AS one born and raised in Penang, I was very happy when the state was awarded Unesco heritage status in 2008. But, today, I am concerned about the future of Penang as a Heritage City.
Every time I go back to Penang, I notice more and more high-rise buildings in George Town. This has changed the image of the heritage city.
I also notice that more houses in the heritage area have been vacated, left idle or sold off to foreigners.
Some of the streets have lost their charm because traditional craft is no longer practised. For example, there isn’t any iron smith shop in the street known as iron smith street or in Hokkien, Pati Kie.
Also, a traditional Hainanese restaurant has closed down.
A heritage city is valuable not because of its heritage buildings but because of its cultural elements. For example, Malacca still has charming “kristao” or restaurants, and Portugese is spoken by the Portugese descendants in Malacca.
The state government should retain the cultural elements of Penang as they are part of the state’s charm. The Penang Development Corporation should encourage locals to continue selling or exhibiting handmade craft in the heritage city.
Don’t let it fade away.
Goh H. Hoe, Penang