Penang govt wants Kg Tanjung Tokong to be a heritage site
Last updated on 30 January 2012 - 06:54pm
GEORGE TOWN (Jan 30, 2012): The state government is in discussion with UDA Holdings Bhd which wants to develop land occupied by the 250-year old Kampung Tanjung Tokong in Penang, to have it conserved as a heritage site.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng expressed hope that UDA, formerly known as the Urban Development Authority under the Prime Minister’s Department ,will respect the state’s wish to preserve the oldest Malay village in the state.
“They have refused to recognise Kampung Tanjung Tokong as a heritage village,” he said today.
“We hope UDA can respect the state government’s wishes just as we have to respect UDA as the landowner.”
On Nov 3 last year Lim had told the Penang State Assembly that the state government has decided to classify the village as a heritage site.
The move has been welcomed by residents being told to move out including activist Mohd Salleh Yahaya who said there is potential to turn the village into a historical and cultural enclave with proper facilities for visitors.
The village existed as a fishing settlement even before the former British colonialists first landed in Penang in 1786.
Speaking at a press conference, Lim said the classification was a first step to preserve the village or at least ensure some identity of the settlement is maintained.
He noted, however, that the federal government, which owns UDA, does not recognise the state’s heritage classification.
“This is no ordinary landowner. UDA is the federal government,” he said.
“We hope there can be some compromise and agreement on this matter. We cannot allow the problem to drag on,” he added.
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