Political parties and civil society groups stand united against the inner-city mega columbarium project in Penang which they say are threatening to erode the social and historical heritage of the island.

But they feel that Johor-based developer Stamford Raffles By The Sea Sdn Bhd should not shoulder the blame entirely as the city council approved the RM42 million project several years ago, without satisfactory consultation with concerned parties.

This led to a public outcry by landowners and business operators within the vicinity who appealed to the authorities to reconsider the decision to erect three blocks of nine to 10-storey columbarium with a capacity for 300,000 urns.

Penang Heritage Trust president Dr Choong Sim Poey said under the United Nations Economic Social Cultural Organisation (Unesco) guidelines, all development in the heritage city should add to its overall economic and aesthetic value.

Profit consideration

"In our opinion, the columbarium proposal is based entirely on the project's individual profit without taking cognisance of the effect on its immediate environment,"

Recently, state DAP's Citizens Against Government Waste Committee chairman Teh Yee Cheu conducted a public opinion poll and found that 88 percent of the 191 respondents interviewed were against the construction of the columbarium, after restoring the former Shih Chung School building, on Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah (formerly Northam Road).

Even the apolitical Buddhist Association stood up to condemn the project, after which Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi questioned it and instructed the state government to explain why the project in Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah was approved.

At the same time, Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon intervened and directed the council to halt the project until the issue is resolved.

To look into the various issues, Dr Koh has asked the city council to set up a committee headed by its secretary Ooi Chin Loo together with senior council officers and the state Town and Country Planning Department.

"We have to be very careful in handling this case and we need a proper footing before we can make any decision," he said.

The decision was backed by Penang Bar Committee chairman C.V.Prabhakaran who said that the council has the authority under the Town and Country Planning Act 1976 to revoke a planning permission granted for the sake of public interest.

"There is every power vested in the council in the public interest to revoke a building plan or to modify it but the council may have to pay compensation unless it has been misled."

A shame to make way

Meanwhile, Keadilan president Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail urged the state government to strike a compromise with Stamford Raffles by The Sea Sdn Bhd so as not to burden the tax-paying rakyat further, in case the developer decides to sue the government.

Wan Azizah, who is member of Parliament for Permatang Pauh, said she has requested her party leaders in Penang to look into the matter seriously as the project has the potential to erode the social, cultural heritage and historical aspect of the island.

"After I have received complaints from several civil society groups, I proceeded immediately to discuss the matter with experts on the field," she said.

"I've learnt that this site encompasses a very long and colourful legendary and historical past. No wonder there is such a massive public outcry," she added.

Wan Azizah said it would be a shame if the site has to make way for a commercial building that does not promote the cultural, religious nor educational aspirations of Malaysia's multi-ethnic society.

One of Penang's most spectacular and unique building, built centuries ago, is also located within the site of the new project.

Goh Say Lay, one of the most ardent supporter of Dr Sun Yat Sen, the Father of Modern China, used to live in the building. According to historians, it was used as a based for Dr Sun's activities during the revolution.

The building had also been been used as the embassy of the Ching Dynasty and consulate of the Republic of China.