The Penang government will consult with Unesco to find an amicable solution to resolve the controversy caused by impending four high-rise building projects in the George Town heritage vicinity.

Until then, state executive councillor Danny Law Heng Kiang said, the relevant developers have been advised to halt their projects temporarily to stem public outcry and further damage to heritage environment.

danny lawStressing that the state government was committed to heritage conservation and preservation, he assured that the administration would exhaust all ways and means within its disposal to resolve the outstanding issues on the height of the projects.

"We will act on the outcome of our consultation with Unesco heritage experts to find amicable solutions, which would be a win-win situation for all," he told reporters during the opening of the annual Penang Floral Fest 2009 in Waterfall's Botanical Garden in George Town today.

Law, who oversees tourism, cultural, arts and heritage development affairs, was commenting on the four projects approved by the past and present state governments in the heritage site of George Town.

Three projects were approved by the previous Barisan Nasional state government while the fourth one – a 23-storey project in the buffer zone Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, was approved by the current Pakatan Rakyat administration on June 26, some 10 days before George Town and Malacca was bestowed with a joint heritage status on July 7 by Unesco.

Two of the projects are in Weld Quay, a core heritage zone - the RM52.7 million Rice Miller Boutique Hotel by Asia Global Business and the Boustead Royale Bintang Hotel by Boustead Holdings Sdn Bhd.

The third is a 16-storey extension, costing RM84.47 million, of the E&O Hotel in Lebuh Farquhar, which is in the buffer zone.

The fourth project is to be developed by Low Yat Group's Bintang Holdings Sdn Bhd.

Raised concern

The projects have raised concern among heritage lovers and could cost George Town and Malacca their heritage status.

Hubert Gijzen, the regional chief of Unesco, the UN's cultural wing, who officially presented the listing to Penang and Malacca last weekend, had warned that the high-rise projects endangered both heritage sites.

All four projects were above the 18m height permitted by Unesco in the heritage core zone and 15m in the buffer zone.

Unesco plans to work with the Unity, Culture and Heritage Ministry and send a team of experts to meet Penang authorities to resolve the problem amicably.

Malacca Chief Minister Mohd Ali Rustam and Gerakan Penang chief Dr Teng Hock Nan have also joined the bandwagon to fire political salvoes against Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng's government for approving the Low Yat Group project.

However, heritage conservationists pointed out that the previous administration had conveniently forgot that the high-rise hotel projects approved in the core zone posed more danger than those earmarked in the buffer zone.

Badan Warisan Malaysia deputy president Laurence Loh from Penang called on all parties to stop pointing fingers but rather work together to resolve the outstanding problem.

He said George Town and Malacca must learn fast to live and work together to preserve their status.

"We should all work together to ensure both cities do not lose their hard earned heritage status," he told Malaysiakini today.

To this, Law said the Penang government is always prepared to work with anyone to 'preserve, protect and promote' heritage.

"We are committed to safeguard George Town and Malacca heritage status," he said.