Open letter to Guan Eng: Penang is our heritage
Written by SK Ang- font size
- 18 Comments
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
18 Comments
- Comment Link
Thursday, 04 August 2011 18:02 posted by amicus curiaeAhBoy
it is about illegal demolition, contrary to the Town and Country Planning Act. 1976 No one is saying that it is a Heritage building or the locale is within the UNESCO heritage zone.
MPPP has issued a rebuild order pursuant to s19 and 27 of the Town and Country Planning Act. Further if they fail to commence work within a reasonable time they are liable to pay a fine of five thousand ringgit per day till the building is restored - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 17:46 posted by Dr B Nawawi
check out my blog
www.20pykett.blogspot.com - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 17:18 posted by Mamak
Cendul just run home to your Barang Naik master. you can bark there. we know you are some crony.
- Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 16:50 posted by the 73rd virgin
looking at the picture with that lustful smile, playboy look and sexy shirt, don't how many virgins have been sacrificed in Penang?
72 virgins like in allah's heaven? - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 16:47 posted by Air Batu Campor (ABC)
Cendul is right. In Selangor, Dap is setting up massage parlors and cyber Kafes like mushrooms..
Now Selangor is fast becoming an immoral state. Thanks to Rocket's rule. - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 16:42 posted by cendul
What do you expect from a eunuch from Malacca? This Malaccan basket was not born in Penang and therefore no sentimental feeling to Penang heritage.
What this Malacca basket wants are money, money, women, land and power for another 500 years.
Very soon Penang will be like Shanghai beach during the Chin Dynasty and Penagites will be smoking marijuana to keep them impotent. - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 16:08 posted by Dr B Nawawi
I refer to my earlier posting .
The people who have commented obviously dont understand the article, please ask your friends to explain la.
Regards - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 16:06 posted by Dr B Nawawi
You guys commenting really your ENGLAND not so good la, Please ask some of your friends to explain la
LGE has done a super job in PG, u think if BN now Pg can be like this ??
If BN Pg now semua building sudah di demolish already. Look forward to the future , look long term la people.
This is a system we have proposed that will be a deterrent to illegal demolition.
KUDOS to our CM for turning down 2million from Mah Sing to sponsor GEORGETOWN FESTIVAL. Even without their money it was such a success !!
LGE we the residents of PYKETT, KHAW SIM BEE, PADANG VICTORIA and WESTLAND shall be voting for you in the next General Elections. - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 15:59 posted by AhBoy
"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"
Mr Ang, this area is OUTSIDE the Unesco's Heritage Zone lah. What are you complaining about? I think your basic complaint is you don't like to have a condo in your area. Com' la. This is Penang island. - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 14:39 posted by susie
Better a controlled tearing down of buildings than rampant greedy tearing and don't care attitude of the past government. Just 3 years into the job LGE already did so much more than previous government over 50 years! Surely more legislation will come into force once PR is the government for all not only Penang and several other states
- Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 14:29 posted by anti-bodoh
LGE is contractor friendly dude. Just like MCA. So what.
- Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 14:27 posted by Justice
It would be interesting to know his background. Seventeen years under the eunuch and yet nobody squeal and yet under PR rule suddenly these brave souls surfaced. Stop and desist in such sandiwara.
- Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 13:50 posted by rosmah says
probably the project was approved by Koh soo kun....an probably was written by him....!!
good try....you fuckers...!! - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 13:40 posted by ben
i am glad all these idiots write and complain so much these days where before they were quiet as a mouse during bn days.idiots exposed
- Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 13:38 posted by Wah Sudah Lah
Wah, can see the pattern, lah.. First UMNO. Now it's MCA's turn to go on a LGE/Penang Pakatan bashing spree.
Just another MCA /BN attempt to harass LGE. No way! My vote still goes to Pakatan. - Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 13:30 posted by Flush the Najis
Cannot be Zahrain who wrote this..anyone from puKIMMAk?
- Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 13:23 posted by no fool
Wah not bad man, come back from a walk & can write a thesis already woh. Perfect English some more woh.
- Comment LinkThursday, 04 August 2011 13:18 posted by Penangnite Too
Looks like a letter drafted by APCO.
No comments:
Post a Comment