MELAKA: A stop-work order has been issued to the owner of a heritage building at Jalan Tokong here after renovation work was found to have violated its historical integrity, says the Melaka Historic City Council (MBMB).
MBMB Mayor Datuk Shadan Othman said the order was issued on March 12 after his team found that the renovation works had not been carried out according to the approval given.
“We have issued a directive to halt any work at the building after discovering the renovation violated the heritage regulations,” he said when contacted on Thursday (April 17).
Shadan said the construction materials used were also against the guidelines, and as such, MBMB instructed that the renovation be stopped.
“We have specific guidelines on materials, building heights and façade elements for heritage buildings,” he said.
He added that the matter would be brought to the state heritage committee meeting soon.
“We will look into the next course of action against the owner for violating heritage regulations after the matter has been tabled to the committee,” he said.
Shadan was responding to recent concerns raised by local tourism players regarding the unauthorised renovation work on the building.
Renovating buildings within UNESCO core sites in Melaka requires strict adherence to the Melaka Cultural Heritage Conservation and Restoration Enactment 1988, as well as other relevant regulations, including those outlined by Unesco.
The Melaka World Heritage Site encompasses two zones: the Core Zone (45.3 hectares) and the Buffer Zone (242.8 hectares).
The Core Zone comprises St Paul’s Hill and residential areas including Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Jalan Hang Jebat (Jonker Street), Jalan Kampung Kuli, Jalan Tukang Emas, Jalan Tokong, Jalan Tukang Besi and Jalan Kampung Pantai.
The Buffer Zone includes Jalan Kubu, Jalan Bunga Raya, Jalan Kampung Jawa, Jalan Bendahara and Jalan Temenggong, surrounding the Core Zone and serving to protect it.
