GEORGE TOWN, July 20 — Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has called the proposal to dissolve the Georgetown World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) over a controversial promotional video for the Georgetown Festival 2024 unreasonable. Addressing reporters after launching the festival today, Chow emphasized that GTWHI should be evaluated on its longstanding role in maintaining George Town as a world heritage site, rather than being judged on a single misstep.
Chow highlighted that GTWHI has received various awards and recognitions from UNESCO and other heritage bodies, underscoring its significant contributions. “If just because of this one video, we want to dissolve GTWHI, I would say this is an entirely unreasonable request,” he stated. The controversy arose last week when Seberang Jaya assemblyman Izhar Shah Arif Shah called for GTWHI’s dissolution, claiming the promotional video only showcased Chinese and Indian cultures, neglecting Malay heritage.
In response to the criticism, Chow pointed out that nine Malay performance groups are participating in the festival, which features over 80 programs under the theme ‘Here and Now.’ He reiterated that the George Town Festival is a global-local event designed to appeal to both local and international audiences. Furthermore, he announced that some entertainment events planned for the festival would be postponed out of respect for the Installation Ceremony of the 17th King of Malaysia today.
