Unesco request on George Town site justified: Penang Forum

GEORGE TOWN: NGO umbrella body Penang Forum is justified in requesting Unesco to conduct an assessment of the George Town Heritage Site as some components of the RM27 billion Penang Transport Master Plan (PTMP) is near the heritage area.

Spokesman Khoo Salma said they were worried the construction of a monorail and light rail transit (LRT) station at the proposed Sia Boey site in Prangin could affect the Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) which gave George Town heritage status.

She noted the station was located in an area near the heritage buffer zone (also know as a tertiary zone) which was a critical issue to address.

Khoo expressed her shock over the criticisms received in wake of the request and said the state should instead welcome the assessment if there was no wrong.

She said the state may be liable for compensation if Unesco found that projects under the PTMP endangered the site so an assessment should be done before the Penang government commits to a contract.

"If the proposed project has absolutely no impact on the OUV of George Town (then) there are no negative consequences.

"But if there are consequences, George Town would risk losing its heritage status," she said in a press conference today.

Khoo, the Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) vice president, was joined by PHT president Lim Gaik Siang, PHT Trustee Datuk Anwar Faizal and Penang Island City Council councilor Lim Mah Hui who is a member of Penang Forum.

Lim, who has been on the receiving end of criticism following the request to Unesco, remained nonplussed over the
brickbats.

He said he was always above politics and will continue to speak out about the issue while urging other councilors to do the same.

"Councilors are not about professional qualifications or political affiliation but whether they are willing to speak out and lose their jobs," he added.

Anwar also dismissed claims Penang Forum had sent the request to Unesco not out of wanting to protect the OUV of George Town, but to object against the PTMP.

"Nothing could be further from the truth," he said, pointing out that Unesco was the international body which granted heritage status to sites worldwide.