Penang Nominates Kampung Melayu Lama Air Itam As Heritage Site

GEORGE TOWN, Nov 14 (Bernama) -- Penang is continuing its efforts to preserve historical heritage sites and traditional villages by nominating Kampung Melayu Lama Air Itam for recognition as a heritage site under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).

State Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, said the nomination is currently in the process of obtaining approval from the landowners and local authorities and once approved, the next steps would be taken by the National Heritage Department for official gazetting.

“We are nominating Kampung Melayu Lama Air Itam due to the historical significance of the Sheikh Omar Basheer Mausoleum located there. This site is important in the spread of Islam in Penang as Sheikh Omar was the first state mufti,” he said during the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today.

Wong added that a nominated heritage site must remain inhabited, meaning that people must continue to live there and engage in social, artistic, and community activities.

He was responding to a question from Muhamad Kasim (PN-Telok Bahang) on the number of areas or villages that have been gazetted as heritage villages or heritage zones in the state.

Wong (PH-Paya Terubong) also highlighted that the nomination of Kampung Melayu Lama Air Itam reflects the state government's ongoing commitment to preserving and protecting historical sites and traditional villages as part of Penang's cultural and historical identity.

The Sheikh Omar Basheer Mausoleum was built after 1881, following Sheikh Omar’s death at the age of 70. He played a key role in spreading Islam and was instrumental in the establishment of Al-Mas’ud School, which was initially a mosque.

-- BERNAMA=