"This plan will enable us to protect, preserve and promote the heritage characteristics of George Town as a Unesco World Heritage site," said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.

He added the proposed plan will include six enclaves, which includes the Civic Area, Cultural Enclave, Weld Quay Waterfront Redevelopment Area, Financial District, Business Enclabe and an administration centre in Komtar.

Also in the proposal are a series of Pedestrian Nodes; walkways which will connect various tourist attractions and heritage sites in George Town.

Lim said they want the opinions of the public, NGOs and other parties on the plan so that it will be a good one.

MPPP has also completed six urban upgrading projects in Campbell Street, Beach Street, Little India, Lebuh Acheh & Lebuh Armenian, Penang Gold Bazaar and Upper Penang Road, which would help facilitate the proposed urban design plan.

Lim said the map and details of the plan will be uploaded onto the MPPP website (www.mppp.gov.my) to solicit public feedback.

"There will be plans for forum and dialogue sessions on the matter," he said, adding that the state will give a time-frame of not less than six months to gather and evaluate feedback.

He told reporters this at a press conference at the Tanjong DAP Chinese New Year Open House held at Lee Si Chong Soo Building this afternoon.

Among those at the open house included Lim's wife Betty Chew, state exco members Chow Kon Yeow and Lim Hock Seng, Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik, Pangkalan Kota assemblyman Lau Keng Ee, Padang Lalang assemblyman Michael Tan, Bukit Mertajam MP Chong Eng, Penang Chinese Town Hall president Tan Sri Lim Gait Tong and Real Estate and Housing Developers’ Association (Redha) chairman Datuk Jerry Chan.

Lim, who is also DAP secretary-general, said there are no major retrenchments by manufacturing companies in the state.

"Although there are factories closing down in other states like Malacca or Sarawak, it is not happening here yet," he said, adding that the state government is however preparing for a worst case scenario.

He said there are still investors coming into the state. "Two weeks back, a local company which produces biodegradable plates invested RM100 million for the span of four years, and B. Braun Medical Industries recently announced they will invest RM 300 million on its plant in Penang over the next five years."