GEORGE TOWN – The Unesco world heritage site has been rocked again with accusations that contractors have been seen hacking away at a Category One heritage building, but George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) claims to have found otherwise.
Earlier today, social media here was set aflutter when photographs were circulated on special heritage interest groups about debris at the state Hakka association building in Tok Aka Lane, sparking fears that illegal contracting work may have been done.
Major renovation works are not permitted at Category One buildings under the strict guidelines of the world heritage site.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and GTWHI, both state government agencies overseeing the heritage site, are entrusted to monitor all forms of renovation taking place in the core and buffer zones of the site, which stretches up to some 200ha in George Town.
The scene had prompted Penang Heritage Trust vice-chairman Khoo Salma Nasution to remark that perhaps Sunday is a hacking day as the authorities are off.
Eight days ago, the George Town Heritage Action Group took photographs and a video of contractors destroying precious Minton tiles from the Category Two Malayan Railways building in China Street Ghaut, catching the authorities off guard.
However, GTWHI general manager Ang Ming Chee said that the debris left outside the Hakka association building were from reinforcing work done on drainage beside there, and it did not involve any hacking to building structure and materials.
“We have checked and no tiles were removed from the building. I wish to clarify this to avoid any misunderstanding,” said Ang in an interview.
She said that GTWHI strives to be fair to all parties over the issue of conservation and preservation here.
However, discarding the debris in front of the heritage building gives people the wrong impression, so the heritage authorities will advise the contractors on how best to conduct their minor renovation work outside, said Ang.
The contractors said that their workers were unloading rocks and cement outside when they noticed someone snapping photographs, but before they could clarify themselves, the person had fled the scene.
As George Town awaits to mark its 15th anniversary as a Unesco world heritage site, there is tension in the air over a spate of demolitions and the alleged infringement by the contractors at the Malayan Railways building.
George Town Heritage Action Group co-founder Mark Lay said that there is a need for better enforcement for all heritage properties in the site.
“The staff of both the council and GTWHI should be alert to possible illegal renovations at all times,” said Lay. – The Vibes, March 19, 2023
