RM6.48mil repair funds for heritage buildings
THE George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) has given out repair incentives to 47 applications under Category One heritage buildings.

Among the notable buildings that received the incentives were Lebuh Pantai Fire and Rescue Station, St George’s Church, Tay Koon Oh Kongsi, Kapitan Keling Mosque, St Francis Xavier’s Church, Church of the Assumption, King Street Tua Pek Kong Temple and Acheen Street Malay Mosque.

The representatives of these buildings in Penang received grants between RM19,000 and RM200,000.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the grants totalling RM6.48mil were approved following a thorough vetting process of all documents conducted by the grant, technical evaluation and price committee of GTWHI and its secretariat.

He said applications for 76 Category One and 437 Category Two heritage buildings were received during the application period from Jan 8 to March 8 this year. Chow told the press that the grant applications were approved after a full vetting process of all submitted documents.

The grant, explained Chow, was part of the RM25mil announced by the Federal Government last year under Budget 2023.

He said the funding was meant to preserve and manage the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site (GTUWHS) status.

“The Category Two heritage buildings with successful applications will be notified in stages beginning May,” he said in his speech during the mock cheque presentation at Komtar.

Chow said the Repair Incentive project had shown the state and GTWHI’s dedication in supporting the restoration and preservation of heritage buildings within the heritage zone.

“The city is a heritage legacy that cannot be allowed to slip away, but must be preserved most appropriately.

“With all the excellent work invested since attaining the Unesco status in 2008, it is only right that these buildings that carry strong heritage values continue to be safeguarded.

“Heritage buildings in Penang have become popular tourist attraction spots, and without proper maintenance, this would not be possible,” he added.

Chow also congratulated successful recipients, and said that the repair incentives were meant to help them conserve heritage buildings without any alteration, in order to ensure that the heritage element remained intact.

Present during the ceremony in Komtar were Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Penang Island City Council secretary Cheong Chee Hong and Chief Minister Incorporated general manager Datin S. Bharathi.

Earlier GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said the incentive programme was aimed at further strengthening the heritage status through building incentives, capacity building, and accessibility.
Penang,Unesco,world heritage site,grant applications,Komtar
Grants of between RM19,000 and RM200,000 given to 47 Category One applications to preserve notable premises in Penang.