A George Town arts and heritage activist has criticised the federal government for its lack of financial support towards activities that will boost tourism in Penang.

NONE George Town Festival director Joe Sidek ( left ) said this year’s activities, planned for July in conjunction with the anniversary of Penang’s Unesco World Heritage Site listing, has received zero funding from the federal government.

He added that despite having a limited budget, the federal authorities have shown little interest in supporting Penangites to commemorate the annual appreciation of the prestigious award.

“It’s very sad. This is not a political statement. We are sad that we don’t get funding and we are told that we did not do enough but we are trying,” Sidek told a press conference in Penang today.

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We don’t seem to get any response or help from them; I was told that they are giving about RM13 million for a garden project in Malacca but we don’t seem to get that sort of money,” he added.

“We don’t even get a million, which I think is very sad for the people of Penang because this is not about a festival for the government, it is for the people of Penang,” he stressed.

Sidek was at a press conference in Penang to promote one of the highlights of this year’s George Town Festival - the gala operatic concert by Pro Musica.

It features four outstanding international singers, supported by students of the master classes which precede the concert.

The programme for the advancement of voice students from the region has been conducted for the last few years by Malaysian soprano Loh Siew-Tuan, originally from Penang and currently residing in London.

Originally initiated by Lim Chong Keat, one of the original architects of Komtar, the event is the cultural social responsibility activity of companies Bellevue Hotel Sdn Bhd and Suriana Sdn Bhd.

Sidek said that the tourism industry does not differentiate between local or federal government, which was why he approached the latter for funding.

He added that he wrote to the Tourism Ministry about a proposal on a big Penang Peranakan project recently but was told last week that he could probably try again in 2013.

Confident of support from locals and multinationals

However, Sidek said he was confident that local Penangites and multinationals would assist his team as they had always shown their support for local arts and heritage programmes.

“Last year we received some funding from Jabatan Warisan under the Information, Communication and Culture Ministry, but not this year,” he said.

“I wrote, I spoke and I have met (Tourism Ministry officials) and I just got a response last week, saying “Sorry, but maybe in 2013”, he added.

penang pulau pinang old heritage pre war buildings 160307 01 Meanwhile, Sidek said the George Town Festival team wanted to organise a massive event to bring famous personalities to the island so that Penang can be placed on the international map.

The personalities include well-known Malaysians who made it big in the international market like fashion designers Zang Toi and Jimmy Choo, he added.

The team was also working with 12 top jewellers in Penang to promote Peranakan jewellery in the overseas market.

“We are older than Singapore but Singapore sells itself better than us in the world market,” he said.

“This is the gold centre of Malaysia, we are trying to bring it back that this is the Tiffany-Cartier of Malaysia,” he added.

On a related matter, Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said that the state supports the annual festival but does not interfere in the content of the events.

“When we appointed Sidek as director of the group, we did not interfere at all. He has full freedom and independence,” added Lim, who was at the same press event.

To which, Sidek responded by saying that this attitude was unique to Penang, and not anywhere else in Malaysia.

“This is a very good thing, that when someone is given a free canvas to organise programmes, he or she is not limited by culture, race, religion or content,” he added.