via New Straits Times, 06 September 2022: A heritage tomb in Penang was demolished illegally.
George Town Heritage Action (GTHA) has written to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) on the demolition of the 138-year-old grave of Foo Teng Nyong, the third wife of Kapitan Chung Keng Quee.
The grave, dubbed “Penang’s Taj Mahal”, was designed and built in 1884 to show Chung’s love for Foo, who died in childbirth at 33.
In the email signed by GTHA co-founders Mark Lay and Joann Khaw to Unesco, the heritage non-governmental organisation (NGO) said it was saddened by the illegal demolition of Foo’s tomb.
“We write with tragic news that the 1884-built tomb of Madam Foo Teng Nyong has been illegally demolished in Penang, Malaysia. We heritage NGOs are all deeply saddened by the news, and have heard from our Penang Heritage Commissioner (Rosli Nor) that it is very unlikely Penang Council will punish the land owner, who has the intention to build apartments on the site.
Source: Penang heritage NGO writes to Unesco on demolition of historic grave
