They were tourists from Sri Lanka; 66 and 55 years old, who came to see a UNESCO World Heritage site but left in an ambulance with head injuries. That is the particular cruelty of the George Town heritage zone: the buildings look best from the street. The heritage zone’s strict restoration laws mean owners cannot simply tear down and rebuild — every repair requires approved materials, specialist contractors, municipal permits. The Law Was Always ThereThe Penang government has now ordered the MBPP and George Town World Heritage Incorporated to issue an urgent safety advisory. Private owners of ageing heritage buildings are being pressed to conduct immediate structural and pest inspections.