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THE Malaysian government recently announced RM50 million will be allocated to the states of Melaka and Penang for the continued conservation and management of respective Unesco World Heritage Sites.
In Penang, that task falls on the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI). The news has boosted the confidence of GTWHI in continuing its mission to promote George Town as a sustainable heritage city.
Dr Ang Ming Chee, the general manager of GTWHI, welcomes the news and thanked the unity government for recognising the importance of the management and maintenance of a Unesco World Heritage Site.
“All of us at GTWHI and our stakeholders in Penang are very happy and excited about this announcement. It is particularly important that the government is recognising that World Heritage Site management is a continuous effort, and resources are always needed,” she said in a statement to The Vibes.
“We are waiting for more announcements from the federal government on the funding mechanism, but we hope that the money can be used to conserve the tangible heritage and safeguard the living heritage of our site. It will not be easy, but we will continue doing our best for George Town,” she added.
Established by the state government of Penang in 2010, GTWHI is a state heritage agency to spearhead efforts in safeguarding the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) of the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.
Among the responsibilities of the organisation include conserving over 5,000 buildings within the site, the adaptive reuse of spaces and the safeguarding of living heritage, including those outside the World Heritage Site.
Beyond preservations of structures and buildings, they work on cultural heritage promotion in schools, youth participation in programmes, disaster risk management, regeneration of residency within George Town, paper and object conservation, and first aid for cultural heritage in emergencies.
To promote cultural heritage education and boost capacity building, GTWHI collaborates with a wide range of partners to conduct workshops, conferences, and exhibitions. At the same time, it encourages public participation in World Heritage Site conservation efforts.
The organisation provides complimentary consultations to owners of heritage buildings, architects, and builders on the appropriate restoration methods. It also conducts skills development workshops, and provides resources on George Town and its heritage.
Apart from its outreach efforts, the team also facilitates and conducts inventory, documentation, and research projects.
The funds will be used to support ongoing efforts to preserve the city's unique heritage which reflects the multicultural history and diverse architectural styles that have contributed to its status as a Unesco World Heritage Site. – The Vibes, February 28, 2023
