The Penang government recently came under fire for approving the demolition of several heritage buildings on the island, to make way for the development of the Island Medical City (IMC) expansion project.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said that there were no special requirements that prohibits demolition of heritage buildings outside the Unesco heritage zones.

Meanwhile, city council mayor Yew Tung Seang said that the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) would assess the value of the buildings, apart from their current conditions, before deciding on demolition applications.