This Penang Canal Went Through A Major Face-Lift But People Are Not So Sure About It

For the longest time ever, we have idolised the Japanese people for their cleanliness and how they have drains that have Koi swimming in them.

Source: Lowyat

Now we have one too and it’s located in Penang. In a post that has gone viral by Experience Penang, we saw that the Prangin Canal has undergone a face-lift! Look!

Source: Facebook

This project, the Sia Boey Rejuvenation project, was launched in March 2018 to transform the run-down Sia Boey into an area that facilitates the coexistence of development and heritage conservation.

Referring to an article on The Star,  Komtar assemblyman Teh Lai Heng has said that they have cleaned up the canal and refurbished it, and the dirty water in the canal has been diverted to another drain so the canal is clean now.

Source: Malaysiakini

On 28th July, an NGO by the name of Penang-Forum on Facebook has questioned the Penang state government, writing, “Where does the flowing water in the Prangin Canal channel now go? And what steps have been taken to clean it up before it is discharged into the sea? It’s wonderful that things look pretty on the surface but surely everyone wants to see an improvement to the water quality. There’s no improvement in just ‘hiding’ the dirty water.”

Daniel Gooi, the state assemblyperson for Pengkalan Kota, has since taken to Malaysiakini to respond to the allegations by saying that, “This rejuvenation project marks the commitment and effort by the Penang government in the appreciation of heritage conservation and sustainable development, by turning what was once a dirty and rubbish-filled canal into a new icon for George Town, as with the rivers and ponds found in Japan or South Korea.” He also said that the NGO is taking Penangites for a ride, and they should reject the “nonsense” coming from the NGO.

Hmmmm… What do you guys think of this messy business?

Also read: Penang is the 7th Most Instagrammed City for Street Art IN THE WORLD, Beating New York