Malaysia

Damage to Penang’s heritage KTM building worse than thought: commissioner

Contractors hacked out early 19th century Minton tiles, says commissioner

Updated 3 years ago · Published on 17 Mar 2023 5:00PM

Damage to Penang’s heritage KTM building worse than thought: commissioner — A photograph of a gash down a wall of Minton tiles, hacked by workers. It is believed that contractors may be removing some of the tiles to treat defects in the building. – Pic courtesy of Mark Lay, March 17, 2023

by Ian McIntyre

GEORGE TOWN – New information on damage to the colonial-era Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) building on China Street Ghaut here suggests that earlier claims on limited work on the heritage site may be misleading.

Penang Heritage commissioner Rosli Nor told The Vibes that contrary to claims by the owner, KTM Bhd, that there was no major structural damage, it now appears that early 19th century tiles have been removed after photos and a video showed workers hacking them out of the walls.

The photos and video were provided by heritage conservation groups.

Rosli said the building’s owner was at fault and that the initial information that no harm was caused to the building’s structure was misleading.

"This is very, very wrong. He (the owner) was supposed to dismantle a timber panel only. Someone should have given him correct instructions. Not destroy all the tiles,” an irate Rosli said to The Vibes.

“This sort of behaviour happens to many heritage buildings. At times, it is done by an electrical contractor to install a cable or piping.”

Another photo of damage to a tiled wall in the Keretapi Tanah Melayu building. George Town Heritage Action group co-founder Mark Lay says the Minton tiles are from the early 19th century, similar to the ones used in the UK Houses of Parliament, United States Capitol, and old European train stations. – Pic courtesy of Mark Lay, March 17, 2023

It is believed that contractors may be removing some of the tiles to treat defects in the building.

When approached over the issue, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that KTMB as the owner had leased the building to a third party.

“As usual, the state was not told about this. The third party is not showing any responsibility and (I think) no proper approval was sought.”

Chow said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) would investigate and take action.

The incident has riled up civil society here, with Penang Heritage Trust vice-chairperson Khoo Salma Nasution and George Town Heritage Action group co-founder Mark Lay dismissing Rosli’s earlier remarks that contractors working on the building had not caused it any major structural damage.

Rosli earlier said he was informed that the contractors were only removing a partition wall and would not touch the unique tiles inside the building’s interior.

Lay, meanwhile, said the tiles inside the KTMB building were Minton tiles from the early 19th century and are similar to the ones used in the UK Houses of Parliament, United States Capitol, and old European train stations.

MBPP meanwhile, has issued an immediate stop work order on the KTMB building pending an investigation into the damages sustained.

KTMB board chairman Datuk Seri Musa Sheikh Fadzir could not be reached for comment. – The Vibes, March 17, 2023