GEORGE TOWN, Jan 31 — The Penang Heritage Council held its first meeting yesterday and appointed five independent experts in the council.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, who chaired the meeting, was appointed as the chairman of the council along with 11 other members from the state government.

The other council members are state excos Yeoh Soon Hin and Jagdeep Singh Deo, Deputy Chief Minister II P.Ramasamy, state secretary Datuk Mohd Sayuthi Bakar, state financial officer Zabidah Safar, Penang PlanMalaysia director Rozita Hamit, Penang Island City Council Mayor Datuk Yew Tung Seang, Seberang Perai City Council Mayor Datuk Azhar Arshad, state heritage commissioner Rosli Nor, State museum and art gallery board director Haryany Mohamad and George Town World Heritage Incorporated general manager Ang Ming Chee.

According to a joint statement issued by the state secretary’s office and the Penang Heritage Council, the five independent experts were professionals in archaeology, sociology and culture, history, heritage building restoration and performance arts respectively.

"The five appointed experts will share their experiences and expertise along with their proposals on how to strengthen Penang’s heritage,” it said.

The five experts are Stephen Chia Ming Soon (archaeology), Associate Prof Premalatha Karupiah (sociology and culture), Wong Yee Tuan (history), Tan Chin Ling (heritage building restoration) and Joe Sidek (performance arts).

It said the meeting discussed current issues such as the destruction of an ancient tomb, the demolition of heritage buildings and developments that threatened the heritage site.

It said Yew had given his explanations on the recent issues involving heritage assets outside of the Unesco World Heritage Site.

The meeting had also discussed the policies, direction and the responsibilities of the local government, the state and the role of the state heritage council in ensuring Penang’s heritage is given proper focus.

Azhar had also asked that the potential of heritage in Seberang Perai will not be neglected.

He said Seberang Perai has important heritage assets such as its natural environment and its intangible cultural heritage that included food, performances and original villages.

The public that wished to propose the gazetting of a heritage item in Penang as a state heritage can submit the nomination form to the state heritage commissioner’s office.

The nomination form can be downloaded from https://warisan.penang.gov.my or the public can call 04-6505766.