PBAPP to look into it. We cannot change the category but we will see how we can assist the schools,” Chow said.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Adleena Rahayu Ahmad Radzi