Penang Watch

When you walk around the location of Swettenham Pier you will be stopped by guards of the fenced off area. What you can see from outside is a glimpse of the historical ware houses-one of which has been turned into a police station, while the others are left unused. At the water front is the new building linking to this reported new pier. It is an open question: to what extent is the historical ware houses conserved appropriate to their merit as Penang's true heritage? Already the historical Boustead ware house has been demolished in favour of some development, leaving only its facade. Such heritage quality ware houses should have been given a adaptive reuse treatment rather than a wholesale redevelopment, leaving only a facade to remind posteririties of the once very significant role played by these structures and the labour servicing them. Some CAT principles should be reflected in the development in such heritage areas if the State Govt doesn't want UNESCO to withdraw the WHC status for George Town.  

Tuesday October 28, 2008
Swettenham Pier to be ready soon
By LOOI SUE-CHERN(Star)

THE RM65mil Swettenham Pier redevelopment project in Penang is scheduled to be completed next month, new Penang Port Commission (PPC) chairman Tan Cheng Liang said.

She said the project, which includes the building of an international cruise terminal, was currently 84% complete.

She said the new 400m-long pier could accommodate two Queen Elizabeth II-sized cruise ships or two 3,000-passenger vessels at the same time.

“Such ships are too large to berth at the old pier or the Tanjung City Marina nearby. They have to anchor offshore and send passengers over by boats,” she told a press conference at Bangunan Sri Weld in Weld Quay, Penang, on Saturday.
An artist's impression of how Port Swettenham will look like after the project completion.

Tan was appointed the new PPC chairman about two weeks ago, replacing Datuk Dr Loh Hock Hun. She is the first woman to hold the post.

“The pier’s new three-storey building will also have customs and immigration offices, quarantine areas and a parking area which can accommodate 18 buses and 48 taxis,” Tan said.

The new 400m pier is 34m longer than the old pier that had since been demolished.

Tan said the new pier could handle about 100,000 passengers monthly compared to about 50,000 at the old pier.

“We will be promoting the new pier when it is completed to attract more international cruises to berth and bring their passengers to Penang for tours.

“We hope the state government, especially the state Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee, and the Tourism Ministry will work to-gether in promoting tourism in Penang and draw more tourists,” said Tan who is also state MCA Wanita chief.