The swearing in of the new Penang state government, now led by Pakatan Rakyat, in 2008, heralded various positive policy changes. During that year, the George Town city centre, along with Malacca, was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a result of years of conservation efforts led by the city's NGOs. The new state government subsequently spearheaded efforts to improve hygiene, cleanliness and pedestrianisation, as well as the use of public transportation and the promotion of the city's cultural diversity. By 2010, George Town was ranked the most liveable city in Malaysia by ECA International, coming in at eighth place within Asia as well. Moreover, in 2017, the city was also ranked the second cleanest within Malaysia, behind only Ipoh.