Georgetown as a world Heritage Site: The Untold Story-Heritage Cries

This year, Georgetown and Malacca is recognized as the world heritage site by UNESCO. This is the first time UNESCO award the world heritage status that shared by two cities. This is a good news for Malaysia.

However, the status of world heritage site will be forfeited if one of the cities no longer fulfill the requirements or do not obey any article in the agreement. So, this had become worries of both the cities behind the glory of getting the award.

According to “Rumours”, the idea of joint application came out due to Georgetown is too Chinese. Therefore, they suggested Malacca to join in the application to show that this is Malaysia with multiracial culture. Compared to Malacca, Georgetown had done a more complete research on her heritage buildings. Again, due to some politic views, Georgetown had to reduce the paper documentation during the application, so that both cities looks like equally attractive to the world heritage status.

UNESCO only accept the application from the recognized federal government of a country to ensure that the heritage site is fully protected by the government through laws and enforcement. According to “Rumours” again, the reduced paper work done is not that satisfied as something expected by the panel. But still, both cities are entitled the honor for their colourful historic background.

After the 308 election, DAP had won the control of Penang state government. However, the new government still lack of awareness in taking good care of Georgetown heritage building until today. In term of efficiency, they are excellence. They can approve a development project within a month period. But, the problem is the project they approved is somewhere near our glorious city. Besides that, the people involved also lost some precious documentation of heritage buildings during the inter-changing of state government.

According to the study of three Germany students under ASA program, the heritage buildings of Georgetown are not maintained well. There are more than ten thousands of shop house that old enough to be protected as heritage building in the inner city of Georgetown…

I feel sad when I reading the report…

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