Chow, a state executive councillor, said in the WHS, only 194 units or 3.5% of the 4,100 Category II heritage shophouses were owned by foreigners. To preserve the WHS, a RM3 million seed fund to offset costs incurred by owners in restoring heritage buildings was launched last year.

He said owners getting money from the fund would have to adhere to the condition that they rent out the buildings at an affordable price for at least 10 years.

Chow said the affordable rent would be determined by the owner and tenant before the seed fund to make repairs to their buildings was disbursed.

Currently, a large number of shophouses in George Town are in a state of neglect, as strict WHS rules dictate that special materials need to be used in repairs, from the roof to the flooring. Most owners are reluctant to take up repairs, citing high costs.

Chow said the good work of the Penang authorities in preserving heritage in the state could be attested to by the Jakarta Unesco office which had recognised Penang as a “good example of heritage city management”.

He said Penang was keeping to its promise to maintain heritage buildings in Seberang Perai as well, with the inventories of buildings completed from 2012 to 2015 encompassing all three districts on the mainland.

Chow later took reporters on a tour of five city council-owned shophouses on Kimberley Street.

The five pre-war shophouses are undergoing renovation to be turned into a centre for Penang’s traditional trade artisans. The shophouses will be made available for rent, with priority given to dying trades.

The five shophouses will be divided into eight lots. The unique proposition of the project is that those running their trades below will be allowed to stay upstairs.

The shophouses are listed as Category II heritage buildings and the architecture is of the Early Transitional Style.