GEORGE TOWN, Jan 1 — Penang Gerakan has chided the state government for failing to preserve the century-old Hindu and Buddhist shrines built near the leprosarium in Pulau Jerejak.
Its secretary, Oh Tong Keong, criticised the state government for allowing the “historic” site to be damaged.
“Many only came to know after it was highlighted by a television station recently,” he said in a statement.
“Who should be held responsible over the matter?”
Oh urged the state government to take stern action against the individuals responsible.
“The damage could have been be prevented if only the state government took measures to protect the building.
“Nevertheless, they (state government) should explain what can be done to restore it.
“How can they maintain the George Town Unesco Heritage status if they cannot even protect the leprosarium?”
Pulau Jerejak came into the limelight at the last state assembly meeting when opposition leader Datuk Jahara Hamid questioned how the island was renamed Mazu island.
Jahara, the Teluk Air Tawar assemblyman, also showed several photographs of Mazu (Goddess of Sea) statue on the island located nearby the leprosarium.
