Dr Sun honoured

Dr Sun honoured

THREE-DIMENSIONAL snapshots of Dr Sun Yat Sen’s life have come alive on the walls of the newly completed Penang Sun Yat Sen Centre ahead of its launch this Sunday.

The centre, a project by the Penang Philomathic Union, contains 29 intricate miniature exhibits of the political figure’s fight against China’s imperialist system.

From events dating back to 1840 to Dr Sun’s rise as the Republic of China’s provisional president in December 1911, the centre’s three halls chronicle the struggle and success of the revolutionary movement that brought about the downfall of the Chinese dynasty system.

Union chairman Datuk Chuang Keng Kung said the memorial exhibition centre, located within the Penang Philomathic Union’s building on 65, Macalister Road, was the result of seven years of work.

“We wanted our exhibition hall to be different from others, so we came up with the idea of miniatures to tell Dr Sun’s story.

“We felt this cartoon-like method was not too ‘serious’ and would appeal to all people, especially youngsters, who we hope will get interested in this part of history,” he told a press conference yesterday.

Chuang said the exhibition hall was divided into three parts — Halls A, B and C.

Hall A depicts scenes from the Qing Dynasty (the last dynasty before the fall of imperialism in China) and its weaknesses. It also chronicles the 11 uprisings organised by Dr Sun and his supporters.

Hall B, which also serves as the entrance hall to the centre, displays the 100-year history of the Penang Philomathic Union Society, which was founded by Dr Sun on 19 Dec, 1908 at 94, Datuk Keramat Road as the political wing of Dr Sun’s revolutionary work in South East Asia.

Gesturing to a massive wall panel depicting 16 historical sites in Penang that Dr Sun either visited or stayed in, Chuang said Hall B also displayed the histories of Chung Ling High School, Chinese Girls’ High School (now known as Penang Chinese Girls High School) and Chinese vernacular newspaper Kwong Wah Jit Poh, institutions of which the Penang Philomathic Union played pivotal roles in establishing.

“Hall C has miniatures and photos of Dr Sun’s journeys to Singapore, Malacca, Ipoh, Hong Kong, Japan and London, where he was kidnapped by Chinese officials in 1896,” Chuang said.

He said the Penang Philomathic Union had spent a total of RM300,000 on the miniatures and renovation works.

“All the money came from well-wishers and the union’s members and committee.

“This launching comes very near the centennial celebrations of the historic Penang Conference (in 1910 when Dr Sun planted the seeds of the Guangzhou Uprising).

“We understand that many celebrations are ongoing in Penang to celebrate the anniversary of this historic event, so we are happy to add to this atmosphere with the launch of our memorial exhibition,” he added.

The exhibition, which is set to be a permanent feature, will be launched at 9am by former Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon.

After the launching ceremony, the exhibition will be open to the public from Monday to Saturday and between 9am and 6pm.

Entry fees are RM5 while children will enjoy a discounted rate. For details on the exhibition, call the Penang Philomathic Union at 04-2285119.

-News courtesy of The Star-