GEORGE TOWN: More than 3,800 heritage buildings in George Town will undergo visual inspections from this month as authorities step up efforts to monitor structural safety in the Unesco World Heritage Site.
State Local Government and Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye said the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) regularly conducts inventories, inspections and monitoring to detect structural deterioration and safety risks early.
As part of the exercise, MBPP engaged a pest control firm on Sept 11 to conduct visual termite inspections at 3,853 heritage properties, comprising 82 Category I and 3,771 Category II buildings.
The inspections are scheduled to begin this month.
“MBPP is also in the process of appointing a qualified engineering consultancy firm to conduct preliminary assessments and visual structural inspections of Category II heritage buildings to identify damage, structural decay and conditions that could compromise safety,” he told the state legislative assembly.
H’ng was responding to Ong Ah Teong (DAP-Batu Lanchang), who asked about the council’s measures to ensure the safety of ageing buildings and possible action against negligent owners.
To foster cooperation with property owners, MBPP held an engagement session on Sept 19 to outline upkeep responsibilities and safety standards.
Directives were also issued in September instructing Chinese clan associations and non-governmental organisations owning properties in the heritage zone to hire registered professional engineers to assess structural soundness and submit verified reports to the council.
Under current planning guidelines, owners applying for building plans must submit fire and structural safety reports endorsed by a Board of Engineers Malaysia (BEM)-registered engineer prior to plan release.
Owners are also required to conduct safety audits and submit reports whenever structural damage occurs, or at least once every five years.
H’ng said MBPP had also progressively simplified procedures to encourage heritage conservation.
These included removing the Heritage Pre-Consultation Building Plan requirement from Jan 1, 2024, introducing a fee mechanism in lieu of land surrender for road widening from Oct 1, 2025, and streamlining procedures for converting residential properties to commercial use from July 1 this year.
However, he said the council would continue to take strict action against premises deemed hazardous.
Notices may be issued under Section 82 of the Local Government Act 1976 to address nuisances, while Section 83 of the Street, Drainage and Building Act 1974 empowers the council to order structural repairs, partial demolitions or immediate safety measures.
“Failure to comply may lead to court prosecution, with MBPP authorised to carry out necessary safety works and recover all associated costs from errant owners,” he said.
H’ng said conservation and enforcement efforts over the past 18 years had reduced the number of dilapidated buildings in the heritage zone from 510 in 2008 to 63 this year.
The inspections come amid concerns over the safety of ageing heritage structures, following several incidents involving collapsed buildings in Penang.
The latest was in early August when a heritage building facade collapsed, injuring two Sri Lankan tourists and prompting renewed calls to check the safety of buildings in the Unesco World Heritage Site.