Tourists and Penangites have given the thumbs up to Tuesday's announcement of Georget Town obtaining the World Heritage Status from United Nations Educations, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco).
Australian tourists Kate Beckett, 30, and her boyfriend Jamie Wallis, 36, said it was important to preserve the cultural sights in Penang.
They had visited the clan jetties, E&0 Hotel, Fort Cornwallis and Goddess of Mercy temple.
Steve Teper, 59, from the United States said he found George Town a great city, adding that the announcement was just fabulous.
“George Town deserves to be listed and I enjoy visiting the heritage buildings in the city,” he said.
Australian tourist Elizabeth Ayders, 57, hoped for more heritage buildings to be retained.
“It is a pity to see some of the heritage buildings being demolished and blocks going up.
“These are the old colonial buildings that should be kept as part of history,’’ she said.
School teacher Dorothy Ramplin, 65, said some new buildings were ugly.
“I prefer the heritage buildings, especially the Cheong Fatt Tze mansion,” said the Australian tourist.
IT manager Frederic Misheletti, 35, who came from France with his family and friends said George Town was a great city which deserved to be preserved.
“Congratulations to the people of George Town,” he said.
Artist Alex Leong, 39, who loves to draw heritage buildings, said:
“I love Penang very much especially the heritage buildings, which is why I draw them so that I can still see them some day when they’re gone,” he said.
On Monday evening, Unesco accorded George Town and Malacca World Heritage Sites status when the Paris-based World Heritage Council met in Quebec, Canada.
Among the historical sites in George Town are Lebuh Acheh historical enclave, Lebuh Acheh Malay Mosque, Jalan Mesjid Kapitan Kling Mosque, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Khoo Kongsi, St George’s Church, Assumption Church, St Xavier's Institution, Convent Light Street, Little India, the museum and court building, the commercial area of Beach Street, Fort Cornwallis, Esplanade, City Hall, the clan jetties and the port areas. - By ANN TAN (The Star)
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