GEORGE TOWN, Sept 6 — A non-governmental organisation (NGO) that is not part of Penang Forum is considering engaging with Unesco and Unesco-accredited real estate federation, Fiabci, to look into the controversy surrounding Sia Boey.

The property development, construction and management committee (PDCMC) of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce (PCCC) believes any proposed development on the Sia Boey site will not affect George Town’s heritage status.Datuk Finn Choong says they may engage Fiabci Penang to conduct a study into the controversy surrounding Sia Boey, September 6, 2016. — Picture by KE Ooi
Datuk Finn Choong says they may engage Fiabci Penang to conduct a study into the controversy surrounding Sia Boey, September 6, 2016. — Picture by KE Ooi

Convenor of PDCMC Datuk Finn Choong told a press conference here today that his group will request Fiabci Penang branch, which is an international real estate federation, to study the issues regarding the proposed transportation hub at Sia Boey and also the re-introduction of a rent control act.

“If the need arises, we will engage with Unesco and related organisations through GTWHI to convey the need to balance heritage conservation and sustainable progress for George Town to ensure that our core and buffer zone, which is relatively large, is sustainable,” he said.

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GTWHI refers to George Town World Heritage Inc, the heritage zone’s site manager.

Choong pointed out that Sia Boey is located outside the core and buffer zone of the heritage site so any planned development at the site should not affect the heritage zone’s listing.

“It is our view that since Sia Boey is outside the Unesco Heritage Zone, the planning of this area should be under the jurisdiction of Penang Island City Council. The council has its own Heritage Department and should be able to make its own decisions,” he said.

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He believed that Sia Boey, which was identified as KOMTAR Phase 5, was already earmarked as a transportation hub under the KOMTAR development project more than 10 years ago.

As for the findings at Sia Boey which led to an archaeological excavation being held at the site now, Choong said there is still a need for studies to be done to ascertain the historical value of the relics found at the site.

“We firmly feel that there is a need to balance heritage conservation with sustainable progress in George Town which is a feasible solution towards a healthy growth of our heritage city,” he said.

He added that the heritage and tourism division of the PDCMC, headed by Michael Geh, will also be carrying out further studies on issues that may affect the heritage status of the heritage zone including the proposed reintroduction of the rent control act.

Sia Boey is an old market site along Prangin Canal and it has been the focus of attention in recent weeks when Penang Forum sent a letter to Unesco World Heritage Centre asking for an advisory mission and impact assessment on the proposed transport hub at Sia Boey.

Penang Forum is a coalition of local NGOs consisting of groups like Penang Heritage Trust and Penang Consumers Association but PCCC and PDCMC were not part of the coalition.

Unesco had since contacted the National Heritage Department to prepare a full report on this.

Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) is leading the archaeological team in the excavation works at Sia Boey that is expected to complete in November.