IS OUR HERITAGE FOR SALE

Thursday, 04 August 2011 13:04

Open letter to Guan Eng: Penang is our heritage

Written by  SK Ang
(22 votes)


Dear YAB Lim Guan Eng,

I have just returned from my walkabout of the Heritage Day festivities and instead of feeling joyous, I find myself disturbed and saddened.

I am a resident around the area of No.20, Pykett Avenue where a major developer illegally demolished a possible heritage building to make way for the erection of yet another block of high rise condominium.

Tonight, I heard that this developer may "get away" by paying a couple of million ringgit ostensibly to a heritage fund. What is the difference between this sum of money and the fine of RM6,000-00 imposed by the courts?

Is our heritage for sale? RM6,000-00 is a measly price but does a couple of million make it acceptable? At the end of the day, are we saying that our heritage is for sale for the right price? Because if that is the message we are giving, there will be nothing to stop developers and house owners demolishing what is left of our heritage building and paying the necessary sum of money, be it in the form of a fine or a donation. There will soon be no need for a heritage fund because there is no heritage left to preserve.

I find it incredibly ironic that people inside and outside of Penang do not hesitate to be proud and promote the Unesco recognition of the island for their commercial purpose, yet refuse to play their part in its preservation. Heaven forbids that it should interfere with how they want to renovate their houses! But "please do visit Penang", "please come and buy a house 5 minutes away from a world heritage site"!

I understand that in the cacophony of the numerous and the serious issues facing YAB, this matter of the illegal demolition of a mansion hardly warrants much time. Therein lays the job of the various NGOs of varying interests. They serve the needs of "smaller" but not necessarily less important issues. They bring notice to our leaders the "other" matters which may not be adequately represented, which may be lost to the more pressing issues of the day. It is indeed unfortunate that they are often viewed as "busybodies".

Our heritage is indeed unique. The fact that it achieved world recognition is thanks in no small part to the passion, drive and hardwork of a very small number of individuals within the state. The conferment of "Unesco Heritage Site" is a huge justification of their tireless work in bringing our heritage recognition in the world and also to the inhabitants of Penang island. In fact, the state through your leadership declared 7th of July a public holiday specifically to celebrate our heritage. It is not just for tourist, it is also for us, the people of Penang.

I see that in these three years, awareness amongst the public has heightened tremendously and I believe your government has done much to encourage this.

Yet it is the deeper appreciation that is required that will continue to protect and preserve our heritage, not the superficial kind that merely rejoice in the spectacle of a colourful celebration.

There are always opportunists who want to make a fast buck. These individuals will make a caricature, a Disneyland of Penang. Ours is a living heritage, it is unique and deserve to be protected.

Your government has to send a message that any illegal demolition especially to a heritage or a possible heritage building will not be tolerated at all. The "donation" to a heritage fund is pittance in contemplation of a project worth hundreds of million. All they have to do is passed the cost to the purchaser of their properties. The only effective deterrent is a refusal to consider any form of building permit for a number of years where such illegal demolition takes place. I believe that will certainly stop any would be offender! No developer can afford to put on hold their projects for years.

As it is, continued demolition of buildings are ongoing. I was incredibly saddened to see four units of terrace houses covered in blue hoarding along the left side of Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling heading towards Armenian Street. I am told that the whole façade has been torn down. And what is being done there? Are they going to be asked to donate to a heritage fund too?

I have never written any letter to the government, to the press or to any body or institution. However, I was stirred enough tonight. In your government, I see the wish to do the right thing, though sometimes focus may run astray. I ask only that you listen to the public be it individuals like me, or the NGOs.

- SK Ang is a Penangite and a reader of Malaysia Chronicle