GEORGE TOWN – Penang authorities must consider a tertiary protective zone for heritage properties outside the core Unesco World Heritage Site and its buffer zone here, conservationists said.
Though not part of the core heritage zone or its buffer area, the demolition of more historic buildings in these outlying areas is ruining the city’s vista and erasing its character, said Penang Heritage Trust vice-president Khoo Salma Nasution.
One notable demolition recently is that of a pre-war bungalow on Jalan Clove Hall, reportedly for safety reasons due to termite infestation.
Khoo said a tertiary protective zone is needed to protect properties in the suburban localities of George Town.
Examples of cultural and historic buildings and artefacts in such localities which have been destroyed include the desecration of Madam Foo Teng Nyong’s (wife of tycoon Chung Keng Kwee) tomb off Mount Erskine, the rezoning of the government quarters in Jalan Chow Thye and the demolition of a heritage structure in Peel Avenue.
“All these could have been avoided,” she said at the heritage group’s preview of the Penang Island City Council local plan yesterday.
“It means the state’s own heritage properties are at risk.”
Three non-governmental organisations are urging ratepayers here to reject the local plan’s current format on the grounds of poor heritage planning, affordable housing, public transport and environmental concerns.
The proposed local plan also exemplifies the lack of consciousness and values to sync the surrounding areas with conserved areas within the heritage zone.
As Penang and Melaka mark their 15th anniversary of the joint-World Heritage Site status under Unesco this year, Khoo said conservation and preservation efforts have been undermined by the systematic removal of old buildings outside of the heritage zone.
According to reports, the core zone measures 109.38ha with a buffer of 150.04ha areas encircling the main area.
Penang also has the largest collection of pre-war shophouses and colonial properties in the region, with some 3,900 units listed.
While the state boasts of measures to control development, recent demolitions and plans outside of the core heritage and buffer zones have unnerved PHT, who is the main proponent of heritage conservation here.
“It ruins the vista of the township. Imagine in the past, there was a view of the seafront from the site. Now there is a skyscraper and worst, it is mostly unoccupied. What value does it bring?” Khoo asked.
The Vibes is contacting the relevant authority – the George Town World Heritage Incorporated – over Khoo’s proposal for a tertiary protection zone.
Heritage activists in the past three days have also highlighted the gradual demotion of a two-storey bungalow in Jalan Clove Hall.
Although the owners and developers have obtained the city council’s approval, they said the demolition runs afoul with the conservation and preservation of George Town’s Unesco listing.
The Penang Heritage Commissioner Rosli Nor said that the demolition was in accordance with the city council’s approval.
Free Malaysia Today, meanwhile, reported that a Jalan Clove Hall resident claimed, based on hearsay, that the demolition of the bungalow and another nearby would give way to a condominium project. – The Vibes, January 11, 2023
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