GEORGE TOWN: Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow has described the call by an opposition assemblyman to disband George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) over the George Town Festival promotional video controversy as "unreasonable".
In defending the state-owned agency, Chow said GTWHI had been instrumental in maintaining the Penang capital's United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) world heritage status for the past 16 years.
"At one point, GTWHI was awarded the best Unesco site manager. It must continue to exist to ensure that George Town remains a heritage site," he told reporters here today.
Chow added that the George Town Festival organised by GTHWI was an event that catered to both local and international audiences, with 81 Malay performers in nine separate events.
Chow was responding to Seberang Jaya assemblyman Izhar Shah Arif Shah's call for GTWHI to be disbanded following accusations that its promotional video for George Town Festival 2024 had failed to feature Malay cultural elements.
On Tuesday, GTWHI issued an apology and removed the teaser following criticism by Penang Pas and Umno leaders, as well as local non-governmental organisations.
The teaser was initially uploaded on its social media platforms to promote the festival scheduled to take place from today until July 28.
On Wednesday, Izhar said GTWHI's apology was insufficient and called for the state government to disband the agency.
It was reported earlier that the Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) and the Coalition of Penang Cultural and Arts Association had demanded the state government to take full responsibility over the issue.
Pemenang president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff was reported as saying that the teaser themed "Here and Now" did not promote the spirit of unity and Penang Madani community.