Well said Mr. Mark A. Lay from George Town Heritage Action FB

Countless heritage buildings in this country have been demolished for the sake of financial profit through real estate development.

It is a damning track record.

There appears to be only one operative equation – that of huge profits. In light of today’s experience, knowledge and aspirations, it should not always be a foregone conclusion that when there is a choice between heritage conservation and real estate development, development is favoured, especially when it generates income for the Local Authority.

Given that Penang has a World Heritage Site, the powers that be should act to protect our common legacies for future generations and rule in favour of protecting our non-renewable cultural assets.

The Local Authority should reserve its judgement on the demolition of any site that is thought to have heritage value until it has exhausted all avenues to ensure its survival and not rule in favour of demolition at the first instance when the proposition is presented to it for consideration.

Penang needs to learn from its past demolition disasters.