KUALA LUMPUR – The impending demolition of Rex Cinema in Penang has prompted an online petition to save the Art Deco building with a modest goal of 500 signatures.
The petition was started by a person named Nor Azan Ibrahim at change.org, and at the time of writing, has collected 425 signatures. Most of the signatories appear to be Penang locals.
In the petition webpage, Azan said, “How can this be when the Rex is located within the Unesco Wider Setting, as it was listed in the state government's very own 2013 Built Heritage Inventory as worthy of protection and conservation?”
Signatories who supported the petition also shared their feelings about news of Rex’s demolition.
One named Shandy Sparkes said, “I am from Penang and would love to see the heritage building preserved and not demolished”.
Some shared their childhood memories of watching movies at this theatre with their families and friends, and said they cannot accept the demolition.
Recently, heritage activists said on social media that the 84-year old cinema was slated for demolition with the approval of the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) to make way for yet another luxury condominium project.
The Rex theatre was designed by Charles Geoffrey Boutcher (1884-1964), a London-born architect and partner of the architectural firm Stark & McNeill in Malaya. His other recognisable projects include Kedah House in Penang and Zahir Mosque in Alor Star.
Badan Warisan Malaysia also expressed their strong condemnation on the issue, calling on the authorities to preserve George Town’s historic environment.
Activists have also questioned why the MBPP is keeping silent over their outcry, more so following other demolitions of historic sites over the last year. These include the 138-year-old grave belonging to Foo Teng Nyong who was the third wife of Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee and in early January, a pre-war bungalow on Jalan Clove Hall.
Activists have said the local authorities should also preserve historic structures that lie outside the core Unesco heritage zone. – The Vibes, January 31, 2023
