Historian want Penang government to gazette Malay settlement

PETALING JAYA: The Penang History and Heritage Association has called on the state government to gazette Batu Uban, the first Malay settlement in the state as a traditional village.
Penang History and Heritage Association president Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Merican said such a declaration would aid efforts to save the settlement which is currently under the threat of development.
He said 70% of the settlement is in danger due to the planned modern development in the area, Berita Harian reported on Thursday.
Ahmad Murad said Batu Uban has high historical value for the Malay community which pre-dates the colonial era.
"If Batu Uban is destroyed, so are the Malays and their history. The Malay people will then become beggars of history," he said.
Ahmad Murad was responding to the Malay daily's earlier report which revealed the neglect of more than 500 heritage buildings in Penang due to the lack of maintenance by the state government.
He also urged the local council concerned to issue a formal apology to the Malays in Penang for the rampant development that has affected the community.
"We are asking the respective party to make an open apology, especially to the residents of Batu Uban.
"The question is why did the state government approve the development project in the area?"