Heritage building safety needs enforcement, guidance and funding, says Wong

PETALING JAYA (Aug 8): Penang should combine enforcement, technical guidance and financial assistance to improve the safety of ageing buildings in George Town, rather than relying on enforcement alone, state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said.

His remarks follow the Aug 4 incident on Lebuh Armenian, where debris fell from a heritage shophouse and injured two Sri Lankan tourists. According to a Bulletin Mutiara report, the state has since said it will assess the structural safety of heritage buildings and discuss with the National Heritage Department the appointment of an independent engineer to identify buildings that may be unsafe or structurally at risk.

Wong said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) and George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) should work more closely with property owners, particularly those who may struggle to meet the cost of repair and conservation works.

“It is not only about enforcement. What is needed is more engagement from the local council and George Town World Heritage Incorporated.

“Some owners may not have the financial means to upgrade their buildings. There should be enforcement, advisory services and assistance. All these have to come together,” he told reporters in Seberang Jaya on Thursday (Aug 6).

More than 2,000 pre-war buildings

Wong said George Town has more than 2,000 pre-war buildings, with conservation requirements varying according to a property's heritage classification.

According to Wong, restoration works must comply with the relevant conservation guidelines, including the use of appropriate materials and restoration methods.

“Not every old building is necessarily a heritage building. A building may be more than 100 years old, but it may simply be a pre-war house.

“GTWHI can play a bigger role by working with owners to guide them on how to restore these buildings according to the heritage guidelines, including the materials that should be used,” he said.

He added that restoration costs can be significant, making technical guidance and financial assistance important components of preserving George Town's historic built environment.

Public safety takes priority

Wong said public safety must take precedence where buildings pose structural risks.

He said businesses operating in buildings that pose a danger to the public should not continue operating until the necessary restoration works have been completed.

“If a building endangers public safety, the owners should be advised to cease operations until the necessary restoration works are completed.

“There are laws in place. If they want to reopen and continue operating, they must first restore the building to ensure it is safe,” he said.

He added that MBPP and GTWHI had been instructed to issue advisories to owners of heritage buildings and step up monitoring following the Aug 4 incident.

Wong said local authorities have powers to issue notices, advisories and summonses against owners of vacant or neglected buildings, adding that a combination of enforcement, technical guidance and owner engagement would be needed to improve the long-term safety of George Town's ageing building stock.

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