White knight said to be coming to PHOM’s rescue

A “white knight” has emerged with a plan to rescue the Penang House of Music (PHOM), a music museum, which recently shuttered due to financial difficulties.

It is learnt that a corporate entity is now discussing with PHOM’s founder and his associates about reopening the historic attraction in Penang.

The negotiation centres on the sustainability aspects amid a new business model, which can help the George Town-based institution become financially independent instead of being dependent on government subsidies to survive since its inception.

Established in November 2016, PHOM is a repository of music memorabilia, rare documents, books, vinyl, music instruments, and interactive exhibits, dating back to pre-war Malaya.

PHOM founder Paul Augustin confirmed that discussions are taking place but stressed that it is too early to confirm if the attraction can reopen within this year.

“There are two aspects which we must zero-in. Firstly, a new location so it is easily accessible to visitors and secondly, it must be private sector-driven. As much as we appreciate aid from the public sector, we somehow could not find the right notes to continue operating in Komtar,” he said.

Augustin said PHOM was paying its rent arrears to the commercial property landlord agency in Komtar, which was entrusted to collect rent.

“We hope to reach a settlement soon so we can move on. I am grateful that the landlord is willing to negotiate a kind settlement.”

It was reported that the state government was forced to stop providing annual grants of RM500,000 after PHOM was slapped with a legal suit for not settling monthly rentals with arrears close to RM400,000 since it began operating in 2016.

Augustin said the arrears accumulated due to the late payments of grants, and higher operating expenses, made worse by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Set up when Lim Guan Eng was the Penang chief minister, PHOM initially received a start-up grant of RM3 million from the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), to operate a sprawling facility along the commercial quarter of Komtar.

Komtar, which boasts the tallest tower block of 65 floors in the northern region, is the seat of the state administrative capital but the first five floors consist of commercial lots and open spaces for traders.

However, its commercial area has been suffering from dwindling value for the past 30 years owing to the mushrooming of new malls and online shopping.

The plight of PHOM also attracted the attention of Communications and Digital Minister Fahmi Fadzil, who made a personal visit to the place before it closed.

Fahmi directed a government-linked agency – My Creative Ventures Group – to study the possibility of salvaging the attraction due to the heritage value it attaches to the performing arts scene and tourism generally.

My Creative chief executive officer Datuk Muhammed Bakhtiar Wan Chik, who is the Balik Pulau MP, had suggested that PHOM relocate to the Klang Valley, as the commercial market is bigger there.

Meanwhile, Augustine also highlighted the plight of veteran local singer Ray (Raymond) Rozells, who is currently receiving treatment at the Penang Adventist  Hospital

The septuagenarian has thrilled audiences for the past two decades since returning to his home state of Penang after living in the United States where he had also performed.

A fund-raising concert headed by his close friend Jasmi Budin is being planned for Rozells at the Citadines Connect Hotel in George Town, on May 13. – The Vibes, April 12, 2024.