State sittings at Dewan Sri Pinang
Law: Assembly building to undergo restoration work
GEORGE TOWN: Lawmakers will not be holding their debate at the Penang Legislative Assembly building in Light Street next year as the building has been earmarked for restoration work.
Speaker Datuk Law Choo Kiang said the sittings would instead be held at Dewan Sri Pinang where it has been held before.
“It was held there once many years ago due to a termite infestation. This time, it is for maintenance and renovation since the last main structure maintenance was carried out 15 years ago.
“The last renovation carried out on the building was in 1959,” he said.
The work will begin in January and is expected to complete in December, focusing mainly on the structure and roofing.
State Public Works Department director Shahabuddin Mohd Muhayidin said the works consisted of restoration and upgrading of the existing building.
“The layout will be the same with some changes in the interior design in the state assembly hall,” he said.
Shahabuddin said since it was a heritage building, there were strict guidelines to follow and special methods of construction needed carrying out.
“Therefore, the cost will be differ- ent from conventional work.
“There will, however, be no significant changes to the building,” he said.
The state assembly building is located within the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.
Built in the 1820s, the Anglo-Indian classical style building contains elements of classical Greek and Palladian (European style) architecture as well.
The building originally served as part of George Town’s Central Police Station housing the Recorder’s and Magistrate’s Courts.
The building retained its judicial function until 1959, when it was converted for use to host the State Legislative Assembly.