GEORGE TOWN – Much of the hustle and bustle at the Unesco World Heritage Site here is confined to popular spots during the day – but parts of it are devoid of activities, and many of the pre-war shophouses are in terrible conditions.
To rejuvenate the affected areas, Think City Sdn Bhd managing director Hamdan Abdul Majeed has called for some forms of control and incentives to be reimposed on the heritage site.
He said he would lend support in some form of control to incentivise people to return, invest, and stay in the heritage enclave here, and suggested the state government reintroduce the Rent Control Act, which was abolished in 2002.
Other than the entertainment and tourist stretch in Chulia Street, Love Lane, Armenian Street and Carnarvon Street, the core area of the heritage site is largely empty in the evenings.
Many pre-war shophouses are left to decay after owners or tenants can no longer afford to maintain the upkeep of the premises.
Since the Unesco recognition in 2008, many activities are geared toward tourism rather than conservation and preservation in core and buffer areas.
Speaking to The Vibes, Hamdan said there is a pressing need to revive the rent control mechanism following an unhealthy level of outbound migration from George Town as the cost of living goes up.
It is believed that since 2002, up to 500,000 residents have relocated from George Town, with some said to have moved to Sg Petani, Kulim, and even Taiping.
He added that the outstanding universal values (OUV) that came with Unesco recognition should be reaffirmed. OUV stands for protecting and uplifting the lifestyle, culture, trade and craft practises in the heritage enclave.
Hamdan’s observation came after another traditional eatery closed its doors.
A popular Facebook group known as Penang Today Community shared that the 70-year-old Aik Hoe Dim Sum Restaurant in Carnarvon Street has shuttered due to ageing owners.
Earlier, state exco for local government Jagdeep Singh Deo had announced that Penang was mulling bringing back the act in some form.
The George Town World Heritage Incorporated, custodian of the heritage site has been contacted for comments.
The city has a total of 1,715 heritage buildings in the core heritage zone and 1,928 heritage buildings in the buffer zone. – The Vibes, August 20, 2022
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