GEORGE TOWN: A PROPOSAL to preserve heritage buildings along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah was presented to the local authorities some three decades ago, a heritage interest group said yesterday.
George Town Heritage Action group said an eight-page dossier was presented to the Development Planning Technical Committee of the then Penang Island Municipal Council (MPPP) in 1989.
A spokesperson said the proposal was later included in a heritage list which was passed by the MPPP in 1992. In the documents provided to the New Straits Times, the proposal detailed what can and cannot be carried out along what is dubbed as Penang’s “Millionaires’ Row”.
The proposal, among others, highlighted the need for a conservation zone in the locality as “development pressure” was threatening to change the picturesque area predating to Penang’s founding in 1786.
It had also listed 20 properties recommended to be preserved, which included the Runnymede Hotel.
“The following list of heritage buildings and sites are recommended for preservation, based on their architectural significance and historical background.
“No demolition, alteration or extension of the building, other than development or works necessary for restoring it to, and maintaining it in, a proper state of repair,” the document read.
Several heritage consultants who worked on the proposal told the NST that it was accepted with some amendments by the MPPP in 1992.
The Runnymede Hotel and its surrounding area have been cast in the spotlight after they were partially demolished by the current landowner following an approval by
the Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
The landowner had also flattened a bungalow which belonged to former Penang governor’s assistant secretary Sir Stamford Raffles. The council said it had allowed the clearing but the landowner was told to maintain the three-storey main hotel building, which was built in 1930.
Under fire, MBPP said its hands were tied in the matter as the planning permission was granted to them in 1999 and “had complied” with regulations to allow them to demolish the buildings.
At that time, the landowners were allowed to build three commercial buildings and a hotel there. With the Employees Provident Fund (EPF) building completed in 2000, the remainder of the project — a 12-storey office tower, a 61-storey apartment building and a 31-storey hotel —
will be built on the recently cleared site.
In 1993, the MPPP had announced that 17 buildings along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, including Runnymede, could not be touched as they were identified “as worthy of conservation”.