GEORGE TOWN, Aug 25 ― The sole NGO representative in the Penang Island City Council, Dr Lim Mah Hui, has described as uncivilised the accusation against him and the Penang Forum NGO over the heritage status of George Town. 

Lim, who had come under fire after he had sent a letter to Unesco to request an inspection by the international heritage body, said he wrote to Unesco just to ensure that the George Town heritage status was not harmed due to the development of the transport hub in Sia Boey. 

He said that if the state government and George Town World Heritage Incorporated were confident that the project would have no impact on the heritage listing that was bestowed upon George Town in 2008, why could not they wait until Unesco conducted its inspection by 2018.

“If the letter has no merit, Unesco will dismiss the opinion from Penang Forum that the heritage site is in danger. That should be the end of it, but now, even the National Heritage Department had said that the project will harm the heritage status,” said Lim.

Advertisement

On August 16, the National Heritage Department concluded that the planned transport hub is too near the buffer zone of the heritage enclave and has grave potential in harming the heritage status.

Meanwhile, DAP councillor Lee Chun Kit questioned the sudden interest of the National Heritage Department in Sia Boey. 

He also said that the state government, along with Penang Transport Master Plan delivery partner SRS Consortium, had agreed to build tram lines inside the heritage area.

Advertisement

“Trams had been agreed upon in the heritage area. We cannot build it outside the heritage boundaries as it poses danger to other road users. That is the reason why we need elevated structures,” said Lee.

Sia Boey is undergoing an excavation undertaken by a Universiti Sains Malaysia archaeology team as there is a claim that the area holds heritage proof that George Town was once a trading port.    

The complete outcome of the excavation will be available in November. ― Bernama