via Free Malaysia Today, 11 April 2023: An activist and a tourist guides’ association have warned that illegal renovations to heritage buildings and the proposed construction of a five-storey structure near an old market may see George Town lose its prized heritage status, impacting tourist arrivals.
Mark Lay of George Town Heritage Action (GTHA) warned that these projects may violate preservation guidelines and trigger the city’s delisting should Unesco intervene on the back of complaints from heritage groups.
The five-storey building project, in particular, has been lambasted by heritage activists, as it was the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) that applied for and approved the project.
In its planning application submitted in February 2022, MBPP proposed to “restore and retain” the front portion of the market.
Contacted by FMT, the council said it would await Unesco’s feedback before proceeding with the project.
