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The Star
08-07-2025
- The Star
Historical buildings, associations in Penang open their doors
Chow (second from left) joining children in a game of 'congkak'. PART of the George Town Heritage Celebrations (GTHC) were the George Town Heritage Walk and Historic Building Open House. The walk took place early on Sunday, the second day of the celebrations, and saw around 2,000 participants flagged off from Beach Street before they took a 5km stroll around the city. The route went past some of the city's most iconic landmarks including Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Komtar, Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park and Beach Street Central Fire Station. The Historic Building Open House was held on Monday to mark Heritage Day in Penang and had eight venues opening their doors to the public. Chow (second from left) joining children in a game of 'congkak'. A steady stream of visitors stopped by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) to learn about its heritage conservation efforts, before proceeding to the nearby Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh. Among them was Sarinande Mansor, who took the ferry from Seberang Jaya on Penang mainland for the event. 'Some of these buildings are not usually open to visitors, so it was a rare opportunity to visit, see their architecture and learn about their histories. 'The past can teach us a lot and I intend to visit all eight venues if time permits.' The other six were Kwangtung and Tengchow Association, Makam Dato Koyah, Nam Hooi Wooi Koon, St George's Church, Sun Wui Wui Koon and Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Temple. Participants being flagged off from Beach Street during the 5km George Town Heritage Walk as part of GTHC 2025. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said GTHC reflected the state government's desire for a community-driven approach to heritage conservation. 'Heritage is more than the preservation of buildings. It's about the people, memory, identity and shared purpose. 'Through storytelling, music, crafts, food and exhibitions, we've shown that George Town is not only a heritage site but a thriving, living heritage community. 'The people are the living bridge between the city's rich history and its bright future,' he said prior to touring the open houses together with other state leaders. Reflecting on another successful celebration, GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said it had been a constant journey of growth. (GTWHI acts as site manager for George Town Unesco World Heritage Site). 'We focused on capacity building this year. We hope to better connect our world with visitors and build new narratives,' she said. 'We chose the theme 'Doors and Doorways' to reflect this transition. 'More than just entrances, doors served as passages to discover stories, aspirations and values that define the lifeway of communities in George Town. 'Big journeys start from small steps and I'm sure we're together on the right path as shared custodians of the city,' she said, expressing her gratitude to the 40 community partners and over 800 team members and volunteers.
The Star
08-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
George Town keeps history alive with two initiatives
Restoration underway: The location of the new initiative of Relic at Gat Lebuh Aceh. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star GEORGE TOWN: Heritage is not just about preserving old buildings – it is about sustaining the communities and cultures that breathe life into them. And two key initiatives – the George Town Heritage Research, Education and Learning International Centre (GTH-Relic) and the Cultural Heritage Hub (CH²) – are planned to keep history alive. Both initiatives are by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), which is chaired by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow. ALSO READ: Capital city's crumbling heritage Relic is a dedicated centre for research, training, and global collaboration in heritage conservation while CH² is will be a new platform to drive creative industries, cultural entrepreneurship, and community participation within the World Heritage Site, said Chow. CH² will also enable entrepreneurs to explore how to improve their businesses in the world heritage sites. Under Relic, GTWHI will be responsible in arranging programmes specifically for research and also training to improve and find more ways to preserve heritage buildings. Relic itself will be housed in a historic building at the junction of Gat Lebuh Aceh and Lebuh Victoria. 'The building, formerly a godown, will be transformed into a dynamic centre for heritage education and learning. It will cater to schoolchildren, local residents, artisans, NGOs and heritage professionals,' he said after an event in Lebuh Aceh to celebrate Heritage Day yesterday. CH² – a creative economy project – involves the restoration of eight shophouses near the historic mosque in Lebuh Acheh. Some of the buildings, which were damaged in a fire several years ago, are being revived to support creative entrepreneurship and cultural enterprises. Chow said RM11mil has been allocated for the restoration and programme development of Relic while restoration work for CH² will cost RM4mil. Both projects are scheduled for completion in 2026. Meanwhile, GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said the Relic project houses four core components: an interpretative centre, a heritage lab, a heritage materials bank and a cultural heritage embassy. 'The centre aims to offer inclusive programming for all age groups, from children to academics, while maintaining financial sustainability through fee-based access and public-private collaborations,' she said. Ang said both initiatives reflect the state's broader commitment to sustainability and inclusive heritage development. The long-term goal, she said, is to build a sustainable model that balances public accessibility with financial viability. 'Some programmes will be open to the public, while others may involve minimal fees, but the core focus remains: education, heritage, and building a vibrant, creative future for George Town,' she said. At the ceremony earlier, 40 community partners received certificates of appreciation for their participation in the three-day George Town Unesco World Heritage Day celebrations. Among the community partners were the Penang Muslim League, Malaysian-German Society, Penang Island City Council, Penang Hindu Association and Malaysian-Japanese Society. 'This year's celebration has exceeded expectations, drawing over 20,000 visitors. 'As the Historic Building Open Houses continue today, the spirit of engagement and cultural pride is as vibrant as ever,' he said before visiting Masjid Kapitan Keling. Chow said a total of RM18.5mil has been allocated in repair incentives, benefiting 52 Category I and 323 Category II heritage buildings. He added that GTWHI had also installed 10 AED units across the heritage zone to enhance safety in the dense urban core.
Malay Mail
07-07-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
Penang breathes new life into century-old godowns with heritage centre plan
GEORGE TOWN, July 7 — Two dilapidated godowns along Victoria Street, left in disrepair after a land dispute in 2019, will be restored and turned into the George Town Heritage Research, Education and Learning International Centre (GTH-Relic). Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the building will be restored with an RM11 million budget and handed over to George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) to manage. The godowns, now overgrown with trees and bushes behind blue hoarding, were at the centre of a legal dispute between the state and the landowner in 2019. The state had initially planned to restore the buildings at No 161 and No 165 Victoria Street as an extension of the Centre for Creative Animation Triggers (CAT) in 2017. The godowns were left bare for years with only their red brick walls intact and a makeshift roof protecting them from the elements. In the 19th century, the buildings faced the waterfront and served as accommodation for Chinese immigrants en route to the tin mines in southern Thailand. Later, they were used as storage and distribution centres for goods in the late 1900s. Now that the state has won an appeal in the land case, the godowns will be transformed into a heritage research and education centre under GTWHI's management. Restoration works are underway at the eight shophouses along Acheh Street, owned by Lim Kongsi, to be turned into a cultural heritage hub. — Picture by Opalyn Mok Chow said the centre aims to promote heritage education among residents, artisans, NGOs, professionals and related organisations both locally and abroad. 'GTWHI has often been given the recognition as one of the best World Heritage Site managers in Southeast Asia so this will become a learning centre for the region as well,' he said. GTWHI is also open to collaborating with other organisations on its education programmes, Chow added. He was speaking to reporters after attending the George Town Heritage Celebrations community appreciation ceremony today. GTWHI general manager Ang Ming Chee said the organisation is in the process of securing permits before beginning restoration, which would hopefully start next year. GTH-Relic will include four core elements: an interpretative centre, a heritage laboratory, a heritage material bank, and a cultural heritage embassy, Ang explained. 'It's all-inclusive with different targets, from children to professionals to the residents and to the visitors,' she said, adding that some programmes will have fees to ensure financial sustainability. Meanwhile, plans are underway to create a new Cultural Heritage Hub (CH²) at a row of eight pre-war shophouses on Acheh Street. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (second from left) and Tanjung MP Lim Hui Ying (left) visit Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh during the historic building open house in George Town, on July 7, 2025. — Picture by Opalyn Mok Ang said GTWHI will work with Lim Kongsi, the building owner, on the restoration of the burned-down shophouses. The hub, costing around RM4 million, will serve as a platform for the local creative industry and cultural entrepreneurs. She said the restoration is expected to be completed by the first quarter of next year. The hub will feature an interpretative centre, a shared capacity-building space, and a creative economy incubation centre. The incubation centre will encourage collaboration between local entrepreneurs and young designers to develop new products. Lim Kongsi vice-president Datuk Lawrence Lim confirmed that the shophouses had burned down several years ago. 'Restoration works are ongoing and after completion, we will hand over to GTWHI to manage the cultural heritage hub,' he said. George Town today marks its 17th year as a Unesco World Heritage Site. This year's George Town Heritage Celebrations spanned three days from July 5 to 7, featuring workshops, dances, a heritage walk, and open houses at historic buildings. Chow said the open houses allowed the public to learn about heritage associations and organisations that have shaped George Town's culture for generations. He expressed hope that more heritage groups will be included in next year's celebrations so the public can continue to explore local cultural heritage.
New Straits Times
02-07-2025
- New Straits Times
George Town swings open 'Doors and Doorways' to celebrate 17 years as Unesco World Heritage Site
GEORGE TOWN: George Town is all set to throw open its doors — literally and figuratively — to mark its 17th anniversary as a Unesco World Heritage Site with the George Town Heritage Celebrations (GTHC) 2025, themed "Doors and Doorways". Organised by George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), the three-day festival from July 5 to 7 promises a colourful mix of cultural workshops, storytelling, historic tours and community participation, aimed at celebrating the living soul of one of Malaysia's most iconic heritage cities. "Seventeen is a bold age. It is a time of transformation, of becoming. "That is the spirit of this year's celebration — looking back at our journey and stepping confidently into new spaces of heritage storytelling," said GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee when unveiling the GTHC 2025 recently. The joint inscription of Melaka and George Town, the historic cities of the Straits of Malacca, as a Unesco World Heritage Site on July 7, 2008 was based on the Outstanding Universal Value of cultural diversity embodied and embedded in living heritage and built heritage. Melaka and George Town are remarkable examples of historic colonial towns on the Straits of Malacca that demonstrate a succession of historical and cultural influences arising from their former function as trading ports linking East and West. The festival will open this Saturday with a Cultural Workshops Day featuring 29 hands-on sessions and live performances across George Town's heritage precincts. From 6pm to 10pm, visitors will have the chance to learn traditional crafts, explore Penang's multilingual culture and enjoy culinary demonstrations. An estimated 18,000 participants are expected. On Sunday, early risers can take part in the popular George Town Heritage Walk, a 5km family-friendly walk starting at 7am. The event, which anticipates 2,000 participants, offers an immersive experience through the city's heritage quarters. The celebration continues on Monday with the Historic Building Open Day, from 9am to 5pm. Eight historic buildings, including St George's Church, Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh and Makam Dato Koyah, will open their doors to the public. Visitors can explore their storied halls and meet the people behind their preservation — all beneficiaries of GTWHI's Repair Incentives Programme. "These buildings are not just relics. They are anchors to our past and mirrors of our collective identity," said Ang. This year's theme, "Doors and Doorways", represents not just physical thresholds but also the intangible ones that connect stories, people and generations. "Behind every door in George Town lies a story waiting to be shared — about migration, craftsmanship, language, family or faith. "We want to deepen our community's capacity to tell these stories and ensure that heritage is experienced, not just seen," Ang said. State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai described the GTHC 2025 as a symbol of cultural maturity. "Seventeen is an age where we start asking bold questions and finding new ways to express who we are. "This celebration is more than an event — it is a movement that lets our communities lead, tell their stories and keep heritage alive through innovation." Wong said the state government is committed to supporting cultural tourism as a driver of Penang's creative economy and international appeal. As the countdown begins, GTWHI is inviting all — families, students, visitors and long-time Penangites — to take part in this year's festival. "Whether you are attending a workshop, walking the streets or just listening to stories, you will be part of something meaningful. "Come open a door — you never know what you will find behind it," said Ang.
Malay Mail
20-06-2025
- General
- Malay Mail
How a former maternity hospital, clinic and pharmacy became the shining example of heritage restoration in George Town
GEORGE TOWN, June 21 — Fronting the corner of Lebuh Acheh and Carnarvon Street is an imposing British colonial white building with modern touches and Straits Chinese influences. The architectural style of the imposing double-storey building straddling the corner of two streets is almost similar to that of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building, the former Majestic Theatre and Loke Thye Kee building at the junction of Burmah Road and Penang Road. This is because the building, currently the office of George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), was designed by the same man – the prominent Straits Chinese architect Chew Eng Eam – back in 1922. Chew's signature style is evident in the symmetrical facade, decorative pilasters and cornices and louvered windows that reflect a blend of Straits Eclectic architecture and British colonial influences. The building was originally built to house the Universal Dispensary and a medical clinic for Dr Ong Huck Chye. There was also a maternity hospital on the second floor of the building. It is unclear when the maternity hospital, clinic or pharmacy shuttered but a picture taken sometime in the late 1970s to early 1980s showed the main building vacant and in a dilapidated condition while the adjoining building housed a hairdressing salon. An old photo of the building taken in the 1980s. — Picture courtesy of GTWHI Sometime in 2002, the main building and its adjoining building, 116 and 118 Lebuh Acheh, were renovated and Penang Heritage Centre moved into the building. After George Town was jointly inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site with Melaka in 2008, the Penang Heritage Centre was renamed as World Heritage Office. It was only on April 21 in 2010 that GTWHI was formed to manage, safeguard and promote the world heritage site. The building underwent a massive restoration in 2019, not merely to restore it to its former glory but also as an example of restoration in accordance with heritage guidelines. The restoration was completed in 2021 and it now serves as the office for GTWHI and also as a model for heritage restoration. GTWHI Senior Cultural Heritage Officer Ng Xin Yi said the restoration took longer to complete due to the pandemic but they managed to keep the costs low, at RM1.8 million for both 116 and 118, to show that restoration costs of heritage buildings can be kept reasonably low. She also said some of the features in the restored office were intentionally left exposed, such as the steel beams installed to stabilise the structure, as a showcase of best practices in restoration. The ground floor of the office also features a mosaic of different colourful tiles of varying designs and patterns, similar to those found in many of the pre-war buildings all around George Town. Materials used for the restoration were also kept strictly as near to the original heritage materials as possible: lime wash to paint the walls to ensure breathability, timber for the wood flooring on the second floor and the staircase, stone for the stoop below the staircase and terracotta tiles for the roof and floors. The building underwent a massive restoration in 2019, not merely to restore it to its former glory but also as an example of restoration in accordance with heritage guidelines. — Picture courtesy of GTWHI 'This building is a model for other building owners to see how they can apply these features to their buildings,' she said. Interestingly, due to George Town being originally swampy before the British cleared it, walls of pre-war houses in the inner city tend to 'sweat' from dampness that leads to mould and peeling paint. Xin Yi said the way to resolve this is to install an aeration model on the ground between the inner walls to allow moisture to escape. The aeration model, similar to a narrow drain, will run alongside the length of the inner walls so that moisture will drip down instead of being trapped on the walls. In GTWHI's office, several panels of display glass were installed on top of the aeration drainage system to showcase how it was done. GTWHI's building is listed as a Category II heritage building and it is one of the eight buildings that will open their doors to the public for the Historic Building Open House programme during heritage celebrations on July 7. GTWHI Manager of the Department of Cultural Heritage Research and Development Ng Boon Nee said GTWHI will be open to the public for a visit and they will be taken on a tour of the building on that day. Similarly, the public can visit the seven other historic buildings under the programme and community volunteers will give guided tours of the buildings while explaining the significance of the organisation and buildings. 'The open house programme is to raise awareness, appreciation of local heritage and to promote storytelling and community engagement,' Boon Nee said. She said the aim of the programme is to empower the community to be able to continue with guided tours of their respective historic buildings as a way to generate income to maintain the buildings. 'We want them to be self-sustainable and this is also a way to encourage dialogue and foster cultural exchange,' she said.
