Month-long festivities for Penang
THE city’s streets will come alive with arts and culture beginning Thursday, where the month-long George Town Festival 2010 promises a stellar line up of events to celebrate the second anniversary of its listing as a Unesco World Heritage Site.
A joint effort by the Penang Government, Penang Municipal Council, George Town World Heritage Incorporated, Penang Global Tourism and various ethnic communities, the festival, which runs from July 1 to 31, is expected to attract 200,000 visitors.
There will be over 80 programmes encompassing theatre, music, dance, film, art, opera, food, fashion, photography, food, sports and inspirational talks, according to festival director Joe Sidek.
It is aimed at providing a platform for local and international artists to showcase their talents, while also serving as a catalyst to arouse public interest in arts.
“We wanted to use George Town as a backdrop to highlight our living cultures and heritage, and were glad that various parties have come forward to share their knowledge, rituals, cultures and possessions.
“The city is alive and its very fabric will be on show. You will hear it, you will smell it, you will see it,” Joe said, likening it to a marriage of tourism and culture.
He admitted that although he initially had grander plans in mind, it had to be scaled down due to budget and time constraints.
Nevertheless, he hoped the first edition of the festival would be a springboard for greater things in the coming years, with the ultimate aim of making it a world-renowned event on par with the festivals of other countries.
The festival will kick off with a performance of Emily of Emerald Hill, Stella Kon’s well-loved play about a Nyonya matriarch, directed by local film director Saw Teong Hin at the Penang Town Hall, Esplanade, on July 1. Additional performances will be on July 2 and 4.
A full spectrum of performers will also be on show, from A-listers like Italian baritone Patrizio Buanne who will be performing at the George Town Ball on July 11 at the E&O Hotel, to Japanese soprano Ranko Kurano,who will perform at a Street Opera in Stewart Lane on July 29 and 30.
The main highlight is the Street Celebrations on July 7, themed ‘Streets Come Alive Unforgettable George Town’ where Beijing Opera director Ghaffar Pourazar will present excerpts from his repertoire of the Monkey God.
The day-long celebrations will also feature over 30 community shows along the Street of Harmony, as well as traditional games, cultural dances, musical performances and open houses of public and private heritage buildings.
Among the festival’s other highlights include public installation art works by Malaysian artists Leon Lim and Fuan Wong, screenings of movies shot in Penang such as The Blue Mansion and Red Kebaya, and classical Indian dances by Ramli Ibrahim and Sutra Dance Company.
There will also be an exhibition on the Governors of Penang from the archives of Winson Saw at the Town Hall, and a Showcase of Malay Culture and Arts at the Jawi Peranakan Museum.
Some events will be free, while others are on a ticket basis, which can be purchased at the George Town World Heritage Office at 116 and 118 Lebuh Acheh, and at the G Hotel lobby.
For a full breakdown of the festival’s 80 over programmes, visit www.georgetownfestival.com, or email info@georgetownfestival.com for inquiries.
Alternatively, call 016-4644211. Joe can also be reached at 016-4173456.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Sunday, 27 June 2010
A worthwhile find
A worthwhile find
A cluster of foodstalls along Jalan Sungei Pinang serves some really good Penang specialities.
WHENEVER any true foodie worth his (or in this case her) salt is out and about, you can guarantee she is always on the look-out for places to eat, whether it is a restaurant, food court or kopitiam.
So it was that on my way back from having my car serviced recently, when I spotted a number of stalls under the shade of a few tall trees on the main road just outside the Honda service centre in Jalan Sungei Pinang, I decided to stop by.
And discovered a veritable food enclave which has apparently been operating there for the past 20-odd years. Every day bar Sunday, from about 7.30am to 1pm, under the makeshift roofs, these stalls really cook up a storm, serving up some good old Penang specialities.
There are relative newcomers like Ah Lek who’s a mere stripling, having only been selling his Hoo Bak Char Bee Hoon (Fried Bee Hoon with Fish Head) for just seven years, in comparison with someone like Ah Guan who’s been running the Wantan Mee stall with his wife for the past 20 years or so. At the stall next door, Ah Keow has also been selling his Curry Mee there for the last two decades.
Ah Teong’s Lorbak also appears to be quite well known; motorcyclists pull up and order large portions to take away even as he is busy frying up the crispy hay chnee (prawn fritters) the same way his father used to. He took over 15 years ago but, he assures me, he hasn’t changed the recipe at all.
However, the most well-known stall, and certainly the longest-running although not always in this location, must be Oon Swee Hoe’s Chicken Drumstick Noodles. Ah Hoe’s stall, started by his sister in the early 70s, was initially based in Tiong Lor (Macalister Road). They moved to the current site over 20 years ago.
Their speciality is definitely quite unique in Penang, as he reckons only a few other stalls serve it on the island, and two of those are his family members! The noodles – typically mee sua, bee hoon, kuey teow or mee, although the first is by far the most popular – are served in a clear broth with either spare ribs, chicken or duck drumsticks.
That’s not really that different from ark t’hui bee hoon (Duck Drumstick with Bee Hoon), you might say, but what is different is the soup: it is individually double-boiled with tong kooi and red kee chee (wolfberries).
Eaten with some sliced chilli padi, it is not just delicious but is also supposed to be good for you.
Apart from the unusual, slightly medicinal flavour that these Chinese herbs impart, the soup has health-giving properties: kee chee is meant to help the eyes, and tong gooi (Chinese Angelica), which nourishes the blood and improves circulation, is particularly beneficial to women.
“When I took over the stall from my sister, I adapted the recipe and added these herbs,” Ah Hoe explains, “because I thought it was tastier and also healthier.”
His version became so popular that the people who stop by to eat are not just locals but come from as far as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Indonesians who visit from Medan seem to be particularly partial to them as well. “They even call before they come to place their orders first!” the friendly man says, laughing.
To one side of his stall, a large steamer bubbles away merrily, holding several layers of the stainless steel pots of soup, some with chicken drumsticks sticking out, others with duck or spare ribs.
Business is certainly brisk – as the orders come flying in thick and fast, the bowls are being dished out production-line style. Ah Hoe cooks and doles out the noodles into bowls which he hands over to his wife Choy Yin.
She arranges the meat on top with deft fingers, then pours the remaining soup over, finishing off with a large spoonful of chopped spring onions and a good puff of white pepper.
Their assistants run to and fro delivering the bowls.
They are so busy there’s hardly any time to tidy up until a rare quiet moment, or at the end. And he’s already been up since 4.30am to prepare the soups for the day: they have to be double-boiled for two to three hours.
“When you write about us, we’ll get even busier,” Choy Yin adds, “and today is actually considered a quiet day!”
Business may be good, but profits are down.
“Everything’s much more expensive now,” Ah Hoe laments. That includes the gas which he requires to steam the soup and keep it hot. “I use three cylinders a day,” he says. “(Price of) meat and herbs have all gone up, but I can’t keep increasing my prices as all my customers are regulars who will complain!”
Helen Ong loves Penang and food, not necessarily in that order. Check out her website at www.helenong.com.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
A cluster of foodstalls along Jalan Sungei Pinang serves some really good Penang specialities.
WHENEVER any true foodie worth his (or in this case her) salt is out and about, you can guarantee she is always on the look-out for places to eat, whether it is a restaurant, food court or kopitiam.
So it was that on my way back from having my car serviced recently, when I spotted a number of stalls under the shade of a few tall trees on the main road just outside the Honda service centre in Jalan Sungei Pinang, I decided to stop by.
And discovered a veritable food enclave which has apparently been operating there for the past 20-odd years. Every day bar Sunday, from about 7.30am to 1pm, under the makeshift roofs, these stalls really cook up a storm, serving up some good old Penang specialities.
There are relative newcomers like Ah Lek who’s a mere stripling, having only been selling his Hoo Bak Char Bee Hoon (Fried Bee Hoon with Fish Head) for just seven years, in comparison with someone like Ah Guan who’s been running the Wantan Mee stall with his wife for the past 20 years or so. At the stall next door, Ah Keow has also been selling his Curry Mee there for the last two decades.
Ah Teong’s Lorbak also appears to be quite well known; motorcyclists pull up and order large portions to take away even as he is busy frying up the crispy hay chnee (prawn fritters) the same way his father used to. He took over 15 years ago but, he assures me, he hasn’t changed the recipe at all.
However, the most well-known stall, and certainly the longest-running although not always in this location, must be Oon Swee Hoe’s Chicken Drumstick Noodles. Ah Hoe’s stall, started by his sister in the early 70s, was initially based in Tiong Lor (Macalister Road). They moved to the current site over 20 years ago.
Their speciality is definitely quite unique in Penang, as he reckons only a few other stalls serve it on the island, and two of those are his family members! The noodles – typically mee sua, bee hoon, kuey teow or mee, although the first is by far the most popular – are served in a clear broth with either spare ribs, chicken or duck drumsticks.
That’s not really that different from ark t’hui bee hoon (Duck Drumstick with Bee Hoon), you might say, but what is different is the soup: it is individually double-boiled with tong kooi and red kee chee (wolfberries).
Eaten with some sliced chilli padi, it is not just delicious but is also supposed to be good for you.
Apart from the unusual, slightly medicinal flavour that these Chinese herbs impart, the soup has health-giving properties: kee chee is meant to help the eyes, and tong gooi (Chinese Angelica), which nourishes the blood and improves circulation, is particularly beneficial to women.
“When I took over the stall from my sister, I adapted the recipe and added these herbs,” Ah Hoe explains, “because I thought it was tastier and also healthier.”
His version became so popular that the people who stop by to eat are not just locals but come from as far as Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
Indonesians who visit from Medan seem to be particularly partial to them as well. “They even call before they come to place their orders first!” the friendly man says, laughing.
To one side of his stall, a large steamer bubbles away merrily, holding several layers of the stainless steel pots of soup, some with chicken drumsticks sticking out, others with duck or spare ribs.
Business is certainly brisk – as the orders come flying in thick and fast, the bowls are being dished out production-line style. Ah Hoe cooks and doles out the noodles into bowls which he hands over to his wife Choy Yin.
She arranges the meat on top with deft fingers, then pours the remaining soup over, finishing off with a large spoonful of chopped spring onions and a good puff of white pepper.
Their assistants run to and fro delivering the bowls.
They are so busy there’s hardly any time to tidy up until a rare quiet moment, or at the end. And he’s already been up since 4.30am to prepare the soups for the day: they have to be double-boiled for two to three hours.
“When you write about us, we’ll get even busier,” Choy Yin adds, “and today is actually considered a quiet day!”
Business may be good, but profits are down.
“Everything’s much more expensive now,” Ah Hoe laments. That includes the gas which he requires to steam the soup and keep it hot. “I use three cylinders a day,” he says. “(Price of) meat and herbs have all gone up, but I can’t keep increasing my prices as all my customers are regulars who will complain!”
Helen Ong loves Penang and food, not necessarily in that order. Check out her website at www.helenong.com.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
On the durian trail
On the durian trail
Some enterprising durian farm owners in Penang are offering guided tours of their orchards. In many cases, the tours are as educational to the providers as they are to the visitors.
WHAT’S there to learn about durians? If you are a local, maybe not much but for most foreigners, visiting a durian orchard to learn more about the king of local fruits is normally an eye-opening experience.
And the tour usually turns out to be as enlightening for the tour guide as it is to the visitors. For instance, says Chang Teik Seng, owner of the Bao Sheng Durian Farm in Balik Pulau on Penang Island, “Some foreigners think durians grow like pineapples, from the ground.”
“I thought they grow like rambutans in a bunch – obviously I was wrong,” confesses durian fan W. Fusae from Japan.
“In Japan, the durian is only sold at high-end fruit shops and it is very expensive – about RM100 to RM150 per fruit,” the Kuala Lumpur-based interpreter adds.
Over the years, the popularity of Penang’s durians has drawn thousands, both Malaysians and foreigners, to visit the island to savour the fruits fresh at the farm.
Most durian orchards are closed to the public, but a few enterprising owners, having noticed the steady stream of visitors, are opening their doors to offer unique durian trail tours – especially in the famous Balik Pulau enclave.
It was at the Bao Shang orchard, which she and her family visted recently, that Fusae discovered durians do not grow in a bunch. “We didn’t get a chance to tour the orchard but we managed to take a closer look at some of the trees at the entrance,” she says, adding that she is planning to visit again soon.
Chang – or Durian Seng as he is more popularly known on Facebook – claims he was the first to start a durian trail in the state.
“I have been taking people on tours through my orchard since 1993. The idea came to me after a visit to the Singapore Zoo got me wondering how they are able to attract so many visitors despite the high ticket prices.
“I realised that people went because it was an educational, interactive and fun experience; that’s what I wanted to do with my orchard,” he says.
He offers “eat-all-you-can’’ packages starting from RM25 and for an additional RM10, visitors will be taken on a 20-minute guided tour through the 2.8ha orchard with a buffet lunch included.
During the tour, they get to learn about the orchard’s history and are also taught how to choose good durians, Chang says.
“We get a lot of visitors from Hong Kong and Singapore and they get excited when I teach them how to pry open the fruit with a bamboo stick, like what our forefathers used to do.
“Some try till their hands bleed but they are happy because they learn something and feel a sense of accomplishment when they succeed in opening the fruit themselves.”
The enterprising mobile phone shop owner (yes, he takes the entire durian season off to be at the farm!) even has little hybrid durian plants for sale at the orchard. “You can’t just throw a durian seed to the ground and expect a tasty fruit,” he explains.
For those who cannot get enough of the thorny fruit, Chang also has for rent two air-conditioned mini villas where they can stay and gorge on durians to their heart’s content.
Perched on the edge of a hill, the mini villas offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle’s green scenery and are equipped with king-size beds and 32-inch LCD television sets. There is even a private swimming pool!
Chang says he does not supply fruits through middlemen as his 200-odd trees only produce enough for his immediate customers, but he does make special outstation deliveries.
“I’ve had orders from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. I usually deliver about 200 per trip,” he says. “We don’t use lorries because the fruits need to be in an air-conditioned environment to maintain the taste, aroma and quality, so I personally take them by car.”
According to Chang, the durian season which started in May will end next month.
This year, the season started later than usual because of the wet weather but the flesh of the fruit is said to be creamier and tastier because of the rain.
“By the end of July, the quality won’t be that good anymore but the price will be cheaper. You can still get some good ones until the middle of next month.”
About half-an-hour’s drive away from Bao Sheng is S.P. Loh’s 4.45ha family orchard.
But getting there is no walk in the park. You will have to navigate a narrow winding path before arriving at the orchard. Loh recently opened up the orchard to visitors and caters only to a maximum group of 20.
The simple wood and brick family house there has a sprawling view of Teluk Bahang’s lush emerald hills and the pristine blue waters surrounding Penang island.
“I’ll show guests around and they can pick the fruits they want. For those not used to hiking, it can be quite strenuous because the orchard is on hilly terrain.
“We walk for about 30 minutes and then go back to my family home where you can enjoy the fruits,” he says.
Loh, who has a wry sense of humour and speaks Mandarin, Hokkien and English, says the tour is “very informal”.
“I only started allowing people to visit the orchard because of friends’ requests. If visitors want to take a look around on their own, I am fine with it too,” he says.
Nutmeg and banana trees also dot the orchard and Loh proudly says that the entire landscape is “100% natural and I intend to keep that way”.
There are no man-made pathways for easy walking and Loh seems to enjoy watching city slickers struggle to keep up with him.
Unlike Bao Sheng, which allows for walk-in visitors, those intending to check out Loh’s orchard must make an appointment as he is not always around.
“I keep the walk short and the group small because most of the visitors find it hard to keep up,” he laughs.
If you are lucky, you will be able to catch his 75-year-old mother, Ng Nyet Keow, stirring her famous durian cake paste over an antique brick stove.
“I have been making durian cakes for more than 50 years using firewood and no preservatives!” Ng shares. “When I was younger, I made three batches of cake mix per day but nowadays, I only make them once a day because it takes four hours of continuous stirring to make each batch.”
Some of the durian trees at these orchards are more than six decades old and you will find almost 20 different varieties ranging from the premium ones such as Hor Lor (gourd) and Ang Heh (red prawn) to the popular bittersweet Cheh Phoy (Green Skin).
At Rumah Batu, which is slightly harder to locate because it’s off the main road, the attraction is not a tour of the 3.6ha durian orchard but a century-old house which was formerly a communist base.
H.H. Tan, whose father owns the orchard and house, believes that the solid brick structure dates back to over 100 years.
“We don’t offer tours around the orchard but we welcome guests inside our historical home.
“Visitors enjoy sipping homemade nutmeg juice while eating their durians at our porch,” he says.
Police inspectors Bobby Tamat and Saiful Mohd Abd Latif agree.
“The durian is a forest fruit and eating it in a natural village surrounding is a different experience altogether.
“Somehow, squatting beside the roadside while licking your fingers just doesn’t do the fruit justice,” Bobby, who is from Sabah, says.
Saiful, who is from Kelantan, says they visit Rumah Batu every durian season.
“Allowing visitors to enjoy the fruit in the orchard and taking them on a tour of the place is a unique tourism product for Penang,” he says.
Kedahan Halim Murad, who was spotted loading his lorry at the Sungai Pinang durian collection point, says he comes to Penang every year for the state’s special fruit.
“I know other sellers who come from Kuala Lumpur, Alor Setar and Ipoh who get their supplies from Balik Pulau. The flesh of the fruits from here is nice and creamy,” he says.
Indeed, if these guys are to be believed, Balik Pulau really is home to the tastiest durians in Malaysia!
For details on the orchard trails, call 012-538 5128 (Rumah Batu), 012-401 0800 (Bao Sheng) and 017-446 4959 (Loh).
-Info courtesy of The Star-
Some enterprising durian farm owners in Penang are offering guided tours of their orchards. In many cases, the tours are as educational to the providers as they are to the visitors.
WHAT’S there to learn about durians? If you are a local, maybe not much but for most foreigners, visiting a durian orchard to learn more about the king of local fruits is normally an eye-opening experience.
And the tour usually turns out to be as enlightening for the tour guide as it is to the visitors. For instance, says Chang Teik Seng, owner of the Bao Sheng Durian Farm in Balik Pulau on Penang Island, “Some foreigners think durians grow like pineapples, from the ground.”
“I thought they grow like rambutans in a bunch – obviously I was wrong,” confesses durian fan W. Fusae from Japan.
“In Japan, the durian is only sold at high-end fruit shops and it is very expensive – about RM100 to RM150 per fruit,” the Kuala Lumpur-based interpreter adds.
Over the years, the popularity of Penang’s durians has drawn thousands, both Malaysians and foreigners, to visit the island to savour the fruits fresh at the farm.
Most durian orchards are closed to the public, but a few enterprising owners, having noticed the steady stream of visitors, are opening their doors to offer unique durian trail tours – especially in the famous Balik Pulau enclave.
It was at the Bao Shang orchard, which she and her family visted recently, that Fusae discovered durians do not grow in a bunch. “We didn’t get a chance to tour the orchard but we managed to take a closer look at some of the trees at the entrance,” she says, adding that she is planning to visit again soon.
Chang – or Durian Seng as he is more popularly known on Facebook – claims he was the first to start a durian trail in the state.
“I have been taking people on tours through my orchard since 1993. The idea came to me after a visit to the Singapore Zoo got me wondering how they are able to attract so many visitors despite the high ticket prices.
“I realised that people went because it was an educational, interactive and fun experience; that’s what I wanted to do with my orchard,” he says.
He offers “eat-all-you-can’’ packages starting from RM25 and for an additional RM10, visitors will be taken on a 20-minute guided tour through the 2.8ha orchard with a buffet lunch included.
During the tour, they get to learn about the orchard’s history and are also taught how to choose good durians, Chang says.
“We get a lot of visitors from Hong Kong and Singapore and they get excited when I teach them how to pry open the fruit with a bamboo stick, like what our forefathers used to do.
“Some try till their hands bleed but they are happy because they learn something and feel a sense of accomplishment when they succeed in opening the fruit themselves.”
The enterprising mobile phone shop owner (yes, he takes the entire durian season off to be at the farm!) even has little hybrid durian plants for sale at the orchard. “You can’t just throw a durian seed to the ground and expect a tasty fruit,” he explains.
For those who cannot get enough of the thorny fruit, Chang also has for rent two air-conditioned mini villas where they can stay and gorge on durians to their heart’s content.
Perched on the edge of a hill, the mini villas offer a breathtaking view of the surrounding jungle’s green scenery and are equipped with king-size beds and 32-inch LCD television sets. There is even a private swimming pool!
Chang says he does not supply fruits through middlemen as his 200-odd trees only produce enough for his immediate customers, but he does make special outstation deliveries.
“I’ve had orders from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. I usually deliver about 200 per trip,” he says. “We don’t use lorries because the fruits need to be in an air-conditioned environment to maintain the taste, aroma and quality, so I personally take them by car.”
According to Chang, the durian season which started in May will end next month.
This year, the season started later than usual because of the wet weather but the flesh of the fruit is said to be creamier and tastier because of the rain.
“By the end of July, the quality won’t be that good anymore but the price will be cheaper. You can still get some good ones until the middle of next month.”
About half-an-hour’s drive away from Bao Sheng is S.P. Loh’s 4.45ha family orchard.
But getting there is no walk in the park. You will have to navigate a narrow winding path before arriving at the orchard. Loh recently opened up the orchard to visitors and caters only to a maximum group of 20.
The simple wood and brick family house there has a sprawling view of Teluk Bahang’s lush emerald hills and the pristine blue waters surrounding Penang island.
“I’ll show guests around and they can pick the fruits they want. For those not used to hiking, it can be quite strenuous because the orchard is on hilly terrain.
“We walk for about 30 minutes and then go back to my family home where you can enjoy the fruits,” he says.
Loh, who has a wry sense of humour and speaks Mandarin, Hokkien and English, says the tour is “very informal”.
“I only started allowing people to visit the orchard because of friends’ requests. If visitors want to take a look around on their own, I am fine with it too,” he says.
Nutmeg and banana trees also dot the orchard and Loh proudly says that the entire landscape is “100% natural and I intend to keep that way”.
There are no man-made pathways for easy walking and Loh seems to enjoy watching city slickers struggle to keep up with him.
Unlike Bao Sheng, which allows for walk-in visitors, those intending to check out Loh’s orchard must make an appointment as he is not always around.
“I keep the walk short and the group small because most of the visitors find it hard to keep up,” he laughs.
If you are lucky, you will be able to catch his 75-year-old mother, Ng Nyet Keow, stirring her famous durian cake paste over an antique brick stove.
“I have been making durian cakes for more than 50 years using firewood and no preservatives!” Ng shares. “When I was younger, I made three batches of cake mix per day but nowadays, I only make them once a day because it takes four hours of continuous stirring to make each batch.”
Some of the durian trees at these orchards are more than six decades old and you will find almost 20 different varieties ranging from the premium ones such as Hor Lor (gourd) and Ang Heh (red prawn) to the popular bittersweet Cheh Phoy (Green Skin).
At Rumah Batu, which is slightly harder to locate because it’s off the main road, the attraction is not a tour of the 3.6ha durian orchard but a century-old house which was formerly a communist base.
H.H. Tan, whose father owns the orchard and house, believes that the solid brick structure dates back to over 100 years.
“We don’t offer tours around the orchard but we welcome guests inside our historical home.
“Visitors enjoy sipping homemade nutmeg juice while eating their durians at our porch,” he says.
Police inspectors Bobby Tamat and Saiful Mohd Abd Latif agree.
“The durian is a forest fruit and eating it in a natural village surrounding is a different experience altogether.
“Somehow, squatting beside the roadside while licking your fingers just doesn’t do the fruit justice,” Bobby, who is from Sabah, says.
Saiful, who is from Kelantan, says they visit Rumah Batu every durian season.
“Allowing visitors to enjoy the fruit in the orchard and taking them on a tour of the place is a unique tourism product for Penang,” he says.
Kedahan Halim Murad, who was spotted loading his lorry at the Sungai Pinang durian collection point, says he comes to Penang every year for the state’s special fruit.
“I know other sellers who come from Kuala Lumpur, Alor Setar and Ipoh who get their supplies from Balik Pulau. The flesh of the fruits from here is nice and creamy,” he says.
Indeed, if these guys are to be believed, Balik Pulau really is home to the tastiest durians in Malaysia!
For details on the orchard trails, call 012-538 5128 (Rumah Batu), 012-401 0800 (Bao Sheng) and 017-446 4959 (Loh).
-Info courtesy of The Star-
Tasty treats for shoppers
Tasty treats for shoppers
GHEE Hiang, a 154-year-old brand renowned locally for its authentic and delectable traditional pastries, treated shoppers to an exciting time during its Family Fair 2010 at Sunshine Farlim Shopping Mall in Penang.
Held on Monday in conjunction with Father’s Day, the event featured a host of activities such as food sampling, lucky draw and games with prizes.
Many also walked away with free gifts.
There were also live cooking demonstrations by KDU College’s celebrity chef Darren Tan, who whipped up dishes using Ghee Hiang’s sesame oil.
Besides promoting its traditional pastries like Tau Sar Pneah and Oriental Almond Cookies, as well as sesame oil and pure white coffee, the company’s mascot, Ghee Hiang Xiao Dou Sa, also went around greeting shoppers.
According to sales and marketing executive Jeraline Lim, the company traced its roots back to China during the late Qing Dynasty era.
The company has four boutiques in Penang, each with a unique feature — the heritage pre-war boutique on Beach Street, the bungalow on Macalister Road, the window boutique on Burmah Road and the latest at Sunshine Farlim where fresh, oven-baked treats are available.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
GHEE Hiang, a 154-year-old brand renowned locally for its authentic and delectable traditional pastries, treated shoppers to an exciting time during its Family Fair 2010 at Sunshine Farlim Shopping Mall in Penang.
Held on Monday in conjunction with Father’s Day, the event featured a host of activities such as food sampling, lucky draw and games with prizes.
Many also walked away with free gifts.
There were also live cooking demonstrations by KDU College’s celebrity chef Darren Tan, who whipped up dishes using Ghee Hiang’s sesame oil.
Besides promoting its traditional pastries like Tau Sar Pneah and Oriental Almond Cookies, as well as sesame oil and pure white coffee, the company’s mascot, Ghee Hiang Xiao Dou Sa, also went around greeting shoppers.
According to sales and marketing executive Jeraline Lim, the company traced its roots back to China during the late Qing Dynasty era.
The company has four boutiques in Penang, each with a unique feature — the heritage pre-war boutique on Beach Street, the bungalow on Macalister Road, the window boutique on Burmah Road and the latest at Sunshine Farlim where fresh, oven-baked treats are available.
-Info courtesy of The Star-
Saturday, 26 June 2010
Events galore at anniversary festival
Events galore at anniversary festival
GEORGE Town will be full of excitement and cultural activities during the George Town Festival 2010 next month.
The one-month-long inaugural festival will be held to celebrate the second anniversary of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“We hope to showcase the unique diversity of our culture and heritage. We want to transform George Town into an Asia cultural city.
“We are a small island with big ambitions. We hope people of all walks of life will join us in the festival,” he told reporters after attending the media announcement of George Town Festival at JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Festival director Joe Sidek said the festival would feature over 80 programmes with the participation of 400 performers to promote arts and heritage in Penang.
“One of the highlights of the event is the street celebration titled Streets Come Alive Unforgettable George Town on July 7,” he said.
People should not miss out the Chinese opera performance by international acclaimed Beijing opera performer Ghaffar Pourazar, he said.
He said there would be film screenings of movies shot in Penang including The Blue Mansion and Red Kebaya with appearances by directors Glen Goei and Ramli Hassan.
Other highlights include public installation art by New York-based Malaysian artist Leon Lim and Penang-based artist Fuan Wong, the theatre production of Emily of Emerald Hill directed by Malaysia’s film director Saw Teong Hin, the dance performance Vision of Forever, a classical Indian dance by Ramli Ibrahim and Sutra Dance Company as well as a street opera performance by Japanese soprano Rankpo Kurano. For details, log on to www.georgetownfestival.com or contact 016-4644211.
-News courtesy of The Star-
GEORGE Town will be full of excitement and cultural activities during the George Town Festival 2010 next month.
The one-month-long inaugural festival will be held to celebrate the second anniversary of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, said Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng.
“We hope to showcase the unique diversity of our culture and heritage. We want to transform George Town into an Asia cultural city.
“We are a small island with big ambitions. We hope people of all walks of life will join us in the festival,” he told reporters after attending the media announcement of George Town Festival at JW Marriott Hotel in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Festival director Joe Sidek said the festival would feature over 80 programmes with the participation of 400 performers to promote arts and heritage in Penang.
“One of the highlights of the event is the street celebration titled Streets Come Alive Unforgettable George Town on July 7,” he said.
People should not miss out the Chinese opera performance by international acclaimed Beijing opera performer Ghaffar Pourazar, he said.
He said there would be film screenings of movies shot in Penang including The Blue Mansion and Red Kebaya with appearances by directors Glen Goei and Ramli Hassan.
Other highlights include public installation art by New York-based Malaysian artist Leon Lim and Penang-based artist Fuan Wong, the theatre production of Emily of Emerald Hill directed by Malaysia’s film director Saw Teong Hin, the dance performance Vision of Forever, a classical Indian dance by Ramli Ibrahim and Sutra Dance Company as well as a street opera performance by Japanese soprano Rankpo Kurano. For details, log on to www.georgetownfestival.com or contact 016-4644211.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Insightful tour of prewar shophouses
Insightful tour of prewar shophouses
THOSE keen to know more about pre-war historical shophouses should keep July 7 free for an opportunity to visit some shophouses that are usually not open to the public on normal days.
This rare opportunity to visit 10 such shophouses at the heritage enclave of George Town is organised in conjunction with the second anniversary of George Town being listed as the World Heritage City.
Organiser Tan Yeow Wooi, who owns a culture and heritage research studio, said the guided walking tour would start from two points - from Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) at Church Street that ends at Khoo Kongsi, and route B that starts from Khoo Kongsi and ends at the Kuan Yin Temple.
He said the tour would be conducted in English and Mandarin, adding that they would visit buildings located at Church Street, China Street, Armenian Street, Cannon Street and Chulia Lane among others.
“Among the buildings that we will visit are offices, residential homes, restaurants, museums and boutiques,” he said, adding that the tour was arranged for the people to appreciate the uniqueness of the shophouses.
Tan said people would also get to learn more about the basic architectural designs of the shophouses and their benefits.
“The future of George Town as a heritage city depends on the correct conservation of the traditional features of the shophouses,” he told a press conference at his studio on China Street in Penang on Wednesday.
He said the tour from 9am to 12.30pm would cost RM10 per person. There would be 20 people per group. The registration closes on July 5.
Those who join the tour would also be given a A4 size flyer on the typology of the shophouses.
For details, call Fidel Ho at 012-4565867 or email to fidelhoho@gmail.com.
Another interesting event to be held on the same day and July 10 is a 45-minute tour to the historical Protestant cemetery at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Penang Heritage Trust coordinator Lau Pei Ling said the tour would cost RM20 each, while for RM36, each participant would also get a limited edition set of six postcards of ‘Angles: Cemeteries in Penang’ by Sharon Cheah Ui-Hoon, a journalist with the Business Times Singapore.
For details, call PHT at 04-2642631 or The Gallery at 04-2643580. Closing date for registration is July 5.
-News courtesy of The Star-
THOSE keen to know more about pre-war historical shophouses should keep July 7 free for an opportunity to visit some shophouses that are usually not open to the public on normal days.
This rare opportunity to visit 10 such shophouses at the heritage enclave of George Town is organised in conjunction with the second anniversary of George Town being listed as the World Heritage City.
Organiser Tan Yeow Wooi, who owns a culture and heritage research studio, said the guided walking tour would start from two points - from Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) at Church Street that ends at Khoo Kongsi, and route B that starts from Khoo Kongsi and ends at the Kuan Yin Temple.
He said the tour would be conducted in English and Mandarin, adding that they would visit buildings located at Church Street, China Street, Armenian Street, Cannon Street and Chulia Lane among others.
“Among the buildings that we will visit are offices, residential homes, restaurants, museums and boutiques,” he said, adding that the tour was arranged for the people to appreciate the uniqueness of the shophouses.
Tan said people would also get to learn more about the basic architectural designs of the shophouses and their benefits.
“The future of George Town as a heritage city depends on the correct conservation of the traditional features of the shophouses,” he told a press conference at his studio on China Street in Penang on Wednesday.
He said the tour from 9am to 12.30pm would cost RM10 per person. There would be 20 people per group. The registration closes on July 5.
Those who join the tour would also be given a A4 size flyer on the typology of the shophouses.
For details, call Fidel Ho at 012-4565867 or email to fidelhoho@gmail.com.
Another interesting event to be held on the same day and July 10 is a 45-minute tour to the historical Protestant cemetery at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.
Penang Heritage Trust coordinator Lau Pei Ling said the tour would cost RM20 each, while for RM36, each participant would also get a limited edition set of six postcards of ‘Angles: Cemeteries in Penang’ by Sharon Cheah Ui-Hoon, a journalist with the Business Times Singapore.
For details, call PHT at 04-2642631 or The Gallery at 04-2643580. Closing date for registration is July 5.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Thursday, 24 June 2010
Activities for youths at Batu Kawan
Host of activities for youths at Batu Kawan
IF you love motor sports, then head to the Batu Kawan Stadium on Saturday as a host of activities such as car drift demonstration and 4WD exhibition have been lined up for the public.
There will also be auto and audio shows as well as car boot sale in the Youth and Motor Sports Carnival held in conjunction with the National Youth Day 2010.
Penang Youth and Sports Department director Abd Jalil A. Rashid said those interested in motorbike racing can meet with former national racer M. Meganathan and rising star Elly Idzlianizar Ilias.
He said the organisers were hoping for a turnout of more than 10,000 people especially youths in the event from 7.30am to 5pm.
He said the carnival would kick off with a group run followed by group aerobic exercise and cycling events.
The carnival is organised by the department with the help of the Penang Youth Council and Penang Federal Development Department.
For details, call the sports department at 04-2616118.
-News courtesy of The Star-
IF you love motor sports, then head to the Batu Kawan Stadium on Saturday as a host of activities such as car drift demonstration and 4WD exhibition have been lined up for the public.
There will also be auto and audio shows as well as car boot sale in the Youth and Motor Sports Carnival held in conjunction with the National Youth Day 2010.
Penang Youth and Sports Department director Abd Jalil A. Rashid said those interested in motorbike racing can meet with former national racer M. Meganathan and rising star Elly Idzlianizar Ilias.
He said the organisers were hoping for a turnout of more than 10,000 people especially youths in the event from 7.30am to 5pm.
He said the carnival would kick off with a group run followed by group aerobic exercise and cycling events.
The carnival is organised by the department with the help of the Penang Youth Council and Penang Federal Development Department.
For details, call the sports department at 04-2616118.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Myriad plans to revive Komtar
Myriad plans to revive Komtar
THE Penang Government remains committed in its efforts to ensure Komtar regains its former glory and shine, said Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik.
He said they were currently looking into reorganising the taxi service in Komtar, adding facilities for the disabled, general upgrading works and sprucing up the area.
“Once everything is in place, we’re confident of attracting a lot of investors and synergise our business circles,” he said in his speech when closing the Komtar Carnival 2010 at Prangin Mall on Sunday night.
He also expressed his hope that the Komtar development project would be completed within the next 10 years.
Ng later gave out prizes to the winners of the carnival’s Penang Goes Green Photography Contest, Komtar Carnival Idol and Street Dance Competition.
Participants of the photography contest were required to capture snapshots pertaining to environmental issues, with shortlisted entries exhibited for public voting at the Popular Bookstore outlet.
Looi Hwa Min, Hwang Chiew Leng and Ricky Teoh grabbed the first, second and third prizes respectively, and took home Nikon cameras, Popular vouchers and cash.
Over in the Street Dance Competition, Metalloid, Bizarre Force and Soul of Junior grabbed the top three prizes, while Zuriana, Hong Yih Kwang and Azhar Mustaffa emerged triumphant in the Idol segment.
Prangin Mall complex manager Kimm Tang felt the 16-day carnival would go a long way in reviving the Komtar area.
“If these efforts are carried out with gusto, we can make this place exciting,” he said.
He also announced that the mall had completed the installation of 140 CCTVs to make it safer for shoppers, while exterior painting works would commence soon and scheduled to be completed by August in conjunction with the opening of the 1st Avenue Mall.
As part of Komtar’s rebranding exercise, they were also seeking public input for ideas, said Tang.
Those interested are required to think of one other word to go with ‘Komtar’, which aptly describes the whole area surrounding it.
Email your suggestions to kimmtang@prangin-mall.com. The best suggestion stands to win prizes worth RM4,000.
-News courtesy of The Star-
THE Penang Government remains committed in its efforts to ensure Komtar regains its former glory and shine, said Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik.
He said they were currently looking into reorganising the taxi service in Komtar, adding facilities for the disabled, general upgrading works and sprucing up the area.
“Once everything is in place, we’re confident of attracting a lot of investors and synergise our business circles,” he said in his speech when closing the Komtar Carnival 2010 at Prangin Mall on Sunday night.
He also expressed his hope that the Komtar development project would be completed within the next 10 years.
Ng later gave out prizes to the winners of the carnival’s Penang Goes Green Photography Contest, Komtar Carnival Idol and Street Dance Competition.
Participants of the photography contest were required to capture snapshots pertaining to environmental issues, with shortlisted entries exhibited for public voting at the Popular Bookstore outlet.
Looi Hwa Min, Hwang Chiew Leng and Ricky Teoh grabbed the first, second and third prizes respectively, and took home Nikon cameras, Popular vouchers and cash.
Over in the Street Dance Competition, Metalloid, Bizarre Force and Soul of Junior grabbed the top three prizes, while Zuriana, Hong Yih Kwang and Azhar Mustaffa emerged triumphant in the Idol segment.
Prangin Mall complex manager Kimm Tang felt the 16-day carnival would go a long way in reviving the Komtar area.
“If these efforts are carried out with gusto, we can make this place exciting,” he said.
He also announced that the mall had completed the installation of 140 CCTVs to make it safer for shoppers, while exterior painting works would commence soon and scheduled to be completed by August in conjunction with the opening of the 1st Avenue Mall.
As part of Komtar’s rebranding exercise, they were also seeking public input for ideas, said Tang.
Those interested are required to think of one other word to go with ‘Komtar’, which aptly describes the whole area surrounding it.
Email your suggestions to kimmtang@prangin-mall.com. The best suggestion stands to win prizes worth RM4,000.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Gold bazaar in the cards
Gold bazaar in the cards
THE Penang Government has plans to turn an open area, currently used as a pedestrian walkway along Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, into a Gold and Jewellery Bazaar.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a Request for Proposal (RFP) would be called beginning July 1.
The proposal must be submitted by Oct 1.
Lim said the state government and the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) had identified a 0.4ha piece of land located next to Komtar for the project.
“The proposed site is situated along Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong adjoining to the Prangin Mall.
“The area forms Phase IV of Komtar’s overall development,” he said.
He said the bazaar would comprise an iconic building that would house gold and jewellery traders ranging from anchor operators to kiosk operators.
Lim said the public space at the ground level would be utilised as an open area visible to vehicular traffic along the road.
He said the commercial units would be on the first level, and would be connected by escalators.
He added that the building would also have security features.
“The bid is open for both local and international companies, and participating companies must have a paid-up capital of a minimum of RM100,000,” he said.
Lim said the bazaar was part of the revitalisation process, adding that the surrounding property had also undergone facelifts to upgrade and preserve the heritage value of the area.
Forms for the proposal can be obtained at RM100 from PDC’s Property Division at Level 4, 1, Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru.
Enquiries can be forwarded to enquiry@pdc.gov.my.
Lim also said that to celebrate George Town’s listing as a Unesco World Heritage Site, a unique showcase to highlight the local culture and heritage would be held between July 1 and July 31.
The month-long inaugural event called ‘George Town Festival 2010’ will be held in conjunction with the second anniversary of the city being bestowed with the title on July 7.
“The festival will feature over 80 programmes to promote arts and heritage in Penang, with 338 local and international artists performing,” said Lim.
“Among the highlights are the street celebration on July 7, street opera performance by Japanese soprano Ranko Kurano, mass band festival, design and modelling contest, sculptor island trail and photo exhibitions,” he said.
For more details go to www.georgetownfestival.com or contact the secretariat for details such as ticket sales for certain events at 04-2616605 or 016-4644211.
-News courtesy of The Star-
THE Penang Government has plans to turn an open area, currently used as a pedestrian walkway along Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, into a Gold and Jewellery Bazaar.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said a Request for Proposal (RFP) would be called beginning July 1.
The proposal must be submitted by Oct 1.
Lim said the state government and the Penang Development Corporation (PDC) had identified a 0.4ha piece of land located next to Komtar for the project.
“The proposed site is situated along Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong adjoining to the Prangin Mall.
“The area forms Phase IV of Komtar’s overall development,” he said.
He said the bazaar would comprise an iconic building that would house gold and jewellery traders ranging from anchor operators to kiosk operators.
Lim said the public space at the ground level would be utilised as an open area visible to vehicular traffic along the road.
He said the commercial units would be on the first level, and would be connected by escalators.
He added that the building would also have security features.
“The bid is open for both local and international companies, and participating companies must have a paid-up capital of a minimum of RM100,000,” he said.
Lim said the bazaar was part of the revitalisation process, adding that the surrounding property had also undergone facelifts to upgrade and preserve the heritage value of the area.
Forms for the proposal can be obtained at RM100 from PDC’s Property Division at Level 4, 1, Persiaran Mahsuri, Bandar Bayan Baru.
Enquiries can be forwarded to enquiry@pdc.gov.my.
Lim also said that to celebrate George Town’s listing as a Unesco World Heritage Site, a unique showcase to highlight the local culture and heritage would be held between July 1 and July 31.
The month-long inaugural event called ‘George Town Festival 2010’ will be held in conjunction with the second anniversary of the city being bestowed with the title on July 7.
“The festival will feature over 80 programmes to promote arts and heritage in Penang, with 338 local and international artists performing,” said Lim.
“Among the highlights are the street celebration on July 7, street opera performance by Japanese soprano Ranko Kurano, mass band festival, design and modelling contest, sculptor island trail and photo exhibitions,” he said.
For more details go to www.georgetownfestival.com or contact the secretariat for details such as ticket sales for certain events at 04-2616605 or 016-4644211.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Sunday, 13 June 2010
Promoting Penang to folk in China
Promoting Penang to folk in China
IN a bid to promote Penang as a choice tourist destination, media and travel agents from Guangzhou, China, are visiting the island to meet with local agents and hoteliers.
The three-day discussion known as Mini Travel Mart started yesterday and included a tour of Penang to expose the guests to a slice of the culture.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said it was important for the guests to experience the multi-ethnic culture so that they would be able to promote Penang back home.
“China has a very big market. Therefore, it will benefit us if we are able to attract the people there to come here for holidays,” he said at a press conference held at G Hotel to greet the group from Guangzhou.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Southern China Airlines assistant general manager (Marketing) Zhang Dongsheng thanked the sponsors for making the trip possible.
“I believe that from this meeting, all the parties involved will be able to come up with better ways to improve Penang as a tourism attraction in China,” he said.
Also present was Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Pe- nang Chapter chairman Marco Battistotti, who is the general manager of G Hotel.
The sponsors for the event are G Hotel, Eastin Hotel, Equatorial Hotel, Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Yung Huat Hung Travel and Tours, and Tong Yan Travel and Tours.
-News courtesy of The Star-
IN a bid to promote Penang as a choice tourist destination, media and travel agents from Guangzhou, China, are visiting the island to meet with local agents and hoteliers.
The three-day discussion known as Mini Travel Mart started yesterday and included a tour of Penang to expose the guests to a slice of the culture.
State Tourism Development and Culture Committee chairman Danny Law Heng Kiang said it was important for the guests to experience the multi-ethnic culture so that they would be able to promote Penang back home.
“China has a very big market. Therefore, it will benefit us if we are able to attract the people there to come here for holidays,” he said at a press conference held at G Hotel to greet the group from Guangzhou.
Speaking on behalf of the group, Southern China Airlines assistant general manager (Marketing) Zhang Dongsheng thanked the sponsors for making the trip possible.
“I believe that from this meeting, all the parties involved will be able to come up with better ways to improve Penang as a tourism attraction in China,” he said.
Also present was Malaysian Association of Hotels (MAH) Pe- nang Chapter chairman Marco Battistotti, who is the general manager of G Hotel.
The sponsors for the event are G Hotel, Eastin Hotel, Equatorial Hotel, Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, Yung Huat Hung Travel and Tours, and Tong Yan Travel and Tours.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Performances on bridge scrapped
Plan to allow performances on bridge scrapped
THE plan to allow street performances on the normally deserted Komtar overhead pedestrian bridge in George Town has been called off.
Penang Municipal Council’s Public Health and Licensing Standing Committee alternate chairman Tay Leong Seng said the plan had to be scrapped after much deliberation on its viability during a full council meeting last month.
“The walkway is too narrow. We do not want the place to be cramped and overcrowded,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“However, two places – Gurney Drive and Komtar Walk – have been identified as possible venues for such activities to be carried out. But everything is still at a premature stage.”
It was earlier reported that the bridge, built in the early 1990s at a cost of RM1mil, was set to come alive with street performances and kiosks selling Penang products and souvenirs pending a full council endorsement.
Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik had said that activities needed to be carried out on the bridge as a feng shui master had told him that Komtar would only come alive if the bridge was “recharged with vigour and vitality”.
Ng had said that street performers, who normally needed a permit from the council to perform in public places, would not need to obtain approval from the authorities to perform on the bridge or on its steps.
As for the kiosks, Tay said the council would be calling for a tender to set up eight of them on the bridge.
He added that the council’s tender board was in the midst of drafting out the working papers before uploading it to the council’s website.
“No food or drinks are allowed to be sold on the bridge.
“The operation hours are from 10am to 10pm,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
THE plan to allow street performances on the normally deserted Komtar overhead pedestrian bridge in George Town has been called off.
Penang Municipal Council’s Public Health and Licensing Standing Committee alternate chairman Tay Leong Seng said the plan had to be scrapped after much deliberation on its viability during a full council meeting last month.
“The walkway is too narrow. We do not want the place to be cramped and overcrowded,” he said when contacted yesterday.
“However, two places – Gurney Drive and Komtar Walk – have been identified as possible venues for such activities to be carried out. But everything is still at a premature stage.”
It was earlier reported that the bridge, built in the early 1990s at a cost of RM1mil, was set to come alive with street performances and kiosks selling Penang products and souvenirs pending a full council endorsement.
Komtar assemblyman Ng Wei Aik had said that activities needed to be carried out on the bridge as a feng shui master had told him that Komtar would only come alive if the bridge was “recharged with vigour and vitality”.
Ng had said that street performers, who normally needed a permit from the council to perform in public places, would not need to obtain approval from the authorities to perform on the bridge or on its steps.
As for the kiosks, Tay said the council would be calling for a tender to set up eight of them on the bridge.
He added that the council’s tender board was in the midst of drafting out the working papers before uploading it to the council’s website.
“No food or drinks are allowed to be sold on the bridge.
“The operation hours are from 10am to 10pm,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
Plan to build Hakka Museum
Plan to build Hakka Museum
THE Penang Khek Association will identify a suitable land in Balik Pulau to build a Hakka Heritage Museum.
Association president Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian said the association was looking for a piece of land measuring 1,858.06 sq m (20,000 sq ft) to build the museum.
Dr Cheah, who is also the Malaysian Federation of Hakka Associations’ deputy president, said the museum would be modelled after a traditional Hakka round house.
“We have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and I will be following up with him to see if it is possible for the state to grant us a piece of land in Balik Pulau for the purpose.
“The museum will feature different kinds of historical Hakka cultural treasures and the unique living style of the Hakka people,” he said in an interview.
He said the round house would have an eatery, a souvenir shop and an audio visual room for children.
Dr Cheah said Penangites could boast of a new tourist attraction in Balik Pulau if the state approved the project.
On the type of structure chosen for the museum, Dr Cheah said the round house was more commonly known by the people compared to the phoenix house and flat house ping fang.
He said there was historical evidence to prove the existence of Hakka settlement in Balik Pulau about 200 years ago.
“Although the Hakka community is not the largest native dialect group in Penang, it was the pioneer group to open up Penang island, with other dialect groups successfully migrating to Malaysia from south China,” he said.
Dr Cheah said the project, once completed, would be a tribute to the Hakka ancestors and their great achievements.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow when contacted said the state would hold further discussions with the association on the proposed project.
“We will have to look at the feasibility of the plan first,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
THE Penang Khek Association will identify a suitable land in Balik Pulau to build a Hakka Heritage Museum.
Association president Datuk Dr Cheah See Kian said the association was looking for a piece of land measuring 1,858.06 sq m (20,000 sq ft) to build the museum.
Dr Cheah, who is also the Malaysian Federation of Hakka Associations’ deputy president, said the museum would be modelled after a traditional Hakka round house.
“We have submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and I will be following up with him to see if it is possible for the state to grant us a piece of land in Balik Pulau for the purpose.
“The museum will feature different kinds of historical Hakka cultural treasures and the unique living style of the Hakka people,” he said in an interview.
He said the round house would have an eatery, a souvenir shop and an audio visual room for children.
Dr Cheah said Penangites could boast of a new tourist attraction in Balik Pulau if the state approved the project.
On the type of structure chosen for the museum, Dr Cheah said the round house was more commonly known by the people compared to the phoenix house and flat house ping fang.
He said there was historical evidence to prove the existence of Hakka settlement in Balik Pulau about 200 years ago.
“Although the Hakka community is not the largest native dialect group in Penang, it was the pioneer group to open up Penang island, with other dialect groups successfully migrating to Malaysia from south China,” he said.
Dr Cheah said the project, once completed, would be a tribute to the Hakka ancestors and their great achievements.
State Local Government and Traffic Management Committee chairman Chow Kon Yeow when contacted said the state would hold further discussions with the association on the proposed project.
“We will have to look at the feasibility of the plan first,” he said.
-News courtesy of The Star-
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