By Aida Aziz
IPOH: Ipoh City Council (MBI) is ready to collaborate with any interested parties to conserve abandoned heritage and historical buildings in the city.
Ipoh Mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin said they had previously initiated such efforts in Old Town around 2016.
“For instance, in Old Town in 2016, out of 4,000 buildings, nearly 1,000 were dilapidated.
“However, with our revitalization efforts focusing on tourism, including Concubine Lane and others, almost all these dilapidated buildings have been purchased and restored by investors,” he said.
He made these remarks to reporters when asked about MBI’s efforts in conserving old buildings in Ipoh.
This follows earlier media reports citing a study by the Perak Heritage Society that identified 39 historical buildings in Ipoh categorized as damaged or destroyed.
Meanwhile, Rumaizi added that one of the main reasons some old buildings are left abandoned is inheritance issues and high restoration costs.
“Mostly it’s inheritance issues, and sometimes people want to sell but there are no buyers due to lack of potential; that’s the experience we face.
“High restoration costs also play a role. I welcome any parties interested in collaborating with MBI to conserve these buildings.
“So, I think collaboration is a realistic approach because it not only saves costs but also stimulates economic activity, and it doesn’t involve just one party through existing subsidies,” he said.
