HERITAGE buildings outside the Unesco world heritage zones in George Town can be demolished, the Penang government said.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow today said such buildings outside the Unesco heritage zones could still be torn down as long as the local council’s approval had been obtained, Malay Mail reported.

He said this in relation to the demolition of a Category II heritage building on Lebuhraya Peel in Pulau Tikus for a private hospital project. The demolition was criticised by heritage conservationists.

“There are no specific requirements that such buildings cannot be demolished. They are subject to the council’s approval, depending on the buildings’ conditions,” he reported said.

Category II buildings refer to structures or items that warrant preservation efforts. The authenticity of their connection to the street like their facades, five-foot ways and compounds; decorations and materials used should be maintained and restored.

Chow also confirmed that the hospital project developer had obtained the council’s approval to demolish the old buildings on Lebuhraya Peel.

One Category II building had already been torn down at the site. Three more are earmarked for demolition to make way for the RM2 billion Island Medical City project. The buildings used to be government quarters.

The hospital project is set to position Penang as a medical hub. The project features a 600-bed medical complex, medical suites and a medical tourist hotel.

At the project’s groundbreaking ceremony recently, Chow reportedly said the project would have an economic value of over RM7 billion and give Penangites over 2,000 jobs. – December 5, 2018.