The Preserve Koay Jetty Support Group wants the Penang government to implement a proposal made by a foreign don to preserve and develop the area encompassing eight Chinese clan jetties in George Town as "a world class heritage and nature park."

In welcoming the proposal made by Professor Rick Atkinson of the University of South Australia, the group spokesperson Anwar Fazal said it was timely for the state government to look into other alternatives to preserve and re-develop the jetty area.

He said it would be gravely wrong for the state government to continue embarking on a plan to tear down two of the eight jetties, namely Koay Jetty and Peng Aun Jetty, when an alternative comprehensive plan could be implemented to turn the whole area into an international hub for eco-tourism, marine, cultural and heritage park and research centre.

"This can be achieved if the state government were to adopt and implement the alternative idea mooted by Atkinson," said Anwar, who is also the Regional Advisor for the United Nations Development Programme.

A lecturer on planning and urban design in School of Geoinformatics, Planning and Building, Atkinson unveiled an alternative comprehensive plan to preserve and re-develop the jetty area during a recent seminar organised by the support group.

Rejuvenating George Town

Atkinson has proposed that the state government could still develop a township by preserving the jetties.

"We can still have houses and turn the place into a transport hub, while generating tourism related businesses and, build affordable accommodation for researchers to stay and carry out their studies on the area.

"The present alignment of Jelutong Expressway and monorail will not involve cutting across the jetties and mangrove area under the alternative plan," he said.

The seminar was organised to create public awareness and garner support to preserve the Koay and Peng Aun Jetties, which had been proposed by the state government for demolition to pave way for a grand plan to turn the coastal area into a new township.

The project, which would turn the area into a new commercial-cum-housing and transport hub at the south-eastern part of the city, is part of the state government's efforts to rejuvenate George Town, which has rapidly turned into a "ghost city" since the Control of Rent (Repeal) Act 1997 was enforced on Sept 1 that year.

However, the support group, comprising Penang Tourist Guides Association, Malaysian Travel Trade Association Penang Chapter, Penang Heritage Trust (PHT), Baiqi Koay Cultural Revitalisation Ad-Hoc Joint Committee, Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) Penang branch and Malaysian Chinese Muslim Association (MCMA) has been vehemently objecting to the project plan.

Anwar said Atkinson's proposal can be implemented through close cooperation between the federal and state governments, non-government organisations, international and local universities, local authorities, and even the United Nations.

For such a small city, George Town offers vast opportunities for researchers to study on urban heritage and conservation, rehabilitation, regeneration, traffic management, history, cultural diversities and biodiversity in the northern peninsular.

Comprehensive plan

"In line with this, Koay and Peng Aun Jetties must be preserved through a comprehensive plan based on Local Development Agenda 21 adopted by the state government a few years ago," said Anwar, who was once in the State Planning Committee.

Despite the objections, the state government has refused to 'save' the Chinese clan jetty, the bastion of early Chinese Muslim settlement on Penang island.

At present Koay and Peng Aun Jetties have about 50 houses and 350 residents. A nearby mangrove area, which is the last surviving eastern coastline mangrove swamps in George Town, will also be destroyed to make way for new development.

Both jetties are situated in a row of eight early Chinese clan jetty settlements located between the ferry terminal and Lebuh Noordin flat.

The other jetties of Lim, Chew, Tan, Lee, New and Yeoh clans have been earmarked within the heritage zone demarcated in George Town and will be preserved.

Anwar said the support group will submit its alternative proposal to the state government next month.

ATHI VEERANGGAN is malaysiakini's Penang-based stringer.