GEORGE TOWN, June 6 — After nearly two decades of being recognised as a Unesco World Heritage Site, Penang is now in a stronger position to manage and preserve George Town due to various efforts undertaken since the recognition on July 7, 2008.

Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the 18-year journey was not easy as the state government faced various challenges, especially in the first five years after George Town was recognised as a World Heritage Site.

However, he said that continuous efforts involving the implementation of legal provisions, development planning controls, and cooperation among various stakeholders have successfully elevated the management of the heritage site to a more mature level.

“Today we are increasingly confident as the managers of a world heritage site because we have established the relevant legal provisions, have a specific Special Area Plan, and also an agency that manages this site, namely George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI),” he said.

He said this at a press conference for the organisation of the George Town Heritage Celebrations (GTHC) 2026 in conjunction with the celebration of George Town’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site here today.

Commenting further, Chow said that efforts to preserve the heritage site are also being driven through the cooperation of GTWHI, the Penang State Heritage Commissioner, and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP), in addition to receiving support from residents, the community and organisations within the heritage site area.

He said that support for the conservation efforts also extends beyond the George Town area, with community involvement from other areas including Balik Pulau and Seberang Perai, in addition to receiving various forms of assistance from the federal government to strengthen the management of the heritage site.

He said that among the initiatives being implemented is the Climate Change Adaptation Project, funded through the World Bank, to enhance the resilience of the world heritage site area against the challenges of climate change.

Commenting on the 18th anniversary of George Town’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site this year, Chow described it as a new level of maturity in the management of the area.

“Entering the 18th year marks that we have reached a more mature phase. Moving forward, we need to be more mature in managing this heritage site, better understand its value, and unite all efforts to jointly preserve this site as a world heritage and state heritage,” he said.

Meanwhile, GTWHI general manager Dr. Ang Ming Chee said that with the theme “Share Stories!”, the GTHC 2026 celebration which will take place from July 4 to 7, will showcase various myths, legends, folktales, and sagas that reflect the diverse cultural heritage of George Town, with the Street Festival as the main programme alongside the Historic Building Open House and George Town Heritage City Walk.

He said that over the four days, 48 community partners will share their stories and cultural traditions through various activities including 33 cultural workshops, eight interactive dance performances, and 12 visits to participating historical buildings. — Bernama

IPOH, June 4 — Researchers have discovered a new species of wild ginger, Alpinia lenggongensis, in Lenggong, a finding that further underscores Perak’s rich biodiversity and natural heritage, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad said today.

He said the species was discovered by researchers from Universiti Putra Malaysia and Universiti Malaysia Kelantan.

“Perak is fortunate to be blessed with unique natural treasures in terms of geology, flora and fauna, and this discovery demonstrates that the state’s forests continue to harbour valuable biodiversity.

“The discovery of this species in the Bintang Range, Lenggong, at an elevation of about 400 to 800 metres above sea level proves that Perak’s forests still hold highly valuable biodiversity treasures,” he said in his speech at the state-level International Forest Day celebration at the Perak Darul Ridzuan Building here.

Saarani said Alpinia lenggongensis is typically found growing along riverbanks, between eight and 20 metres from the river’s edge.

“It is uniquely identified by its translucent bracteoles and elongated petioles, or leaf stalks,” he added.

He said the discovery further strengthened Lenggong’s position as a unique destination rich in nature, history and knowledge.

Saarani noted that Lenggong is now among the few locations to hold two UNESCO recognitions.

“Lenggong has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 2012 and was officially recognised as the Lenggong Unesco Global Geopark on April 27, 2026,” he said.

GEORGE TOWN, June 5 — The Penang State Health Department (JKNPP) has issued 597 notices for smoking within the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site here, through 114 enforcement operations since 2022.

State Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the world heritage site was gazetted as a smoke-free zone since 2015 and is now subjected to the Control of Smoking Products for Public Health Act 2024 (Act 852).

“Throughout last year, 106 notices were issued. However, that number has increased this year, with 127 notices issued so far, surpassing the previous year’s total.

“In view of this, we will continue to step up monitoring and enforcement to ensure compliance with the stipulated regulations,” he told reporters after launching the Penang Smoke-Free (PENBAR) promotional materials at the George Town World Heritage Site here today.

Gooi said the increase in notices shows some individuals still fail to comply with the ban despite ongoing educational and advocacy efforts.

He said under Act 852, individuals found smoking in smoke-free zones can face a compound fine of RM250 for each offence.

“We understand that alongside continuous public education, enforcement action must be taken to ensure compliance within the George Town World Heritage Site,” he said.

He added that the state government and JKNPP are intensifying public awareness by installing more promotional materials and warning boards.

Gooi said besides the George Town Heritage Site, several other locations in Penang have also been gazetted as smoke-free zones under Act 852, namely the Jalan Utama Municipal Park, Jalan Air Terjun Botanical Gardens, Air Itam Dam, and Teluk Bahang Dam on the island.

On the mainland, the ban covers the Mengkuang Dam in Berapit and the Ampang Jajar Town Park.

Earlier, Gooi and 70 personnel from the JKNPP Enforcement Division distributed campaign leaflets at premises and fitted banners and special sunshades on trishaws to boost tourist awareness of the smoking ban within the heritage zone. — Bernama