The Penang government is now seeking public feedback on a replacement of the George Town World Heritage Site Special Area Plan, which is due for a review next year.

State Housing, Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said the state was now in the midst of preparing the replacement Special Area Plan (SAP) for the heritage site.

“We are welcoming input from various parties as it is important for us to continue to move forward.

“It is a process of improving and upgrading the SAP for the heritage site for the betterment of the people.

“For instance, the replacement SAP will ensure a sustainable development of the heritage site.

“A committee will be formed to collect the proposals and suggestions from the public before incorporating some of them into the draft SAP.

“That’s why the feedback is important for us to come out with the draft SAP by April next year,” he said after attending the launching of the World Town Planning Day in Komtar today.

The George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), which is the site manager, has begun the process of reviewing the SAP.

Jagdeep added that the SAP would be reviewed every five years. It was last gazetted in 2016 and is due for review in 2021.

PLANMalaysia Penang director Robi Desa said the draft SAP would be posted online for public viewing once it is finalised.

“We have no choice but to display it online during the current pandemic,” she said, pointing out that a consultant had been appointed for the draft replacement SAP.

The feedback could be made at http://jpbd.penang.gov.my.

Also present were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee and Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI) deputy general manager S. Bharathi.

Source: Buletin Mutiara