Plans to develop Campbell market do not respect site: Penang Heritage Trust

GEORGE TOWN – There have been several proposals for the partial redevelopment of the Campbell Street Market here site since 2013. However, according to some, these do not respect the site and have no real purpose.

Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) vice-president Khoo Salma Nasution said she had rejected these proposals many times when she sat on the Penang City Council (MBPP) Technical Review Panel (TRP) as a representative of PHT.

Khoo was commenting on reports of questionable approvals and development applications by MBPP for developments at the street market’s outer area – a site it owns.

This includes queries on how applications have been submitted and approvals granted for earthworks at the site despite its status as a Category II building in the George Town UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site.

In addition to this, the World Heritage Centre which coordinates all matters related to world heritage and Unesco World Heritage Sites has yet to present its findings and feedback on the proposed revision of buildings at the site from Category II to “infill”, as proposed in the revised George Town Special Area Plan – which has yet to be gazetted.

Citing the Campbell Street Market Heritage Management Plan, Khoo said the whole site was previously a cemetery, thus it is advisable not to dig it up.

“The discovery of human remains makes it an archaeological site with an important layer of history in a World Heritage Site,” she said adding that any important discoveries at the site might result in the new development having to be abandoned.

Referring to the grave of 18th-century Muslim preacher Sheikh Mustafa Wali, located within the market, Khoo said the grave is listed as a Category I monument which requires a buffer between it and any new developments, in addition to a special heritage impact assessment. 

Category I denotes buildings and monuments of exceptional interest that are registered and gazetted as ancient under the National Heritage Act 2005.

The Campbell Street Market is built on an ancient Malay burial ground, the reason why this area is also known as “Hutan Mayat” which translates to “forest of corpses”. 

Some of the human remains were relocated by British administrators to the Perak Road cemetery prior to constructing the market in 1900. 

However, according to historical accounts, there were unexplainable obstacles that prevented the relocation of Sheikh Mustafa Wali’s grave. The British later built a wall around the grave to protect it.

Other interesting features include an old ice house – possibly the first in the George Town World Heritage site – intricately designed with late-19th-century wrought iron beams and pillars, likely from McFarlane’s Foundry in Glasgow, Scotland.

Khoo said residents living in the vicinity of the market need to be consulted as to what they want. “Why not restore the market and use the rest of the site with some imagination?” she asked.

The Campbell Street Market Heritage Management Plan prepared by Think City Sdn Bhd states that based on analysis and available evidence, the market displays important historical, archaeological, architectural, aesthetical, and technical elements, in addition to upholding the cultural values of communities in George Town. 

The market has been a centre of trade, commerce, and a meeting point for the diverse local communities since the early 20th century. – The Vibes, April 7, 2023