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Fri, 03 Sep 2010
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 NEWS WITHOUT BORDERS :: Local News |
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RM25 million grant for Penang "does not exist"
by Himanshu Bhatt and Eva Yeong
KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 10, 2009): The federal government has said there was a “misconception” that it had allocated RM25 million grant to Penang for heritage conservation.
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Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim |
Lim Guan Eng | Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said such an allocation for George Town, after it had been conferred World Heritage Site status by Unesco last year, did not exist.
“There has been a misconception; there is no allocation in that matter,” he said during a press conference yesterday. “I have arranged for the chief minister to get an official letter from the commissioner of heritage.”
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng had sent Rais a letter on Aug 27, saying the state needed the funds for conservation and research, and for critical plans it is required to submit to Unesco by Feb 1, 2011.
Unesco is expected inspect George Town and Malacca, which share joint heritage listing, to review their status after the deadline.
The Penang government had also submitted its implementation proposal for the money to federal Heritage Commissioner Datuk Prof Zuraina Majid on March 24.
Lim has said Malacca has already been given its RM25 million.
Rais said the ministry had carried out some heritage conservation work in Malacca, but had not granted the state any cash.
“It was within the purview of the Heritage Department to spend some money for repairs and certain basic administrative costs,” he added.
He said the ministry would continue with conservation works in both states when the economic situation improves.
“On future projects for Penang... I will explain to the chief minister ... it will be on the same basis,” he said.
“But for now our financial situation is not good, so we cannot allocate this year.
“I hope to be following this matter again next year. The Heritage Department will further review the situation,” he said.
He said the ministry had acquired a few properties in Penang, including a Peranakan mansion, and repaired some heritage buildings at Acheen Street and other places.
On Nov 22, 2008, then prime minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi had confirmed a RM50 million allocation from Budget 2009 for George Town and Malacca, to the (then known as) Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry.
Lim, who was away as a panelist at the World Economic Forum at Dalian, China, was reportedly furious when informed by his aides after theSun contacted his office for comment.
“If there is no RM50 million as promised, it shows the federal government does not care about the heritage status and does not value Unesco’s recognition,” a preliminary response from his office said.
It noted that Abdullah had promised RM50 million to both Malacca and George Town, especially during the ceremony celebrating the Unesco inscription in KL.
Lim urged the federal government to be responsible, and play its part to preserve, protect and promote heritage in Penang and George Town.
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Updated: 07:50PM Thu, 10 Sep 2009
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