Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng is demanding that Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim provide evidence to back his claims that Malacca has been more proactive than Penang in promoting heritage conservation since 2008.

Rais yatim inspects heritage building Rais Yatim ( left ) had hit out at the state government for not contributing enough to the state's heritage conservation projects.

In a press statement, Guan Eng said if Rais' claim was true, Penang is willing to learn from Malacca's successes.

However, he pointed out that even officials in the Culture Ministry had lauded Penang for the work done in advancing heritage since George Town was listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.

"At no time did any of Rais' officials suggested certain practices that Penang could adopt from Malacca.

"Rais should not forget that Penang was unfairly deprived of the promised RM25 million funding for being jointly listed with Malacca as a UNESCO World Heritage.

"Whilst Malacca state government received RM 30 million, Penang state government got nothing. And yet we are criticised by Rais himself for not doing enough for heritage conservation," said Guan Eng.

He said despite such discrimination, Penang has made progress in five key heritage areas:

  • Establishing George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), a specialised body tasked to preserve, protect and promote heritage conservation and includes architects and town planning experts;
  • Commenced the country's first annual Heritage Festival in July, which was a success despite costing only RM1.1 million.
  • The Heritage Technical Review Panel, to vet planning approvals to ensure that they conform to heritage guidelines has been functioning for a year.
  • The state government had given full co-operation to Rais' ministry and invited officials to participate in Penang heritage conservation initiatives. GTWHI have been instructed to participate in Rais' ministry events.
  • The state government is allocating RM3 million for heritage conservation for 2011 Budget.

lim guan eng For these reasons, said Guan Eng ( left) , Rais' allegations of lack of commitment to heritage conservation from the Penang state government and lack of cooperation with the federal government were baseless.

"Rais should listen to his own advice by not politicising heritage conservation but treat Penang equally with Malacca in terms of funding. The minister should realise that heritage conservation is an important symbol of our country's national pride and dignity.

"It is this national consideration that has caused Penang state government to refrain from complaining to UNESCO about such discriminatory and unfair treatment by the Federal government, when we have every justification in doing so," concluded the Penang chief minister.