Listen to experts and islanders
HERITAGE is a tricky issue, well at least for Penang. It is a case of damned if you do and damned if you don't.
After all, it was no easy feat for George Town to make it on to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's prestigious World Heritage List in July 2008.
Those involved in the painstaking process would attest to it.
Penangites, especially heritage aficionados, are willing to go the extra mile to ensure that George Town stays on the list for a long time to come.
Recently, flood alleviation works taking place within the heritage enclave has set alarm bells ringing among heritage activists. This is not the first time such an issue has been raised by activists.
Previously, there were controversies over abandoned pre-war houses and swiflet farming.
Penang Citizens' Awareness Chant said it was not against development but felt that any works should carried out in a manner which did not jeopardise George Town's world heritage site status.
A member of the group, Rebecca Duckett-Wilkinson, who is also Penang Heritage Trust council member, said the ongoing works were being carried out without taking into consideration the structural make-up of the buildings around the project site.
She said some structures were being compromised as a result of digging works. She said the group was concerned that the Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) had resorted to using concrete covers which would further aggravate the situation in the event of flooding as concrete does not allow for the absorption and evaporation of water.
The group is understandably worried as it has experts who have in-depth knowledge of the consequences of such flood alleviation methods. They have done their homework on the old drainage system and how the new system will worsen the situation.
All they are asking for is that the state authorities seek their views before proceeding with projects within the heritage enclave. Is that too much to ask?
Wouldn't it be better for the state government to consult the experts to ensure that projects are carried out properly, rather than end up having to pump in more money to rectify problems afterwards.
Penangites are passionate about every sen spent on projects, especially if they result in unintended consequences.
As Duckett-Wilkinson rightly puts it: "There is no point spending RM500,000 on some works and because the result is undesirable, spend another RM500,000 to rectify the initial works".
This kind of wastage can be avoided. Penang belongs to all Penangites. As such, they have every right to speak their minds for the good of the state and its residents.
Read more: Listen to experts and islanders - Northern - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/listen-to-experts-and-islanders-1.14961#ixzz1fcwSsxI6
No comments:
Post a Comment