More demolition of shophouses appears to be underway this weekend to make way for Komtar phase 5, sparking outrage in heritage circles. The George Town World Heritage Inc office had earlier commissioned a study of the heritage significance of the area.
Now that there are plans to revitalise the Prangin Canal area in Penang, those responsible should proceed very carefully with what they do, bearing in mind that the surrounding area is swampy ground. If the history of the construction of the canal is researched using both the physical evidence today and historical data, then we would better understand the swampy ground in the area, and the nature and purpose of the canal. Prangin Canal is part of an intricate drainage system designed in the 1860s to 1890s. It must be fully understood before it is fiddled with.
The Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) is mulling plans for a new building of its own in George Town – but where is the George Town Local Plan? Shouldn’t we first come up with the Local Plan and put it on display for public comment and then incorporate the feedback? View Larger Map
Those travelling for the first time to Sarawak might be shocked to discover the poor condition of roads, even in urban areas. And if you venture further away from the cities and towns, you might find folks without proper piped water and regular electricity supply and people still using pit latrines. And all the while, some of the political elites and their business cronies in Kuching enjoy ostentatious life-styles, their families having accumulated millions.
Look, no splashing of money during election campaigns. Now, why can’t the Malaysian Election Commission ensure the Sarawak campaign will be like this? This is from the Times of India: Chief Electoral Officer bans fund allocation from MLAs, MPs PTI, Mar 5, 2011, 08.38pm IST THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the code of conduct coming into force in Kerala following announcement of the assembly polls on April 13, the Chief Electoral Officer has banned allocation of funds for developmental work from MPs and MLAs.