Penang to make Sept 16 a public holiday

The Star
Tuesday September 2, 2008

GEORGE TOWN: Penang will declare Sept 16 a public holiday – but it will probably not happen this year.

Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the day would definitely be made a public holiday, but only from next year.

September 16 marks the anniversary of Malaysia’s formation as it was the day when Sabah and Sarawak joined the country in 1963.

The way to world heritage listing

Source : The Star Wednesday July 9, 2008

THE path towards World Heritage Site listing for George Town and Malacca was gruelling and at times controversial.

1. St Paul's Church located on top of St Paul's Hill.2. Various tourist spots can be found in the City Centre. 3. A row of old shophouses along the river in Malacca.

The perseverance of the state governments of Malacca and Penang as well as the Federal Government paid off after 10 years when the two towns received approval to be listed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco) World Heritage List in Quebec, Canada, on Monday.

1. The Kapitan Keling Mosque.2. The brightly lit Town Hall building at the Esplanade.3. The Khoo Kongsi at Cannon Square.

1988 – Malaysia ratifies the Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage 1972.

1997 – Then Culture, Arts and Tourism Ministry begins World Heritage Site initiative to get Malacca and George Town nominated as World Heritage Sites.

1998 – George Town and Malacca nominated into a waiting list by Unesco’s World Heritage Centre under two separate nomination dossiers.

2000 – Taman Negara Mulu and Taman Negara Kinabalu listed under World Heritage Sites under the natural heritage category.

2004 – Completed dossiers submitted to World Heritage Centre but rejected as they did not fulfil the format and were deemed incomplete.

2005 – The ministry improves on the dossier to suit requirements by agreeing to both applications under “serial nomination”, where both sites would be granted a joint World Heritage Site title.

2007 – Revised nomination dossiers officially submitted to World Heritage Centre in January. Unesco World Heritage Centre certifies submission as complete in March.

2008 – George Town and Malacca listed as World Heritage Sites.

What it means to be on the list

> The resulting prestige often helps raise awareness among citizens and governments for heritage preservation.

> Greater awareness leads to a general increase in protection and conservation.

> A country may receive financial assistance and expert advice from the World Heritage Committee to support activities for the preservation of its sites.

Source: National Unity, Heritage, Culture and Arts Ministry, http://whc.unesco.org/en/faq

Malacca, Penang cheer listing on world heritage site

Source : The Star Wednesday July 9, 2008

KUALA LUMPUR: The citizens of Malacca and Penang rejoiced as they celebrate the inscription of their state capitals as World Heritage Sites.

Besides an increase awareness and commitment towards heritage conservation, George Town and Malacca should also see a boost in tourism from the new recognition.

MALACCA

Historical site: St Paul’s Church located on top of St Paul’s Hill.

The World Heritage Site covers:

> St Paul’s Hill civic zone with St Paul’s Church, Porta de Santiago (A Famosa) fortress and Stadhuys complex,

Landmarks: Various tourist spots can be found in the City Centre.

> Residential and commercial areas of Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Heeren Street), Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Walk) and adjacent streets, including Harmony Street, and

> The Malacca River.

GEORGE TOWN

Holy ground: The Kapitan Keling Mosque.

The site here covers:

> Waterfront district including the Esplanade and harbour area, Fort Cornwallis, Weld Quay and Beach Street,

> Historical commercial centre, including the “ethnic streets” like Bishop Street and Church Street (Eurasions), China Street (Chinese, and Market and Chulia Streets (Indians), and Little India,

Meeting place: The brightly lit Town Hall building at the Esplanade.

> The guilds and trades precinct including Chulia, Muntri, Leith and adjacent streets,

> Mosque and wakaf enclave of Acheen Street and Kapitan Keling mosques

> Chinese clans enclave with the Khoo, Cheah, Tan, Lim, Yap and Yeoh clan or kongsi houses.