A heritage activist Mark Lay of the George Town Heritage Action said the walls of the building had been “hacked and destroyed”.
He called it “a form of illegal heritage vandalism” as the building is listed at Category 1 in the Unesco world heritage site here, and a special permit is required from the city’s heritage department before any work can be done.
He said the damage had occurred over the Thaipusam weekend. “They have no permit and workers we spoke with told us their boss forced them to work the weekend to not be caught by city council enforcement,” Lay told FMT.
The association was founded in 1822 by Hakka-speaking immigrants from Fooi Chew prefecture in China. The building is one of 83 Category 1 buildings in George Town.
Lay said workers were seen pouring cement instead of lime plaster and using non-breathable paint, among many other non-compliant building methods as required by the George Town Special Area Plan.
Penang Island City Council (MBPP) secretary Rajendran Anthony said a stop-work order had been issued to the building owners and action would be taken. In the meantime, council officers were monitoring the building daily.
George Town World Heritage Inc (GWTHI), the state agency managing the heritage site, said an investigation is ongoing.
“We have advised the relevant contractor to follow proper procedure (as per the) George Town Special Area Plan. They will be allowed to carry out any work only after the heritage impact assessment and evaluation are done.
“This is an important Category 1 heritage building and must be carefully addressed and conserved.
“GTWHI has also scheduled a few consultation sessions with relevant stakeholders and shall provide much-needed advice accordingly,” its general manager Ang Ming Chee said.
Meanwhile, Fooi Chew Association president Lio Chee Yeong said the work that was carried out was supposed to beautify and restore termite-infested areas.
He said an experienced heritage contractor was hired for the job, but they did not meet required standards.
“We are disappointed with the contractors work and we would engage GTWHI in assisting us find a proper contractor and advise us on other facets of the work involved,” Lio said.