Maszlee seeks Unesco status for Renggam town
SIMPANG RENGGAM: With a history spanning more than 100 years, the town of Renggam will soon be listed as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) World Heritage Site.
Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik said this was part of efforts to preserve the town’s historical past.
Maszlee, who is Simpang Renggam member of parliament, said Renggam was previously known as a “zombie town” due to its lack of activity, despite having good infrastructure and beautiful buildings.
“I have had people informing me of great potential towns like Simpang Renggam, Renggam and Kayang.
“With that in mind, I hope to register Renggam with Unesco as a World Heritage Site as it has been in existence for more than 100 years. Even Queen Elizabeth II visited Renggam in the 1950s.”
He said this at a briefing on the Gemas-Johor Baru Electric Double Tracking Project at the Renggam Hall here yesterday.
Maszlee said new projects would also be developed around Renggam, including a boarding school and a residential area, that could boost growth there.
Maszlee assured the people that the project would not affect Renggam’s tranquility as the tracks would be elevated and not run through the city.
“I have informed them (ministries and developers) not to disrupt the main routes to Renggam from Kayang and Simpang Renggam, and they have agreed to have the tracks elevated.”