This is according to George Town Heritage Action (GTHA) member Mark Lay, as quoted by the New Straits Times today.
Lay said he refused to believe the authorities’ claims that there were no records to prove Raffles had either built, or stayed in the building.
He pointed out that the council had a copy of the heritage inventory list from 30 years ago, proving that Raffles had lived there.
“The inventory is available in the council’s record and the George Town World Heritage Incorporated library.
“Historians have noted that he (Raffles) had lived there until 1810. It also corroborated with newspaper reports dating to that period,” he said.
According to Lay, the three-storey hotel block, along with Raffles’ bungalow on the annexe, were shaded on a map and marked as heritage in the inventory.
The Penang state government’s recent demolishing of the historical Runnymede structure to pave way for development has drawn flak from many parties.
In reply to activists who voiced out against the matter, state mayor Patahiyah Ismail was recently quoted challenging activists to prove that Raffles had indeed lived there.
According to her, Raffles’ bungalow was not stated in the planning permission that was approved 17 years ago on Nov 10, 1999.