Penang to assess structural safety of heritage buildings after Armenian Street incident

PETALING JAYA (Aug 6): Penang will conduct a statewide assessment of the structural safety of heritage buildings following Tuesday's (Aug 4) incident on Armenian Street in George Town, where debris fell from a heritage shophouse and injured two Sri Lankan tourists.

State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jason H'ng Mooi Lye said the state government would discuss with the National Heritage Department the appointment of an independent engineer to assess heritage buildings and identify those that are unsafe or at risk.

"Once the study is completed, the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) may issue notices to owners of the identified buildings requiring them to undertake the necessary restoration works," he told Bernama on Wednesday (Aug 5).

The incident occurred after a wooden beam and concrete debris fell from a heritage building on Armenian Street. Preliminary inspections indicated the collapse was caused by termite damage.

The injured tourists, Sri Lankan nationals Mohamad Ammtar, 66, and Fatimah, 55, received initial treatment at the scene before being taken to Penang Hospital for further treatment. H'ng said the male victim had since been discharged, while Fatimah remained under observation and was scheduled to undergo a computed tomography (CT) scan to assess the extent of her injuries.

H'ng said preserving the heritage value of buildings must not come at the expense of public safety. While conservation works should retain the original character and structure of heritage buildings, he said more durable and safer alternative materials should be considered where original materials, such as timber, are no longer suitable.

Separately, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and MBPP had been instructed to issue advisories to owners of heritage buildings across the state.

He said the incident underscored the importance of ensuring the structural safety of ageing and heritage buildings to help prevent similar occurrences.

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