They knew that an application had been submitted to Unesco a few years ago for George Town to be listed as a World Heritage site. An updated dossier was submitted on 23 August 2007. At the very least, they knew the area is an historical site.
So why did they, how could the previous administration (three approvals) and the current adminstration (one approval) approve high-rise buildings in the heritage zone? That’s why I found it hard to celebrate the World Heritage listing.
In the heritage core zone (guidelines: max 5-storey/18-metre height restriction; tighter restrictions in certain areas):
- AGB Sdn Bhd’s RM500 million “The Pier at Weld Quay” project including the 13-storey, 51-metre high, 100-room Rice Miller boutique hotel at Weld Quay: 100,000 sq feet commercial plaza, 160,000 sq feet retail podium, 23 small office-house-office (Soho) townhouses and 105 condominiums;
- Boustead’s RM100 million 12-storey, 51-metre high, Royale Bintang Hotel (4-star, 295-room) project behind the post office in Downing Street;
In the heritage buffer zone (guidelines: 5-storey/18-metre height restriction):
- Low Yat Group’s 23-storey, 84-metre high project along Millionaire’s Row (Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah);
- E&O Hotel’s 17-storey, 84-metre high extension.
Three of these were approved by the previous admininistration while the Low Yat project was approved by the present administration on 26 June, about two weeks before the World Heritage status was granted. Why did they approve this “quick scrambling” of applications? See theSun’s analysis here.
Come on, you are not aware of the guidelines? How can you approve a project without being aware of the guidelines for the area? That’s the first thing you should look up before approving a project!
Himanshu Bhatt in theSun has put it well:
What is most puzzling about the whole affair is this: how could the MPPP have approved such projects when it was at that very time drafting guidelines restricting new buildings from having a height of more than 18m (or about five storeys)?
The two actions are glaringly incongruous; on the one hand you approve a high-rise project, and on the other you are drafting legislation restricting high-rises….
What George Town requires now, more than ever, is not just “compliance”, but a soulful initiative from the very people who will determine how the city looks and feels in years to come.
George Town is now a Unesco heritage zone, not a businessman’s playground. Hopefully our developers and politicians will live up to the high expectations that locals and the international community alike have for this unique historic corner of the world.
It’s time the state government keeps a distance from developers and gets less “pally” with them and strictly enforce density guidelines and height restrictions.
How will the state government undo this? Will it take tough – but correct – action to conserve the area? Or will it come up with its now-standard refrain, “We could expose ourselves to millions of ringgit in losses if they (developers) take legal action.”
Why is it that most folks with too much money never know what to do with it – and end up doing crass, stupid & ugly things instead of benefiting themselves, their own posterity, and the greater community?
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Why did they approve? You mean people can’t figure this out? No wonder they are treated as if only mud is in their heads.
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Brilliant expose bro Anil.
I too wonder now how come it was approved.
Keep up the good work bro Anil
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What is the big deal? Just withdraw the approval. Doesn’t everyone know local councils cannot be sued? The Highland Towers case is a classic case; MPAJ was let off as it would be against public policy to allow local council be sued. Why? Because if they need money to pay any suit, it can only come from the rate-payers.
Semua OK.
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the first step – sack the person in-charge.
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Dear CM Lim,
We elected you to do things differently for Penang. If you cannot even do this, why are you continuing to remain the CM? Quit please. We Penangites are extremely demanding about our city. Either you meet our expectations or take a hike. So, READ MY LIPS. Withdraw that approval for the high-rise buildings and let those corporate clowns sue. You think they gonna get anything from us, Penangites? Not on your life. They can dream on! And if the comment from Ameer is correct, those corporate clowns will end up eating dust. So, either you are with us in Penang on this Heritage Journey or you are not. Cancel the approvals. Choose wisely Mr. CM. You may live (electorally) to regret your decision or to enjoy it for another 5 years.
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For Penang, our heritage is of paramount importance. The DAP government should therefore cancel ALL such approvals outside the scope of the Heritage Guidelines, no IFs and BUTs, and no worries about consequences… as explained by Ameer.
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Dear Andrew,
Everybody make mistakes and I think the lone approval by the PR government should be forgiven. If I were to become CM and hungry for development, I too would make this mistake as I never knew such Heritage Guidelines exist. Of course, you may say it is inexcusable… then the culprit should be the relevant department responsible for preserving our heritage.
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its all about one thing! and its called peso, ringgit, lui, dinar, pound, money, moolah, duit, wang, kupang, cash , kas, rupiah! have you ever seen a rich man satisfied! NO! He always want some more lui, some more chin!
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Hei, LGE is just try to business friendly and pro-investor ‘cos he think u and me Kia Shu; no development will die. So if you have monies, go ahead to apply for any time he will apply happily without corruption. That is why I keep insist that he put a proper public consultation mechanism in place first before I try my best to be nice with him. I don’t politician think what he think is best for me, I think what is always best for me. Too bad my ego is just too BIG for him.
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I urge the CM to untangle the mess. Do not act in a hurry. No point finding blames. That’s history. Many cities have high rise buildings, that’s easy with money. But how many cities can gain Heritage listing??? Penang has to be different: not like KL, Spore, Bangkok, HK etc. We can compete better if we are different.
The developers are businessmen. Such fine hotels are built not for locals but for visitors. Wouldn’t Penang attract more visitors under Heritage listing, than like any modern cities around us in Asia? Will the hotels gain more? I’m sure it is common sense….so please go and work out a deal with the developers. In fact, the listing should be a bonus to their business prospect. If they are seeking for compensation, then they are taking Penangites for a ride (as the money comes from taxes)…. and we should know what to do, right?
Think clearly, act smartly.
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Lge’s govt is fumbling now and then. First over the kings of tennis, then now this. Not easy being in govt.
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LGE is between the devil and the deep blue sea.
Either way, he loses.
He has to figure out how to “cut loss” and keep Penang voters happy.
God bless
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IF Penang and Melaka are stripped off the world heritage status in near future is never a big surprise to me.
Unesco giving world heriatge status to Penang and Melaka not because of merit, but as an incentive to push Malaysian government to do more before any irreparable damages are done on both cities.
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ahh..greedy capitalist
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why is it that most developers have bad taste? don’t they study what it is that travellers expect when they visit a foreign country – not some ugly and vulgar monstrosity of a building. don’t even understand trends and sophistication, how to improve tourism industry? what is the point of bulldozing away all traces of our identity and replacing it with buildings without character? it might appeal to their inflated egos but definately not to their target audience. apasal banyak orang bodoh making decisions these days? goes to show that after all these years, mentality belum progress. culturally also dry as a bone. you’d think that all these rich developers would have acquired some sophistication and taste but alas, it’s still a case of my toy is bigger than your toy.
our government needs to include design and impact assesment criteria into planning permission process.
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LGE should withdraw all the approvals. This has to be in line with the heritage listings and it’s own rules. Nothing else should dictate its actions.
Then we shall have Kedaulatan Undang-Undang. No more BN s*** please. Or we would have voted them into office in March!
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Lim Guan Eng is a real fool, he still think he can negotiate with World Heritage Committee over the 4 high rise building. He forget that he have been politely reminded to adhere to the rules. He still cite the violation of rule by Malacca as an excuse to go ahead with the projects. For once I start to like Kee Phaik Chin who challenged the developers to go ahead to sue the state government if they have the guts to do so. Lim Guan Eng doesn’t know what will be the political consequences that he will face when Penang omitted from the world heritage listing. He probably think he can last for more than 1 term. I guess Penangites will send him back to Malacca sooner than he can image.
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Ong eu soon, if u dunno politics dun talk about politics.
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james on November 21st, 2008 at 2.37am
Ong eu soon, if u dunno politics dun talk about politics.
===
People are talking about preservation of world heritage status, what politics you are talking here?
Withdraw all projects is only way to guarantee world heritage status is not revoked by Unesco.
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One Eu Soon, my guess is probably you do not come from Penang.
Its unfair to discredit for only one mistake he have done, particularly when he is not even informed and another 3 was approved by the previous state administration. He is finding a way to settle the problem rather than calling LGE a fool, you are making a fool of yourself.
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Ong Eu Soon’ blabbering reveals his hatred of the people. The people voted for DAP & PKR. But Eu Soon wants to hang on to Gerakan, a party which is known for its Jekyll and Hyde personality. This very dangerous. It’s like saying everything is fine with a sincere and wamr smile when in reality the house in burning down. People has suffered because of Gerakan’s policies, including subservience to Umno. This is the sort of mentality which characterises Gerakan politicians.
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World Heritage status would NOT be able to feed the poor from hunger. In a way, yes, we should be proud of having preserve our historical sites in a reasonable manner. But, we need to move on, we just can’t still live like in the 30/40/50 or 60s, we need job opportunities for the rakyat to survive. Politicians/government’s decision must be driven in benefiting the mass public rather than only a certain group people who think that they want the nostalgic Penang. We need to MOVE ON people.
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It Lim Eng Guan beginning to behave like Koh Tsu Koon? it is looking like sama sama.
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Ok people in Penang, I know all of you are angry with the situation, but if you look at it more objectively, LGE’s team did not approve those developments. It was the BN govt then. Shouldn’t we blame Koh Tsu Koon for this? …
And for that matter, if this issue were brought up to court, it’s the private developers against the current Penang govt,… And we all know that this could well happen and turn out badly for Penang.
If Penang loses the court case, the developers would still get to build their buildings, Penangites would need to pay for legal fees, and the Georgetown would be de-list from the World Heritage Site and this leave Melaka (BN owned) as the sole site in Malaysia.
It is not that LGE doesn’t know the political consequences, but if you were in his position, wouldn’t you try to come up with a more rounded solution rather than a direct confrontation? I mean, this is not a little boys game trying to prove who has got the biggest “b…
And those of you who are working in a companies/ organisations/ NGOs, wouldn’t you think that your BOSS would be expecting you to come out with a reasonable solution under this situation rather than screwing it all up?
But at the end of the day, you Penangites, are the BOSS here.
LGE is just a rep working for your guys. If you really want LGE to confront the developers and see them in court, get a petition and show him the number of signatures you have.
But, please let me remind you, as the BOSS, you must bear the consequences. Just like how any normal organisation would work.
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