Sia Boey ready to become Malaysia's first urban archaeological park

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 1 (Bernama) -- The Sia Boey site, an area of land on Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, is set to become Malaysia’s first urban archaeological park.

Last year on March 25, the Sia Boey Rejuvenation Project was launched to transform this location into a place that makes the coexistence of development and heritage conservation possible. 

Sia Boey -- also known as Ujung Pasir or Prangin -- was a natural stream surrounded by mangrove swamps that marked the borders of early 19th century George Town.

George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and Penang Development Corporation (PDC) are working on the project that takes in Prangin Canal, a canal bypass, market hall, archaeological sites and an interpretive centre.

"Prangin Canal will become Sia Boey's central water feature. While restoration works are going on, GTWHI will monitor the desludging of the canal in order to collect cultural artefacts that may be present.

"GTWHI has conducted rescue archaeology of the Prangin Canal by sieving the silt deposit at the bottom of it. A total of 4,000 women and men hours were spent during eight intensive rescue operations," GTWHI general manager, Dr Ang Ming Chee, told the press at the site today.

Earlier, Ang and PDC senior deputy general manager, Yeoh Lean Huat, led the media on a visit of the area.

Ang said a bypass with a higher hydraulic capacity was created for Prangin Canal and that the canal would aid with flood mitigation as well as drain the swamps for agriculture and residential use.

"The canal with its clean water will have a swimming pool concept. We want to attract many people here. In addition to taking in the landscape they could also learn about the archaeological site. We expect the place to be open to the public by September," she said.

-- BERNAMA