PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said joint efforts by various parties have helped maintain conservation and preservation in the heritage-laden George Town.
Speaking on the recent reopening of Fort Cornwallis, he said the collaboration between Aga Khan Trust for Culture and the urban regeneration specialist, Think City Sdn Bhd, led to the successful upgrade of the fort in the Esplanade.
"The reopening not only celebrates the successful restoration of one of our nation's most treasured heritage landmarks, but also highlights the transformative power of culture and heritage in shaping resilient, vibrant and future-ready cities."
He described the fort as one of the country's treasured landmarks, which has stood the test of time and has aged well, just like the state it is situated in.
The effort to revive the fort was also a testament to the collaboration of Think City, the Aga Khan Trust, Khazanah Nasional, Yayasan Hasanah and the state government; each bringing distinct expertise, perspectives and capabilities.
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“Despite these different strengths, we remain united by a shared vision—to protect our heritage while ensuring it continues to serve future generations,” said Chow.
After the fort’s remarkable facelift, the focus is now on the northern shore of George Town, where historically, it represents the first landing of people to colonise the once disused island from 1786.
The recognition that these rehabilitation projects have received is encouraging, said Chow.
The North Seafront seawall conservation project has been honoured with two prestigious UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation in 2025, while Astaka Kota Selera was recently recognised as the PAM Building of the Year 2026.
These accolades affirm the quality, commitment and vision that underpin our collective efforts, added Chow. – July 26, 2026
