‘WE ARE SITE MANAGERS INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 2024’ WELCOMING DINNER

SPEECH BY THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW FOR ‘WE ARE SITE MANAGERS INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM 2024’ WELCOMING DINNER
1 MARCH 2024 (FRIDAY) | 5.55PM
THE WEMBLEY ST GILES HOTEL, PENANG
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YB Teh Lai Heng
State Assemblyman of KOMTAR

YB Wong Yuee Harng
State Assemblyman of Pengkalan Kota

Dato Ir. Rajendran P. Anthony
Mayor of the City Council of Penang

Datin Bharathi Suppiah
General Manager of Chief Minister Incorporated (CMI)

Dr Ang Ming Chee
General Manager of George Town World Heritage Incorporated and Symposium Director

Ms Moe Chiba
Section Chief and Programme Specialist for Culture, UNESCO Office in Jakarta

Dr Abdulelah Al-Tokhais
Chairperson of UNESCO 45th Extended World Heritage Session

Mr Einar Á. Sæmundsen
Chairperson of Nordic World Heritage Association

Ms Fatma Twahir
Chairperson of African Site Managers Network

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good evening to you all.

I hope everyone had a productive day one at the symposium. Following the opening session, I personally had worked hard today, and I trust all of you have been equally diligent in your efforts to engage in discourses and dialogues during the sessions.

For your information, today’s venue, The Wembley St. Giles Hotel used to be a popular entertainment spot named ‘The Wembley Cinema’ and ‘The Wembley Park’, or better known among locals as ‘Choon Man Hooi’. Back in the 1950s and 1960s, the amusement park used to attract Penangites with its dance hall, movie screenings, live ‘bangsawan’ performance, ronggeng parties, arcades and bumper cars.

To date, the venue is located approximately 50 meters away from the western outer boundary of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. Indeed, the George Town property is so compact that one might traverse the world heritage zone without noticing the obvious differences.

In that regard, in front of The Wembley Hotel, stands the ‘Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak’ commonly referred to as ‘KOMTAR’ is the tallest building in Penang, with over 60 floors to its name. KOMTAR was built in the 1960s as the new administrative centre. In fact, the building also housed my office on level 28, offering a splendid view of the World Heritage Site.

Over time, ‘The Wembley Park’ or ‘Choon Man Hooi’ slowly became obsolete due to changes of lifestyle and the advancement of entertainment. The plot was eventually sold and developed into the hotel that we are in today. As such, the development of The Wembley Park has taught us that life will continue to evolve, and cities will inevitably transform to meet the ever-changing needs of its people.

Nevertheless, hosting a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Penang has presented us with a unique opportunity to preserve the inner city for its intrinsic values, foster greater appreciation for heritage, and draw inspiration from historical urban landscapes for heritage properties beyond the confines of the world heritage site. Beyond the architectural marvels that grace our cityscape, it is the profound essence of multicultural coexistence that truly defines the spirit of our community.

As Dr. Ang so poignantly mentioned earlier, tonight's cultural programmes highlight this harmony. Each performance showcases our differences in a beautiful way, reminding us of the strength found in diversity. It is in these moments of shared appreciation that we recognize the beauty and harmony that emerge from the peaceful coexistence of our differences.

Ladies and gentlemen,

As champions of cultural and natural heritage, I hope this symposium will generate fruitful dialogues that will contribute to sustainable actions and implementations for everyone. I also hope that everyone is able to produce ideas and solutions that will serve as a roadmap for your site, protect natural resources, safeguard cultural heritage, and improve the quality of life for not just Penangites, but, our generation, and the future generations to come.

I am utmost confident that the insights and connections forged during the Symposium will be instrumental in paving the way for a brighter and more sustainable future for your work, particularly, the George Town Declaration and the World Heritage Site Managers Network.

Once again, thank you for being here today, and I hope each and every one of you have a wonderful experience in Penang. Please know that you are always welcome to return at any time. I eagerly await the opportunity to further enhance the multilateral relationship between all of you and Penang.

Thank you and enjoy the Welcoming Dinner.

Selamat Menjamu Selera!