MALACCA: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam has cautioned his counterpart in Penang to carefully study all development plans at the George Town World Heritage Site.

This was to safeguard the recognition given by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco), he said.

Any "illegal" development in George Town could jeopardise the World Heritage Site status of both cities, as the recognition was given jointly.

"This is why we shelved the plan to build the tower, Menara Taming Sari, in the core zone and moved it to another location," Ali said after chairing the state executive council meeting here yesterday.

His concerns are not unfounded as the Penang government has admitted that one project within the heritage zone exceeded the Unesco maximum height limit.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the state planning committee was not aware of the guidelines set by Unesco when it approved the project.

In all, four projects were approved by the local authorities before the listing was granted by Unesco.

Lim said the state government was in a quandary as revocation of approvals would have legal implications.

"We cannot afford to call off the projects as the developers will take legal action against the local authorities so we must face the reality of losing the Unesco status."

He said he would discuss the matter with the Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry soon.