‘DEVELOPMENT MAY AFFECT UNESCO BID’
Ministry applying for status for Pulau Jerejak and Sungai Buloh leprosy centre
THE Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry is concerned that large-scale development will hinder efforts to apply for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site status for Pulau Jerejak.
Deputy Minister Muhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik said a letter on the matter would be sent to Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow next week.
“The National Heritage Department is applying for the Unesco world heritage site status for Pulau Jerejak in Penang and the Sungai Buloh National Leprosy Control Centre in Selangor,” he said at a gotong-royong with Taman Pokok Kenanga residents in Sungai Titi Teras here yesterday.
“The latter was the world’s first leprosy colony isolation centre. However, we were informed about the large-scale development planned for Pantai Jerejak, which includes a bridge across the straits, connecting the coast to the area.”
The 227.4ha Sungai Buloh National Leprosy Control Centre was opened in 1926 because there was no cure for the disease at the time.
On another issue, Bakhtiar said the ministry had yet to receive feedback on the Penang government’s proposal to gazette Bukit Bendera as a Unesco Biosphere Reserve Heritage Site.
“We are unsure about the proposal, but will most likely support it if we get a response on the proposal from the state government,” said Bakhtiar, who is Balik Pulau member of parliament.
“We will send a team to assist if the state government is committed to the effort.”
Malaysia has two biosphere reserves — Tasik Chini and the Crocker Range.