Taking Care Of Abandoned Pre-War Heritage Buildings In Penang

 

Penang Island City Council (MBPP) has demanded that owners of abandoned “heritage buildings” or pre-war houses “upkeep their premises” or action will be taken against them, The Star reported.

MBPP said it has “identified” 73 abandoned properties (commercial and residential) worth about RM300 million.

The report stated that such structures have “become an eyesore to passers-by”.

Councillor Wong Yuee Harng told the daily that MBPP’s Heritage Department discovered 134 abandoned properties in 2016 but the “number dropped to 73 this year” after some of the owners were traced.

“We managed to trace some of the owners and issued them notices. Several of them returned to clean up the place and turned their properties into more decent-looking buildings,” he revealed.

If MBPP is forced to clean up the buildings, the bill will then be sent to the owner, Wong warned.

“The cleaning can cost between several hundreds to thousands of ringgit, depending on the severity of the damage.

“Cranes and heavy machinery are needed if there is major structural damage that could pose danger to the public,” he said.

Also, under the Local Government Act, culprits could be fined RM1,000 or jailed not more than six months, or both, plus a fine of not more than RM100 a day if the offence “continued after the conviction”.

“Sections 127 and 128 of the National Land Code allow alienated land to be forfeited by the state.

“For those who are unsure, they can check with the land office if they possess ownership of such properties,” Wong told The Star.

Source: EdgeProp.my

Old Is The New Gold

Sia Boey is one of the overdue and much anticipated urban rejuvenation project in Penang. The place played an important role in the early days of George Town but was later neglected to dilapidated state due to urban development in the vicinity. A lot of talks since then but no sign of any progress until recently. Photos of a drain teeming with Koi fish were being circulated in the social media for the past few months and have created quite a buzz among the netizens. It was touted to be the next big thing in Instagram friendly places in Penang. Finally it was opened to public recently. Official announcement from Buletin Mutiara below:

THE country’s first Urban Archeological Park at Sia Boey site (in the vicinity of Prangin Mall) was officially opened by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow this afternoon.

According to Chow, the park, which is part of the Komtar Phase 5 development project (total area of 5.73 acre), would be instrumental in telling the history of George Town.

The Sia Boey site is flanked by Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong and Jalan Magazine.

“Sia Boey was the trading hub during the earlier days in George Town and its activities were centred at the Prangin Canal where the 19th century Market Hall and shoplots are located.

“The Sia Boey Rejuvenation Project was launched on March 25, 2018 and the purpose of the project is to transform Sia Boey into an area of existing development as well as conserving heritage, green parks for a sustainable development.

“The project is also expected to add value to George Town’s Unesco sites since Jalan Lim Chwee Leong, where Sia Boay is situated, is considered to be the border of the Unesco heritage sites.

“The site (Sia Boey) is regarded as the buffer zone (Unesco heritage site), therefore it is important to retain its historical values,” added Chow.

The Chief Minister was accompanied by state Tourism Development, Arts, Culture and Heritage Committee (Petach) chairman Yeoh Soon Hin, Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkala Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi and Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang.

“I hope that the renovated Market Hall, which will be open for public use, will be fully utilised.  Those who are interested in renting it can contact the PDC Setia Urus,” Chow said.

Part of the Sia Boey site will make way for the construction of the proposed LRT station under the Penang Transport Master Plan.

The Sia Boey Rejuvenation Project project is undertaken by the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) with the collaboration of George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and Centre of Global Archeological Research USM.

Also present was PDC general manager Datuk Mohd Bazid Abdul Kahar.

The name ‘Sia Boey’ means the tail of a settlement in Hokkien and the Malays refer the site as ‘Ujong Pasir’ whereas the Tamil community calls it as” Kaalai Kadai’ during the 19th century.

Story by Tanushalini Moroter

Pix by Law Suun Ting

Source: Buletin Mutiara

Passion for Penang's Heritage

Story of a local Penang boy who still has vivid memory of the old world from her grandmother's storytelling.

Mr. Chris Ong plans to put Penang on the map with his exclusive project to let visitors to this wonderful island experience the living of the old world. It will be an experience back in time.

Heritage Is Big In Penang

Bring Old Buildings To Life

Location: George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Unique Feature: 

Introducing modern design approach with clean and sleek lines in respect of the intricately detailed colonial buildings. The heritage building is painted white to further elevate its elegance. Facade lighting design brings magic to the environment when nightfall.