Calling such demands “unreasonable”, he said GTWHI, a Penang government company, served as manager for the Unesco heritage site and had played a crucial role in maintaining its status for 16 years.

“GTWHI was awarded the best Unesco site manager at one point. It must continue to exist to ensure that George Town remains a heritage site,” he told reporters at an event here.

Perikatan Nasional’s Seberang Jaya assemblyman Izhar Shah Arif Shah had last week called for GTWHI to be disbanded in the wake of the controversy sparked by its promotional video for the George Town Festival 2024 which did not feature any aspects of Malay culture.

GTWHI, the festival organiser, apologised following flak, including from Penang PAS and Umno leaders. The video was subsequently removed.

Izhar Shah however said that the apology was insufficient and accused GTWHI of marginalising Malay culture and heritage.

Today, Chow said the George Town Festival was a “global-local” event that catered to both local and international audiences.

“There are 81 Malay performers in nine separate events,” he said in response to claims of inadequate local representation.