Unesco recognition for Leaning Tower still in progress

IPOH: The National Heritage Department is still preparing relevant documents to be sent to Unesco in order to place Teluk Intan’s iconic Leaning Tower on the list of world heritage sites.

“As of now, there hasn’t been any approval or a date to give recognition to the tower,” said Perak tourism committee chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi.

She said the committee was still working with the Heritage Department on the documentation.

Nolee Ashilin was commenting on a Malay daily report yesterday, which quoted Teluk Intan MP Datuk Mah Siew Keong as saying that Unesco would be giving recognition to the tower on Feb 8.

Tourism Malaysia Perak director Ibrahim Seddiqi Talib said that should the Unesco recognition materialise, it would be wonderful.

“Even without the recognition, the tower has been a landmark and hangout spot for domestic visitors,” he said.

Ibrahim added that having the Unesco recognition could attract more foreign tourists to the area.

At present, Sarawak’s Gunung Mulu National Park and Sabah’s Kinabalu Park are on the heritage list, along with the historic twin cities of Malacca and George Town and Perak’s Lenggong Valley.