Malacca better than Penang? Guan Eng tells Rais to show proof

GEORGE TOWN - The Penang state government has asked Information, Communications and Culture Minister Dr Rais Yatim to provide evidence to back his claim that Malacca is better than Penang in promoting its arts, culture and heritage.

According to The Star, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng claimed that the statement was politically motivated as even his officers have lauded Penang for work done in promoting heritage since George Town was listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

“Dr Rais should not forget that the state had been deprived of the promised RM25mil funding for being jointly listed with Malacca as a World Heritage Site.

“Malacca received RM30mil and we are criticised for not doing enough for heritage conservation. But despite such discrimination we have made progress in certain key heritage areas,” Lim said in a statement yesterday.

He was commenting on a statement on Saturday by Dr Rais that Penang should take more initiative to promote its heritage.

Lim said the state had established the George Town World Heritage Incorporated and a Heritage Technical Review Panel, and also allocated RM3mil for heritage conservation under its 2011 budget,

“For these reasons, Rais’ allegation of lack of commitment to heritage conservation by the state government is groundless.

“He should instead heed his own advice by not politicising heritage conservation but treat Penang equally with Malacca in terms of funding,” Lim was quoted as saying by The Star.

Lim added that Dr Rais should co-operate rather than confront, and he should also not distort the truth and ignore facts.