A DAP parliamentarian led Penangites down memory lane, claiming that it was the previous Gerakan-led Penang government which allegedly demolished heritage sites.
 
Tanjong MP Ng Wei Aik said this while denying that the Pakatan government which came to power in Penang in 2008, had neglected the conservation of the state’s heritage.
 
In a press conference held in a demolished market in the heart of George Town today, Ng also listed down several measures currently undertaken by the Penang government to preserve the state’s heritage.
 
“The previous Gerakan administration did not hesitate to demolish heritage buildings from 1998 to 2008, the Old Pragin market (or Sia Boey as it is locally known) was the “most classic case,” Ng told reporters today.
 
He recalled that the Gerakan government acquired the land which housed the wet market in 1973 to build the fifth stage of Komtar, a 68 level building, which houses state administrative offices.
 
“But they started vacating the area on Dec 15, 2004 despite not putting forward any concrete plan to develop the area,” Ng claimed.
 
“This place was abandoned for almost 10 years. Why chase the people out from there before having any proper plans?” he queried.
 
“So who is the real culprit who strangled the living heritage in George Town?” he asked.
 
Ng said the state government, via its development arm - Penang Development Corporation - will now restore the old market and surrounding buildings, to turn the area into a heritage square and urban park, akin to the Victoria Market in Melbourne, Australia.
 
The restoration work is expected to start around March this year and the entire project will take three years to be completed, he added. 
 
Around 22 units of pre-war houses within the locality will be restored and used for creative craft purposes, he stressed.
 
Outflow of local residents

Last week, Ng blamed Gerakan for its failure to safeguard George Town’s heritage, which was worsened by the repeal of the 1966 Rent Control Act, in 1999.
 
The repeal of the Act led to an outflow of local residents in George Town as rental of properties escalated, and this became an election issue in the 1999 general election.
 
Ng had said that when the previous administration applied to be awarded the World Heritage Unesco site, the then Gerakan government failed to include plans to enact laws to prohibit sales of properties within the area.
 
Former Gerakan executive member and BN state chief Teng Chang Yeow (right) had told Malaysiakini, that the proposals for enactment of laws were supposed to be done after the dossiers and the heritage plan were submitted to Unesco.
 
However, Penang Gerakan youth leaders Jason Loo had urged the state government to draft such laws just as it had issued guidelines to prohibit the resale of low and medium cost units within five years.
 
Not to be outdone, Ng reminded Gerakan that its alleged negligence had caused the current administration to pay RM20 million in compensation to a developer, who was forced to reduce the height of a hotel project several years ago.
 
"Is Teng Chang Yeow willing to pay such compensation?” Ng asked.
 
Measures taken

According to Ng, the measures taken by the state to safeguard heritage site include:
  • Preserve and restore the historic Fort Cornwallis at the Esplanade, disallow redevelopment of clan jetties along Weld Quay, restore the ancient Protestant Cemetery along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, remove the awning structure of Kuan Yin Temple (Goddess of Mercy) upgrade the traditional Chowrasta market on Penang Road and the local market in Kimberley Street; 
  • Restore government-owned heritage buildings, to accommodate and help traditional trades to continue their businesses. For example, the Penang government announced last Saturday that it will restore six buildings belonging to the Penang Municipal Council in Kimberley Street for use by traditional traders; 
  • Build low medium cost and affordable housing, for example in Jalan SP Chelliah, to attract people to return to live in George Town; 
  • Amendments had been made to the Special Area Plan (SAP) to allow existing bookshops, coffin sellers, motorcycle workshops and the first bowling centre in Penang to continue operations on Jalan Carnavon, although these were initially prohibited in the SAP;
  • Work with private sectors to ensure that the “outstanding universal values” (or living heritage) of George Town will not be affected during urban renewal;
  • Legalising hotels without permits within the Unesco heritage sites; 
  • Organise George Town Festivals and other related workshops and forums on an annual basis to increase public awareness in heritage conservation;
  • Continue to request for allocation from Putrajaya to preserve and conserve the Unesco heritage site, which was awarded to George Town in July 2008.