Door latch of one of the pre-war houses near Swatow Lane
Abandoned building near Penang Plaza
Penang is really a beautiful place. One of the reason why I enjoyed Road to Dawn (Chinese: ye ming) was because the movie showcased my picturesque home state.
But I think the true beauty of Penang lies in the strength of our spirit, the spirit of the people.
We were the most fervent supporters of Dr. Sun Yat Sen's Tung Meng Hui and contributed (with Singapore) nearly a quarter of the total funds of the KMT revolution in China. Penang was also the base from which Dr. Sun retreated after his ninth (and probably earlier) defeat and it was from here than he recuperate and planned for his Canton Revolution. Although the Canton Revolution failed, it was the immediate stepping stone to the double-10 Wuchang Revolution which succeeded in toppling the Qing government in 1911.
Penang was also the first state in Malaysia to be captured by the Opposition party (People's Movement Party, Parti Gerakan Malaysia - the party had since joined Barisan Nasional in the 70s) in 1969 under Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu.
We're probably the earliest colony in the whole of SEA to have an advanced public transportation system of electric trams and trolleys. Now our state government is talking about electric train and light rail transports, looks like our development consists of looking backwards to our glorious past.
And not to forget, the world's oldest chinese newspaper Kwong Wah Yit Poh (originally from Myanmar!), the country only alternative-view publication ALIRAN magazine, all these were "borned" in Penang.
Selamat Tuhan kurniakan
Selamat Pulau Pinang... (The opening lines of our State Anthem)
May the spirit of the Penang people continue to inspire generations to come to always uphold human dignity against oppressive powers.
If it is an unjust law you would abolish, that law was written with your own hand upon your own forehead. You cannot erase it by burning your law books nor by washing the foreheads of your judges, though you pour the sea upon them. And if it is a despot you would dethrone, see first that his throne erected within you is destroyed. - Khalil Gibran, The Prophet
The Reb is here with the Methodist TRAC for their little big annual excursion. In a recently published 2005 CFM conference paper, Hwa Yung highlighted a 3-point action plan towards national integration. Great stuff. Well, hope the TRAC-ies will have a good time and be inspired by the spirit of Penang to continue to live out the Wesleyan social vision. And at the same time enjoy beautiful Penang with all the bestest food in the world!
