“The Government will provide an allocation of RM50 million for conservation works of heritage sites in Malacca and Penang, to support activities undertaken by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and [the] private sector.”
Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi during his 2009 budget speech in Parliament. The former prime minister, who was also finance minister, referred to Malacca and Georgetown’s joint listing as Unesco World Heritage Sites in July 2008 as a reflection of “global recognition of our rich and diversified cultural heritage”. (Source: Full Text of PM’s Budget Speech, The Malaysian Bar, 29 Aug 2008)
“Malacca, which was inscribed as a Unesco World Heritage Site together with Georgetown last year, has already received the RM25 million allocation (from the Information, Communications and Culture Ministry) but Penang did not receive anything.”
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng urging the federal government to release Penang’s portion of the RM50 million allocated under the federal budget. Lim said that the money was needed to implement conservation programmes.
Penang also needs to submit a special area plan to the World Heritage Committee by 1 Feb 2011. This will likely be followed by a Unesco inspection of the two sites to review their status. (Source: Release promised funds, Lim urges federal govt, theSun, 3 Sept 2009)
Earlier this year, Georgetown and Malacca risked being downgraded from its joint heritage status due to the approval of four high-rise buildings in Georgetown’s heritage area.
“There has been a misconception; there is no allocation in that matter…It was within the purview of the Heritage Department to spend some money for repairs [in Malacca] and certain basic administrative costs…it will be on the same basis [for Penang] but now our financial situation is not good, so we cannot allocate this year.”
Information, Communications and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim denying that any money was ever allocated to Georgetown for conservation. Rais claimed that the ministry had done conservation work in Malacca but had not granted the state any cash. (Source: RM25 million grant for Penang “does not exist”, theSun, 10 Sept 2009)
“Penang is not getting the treatment it deserves.”
Lim, lamenting that the federal government has undertaken only nine conservation projects in Penang as compared to 49 in Malacca. (Source: George Town’s new heritage predicament, theSun, 10 Sept 2009)
“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.”
Lim’s office, upon hearing that Rais had denied that any money was allocated to Georgetown and Malacca. (Source: RM25 million grant for Penang “does not exist“, theSun, 10 Sept 2009)
“Since the money has already been given to Khazanah, I hope the Federal Government will consider giving the state government RM25mil for our conservation projects.”
Penang local government, traffic management and environment committee chairperson Chow Kon Yeow. Finance Minister II Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Nor Yakcop had told Chow and Lim on 17 Sept 2009 that the RM25 million had been given to Khazanah Nasional, despite Rais’s earlier claims. Chow said that ideally, the money should have been channelled to the Penang government as custodians of the state. (Source: Money for Unesco site with Khazanah, The Star, 20 Sept 2009) 
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ganesh says
Double standards in 1Malaysia as always.
Liew says
Ganesh, to say this is double standards is understatement. More likely reason is the BN wants its own people to handle the money. No need for any more elaboration on this.
jenk says
If our “financial situation is not so good”, how did RM1b get allocated for er… motor sports?
People First says
If the federal government continues to treat PR-governed states as foreign countries and deny funds to these states, then the tax payers of these states should pay their taxes to the states rather than to the federal government. The whole episode shows the immaturity […] of BN leaders.
Malaysia says
It is sad that the BN government still [has] not learned the lesson and [is acting in] the same old way. They still do not know that “government is not BN”. All the funds and resources belong to Malaysians. The recent investigation by Selcat of the Selangor state government shows the competency of state officers and how the funds were being misused. Can you find the accountability and transparency? I just [want to say]: “Back to school to learn”!