GEORGE TOWN: The George Town World Heritage Day has been cancelled this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) had come up with initiatives to assist Penang's cultural heritage sector's transition to the "new normal".
GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said RM1 million had been allocated for "George Town in the New Normal" project consisting of three main components - "Support Local Business", "Heritage Repair" and "Heritage Video".
"Cultural heritage contains wisdom and resources passed down from our ancestors, providing tremendous capital strength for many to stay strong and hopeful in embracing a bright, new normal.
"GTWHI is committed to standing alongside the local community in embracing the new normal and exploring new opportunities together," she said in a statement today.
Under Support Local Business, GTWHI will assist local businesses in digital marketing promotion with priority given to long-term businesses that have been operating for more than 10 years.
The assistance aims to help business parties within the heritage site to embrace the digital platform.
Under Heritage Repair component, a one-off financial reimbursement of a maximum of RM1,500 will be provided to qualified owners or tenants of heritage premises (Category I and Category II as gazetted in the George Town Special Area Plan) of the heritage site.
The reimbursements are for minor repairs and maintenance works on their heritage premises including upgrading of electrical wiring, repainting of interior and exterior walls, vegetation removal from the facade, termites treatment or other works as per the rules and regulations in the George Town Special Area Plan.
For Heritage Video, cultural heritage practitioners based in Penang who depend on their skills, knowledge or services as the main source of income may apply for this project with priority given to those who have yet to develop their digital marketing strategy.
Each applicant must propose a five to 20 minutes video to showcase their skills, knowledge or craft process before being shortlisted for video-taking technical skills and digital sharing platforms.
Successful applicants will receive an incentive of RM1,500.
"We hope to empower cultural heritage practitioners to expand their market in the digital world.
"Some 3,000 local businesses within George Town World Heritage Site and another 5,000 local businesses that are part of the George Town Unesco World Heritage is expected to benefit from the initiative," Ang said.
Interested parties may contact GTWHI for more info or applicants may also register online.
George Town was given World Heritage Site status by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) in 2008.
In recognition of the award, July 7 was marked as George Town World Heritage Day.