GEORGE TOWN: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has given RM55mil to Penang and Melaka for the preservation and management of their Unesco world heritage status.
Under the Budget 2023 funding, both states will get RM25mil each, with Melaka getting an additional RM5mil to promote its Visit Melaka 2024 campaign.
Penang’s caretaker Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state has been working hard to strengthen the Universal Excellence Value of the site since being accorded the status on July 7, 2008.
He said there are 5,013 buildings (82 Category I and 3,771 Category II heritage buildings) within the Unesco World Heritage Site of George Town.
“Although preserving and maintaining these buildings is full of challenges, we remain committed to ensuring this valuable heritage asset remains preserved.
“Over the last 15 years, Penang has spent at least RM150mil on conservation, preservation, upgrading, repair, documentation, promotion, community empowerment activities and site management,” he said.
Chow said Penang has also set up George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) in 2010 to ensure the tangible and intangible treasures can be managed in the best possible way.
“Through the implementation of various successful community-based conservation projects, GTWHI has received recognition as one of the best exemplary World Heritage Site managers in Asia Pacific by Unesco,” he said in his speech during a mock cheque presentation ceremony at the E&O Hotel on Friday.
Melaka Chief Minister Datuk Seri Ab Rauf Yusoh, who was also present, said the Melaka World Heritage Site involves an area of 288.1ha.
“Melaka remains a historic city in the Strait of Melaka built over 600 years ago.
“A lot of Asian and European influences have been absorbed in this city, which has a diverse cultural heritage in tangible and intangible forms,” he said.
On the Visit Melaka 2024 promotion, Ab Rauf said the state is expecting between 15 million and 18.7 million visitors.
The mock cheques were presented by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing.
