THERE is politics in heritage, and George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) is in the thick of it in Penang’s Unesco-status city.

The body, set up by the state government in 2010 to protect, promote and preserve George Town as a sustainable heritage city, is often slammed over illegal renovations done to heritage buildings, and concerns that the city is losing its soul.

Watchdog group George Town Heritage Action (GTHA) recently accused GTWHI of carrying out illegal excavation at the Sia Boey Market and Prangin Canal, without getting approval from the National Heritage Department.

The latest run-in between the two bodies over the controversial site came as George Town prepared to mark its 10th anniversary as a Unesco World Heritage Site today.

Illegal dig

In late May, GTHA spokesman Mark Lay took pictures of the alleged “illegal” activities and GTWHI staff at Sia Boey, and posted them on Facebook. The issue then made news headlines.

Lay still questions GTWHI’s explanation – that it was only picking through mud and dirt dug out from the canal for possible objects of historic and cultural value.

He told The Malaysian Insight that he was tipped off about the “illegal dig” by a member of local authorities, who could not expose it openly.

“It was to discover objects as a result of an excavation. Any excavation to discover heritage objects needs a licence from the heritage commissioner.

“You need a certified archaeologist, and to make a presentation to the National Heritage Department. Our beef with them was that the work was done without following regulations.

“If GTWHI, which manages the site, doesn’t follow the rules, can we expect heritage building owners to comply?”

Sia Boey, which is close to the Unesco heritage buffer zone, is now undergoing rejuvenation. It was previously earmarked as a transportation hub, until archaeologists found artefacts, the old canal and a building foundation believed to be that of a police station or barrack.

The ‘bad’ group

Although portrayed as “anti-GTWHI”, Lay said, all GTHA wants to do is raise public awareness on heritage conservation and increase pressure to get “the politicians to do something”.

Recently, he submitted a complaint to the Unesco headquarters in Paris about a demolished heritage building facade, and received a reply that it was being looked into.

“The heritage committee at Unesco encourages anyone to write to them about issues and send pictures. They know they can’t rely on local governments to alert them.”

He said there is a culture of self-censorship among government staff, who fear getting blacklisted or transferred out should they “rock the boat”.

As a result, he occasionally gets tipped off by people in the government.

Defending his enthusiasm in protecting George Town’s heritage, the New Zealander argued that the Unesco-recognised city is considered as belonging to the international community.

By the book

In response to criticism, GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said protocol and procedures are always followed.

“The Sia Boey issue was twisted. We got the nod from our board and the Technical Review Panel,” she said, referring to the panel that helps local authorities evaluate proposed projects concerning heritage properties.

“Do you need an excavation permit to go through trash? We merely suspected that we might find objects that could tell us more about Sia Boey in the pile of dirt already dug up.

“We found many old rubbers (erasers), which I think was from that old rubber-flipping game that kids played in the 1990s. There were some handphones, plastic and glass bottles.

“We also found broken plates and bowls, but don’t know if they are of heritage value yet,” she told The Malaysian Insight.

The heritage commissioner also knew about it, added Ang, who has headed GTWHI since late 2015.

Clashes with GTHA

While acknowledging the monitoring and enforcement issues raised by GTHA, she said GTWHI has no enforcement power, which belongs to Penang Island City Council (MBPP).

GTWHI carries out monitoring and alerts MBPP when there are violations, but with its staff numbering just 36, she said, it has to pick and choose where and how to channel its resources and manpower, which has led to criticism.

“We have rules to follow. We can’t bang on doors, disregarding privacy. We appreciate tip-offs from the public and constructive peer supervision. But, do we need a heritage police? Have officers posted at every corner? Will that stop the problem?”

She said GTWHI’s bottom-up approach is “education and persuasion” – engaging building owners and residents, and earning their trust, to educate them on conservation.

Through its networking, GTWHI has been able to get stakeholders to attend seminars and workshops to learn about sustainable tourism and disaster risk management for the heritage city

“Nobody notices the work we’ve been doing for years because it’s boring, unlike a dramatic enforcement exercise. If you politicise it, you will get a lot of attention,” said Ang.

George Town losing its heritage?

Mass tourism and its perceived threat to the city’s heritage have been in the local and international media in recent years, but Ang said some of the interviews were skewed, “depending on who you talked to”.

“You need to take in the city from all angles, go through the layers. If you understand George Town, you will see the diversity of its living culture and heritage.”

She said George Town’s “outstanding universal values” and heritage zone boundaries have remained intact for 10 years, and no heritage building in the site has been demolished.

“If we hadn’t been doing well, Unesco wouldn’t be inviting us to attend and speak at their conferences, or join them for projects. We get Unesco funding for sustainable tourism and disaster risk management projects.”

MBPP ‘happy’ with record

On enforcement, MBPP mayor Yew Tung Seang said the council has officers who check if heritage guidelines are followed and a team that investigates complaints of non-compliance.

He said the team checks on and instructs errant owners to stop work and make rectifications if necessary.

“Overall, we are quite happy with what we have achieved. There are very few pre-war houses in neglect now, and we are better organised,” he told The Malaysian Insight. – July 7, 2018.