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.”
Ong Eu Soon,
If you think fatty Kee using our money to challenge developers is guts then maybe you should ask her again would she have done it if the money has to come out from her own pocket.
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Dear all,
It’s common that people makes mistakes including the private sector. LGE and its government have admitted the mistake. Now, it’s really not the time to blame. If you wanna blame, you should blame KTK government instead
LGE must thread carefully on this issue. It gonna be tough
Regards,
looes74
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KM on November 21st, 2008 at 10.47am
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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Short-sighted policy like approving more high rise buildings in world heritage site is alike killing golden goose for its eggs.
It is proven in other countries that world heritage status bring in more eggs for rakyat provided you know how to feed your goose.
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1. Stop the EGO-egging n armchair critics on LGE – instead use your grey cells to suggest/help out is a more value added way.
2. 3 projects approved by previous Govt-where is the sense in blaming LGE? 1 project approved in July 3months into new governance. I thought that LGE is showing leadership by biting the bullet, when he was probably still pinching himself that PR is formed in Penang. Who is sure that MPPP has consulted him by the way? Also, if asked as a newbie into the job, he probably said ‘follow as before first, changes if any will come later.’
3. Heritage status IS IMPORTANT for Penang State. It is a trump card for funding. So every sincere people especially Penangites please help the PR Government on this.. .. ..
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Can the reports be consistent
1. Mkini say all 4 approved by DAP
2. Next day Star says only 1, Boustead, approved by DAP
3. NOW, not Boustead.
There is NO REASON to approve.
This heritage issue is often “played” by the DAP.
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‘Projects will not jeopardise Georgetown’s heritage status’
Athi Veranggan | Nov 22, 08 5:39pm
Former Penang executive councillor in charge of tourism Teng Chang Yeow believes that the three high rise hotels approved by the previous state government will not jeopardise Georgetown’s status as a Unesco heritage site.
The above message I quoted from malaysiakini. Regardless of what Jed Yoong says about the inconsistencies, perhaps our dear Teng should have the courtesy of answering us
Does it or does it not jeopardise the Groergetown’s status as a UNESCO
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The inner city of GeorgeTown is dead, i used to lived there. The 4 projects might be able to boost tourism sector around town area.what’s the point having a unesco status but no investors? the best solution is cont to go on with the hotels but neg. with unesco to keep the status, btw it is very unlikely that they gonna delist penang. i really dont understand why some of u guys want to make this issue into a political issue. mind to enlighten me?
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to heck with heritage… get the new buildings up and can make more $$$$ only old fudge go to see heritage buildings..
to maintain heritage = retarding
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im totally agree with feebie on this matter, first of all we must know why this unesco status is so important for us, to attact tourist and preserve heritage. However we still need investor to come in and develope the place, look at current state of the buildings.. >.<”
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