GEORGE TOWN – Two prominent heritage activists here have expressed their desire to work closely with the state authorities to uphold the city’s Unesco World Heritage status, following a successful dialogue between civil society, residents, and local authorities.
Mark Lay and Joann Khaw, the duo behind the various exposés involving alleged irregularities at the 200ha heritage enclave here, said that their main intentions have always been to protect the site and highlight room for improvement.
“It has never crossed our minds to offend anybody. We want to work with all, from the heritage building owners, residents and tenants, to enterprises here. Even with the developers, who think we may be a nuisance. We have a common goal which is a thriving heritage area.”
Lay, who said this, added that following an “eye-opening” dialogue with incoming mayor Datuk Anthony Rajendran – who will also assume the position of the Penang Island city council president – he and Khaw have agreed to provide a temporary respite from their exposés.
“The respite period is from now until May 5, when Rajendran is expected to be formally sworn in.
“We want to give him breathing space to chart the way forward for local authorities in handling the heritage issues here,” Lay told The Vibes.
Despite the apparent respite, Lay still claimed that there had been several infractions in the enclave since the lockdowns were lifted, from illegal renovations to suspicious approvals of new development projects, coupled with lack of enforcement and surveillance.
However, Lay said the benefit of doubt will be accorded to Rajendran until he assumes office on May 5.
He also laughed off allegations that he owns properties in the enclave, and that he has ulterior motives for his aggressive nature in exposing alleged faults in the heritage site.
I wish I was as rich as what some quarters are claiming. My passion is just ensuring that the heritage site is regulated well, and there is no compromise on that.”
Despite not seeing eye to eye with her, Lay also expressed his wish to to work closely with George Town World Heritage Incorporate general manager Ang Ming Chee.
Meanwhile, Khaw said her motivation was to protect and rehabilitate George Town’s living heritage, saying that the outstanding universal values of the enclave should not just be a mere slogan, but be put in practice to bring craftsmanship, trades, food, culture, and heritage back into the capital city.
This, she said, includes extending a helping hand to a 100-year-old woman who suffered from a fall here recently.
“She continues to live within the enclave, and more attention should be given to her as she has been a living history of George Town for decades,” she said.
Both Lay and Khaw are also lending the state government their support to restore a form of the Rent Control Act in some 5,000 properties listed under the core and buffer zones of the heritage enclave.
George Town has the highest concentration of pre-war shophouses in the region, one of the many factors for its elevation as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
Lay said that more incentives need to be given to attract people, particularly the young, to repopulate the enclave, which now mostly contains commercial enterprises.
“The majority of residents have relocated to suburbs around George Town, although they may continue to host their businesses in the zone.
“Only when there is a sizable population can we attract more investments to preserve and conserve the enclave,” she said.
Khaw said that there is a greater need to reach out to the younger generation about the legacy of their ancestors in their enclave. – The Vibes, April 19, 2023
