GEORGE TOWN, MALASIA: Penang will not stop Malacca's proposed "divorce" from George Town over the World Heritage Site status.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng maintained that the state government had not done anything wrong when it approved a 23-storey condominium project by Tanjong Bintang Holdings.
He said the previous administration had used the same guidelines when approving three high-rise hotel projects.
The three are the Rice Miller Boutique Hotel, the Boustead Royale Bintang Hotel and the E&O Hotel expansion.
Lim advised Malacca Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam not to play politics, saying the state also had the 110-metre Taming Sari project within its heritage buffer zone.
"Why should there be double standards when it comes to Penang? With friends like this, we certainly don't need enemies.
"If Malacca wants to go, it should just leave.
"No one is stopping them," he said after opening Softphix Technology Sdn Bhd at the Mayang Mall in Bayan Baru here yesterday.
Lim said Penang would stick to its efforts to promote, preserve and protect its rich heritage.
It was reported that Malacca would ask the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) to be officially "divorced" from George Town if the state government was adamant about allowing four high-rise projects in the island's heritage core and buffer zones, which violate guidelines set by the World Heritage Committee.
Ali was quoted as saying that it would not be fair for Malacca to lose its World Heritage status just because the Penang government insisted on constructing the high-rise buildings.
He said he did not understand why Lim could not reverse the decision on the high-rise hotel projects after knowing that they could adversely affect the city's heritage status.
Lim said a decision on the matter could only be reached after a meeting with, among others, the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry and Unesco representatives.
"We are in the midst of getting views and feedback from the major players.
"I have also met with some of the developers to brief them on the situation."
