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By Marina Emmanuel.
ARE investors being guided correctly when they decide to operate businesses in the heritage zones?Â
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As Penang gears up to celebrate next month George Town's second anniversary as a Unesco World Heritage Site, it is time to take stock of whether the prestigious status has made positive and concrete contributions. As a full-blown campaign gets rolled out in the name of culture, arts and history, and the search goes on for sponsors to help in the month-long celebration, the question being asked is whether Penang has found its feet yet in managing itself as a World Heritage Site.
Is Penang's heritage in general being managed properly by qualified professionals? Are investors being guided correctly when they decide to operate businesses in the heritage zones? The economic viability of operating a business in George Town's inner city is also being questioned by some as the issue over height restriction imposed on certain projects appears to be still unresolved. Apart from repeated press announcements that efforts are being made by the authorities to promote heritage conservation in George Town, precious little has been seen in the form of follow-ups. The media had highlighted that the state government was considering offering a development incentive in the World Heritage Site, but nothing much has been forthcoming since that announcement was made. It is coming to almost two years since the formation of a state heritage steering committee was announced. This advisory panel was supposed to assist the government in monitoring project implementation following George Town's listing as a World Heritage Site. Again, little is known about the frequency of meetings held and the progress made by the committee has been minimal. A RM20 million allocation by Khazanah Nasional Bhd towards public grants to kick-start the rejuvenation of George Town is a positive step in ensuring that the local community and related agencies benefit and are roped in to keep the heritage city alive. Grants are being disbursed in tranches and beneficiaries to date have included individuals and state bodies like the Penang Heritage Trust and George Town World Heritage Office Inc. Khazanah, via wholly-owned subsidiary Think City Sdn Bhd, is also working with the local authorities and community on a land-use and population survey of George Town, the first of its kind among Malaysian cities. Apart from making repeated calls to the federal government to channel funds to Penang for heritage conservation activities, little has been seen in the way of efforts on the part of the state government to look for other sources of funds. Instead of wasting time in playing continuous politics and paying lip service over this issue, it should work closely with local players to attract funds from overseas. As a World Heritage Site, George Town is in a position to tap many avenues of international funding. The World Heritage Fund provides about US$4 million (RM13 million) annually to support activities requested by States Parties in need of international assistance. It includes compulsory and voluntary contributions from the States Parties as well as from private donations. In addition, grant-giving bodies like the World Monuments Fund, The Aga Khan Development Network and the Toyota Foundation are but a few sources of funding which the state can approach. Until and unless serious efforts are seen carried out by competent and experienced people in managing George Town's heritage attributes, Penang may end up as a World Heritage Site with a "blind leading the blind" tag when it comes to heritage conservation and management. ** Reproduced with permission. This article first appeared in the June 14, 2010 issue of Business Times.
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