George Town - The state`s three-day Unesco World Heritage Site listing celebration got off to a colourful and festive start with a large multiracial crowd touring George Town`s most famous cultural and religious landmarks.
In true muhibbah spirit, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng led his exco members, tourists, media representatives, and students on a walkabout of the `Street of Harmony`.
Starting from the majestic City Hall at the Esplanade, they made their way to the Church of The Assumption, St George`s Church, Goddess of Mercy Temple, Sri Maha Mariamman Temple, Teochew Temple, Masjid Kapitan Keling and Masjid Melayu Lebuh Acheh.
At every house of worship, the group received a “blessed welcome”, with ringing bells, pipe organ music, nadeswaram (Indian trumpet), the sweet smell of burning incense and thanksgiving prayers conducted by the various religious leaders.
Local and foreign tourists who joined the walk described it as “fantastic” and awesome”.
At a press conference, Lim announced that the State Heritage Steering Committee would be set up in “about a week” to execute the World Heritage Site Management Plan.
"Hopefully, the preservation and conservation of our heritage will get the support of everyone including the federal government, corporate sector and individuals. Only then can our efforts be successful," he said adding that despite limited resources, the state was committed to the restoration of heritage buildings.
Asked about his conservation plan for the state`s living heritage, Lim said he could not "force" people to come back to live in the inner city.
"It must be a natural process but this is something the steering committee will look into," he said, adding that Penangites should be proud that they "own a piece of history". By CHRISTINA CHIN and ANDREA FLMER
Source: http://thestar.com.my (July 25, 2008)