Unesco listing both a boon and bane for George Town

Unescocide: Penang’s clan jetties like the Chew Jetty are losing their heritage as residents peddle souvenirs, snacks and their colourful abodes to the cultural traveller.

ARRIVING by land and sea, thousands of tourists flock to Penang’s century-old clan jetties every day. These were once a collection of ramshackle huts on stilts – the oldest examples of Chinese settlements in Malaysia – on the verge of being demolished by property developers. But they are now filled with colourful homes peddling souvenirs, snacks and lodgings to the cultural traveller.

Since the island’s capital George Town was listed by Unesco as a World Heritage Site in 2008, the number of visitors to the six jetties has soared, their prying eyes and invasive selfies the bane of local residents.