Gurney Wharf sitefor august House?

A filepic of reclamation works at Gurney Wharf at the seafront of Gurney Drive in Penang.

PENANG Local Government Committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo wants the government to consider Gurney Wharf as the location for the new state assembly building.

“It hasn’t been discussed at the exco level yet, but I have suggested to the Chief Minister as it’s also an iconic site for the legislative house.

“We are heeding the call by the Yang di-Pertua Negri to look for a new state assembly building and while Dewan Sri Pinang is another possible site, other options should also be looked into,” he said during a press conference on Monday.

Jagdeep ruled out the Jelutong landfill as it would take about 15 years to rehabilitate the site.

“Gurney Wharf may not have the heritage status as Dewan Sri Pinang, but it’s definitely a landmark in George Town,” he said.

On the state assembly building’s renovation, Jagdeep said it was needed as the building had a lot of defects.

“The state assembly building has all the heritage structures suitable to be converted into a museum.

The state assembly building, now undergoing restoration in Light street, has all the heritage structures suitable for conversion into a museum.

“As for Dewan Sri Pinang’s conservation plan, it has the potential to be an international arena for arts and culture.

“It could be turned into a place like the Royal Albert Hall in London,” he added.

Jagdeep said a survey done during a public display at the recent state assembly meeting for three days showed that 87% of the respondents agreed that the building should become the main arts and cultural centre for Penang.

A similar public display is being held at Komtar for a month including an online survey beginning yesterday.

Dewan Sri Pinang, also along Light street, was refitted to temporarily house the recently concluded state legislative meeting.

“The feedback from the public is paramount for the future conservation and conversion of Dewan Sri Pinang,” he said.

Chow announced last week that a conservation plan had been earmarked for Dewan Sri Pinang by the George Town Conservation and Development Corporation.

It would be a tripartite partnership comprising the Chief Minister Inc, Think City and the Aga Khan Trust for Culture.