Sunday, July 31, 2011

Penang Chinese Anti War Memorial(槟榔屿华侨抗战殉职机工罹难同胞纪念碑)

Penang Chinese War Memorial(槟榔屿华侨抗战殉职机工罹难同胞纪念碑)


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Many people have seen the tall memorial while traveling to Penang Hill or Kek Lok Si, but not many people know the story of the memorial. It is located just opposite SJKC Kong Ming Pusat or Kong Ming Main Chinese Primary School(公民国民型华文小学总校)which is located at 39-A, Jalan Air Itam, 11500 Ayer Itam, The school is also the trustee for the annual memorial service for the war martyrs. It is beside the Air Itam Government Clinic(Klinik kesihatan Air Itam) and Anglican Christ Church, opposite the Lye Lye Coffee Shop. If you travel from the city it is along Jalan Air Itam, until you reach the junction at the foot of Penang Hill, just opposite the Kong Ming School, the memorial is located right at the corner.

It is popularly called Penang Chinese Anti War Memorial,an anti war memorial. But behind the monument there are many touching stories. The memorial to commemorate the Chinese people of Penang who died in World War II. The Chinese name of the monument is Penang Chinese War Memorial for the Nanyang Transport Volunteers and the Martyrs of the World War II(槟榔屿华侨抗战殉职机工和罹难同胞纪念碑).

The memorial was built in 1946, but only officially opened on 1-11-1951 @11 a.m. by the late Lim Lian Teng. Below the memorial was buried the ashes of the bones of many martyrs who died during World War Two, collected from all over Penang. It was not only built to remember the WW2 martyrs, who died for their resistance to the Japanese Imperial Army, and also to remember the Nanyang Transport Volunteers who died while volunteered their service as truck driver and mechanic during the Sino Japanese War(which was part of Pacific War or WW2)at Burma Road,in Yunan,China. The Chinese inscription on the monument was as below;

槟榔屿机工与殉难同胞纪念碑文如下:
慨自滔天涡水,起于芦沟;刮地腥风,播及槟屿。凡是侨居华族,莫不切恨倭奴,出力出钱,各尽救亡天职;无老无少,咸怀抗战之决心。是以募机工,大收驾辇车 之利,技参军运,竟树蜚邹挽粟之功。矢石临头,都无畏色,而疆场殉职,宜慰忠魂也。迨日敌偷渡重洋,首沦孤岛,先而肃清文令,更颁炮烙之刑。公治被诬,同 羁缧绁;赢秦旧虐,重演焚坑;暴骨露尸,神号鬼哭。虽汤州十日,无此奇冤;嘉定三屠,逊兹浩劫也。所幸两声原子,三岛为夷;八载深仇,一朝暂雪。茅飞扬 日旗,虽远竖于东瀛,而内烁青磷,尚游离于南廓。客过回首,空怀堕泪之碑;鹤化辽东,未见表忠之碣。言念及此,情何以堪!槟屿赈会,早经议决,极思掩盖, 藉安英灵。奈经处处搜寻,始得一丘之萃。兹者卜地旗山之麓,建立丰汗;招魂槟海之滨,来归华表。漫说泽枯有主,定教埋石无忧,庶几取义成仁,恒千秋而不 朽;英风浩气,厉万古而常昭。

Each year on 11th of November at 11.a.m., a memorial ceremony will be held at the memorial, representatives from the Chinese community will be there to pay their respect to the martyrs. Some time, some Japanese will also come to join in the memorial ceremony. Recently even the Chief Minister was there.

Most of us are familiar with the story of the Japanese occupation during the World War Two, from 1941 to 1945. The local Chinese also called san-nee-pei-go-quai(3 years and 8 months). But the story of Nanyang Transport Volunteers, not many are aware of it.

Nanyang Transport Volunteers((南侨机工)1939-1946

In 1939, 3,200 young men from South-East Asia, historically was called Nanyang(南洋) by Chinese, most were from Malaya, left their families and homes voluntarily to travel to China to work as drivers and mechanics during the Sino-Japanese War of 1937-1945. They left in 15 batches with 9 of 15 batches leaving from Singapore. The volunteers are called Nangiao ji gong(南侨机工)or “overseas Chinese mechanics”.

These 3200 volunteers included Indian, Malay men and four Chinese women. They were responding to China Relief Fund’s call to sustain China’s war materials supply chain during the Sino Japanese War. The China Relief Fund or Nanyang Federation of China Relief Fund(南洋华侨筹赈祖国难民总会) or Nangiao Chung Hui(南侨总会), an association founded on 10-10-1938 by 170 overseas Chinese representatives from the Nanyang region. Their objective was to coordinate regional relief work to support China against Japanese advancement. Mr.Tan Kah Kee(陈嘉庚)was elected as the chairman. The regional headquarter of China Relief Fund was located in Ee Hoe Hean Club, Singapore.

On 7-2-1939, an announcement no. 6 issued by The China Relief Fund, calling all able Chinese mechanic and drivers to volunteer for relief work in China. The responses to the call was tremendous, many Chinese responded to the call and went for interview. The first batch selected consisted of 80 pioneers. They left Singapore on 19-2-1939, 11 days after the announcement. They were known as Nanqiao ji gong(南侨机工) or “overseas Chinese mechanics”. The group however included both mechanic(修理工)and drivers(司机), Ji gong(机工) means workers on the machinery or vehicle, which included both mechanics and drivers. The volunteers, consisted mainly Chinese from Nanyang, but also included Indians, Malays,Indonesians and Burmese. The sent off ceremony attended by many was the hot news in Singapore. The initial 80 was called Eighty Pioneer(八十先锋),who left on 18-2-1939, just a day before Chinese New Year. They made history for Nanyang Chinese. (Note: You can see the photo of the first batch Ji Gong at the official website of Ee Hoe Hean Club(怡和轩俱乐部), http://www.eehoehean.org/?page_id=45)

There were 300 volunteers from North Malaya of Penang, Kedah and Perlis; of which 233 were from Penang. A list of the volunteers can be seen from the Sin Chew Daily dated 25-7-2011 North Malayan Edition page 20. In Penang, the sent off cemory were held at Choon-man-yuan or Wembley Park(春满园”游艺场), and there were long procession, by people of Penang to provide moral support to the volunteers, matching and walking all the way to clan jetty(Ong Jetty). Whenever batches of volunteers were going to China(via Singapore), there were big crowds sending them off, it was reported that there was an incident the wooden plank bridge of the jetty collapsed, and people fell off to the sea, due to overweight by large crowds standing on the plank bridge. They departed from Clan Jetty to Singapore. When they arrived at Singapore, their accommodation was at Nam Tien Hotel in Singapore prior to final departure by ship to Vietnam. A grand sent off was again at Singapore with big crowds sending them off at the Singapore old harbor(新加坡红灯码头). From the port at Haiphong, Vietnam, they went to Kunming,Yunnan, China. Sad to say ,Wembley Park has demolished recently for redevelopment, Nam Tien Hotel is still around.

According to Yunnan Province archives, records of the second brigade of Overseas Transportation Teams dated June 30, 1941, showed there were 97 non-Chinese mechanics – among them 55 Indians, 18 Malays, 11 Burmese and two Indonesians.

These volunteers’ task took them along the Burma Road, a more than 1,453km-long route that began at the rail head town of Lashio in north-east Burma (or Myanmar)(缅甸腊戌)and wound its way across mountainous terrain through the province of Yunnan in the south-west corner of China to end at the provincial capital, Kunming(中国云南省昆明市).

Of the 3,200 who went to Yunnan, about 1,028 died in Yunnan, out of 2,000 that still alive, half of them remained in China, and half come back to Nanyang. The one remained were those who had started a family in China, or who missed the last trip for home.

The first batch returned to Singapore with the help of United Nation in 1946, arrived at Singapore on 4-11-1946. After the war, China civil war started, the Nanyang volunteers and their families had to face another war period as civilian. Even after the establishment of People Republic of China in 1949,when communist took over China, the 1,000 who remained was treated as Chiang Kai Shek or KMT's soldiers experienced political discrimination. During the unfortunate incident of Cultural Revolution(1966-1976), they were prosecuted and discriminated due to their "polluted cultural background" as Nanyang ji gong, which was treated as link to KMT. They faced extreme hardship, and some committed suicide. Today, many of them had died of old age, and not many remained. Their contribution was forgotten as time passed, and no body remember their heroic act in China until 1985, when official recognition was given by the Chinese Government.

The Burma Road(滇缅公路)

By the middle of 1938, the Yunnan-Burma Road, laid along segments of that ancient trail, was completed and ready for heavy use. (The Yunnan-Burma Highway and Yunnan Economy During the Periods of Anti-Japanese War by Li Cheng, Journal of Asian Culture and History, Canadian Center of Science and Education, ccsenet.org.)The Burma Road(滇缅公路) is a road linking Burma (also called Myanmar) with the southwest of China. Its terminals are Kunming, Yunnan(中国云南省昆明市), and Lashio, Burma(缅甸腊戌). When it was built, Burma was still a British colony.

When the Japanese began blockading China’s seaboard in 1937 to cut off access to overseas war materials, the Chinese Government turned to this inland route that crossed its border to maintain a tenuous link with the outside world.

The Chinese government officials began the process of shipping military supplies from Irrawaddy River ports to Lashio for transportation into China via the road, they realised there were not enough skilled drivers and mechanics in China to service this overland route.

Malaya and Singapore had an estimated 50,000 to 60,000 skilled workers, according to research done for a documentary film made by a Chinese TV station and museum about the Nanqiao ji gong.

So in February 1939, a recruitment drive began in Singapore that called for drivers and mechanics aged between 20 to 40 years old to come to China’s aid. The drive was held under the aegis of the China Relief Fund that had initially been formed to raise funds from overseas Chinese to aid China during the Sino-Japanese War.

The response to the call was astonishing: within a matter of months more than 3,000 men, and not all of them Chinese either, from this part of the world volunteered, eventually joining tens of thousands of mainland Chinese in plying the 1,453km Yunnan-Burma Road(滇缅公路), China’s only link with the outside world after 1941. There were 3,192 from Nanyang.

According to the researchers, upon arriving in Kunming(昆明), the Nanqiao ji gong were sorted into Overseas Transportation Teams(华侨先锋运输队) and given additional training. Initial groups of drivers were under Team NO: 11, 12, 13 and 14, and then two Oversea Chinese Convoy Teams No. 1 & 2 were formed. The mechanics were assigned to the repair stations along the Kunming(昆明), Guiyang, Chongqing and other places of major Automobile Repair Factory. In the period, at the Burma Road, there were 17 transportation brigades of about 3,000 vehicles, while six of the teams were established by the Nanyang Chinese driving trucks, which accounted for one-third of more than 1,100 vehicles.

It was these men’s job to ferry fuel, weapons, ammunition and soldiers to various parts of China. In return, the Chinese Government provided food, accommodation and medical support and a monthly salary of between 69 and 74 yuan, which was quite low compared to wages for such jobs in Malaya and Singapore at that time.

The route traveled over two mountain ranges, crossing three rivers and countless gorges over more than 400 bridges; it ran along the edges of cliffs and slopes and there were long stretches with sharp and precarious bends, as the road rose from about 600m to over 2,000m above sea level along its length. And then there were mosquito-infested jungles where deadly malaria was rampant.

Burma Road drivers ferried SOE and Force 136 operatives on their missions. Tan said: “We had a saying that if a truck flipped over on the highway on the first day of the month, it would reach the bottom only on the 15th. It was a very dangerous road. It was not paved and not wide enough for two vehicles to pass each other. The drivers needed to have very good skills.

The reality was that by the time the war ended in 1945, about one-third of these volunteers had given their lives in the line of duty; some remained in China to find a living and got married and settled there. Only about 1,200 eventually returned to South-East Asia

走遍中国-再会吧,南洋--南洋华侨机工 Part 1 of 3


走遍中国-再会吧,南洋--南洋华侨机工 Part 2 of 3



走遍中国-再会吧,南洋--南洋华侨机工 Part 3 of 3


The Nanyang Transport Volunteers was assumed to be a Chinese man. But some non Chinese responded to the call. One of the non-Chinese volunteer, Col Dara Singh, from Taiping wrote on his experience as Malayan Mechanic Volunteer in the Singapore newspaper, The Strait Times, dated 26-7-1939.

MALAYAN VOLUNTEERS IN CHINA Taiping Man On Dangers And Thrills Of Supply Routes (Taiping, July 24, 1939). THRILLS and danger that go hand-in-hand in the daily life of Malayan mechanics who are now doing service in war torn China are described in a letter from Dara Singh(The Straits Times, 26 July 1939, Page 16)

Dara Singh was adopted by a Chinese family who educated him at King Edward VII School in the town. He used a Chinese name to register, a name of his Chinese brother, Wong Ah Leng. He was initially rejected during interview, but he appealed to Mr.Tan Kah Kee, who appealed to the Chinese authority to accept him. Dara was finally accepted and become the first non -Chinese volunteer. Darqa become close friend with General Stillwell, commander of the US Army in North Burma during his stay in Yunnan. Dara created a bodyguard for the general and became his interpreter. He rose to the rank of Colonel.

There were 5 females,Pai Sek Keow(白雪樵,白雪娇),Li Yue Mei(李月美)、Tan Keow Chin(陈侨珍)、Wu Siew Fen(吴秀芬) and Choo Sek Chin(朱雪珍)(Please take note the names were merely translation from Chinese name, it may not be the same in actual register). Pai, Li and Tan were from Penang. Li Yue Mei was know as modern Hua Mu Lan(当代花木兰), as she also disguised as a man to serve in the Nanyang Transport Volunteers as a driver, just like the ancient Chinese woman heroine. She was discovered only after an accident, but she was saved by a fellow driver, Hainanese Yang Wei Quan(杨维铨), who was surprised that he was a woman. Li later married Yang. The life of this brave Penang girl can be a touching story like Hua Mu Lan. But sad to say she committed suicide and died during Cultural Revolution, unlike ancient Hua Mu Lan who retired with honors. Pai Sek Keow(白雪樵,白雪娇) is another brave girl who joined the volunteers, she was a teacher from Union School, now Union Primary School or Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (C) Union at Burma Road, Penang. She may be one of the pioneer school teacher of the Union School in 1938. She wrote a touching letter to the parent before the departure. She came back to Penang after the war in 1946, working as teacher in Hock Kien Girl School(福建女校), now Penang Chinese Girls High School or PCGHS(槟华国民型女子中学). She was sacked due to political involvement in school. She later joined a private school. On 1-10-1949, the day Chinese communist formed the People Republic of China or PRC, she raised the first PRC flag in the school, and was captured by the British and sent to Ipoh prison, accused her as communist. In those day under colonial rule, it was a norm for Chinese school to raise ROC flag in school each morning, it is also normal to change flag when China was taken over by PRC. Due to the incident, she was treated as hard core communist, and banished to China by British colonial government. She later become a secondary school teacher, lecturer in Guangzhou Teacher's College(广州师范学院), and retired as Asst Professor at age of 70. She is now retired , still living and staying in Guangzhou.

The Monuments

In 1946, after the end of the world war 2, the local Chinese in Penang built a monument in memory of civilians and Nanyang Transport Volunteers who lost their lives during WW2, it is commonly known as Penang Chinese Anti-War Memorial. The actual full name of the memorial is Penang Chinese War Memorial for the Nanyang Transport Volunteers and the victims of the world war(槟榔屿华侨抗战殉职机工罹难同胞纪念碑). The monument is located at the foot of Penang Hill, Penang, Malaysia(槟城升旗山). It was reported that there is another at Kuala Lumpur Kwang Tung Cemetery(吉隆坡的广东义山亭).

In China, only on 7 July 1989, the Yunan government constructed a monument,"赤子功勋", in memory of Nanyang Transport Volunteers at Kunming, the capital of Yunan Province.(昆明市的西山森林公园建有“南洋华侨机工抗日纪念碑).

There is another memorial monument at Wanding(畹町), Ruili(瑞丽市),opened on 12-12-2005.(云南瑞丽市畹町经济开发区南洋华侨机工抗战纪念碑).Ruili is a border town with Burma, Wanding Border Economic Cooperation Zone (WTBECZ) is a Chinese State Council-approved Industrial Park based in Wanding Town, Ruili City, Dehong Prefecture, Yunnan, China, founded in 1992. Wanding Bridge(畹町桥)is the bridge at the border between Burma and China, where the Nanyang Transport Volunteers crew had pass through.

The Journey to Burma Road in remembrance of the Nanyang Volunteers

Initiated by the KL & Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall and organized by Malayan Second World War History Society(滇缅公路马来亚二战历史研究会), and Persatuan Hope Negeri Johor, (柔佛河婆同乡会青年团), a group of history enthusiasts commemorated Nanyang Volunteers with a journey from Singapore to Kunming.

Their starting point was the Ee Hoe Hean Club,(怡和轩)in Singapore Chinatown,since Ee Hoe Hean was the headquarters of China Relief Fund and the send-off location for many batches of Nanyang Volunteers.

Nanyang Federation of China Relief Fund(南洋华侨筹赈祖国难民总会) was formed in 1938, when 170 overseas Chinese representatives from the region met to establish a regional body to co ordinate regional relief work to support China against Japanese advancement. These delegates founded the Nanyang Federation of China Relief Fund(南洋华侨筹赈祖国难民总会)and elected Mr. Tan Kah Kee(陈嘉庚)as the chairman. The regional headquarter of China Relief Fund was located in Ee Hoe Hean Club, Singapore.

The motor crew rightly ended their trip at Penang Anti War Memorial at the foot of Penang Hill, Air itam on 30-7-2011. A memorial ceremony was also held to pay respect to the war martyrs. It make their trip ending more meaningful.



Suggested readings/websites:

1. MALAYAN VOLUNTEERS IN CHINA , The Straits Times, 26 July 1939, Page 16( This was the report of one of the non Chinese volunteer, Dara Singh from Taiping)
2. Flying Tigers, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_Tigers
3. Heroic contributions of the Nanqiao ji gong; The Star, dated August 8, 2010; http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2010/8/8/lifefocus/6746729&sec=lifefocus
4. 南侨机工, http://www.tudou.com/programs/view/4H0cbh8ncHM/, Part 1-3

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Penang Asam Laksa ranked No 7 in the world's 50 most delicious foods

Penang Laksa ranked No 7 in the world's 50 most delicious foods. Wah, so proud. This is what they commented on Penang Laksa.

No. 7. Penang laksa, Malaysia

“Poached, flaked mackerel, tamarind, chili, mint, lemongrass, onion, pineapple … one of Malaysia’s most popular dishes is an addictive spicy-sour fish broth with noodles (especially great when fused with ginger), that’ll have your nose running before the spoon even hits your lips.”

Read more: World's 50 most delicious foods #2 | CNNGo.com http://www.cnngo.com/explorations/eat/worlds-50-most-delicious-foods-067535?page=0,1#ixzz1TaIL5ss7

Penang Laksa, the correct name should be Penang Assam Laksa. Penang Assam Laksa which was developed from the original Malay Laksa, was a Peranakan or Nyonya food, a merger of Chinese and Malay food elements found in Malaysia and Singapore, and to a lesser extent Indonesia and Siamese influences. You can found many types of Laksa in Malaysia and Singapore, Asam Laksa however is uniquely Penang, and it is commonly add with the word Penang, Penang Asam Laksa to denote authentic or original.

Why call it Laksa?

The origin of the name "laksa" is unclear. There are many theories on the derivation of the names;

(i) One theory traces it back to Hindi/Persian lakhshah, referring to a type of vermicelli, which in turn may be derived from the Sanskrit lakshas (लकशस्) meaning "one hundred thousand" (lakh). This theory has its credit, obviously laksa cannot be Chinese food, it is high probably the food with maritime root. The theory hold ground as historical Malaya was culturally and politically under the Indian influence.

(ii)It has also been suggested that "laksa" may derive from the Chinese word lak-sa(辣沙) , meaning "spicy sand" due to the ground dried prawns which gives a sandy or gritty texture to the sauce. It is sound Cantonese, but Penang's majority population of early Penang was Fujian people, speaking Minan dialects. So the possibility is remote. However it was normally called for a curry noodle or curry mee by Chinese from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur, which is not Penang asam laksa.

(iii)The name comes from the similar sounding word "dirty" or "lasam", in Hokkien due to its appearance, the base soup with the fish meat into fine form,coupled with the prawn paste, it has a dirty look. But do you accept the dirty name given to food, especially nyaoya food, it is not their culture.

(iv) can it be from the Penang Hokkien word, rubbish, "lapsap". "Lapsap tang" means rubbish bin or pail. Laksa is lapsap, you just throw all ingredient things to make Penang Asam Laksa. Anyhow, it stick.

Looking at the history, the Indian influence in Malaya is apparent, and it is obviously with maritime influence. Laksa Assam may be derived from Asam Pedas Ikan Soup(Malay sour fish soup)without noodle, may be found by Malay fisherman/pirates or the Indian sailors ; later some inventive Chinese nyonya may just added the noodle,to form the laksa noodle, the Laksa noodle is unique, unlike other flour noodle(normally yellow) or rice vermicelli(white color); the prawn paste or hae kor, which is uniquely typical Penang; together with the herbal leaves(called Ulam in Malay) from the Siamese influence, spices imported from Indonesia, adding more spicy and greenery, the new product formed is called Penang Assam Laksa. The Penang Assam Laksa is actually the mix of various cultures that influence the Penang island in historical days, it is the reflective of the political and cultural influences. This may possibly be the historical part of it...... and it originated from Penang.

Thus Penang Assam Laksa can be considered as heritage food of Penang with long history, fully match with the Heritage City of Penang.

Types of Laksa

There are two basic types of laksa: curry laksa and asam laksa. Curry laksa is a coconut curry soup with noodles, while asam laksa is a sour fish soup with noodles. Thick rice noodles also known as laksa noodles are most commonly used, although thin rice vermicelli (bee hoon or mee hoon) are also common and some variants use other types. Penang laksa is called Penang Asam laksa, a sour type. Some innovative Penang hawker, some time ago come up with Laksa Lemah or coconut milk curry laksa,without asam or tamarind, some called it Siam laksa(暹叻沙).

In Malaysia, there are many types of laksa, some called it Malay laksa. You have the famous Laksa Johor and Laksa Kelantan, which are laksa lemah. The sour laksa type or assam laksa, you have Kedah Laksa, Perlis laksa from Kuala Perlis, which are similar to Penang laksa, except the ingredients. Kedah laksa use rice to make noodle and served with sliced egg; Perlis laksa served with catfish and eel fish. Ipoh laksa is actually Penang laksa, but more sour without prawn paste hae kor. Kuala Kangsar Laksa is more unique, noodle is made of wheat flour (usually hand made), you can found it in tourist complex near Perak River.

But the most memorial laksa that I ever tasted outside Penang, was the Trengganu laksa sold at Kuala Trengganu chinatown, Kampong Tiong, near an ancient bridge in late 70s. The fullness of fresh fish meats make the laksa really different. The shop no longer open today.

Asam Laksa

Asam laksa is a sour fish-based soup. Asam (or asam jawa) is the Malay word for tamarind, which is commonly used to give the stock its sour flavor. It is also common to use "asam keping" also known as "asam gelugor"(this is the name where Glugor town derived), dried slices of tamarind fruit, for added sourness. Modern Malay spelling is asam, though the spelling assam is still frequently used.
The main ingredients for asam laksa include shredded fish, normally kembung fish or mackerel, and finely sliced vegetables including cucumber, onions, red chillies, pineapple, lettuce, common mint, "daun kesum" (Vietnamese mint or laksa mint) and pink bunga kantan (ginger buds). Asam laksa is normally served with either thick rice noodles or thin rice noodles (vermicelli). And topped off with "petis udang" or "hae ko" (蝦羔), a thick sweet prawn/shrimp paste. For Penang Asam Laksa, it must served with hae ko, otherwise it is not Penang Laksa.

(source: wikipedia)

Talking about Penang Asam Laksa; I still remember my days of Laksa during the childhood days. I still remember the Nyonya cake shops at Kimberley Street. The shop that sell nyonya cakes and laksa . The shop not only selling wholesale at their shop, but also retailed by a team of Indian mobile laksa sellers. The Indian hawkers will carry rattan baskets of their cakes using pole over their shoulder. This is similar to the Nasi Kandar seller in the old day. The pole is called Kandar, thus derived the name of Nasi Kandar or Kandar rice(Pole rice). Cake basket was shouldered by the seller from one end of the "kandar" pole, the other end is the boiling laksa pot or container . The basket is layered, and packed with the nyonya cakes fresh from the shop. The pot of laksa soup is make warm by charcoal stove. This was the street hawkers that walking around old Penang streets. They were selling their nyonya cakes and Penang assam laksa to the office workers and families, especially stopping at the back lane where the family neighborhood normally gathered. It normally come in the afternoon. The laksa sellers is part of the old Penang mobile street food hawkers, just like top-top mee, nasi kandar etc. They left their shop at noon, and will return in the evening.

For the neighborhood, especially the poor folks, the best time is when the hawker returned, any leftover from their daily sale need to dispose off fast as the food cannot be kept for the next day, they normally throw it away. The price after the evening will be cheaper. We always buy the laksa from the hawker for our dinner, that was our special dinner in our childhood day. It is cheap and nutritious, and moreover for the family, the laksa soup can take together with rice. We always asked for more laksa soup. That was my memory of laksa during the childhood day. But the nyonya cake shop today no longer around.

The next laksa experience was the laksa hawker at Maxwell Road infront of Li Teik Primary School. This laksa hawker stall catered for school children. Its patron included school children from Li Teik and Chung Hwa Confucious school next to Li Teik. As it was also opposing the bus station of Hin Company or blue bus, the school children arriving from schools or going to schools by bus in the afternoon , may treat it as their lunch for the day. Beside the laksa stall ,was the tang-hoon fishball stall. These two stalls were the most popular among the school children. Sometime the cinema goers nearby will patron the stalls. At the time, it is no longer for daily dinner needs, we go for pineapples and spicy ingredients. The laksa must be spicy until sweats dropped from our face, and then only it is the best laksa. Another ask is asking for fish, “ ei hu bak lah”, or pineapple…..”ei ong lai lah”… Maxwell Road no longer around, and my school building had demolished for KOMTAR project, the taste of Laksa still linger in my memory.

The most famous laksa stall is Air Itam Maket Laksa Stall. But I do not know why they always called it Kek Lok Si Laksa Stall. Is it because there was another Laksa stall at Kek Lok Si?. But this laksa stall , located just beside the entrance of Air Itam Wet Market, can be said branded laksa stall in those day. The tourists will insist to have a bowl of laksa there before they left Kek Lok Si, or Air Itam. May be there are few commercial laksa stalls at tourist area, this stall was popular with the tourist, until today. In those day, Kek Lok Si was a must visit tourist area in Penang, the stall was having very good business from the visitors to Kek Lok Si. For Penang kid, may be for our poor family, you only have the chance to try it during Chinese New Year that means once a year, as part of Chinese New Year treat. The feeling of dressing in new clothing and eating laksa at the same time, sometime until your new clothing also get wet with sweat, when the soup is hot, and the day is sunny. It was always worth the experience, as during Chinese New Year, there were always long queue.

After many years away from Penang, whenever I was in Penang, it is always Penang Asam Laksa, Char Koay Teow, Hae Mee, Chee Cheng Fun, Curry Mee……But Penang Laksa is always special personally to me. After retirement, and returning to Penang, looking for Penang laksa all over Penang island, seeking for the taste of my childhood, the taste of my school days; but sad to say it never around. At time I was crazy about Balik Pulau laksa, going there many times just for laksa. I once tried the laksa sold by an Indian hawker sellers, a retailer from the modern nyonya cake shop in the old city, but now no longer using kandar pole, their containers and baskets are now in the carriage of tricycle, but the laksa no longer taste the same, as laksa from Kimberley Street.....

Suddenly I realized my taste bud must has changed due to aging, I will never get back the taste of childhood laksa, the taste of school days’ laksa….. I can only linger in my memory, the taste of old Penang laksa.

Laksa to me, was experience of the childhood dinner; was fond memory of the school days; Laksa is always my favorite street food.

And it is now the 7th most delicious foods in the world…..



If you're away in a foreign land and missing this Penang favorite, give this recipe a try. For a full recipe go to the blog at http://assamlaksainmudgeeaustralia.blogspot.com

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Bo Lang Chai(Forgotten)

Bo Lang Chai is an effort by the Pusat Komas, a human right NGO to tell the story of a typical Chinese in the Penang Jetty areas. They used the puppets to tell the story. It is must see for all Penang langs and for all visitors to Penang to understand the way of life in the jetty areas in old Penang.

Bo Lang Chai in Hokkien dialect is with the meaning "no body know"; Bo means no, lang means people, and chai means know.

I like the technique of using the modern computer technique to use old photo as background; and the voice presentation was by the Chinese teochew puppet stage drama; a good try and should be follow by the state tourism authority whenever there are any street festival organized by them.

It is a pity the tactic is not used in the Heritage Day, when teochew puppet show was shown in Yen Ching Hotel, Chulia Street. Otherwise, the foreign visitors will understand the story and make a meaningful exploration of Penang heritage.

Penang lang chai..... we have talents but we have not use them....

Bo Lang Chai (Forgotten) from Pusat KOMAS on Vimeo.



Pusat Komas

KOMAS( Pusat Komunikasi Masyarakat) is a human rights organisation that was set up in 1993 to support marginalised grassroot communities and NGOs.They advocate, conduct training and use creative and participatory forms of communication to advance Human Rights. Their current programs include media and facilitation training, resource material production, citizenship and voter education, the Freedom Film Fest and anti-racism workshops. In 2008, KOMAS won the European Grundtvig Award for its programme on Education for Non-discrimination.

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Opium & Spirit Farm Office (鴉片及米酒的貨倉及發牌照所)

Penang Opium & Spirit Farm Office (鴉片及米酒的貨倉及發牌照所)


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It was reported in 1905, that at Penang in 1906 the Government will erect premises for the Opium and Spirit Farm Factory at a cost of $128000. A farm town office is also to be built. The Opium and Spirit Farm Office was built in 1906. At that time, the opium trade was still under the wholesale monopoly of the colonial government, and operated under a tender system, called Revenue Farming System. At the time the area around King St and Queen St was the opium trading hub, an active opium market.

The Revenue Farming System operated until 1910, where retail monopoly took over, when a new government department was formed. Now only the government can dispense cooked opium to ultimate consumers. The opium trading activities in the area(market) was gone, and only packed chandu sold from the opium & spirit farm office. It was over the counter business.

The opium retail monopoly was stopped and totally banned by the colonial government, after the World War 2, in 1946.

The Opium & Spirit Office was located with the frontage at Queen Street, George Town, Penang. This side of the building (now the front) faces Pitt Street. Pitt Street now is the frontage of the building. The heritage building is directly facing Penang Chinese Town Hall, 22 Pitt Street, 10200 Penang. Its official address was 15-19, Pitt Street, Penang, but Pitt Street was later changed to Jalan Masjid Kapitan Kling. It is measuring 22,640 sq ft, and leasehold title expiring in 2055.

Queen Street - The Opium Godown

The local Chinese called it Chap Jee keng Chu, literally means 12 houses. There were originally a row of 12 houses of the same height, original and primitive designed using rough logs as beams, instead of planed beams. There were the early example of Penang shophouses in Francis Light grid. The 12 houses are at the row close to Church Street. The Opium and Spirit Farm Offices however replaced 6 of the 12 houses in 1906. The continuous arcade is however retained.

The Malay however called it Gedung Rumput, literally means grass godown. This revealed that the Indian bullock carts parked along the street. The cart was the main goods carriage for the old days, may be mainly to transport the opium to their respective retailers.

The opium and Spirit farm offices, constructed in 1906 at the cost of 48,767 strait dollars, was rented out to the contractors for 900 strait dollars a month. It served as a godown and dispensary for Chandu or cooked opium, and samsoo, an alcohol distilled from rice and sugar. Opium was mainly consumed by the Chinese, and Samsoo by Indian.

King Street - the Opium Farm Street

(i) 廣東大伯公街 Kuíⁿ-tang-toā-pεh-kong-ke, literally means Cantonese Heavenly Emperor's street, after the Cantonese temple there.
(ii) 亞片公司街 À-phièn-kong-si-ke,Opium farm street, after the Opium & Spirit Farm Offices at the junction with China St.

I do not know why the local Chinese called King Street A-phien-kong-si-ke(Opium Farm Street) where the actual location was at Queen Street. I can only understand that before the construction of the Opium & Spirit Office in 1906, the original office was at King Street and China Street junction. That is the next block after the new Opium & Spirit Office build in 1906.

Revenue farming of Opium - the tender system

Opium was a lucrative business for the colonist, British Empire and its trading arm, East Indian Company. The China market was the main attraction for the EIC to the Far East where it can be trade with huge profit for them to use as capital to buy other goods, like spices, silk, tea, etc from the far east. Penang was found as trading port mainly for opium. In Strait Settlement, opium was the attractive consumer items for the Chinese coolies. Opium was the medium of political control of the coolies by the taukeh, who were also the opium farm monopoly holder. It was also the colonist’s tool of power control over the economy of Chinese communities, opium become a secure income source from coolies to the revenue farmer, ultimately to the state. It effectively shifted the power base from kongsi to the colonial government. The control of opium measn control of the Chinese community’s political and economical power.

For all of the Straits Settlements, opium was an important item of local excise revenue. From the time of its foundation until 1910, Penang had an opium farm. Penang and later, Singapore, were founded to service the British opium trade between India and China. In the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century, it was a safe haven for British country traders carrying goods between India and the regions to the east. Indeed, during the decade between 1809 and 1819 (the years before the establishment of Singapore) opium imports and exports constituted about one-third of the annual trade of Penang. (Cowan, 1950, p.86) While opium did not hold this commanding position in Penang's trade throughout the century, its importance declined only gradually. Despite a decline in relative importance, it may be confidently said that it was always a major item of trade throughout the nineteenth century.

Opium is a government monopoly.The local opium market was monopolized by EIC,and later the Strait Settlement, it allow them to control and distribute using a type of tender system called revenue farming. This systems apply not only on opium, but also to gambling, tobacco, samsoo, and other enterprises. The tender with the highest bid will acquired the monopoly for the commodity or revenue farm. Most of the holder of the monopoly were the prominent member of Strait Chinese community, especially the famous 5 Hokkiens families.

The Revenue Farmers

Khaws of Penang and Ranong in southern Siam. (Cushman 1991)Others include the five clans associated with major kongsi foundations in Penang: the Khoo, the Cheah, the Lim, the Yeoh and the Tan, not to mention a number of other clans who are outside this group of five. Throughout the nineteenth century, a number of family groups were dominant in Singapore, including the Seah, the Tan Tock Seng family, the Tan Cheng Lock family and the Cheang family. Some of these had their origins in Melaka which remained the family base into the twentieth century.One of the primary sources of wealth and power among the rich families was the opium revenue farms.From the beginning of the British presence in the region to the end of the revenue farming system in 1910, members of these families tended to dominate the revenue farms of both Penang and Singapore.

The holder then farmed out licenses for the preparation and sale of opium to sub-contractors who retailed the products to the ultimate consumers, at a price two to three times higher than the cost of the raw opium import from India. The subcontractors are the revenue farmers. The monopoly holders are the farm owner.
The bidding is very competitive, initially there was individual bidders; but later syndicates were formed and bid for larger farms, like bid for a farm in the state.
The revenue from the revenue farming of opium was the main income for the colonial government , and later Strait Settlement. In 1906, more than 50% of revenue for Strait Settlement derived from opium farms.

By the middle of the 19th century, Penang had become a major player in the Chinese opium trade, which provided more than half of the colony's revenue. It was a dangerous, rough-edged place, notorious for its brothels and gambling dens, all run by Chinese secret societies.

The factory

There were two opium and spirit farms let in each of the Settlements of Singapore, Penang, and Malacca in 1906. In Penang, Opium & Spirit Farm Offices (鴉片及米酒的貨倉及發牌照所),was located at Queen Street, George Town, Penang. The factory was at Sungei Pinang. From Sungei Pinang, the cooked opium or chandu was transported to the godown at Queen Street where it was sold to the revenue farmers. The godown was then a market for revenue farmers to sell or dispense Chandu or cooked opium, and samsoo,to the retailers. The Indian bullock carts will helped to carry the chandu to the opium den or outlets all over Penang. Imagine there must be much activities at Queen Street for opium each day.

It was reported in 1907, the monopoly was contracted for 135,000 strait dollars a month, and sold through 145 licensed sub farms in Penang and Province Wellesley.
For a short time after this an opium factory was maintained in Penang, but this was soon closed and opium production for the whole of Malaya was carried out from the factory in Singapore. The government continued to manufacture and sell. The Penang factory closed down in April, 1910.

Anti Opium Movement by Dr Wu Lien-Teh

Due to the social awareness movement of the bad effect of opium, The Penang Anti-Opium Association was formed in October 1906 at 72, Love Lane amidst the campaign against opium-smoking in Malaya. Anti Opium Movement was started in Penang, was found by Dr. Wu Lien-the (伍连德). A Penang born doctor make famous as plague fighter in China. Dr Wu became the President and Physician in Chief of the association. He call for restriction and prohibition of the opium . The association organized the first ever Anti-Opium Conference of the Straits Settlements. But some source said when first founded, Foo Choo Choon (Hu Zicun,胡子春), (b. 30 July 1860; d. 27 Mar 1921), a Hakka tin miner, revenue farmer and businessman from Penang and Perak, was elected President.

The Opium Commission set up in 1907 later ruled that the prohibition of opium trade/farming was unnecessary as it would only reduce the revenue stream. Opium smoking continued to be allowed until after WW2 in 1946. However the report resulted in fomation of new department called Government Monopolies. Measures also introduced to gradually reduce the number of opium smokers.

1910-1935 Government Monopolies Office

In 1910, all customs activities were operated by a new government body called the Government Monopolies. This body was authorised to grant import license and process and sell certain goods such as opium, tobacco, arrack, cigarettes and matches. At that time, excise duty were imposed on such goods as rice-wine (samsu), toddy and locally made opium whilst customs tax was imposed on opium imported from China, tobacco, cigarettes, liquor and fire crackers. The Government Monopolies Department was the early Malayan Customs Department.

Opium had completely become a government monopoly, no more private retailers. The authorised sale of chandu by retail took place solely in prescribed government shops. This practice which had the desired effect of confining consumption to specified premises, also encouraged smuggling

The Penang factory closed down in April, 1910.

The first Manager of Government Monopolies, Penang, was Mr WS Gibson. In 1912, the official name for Manager, Penang had changed to The Asst Superintendant of Government Monopolies in Penang , and the post was still held by WS Gibson. The retail trading last until after the WW2, when it was banned by the colonial military government, British Military Administration Malaya or BMA/Malaya in 1946.

1935-1941 Excise Department(1935-1938);Department of Customs and Excise(CED)(1938-1946)

In Apr 1935, the name "Government Monopolies Department" was replaced by the "Excise Department". The change reflected the decreasing emphasis on revenue derived from the chandu monopoly and the increasing reliance of the government on its revenue from the duties imposed on tobacco, petroleum and intoxicating liquors. The emphasis of excise concept confirmed the importance of locally manufactured liquors as a source of revenue. The name of the Excise Department was later changed to that of Department of Customs and Excise(CED) in 1938 and the designation of its head was amended to be read as "Controller of Customs". (Note: It was later renamed as the 'Controller of Customs & Excise' in 1966 with the addition of the phrase "and excise" reflecting the importance of expanding its excise base).

JG O’Reilly,was the Deputy Commissioner for Penang in 1935.

In 1941, for Penang, the post was Asst Comptroller of Customs, Penang , however no names was listed in the report, Malayan Establishment Staff List 1941 as at 1-7-1941. The last reported as at 1-7-1940, Asst Comptroller of Customs, Penang was GJ Gilmour, may be the last Comptroller of Customs, Penang(pre war). GJ Gilmour was however Assistant Comptroller of Customs, Opium, Singapore in 1941, and the vacant position in Peanng was not filled in 1941. On 11th December 1941 Penang became the target of the Japanese bombers, and on 16-12-1941, Japanese occupied Penang.

1941- 1945 Japanese Occupation

Japanese landed and occupied Penang on 16th December 1941 without any fight, as British had evacuated. The military government of Imperial Japanese Army continue the opium trade during Japanese occupation for 3 years and 8 months until the British military retook Penang. During the Japanese occupation of Penang from 1941 to 1945, the register of opium users were ignored by Japanese military, and anyone who could pay for it was allowed to smoke. Opium addiction was openly encouraged, the number of smokers increased, which nullified the effort of colonial government to reduce opium smoking.

1945-1946 British Military Administration

On 15-8-1945, BMA was established by Proclamation in Malaya in Singapore. On 3-9-1945, a civil affairs detachment was landed in Penang.

By Sept 1945, 95% of the local staff at Customs and Excise Department was back at work. Few former expatriate staff played any part in BMA, most of them had been as detained as POW or civilian internee during the Japanese occupation.

British Military Administration Gazette of December 27, 1945, provided that the Customs duties fixed under Customs Enactment, 1936, of the Federated Malay States should apply throughout the Malayan.

Major LR Barnett –Smith(b 1905 – d?),was the Staff Officer,Customs and Excise, Penang and PW, BMA.

In February 1946, an Opium and Chandu Proclamation declared a total prohibition of the sale and use of opium except for medicinal purposes.

The Strait Settlement was dissolved with effect from 1 April 1946. with Singapore becoming a separate crown colony (and ultimately an independent republic), while Penang and Malacca joined the new Malayan Union (a predecessor of modern-day Malaysia). By forming Malayan Union on April 1 1946, the BMA was also dissolved on the same day, and was replaced with the newly formed civilian confederation, Malayan Union, which included Strait Settlement(except Singapore), Federated Malay States and Unfederated Malay States.

1946-1948 Customs and Excise of Malayan Union, Penang.

In January 1946 the British Military Administration decided to end Penang's duty-free status. That together with the plan to break up the Straits Settlements and impose the Malayan Union prompted the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce to lead a protest of Penang's chambers of commerce including the Penang Indian Chamber of Commerce and the Penang Muslim Chamber of Commerce. The protests aimed at the Colonial Office proved successful and Penang's free port status was restored in June 1946.

Customs Union for the Malay Peninsula could only be established in 1946, that is with the formation of the Malayan Union in April, 1946, and the department was given the name Customs and Excise of Malayan Union. Nevertheless, with the dissolution of the Malayan Union in 1948, Customs Department comprise not only those under the Federated Malay States(FMS) but also included those under the administration of the Non-Federated Malay States(UMS) and the Straits Settlements(SS).

By 10-10-1946, opium smoking was prohibited in Malaya and in British protected territories in the Far East. A decree issued by the British Government state that it has been decided not to reestablish the government opium monopoly in these territories on their reoccupation by Britain. The prohibition was enforced on 10-10-1946, however Toddy was still on sale from 1-11-1946 until even today.

The banning of opium smoking however increased the role of Preventive Branch in the department. The custom department Penang rented 2 offices at 2nd floor, old ‘ FMS Malayan Railway’ building(built in 1907) at China Street Ghaut in 1946(Today the building had been bought over by Customs in 1972, and renamed Wisma Kastam). Maybe the Opium & Spirit Farm Offices no longer able to cater for the space demanded by an expanded customs department in Penang.

Due to strong opposition from the Malay community, Malayan Union was abandoned in favor of the Federation of Malaya on 1 February 1948.

1948-1957 British Federation of Malaya

In 1948, with the formation of the Federation of Malaya, the Customs and Excise Department were established for the whole of the Malay Peninsula. Under the Customs Ordinance 1952, this department was put under the control of the High Commissioner for Malaya and headed by a Comptroller of Customs as can be found since 1938. This lasted until the country achieved its independence in 1957.

Section 138, Customs Ordinance, 1952 gave the Federation Council power to issue all rules and regulations on Customs affairs. The Customs main area at that time was the whole of the Peninsular of Malaya excluding Penang (to maintain its free port status). As free port, the preventive role become crucial task of Penang's customs department.

Note: The Colonial Government may have sold the building during this period and moved to Malayan Railway building under lease contract, which was finally boughtover in 1972 for $500,000. I was not able to confirm the date Loh Boon Siew bought the building. It can easily be done, by looking at the actual title or from the extract of title. Need confirmation, can anyone help?.

1958 Honda Showroom at Pitt Street

In 1958, Boon Siew noticed the popularity of the Honda Super Cub motorbike which had been just introduced in Japan. He believed that this low-cost, high-efficiency machine would find a similarly receptive market in the rapidly urbanizing areas of Malaysia. Boon Siew arranged to meet with Mr. Soichiro Honda, the bike's creator, and quickly convinced him to set up a Honda subsidiary in Malaysia.

Founded by the late Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew(骆文秀, b 1915 - d 1995), the motorcycle distributor started off as Boon Siew Ltd in 1958. The first Malaysian Honda showroom was set up on Pitt Street in Penang. This should be at former Opium & Spirit Farm Office building.

Boon Siew Sdn Bhd was involved in the production and distribution of Honda Motorcycle in Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore under a franchising agreement with Honda Motor Co.td in Japan. acquisition of the Honda motorcycle distributorship in 1958 and Honda car franchise in 1969

1971 The Star Office

The office is later used by The Star, a Penang based newspaper for its printing presses and office in 1971. The Star was first published on Sept 9, 1971, starting off as a regional newspaper with its plant at Opium & Spirit Office in George Town, Penang.

In 1974, Loh Boon Siew played a role in the brief merger between Kwong Wah Yit Poh and The Star (Malaysia). He was the owner of both Kwong Wah Jit Poh and The Star.

The Star went national on Jan 3, 1976, when it set up an office in Kuala Lumpur. Two years later in 1978, it relocated its headquarters from Penang to Kuala Lumpur. Their main office moved to Petaling Jaya in 1981, the premise of current UTAR.

The office at Pitt Street, become Star Northern Hub, Pitt Street Office. Now Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling. In 1983, it was bought over by The Star.

In 1997, Star bought over 12,085 sq metres of industrial land at Bayan Lepas, and later in 2002, additional 19472 sq metres was bought as regional office and printing plant. The printing office in Penang however was later relocated to new premises at Bayan Lepas, Penang, located at No. 202, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang. It is also Northern Hub Bayan Lepas office for The Star or Star Publications (Malaysia) Bhd.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Lam Wah Ee Hospital(南華醫院)

1981 Lam Wah Ee Hospital

Lam Wah Ee Hospital (traditional Chinese: 南華醫院) is a 700 bedded tertiary acute care hospital located at Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim, Penang, Malaysia. This not-for-profit private hospital is accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health and ISO 9001:2008 certified. The Hospital started as a provider of traditional Chinese Medicine treatment in 1883 while the Western Medicine division commenced operations in 1983.

The idea of setting up a community health care centre in Penang was first mooted by a few Chinese community leaders in 1876 and a fund-raising campaign was subsequently launched. A traditional-style building was completed in 1883 on a plot of land about 10,600 sq. ft. at Muntri Street. This was known as the Lam Wah Ee Hospital.
“Lam Wah(南華)” means “Chinese in the South” and “Ee(醫)” means “medicine”. Twelve community leaders were elected to be the first Board of Directors. Free consultation and medication in traditional Chinese medicine was offered to the public. Within a few years, this became very popular as a source of medical services not only to the Chinese community but also to the other communities in Penang. As a result of this, Muntri Street has since become known as “Lam Wah Ee Hospital Street”. As the demand for these services became more popular, two branch clinics were set up, one at Beach Street and the other at Magazine Road. The hospital during the time was practicing Chinese medicine only.

What Happened After The War

After the War, another campaign was launched to collect donations for rebuilding as the traditional-style building in Muntri Street was destroyed by air raids during the War. In 1955, the present two-storey building at Muntri Street was completed. The Beach Street branch was moved to Green Lane in order to benefit the people in the Jelutong and Green Lane areas. The Green Lane branch is situated on a piece of land donated to the Hospital by the British East India Company much earlier. This land is to become the site for the new hospital today. The site was once a coconut plantation. The new hospital was completed in 1981, Western Medicine division commenced operations in 1983.

List of President of hospital

1939林成辉
1940 Ng Sui Cam(伍瑞琴)
1947 Tan Hun Geok
1948 Ng Sui Cam
1949柯孟棋
1950 Chin Foo Sing
1951 Koh Sin Hock
1952 Ng Sui Cam
1953 Koh Sin Hock
1954 Ng Sui Cam
1955 Chew Chin Chye
1956 Ng Sui Cam
1957 Ong Keng Seng
1958 Ng Sui Cam
1959 Saw Seng Kew
1960 - 1964 Ng Sui Cam
1965 - 1968 Saw Seng Kew
1969 - 1972 Chow Peng Poy
1973 - 1976 Dato' Koh Pen Ting (DMPN, PKT, PJK)
1977 - 1980 Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew (DMPN, PKT, PJK)
1981 - 1984 Dato' Koh Pen Ting (DMPN, PKT, PJK)
1985 - 1988 Dato' Choot Ching Khoon (DMPN, PKT, PJK)
1989 - 1992 Dato' Tan Hoay Eam (DMPN, PKT, PJK)
1993 - 1996 Dato' Ong Hoo Kim (DSPN, DJN, AMN, PPN, PJM, JP)
1997 - 2000 Dato' Chua Chuan Teong (DSPN, PJK)
2001 - 2004 Dato' Chong Kum Kwan (DSPN, DJN)
2005 - 2008 Dato' Dr Tan Chong Siang (DSPN, DJN)
2008-?
2011-2012 Dato' Dr Tan Tat Wai (DMPN)

Convent Green Lane(青草巷修道院女中)

1961 Convent Green Lane(青草巷修道院女中)

CGL, or Convent Green Lane, full name is SMK Convent Green Lane(CGL) Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, better known as Convent Green Lane, is a girls' secondary school in Penang. It is located along Green Lane, with one side along Hamilton Road.
Convent Green Lane was established by the Roman Catholic missionaries, primarily instrumental being Father M. Surmon of the Missions étrangères de Paris. Father Surmon serves as the parish priest of the Church of the Holy Spirit (now Cathedral of the Holy Spirit) while staying at the Little Sisters of the Poor along Batu Lanchang Lane. Convent Green lane was opened on 3 April, 1961.

The first headmistress of Convent Green Lane was Sister Helen O'Sullivan. From a beginning with just twelve classrooms, the school has expanded over the decades. The school hall was added in 1968 while a library came into being six years down the road.

Ven. Fr. Nicholas Barre first started small schools in France for the education of girls who couldn't afford to study. In 1666, he started the first group Infant Jesus Sisters and in 1852 the sisters came to serve in Malaya. Convent Light Street
On that eventful morning of 2nd January 1961, a small group of teachers and students gathered at the compound of the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus Light Street to mark the birth of Convent Green Lane. Prior to the completion of the new building on Jalan Masjid Negeri, 13 teachers and 377 students moved in. Times were tough but they preserved. The building was then officiated and blessed by Rev.Fr. M. Susmont on the 3rd of April, 1961. At that time, there were only 12 rooms. Ten were classrooms while the other two were the Staff Room and General Room.

In August 1961, under Sister Helen O'Sullivan our first principal, the Art and Needlework rooms and Junior Labs were built. The board of Administrators was set up and the school hall was later completed in 1968. The senior block comprising classrooms, senior labs and a library was ready 6 years later. One of our pioneer teachers of Convent Green Lane, Madam Fong Chee Kway was the first teacher to retire in 1979.

CGL’s principal s

1961- 1972?
Sister Helen O'Sullivan, Sr. Helen O’Sullivan, (Baptised ‘Nora’) in Drishane . Taught for many years in Malaya. Sr. Helen also had two aunts (Foleys) in Drishane. Canovee in the Parish of Kilmurry, Ireland. Kilmurry is a rural Roman Catholic Parish in Co. Cork, Ireland. It spans both sides of the main Cork-Killarney road for about 10 Km between Ballincollig and Macroom. It includes the villages of Farnanes, Aherla, Cloughduv, Crookstown, Lissarda, Canovee and Kilmurry. Drishane Convent was founded in 1909 by the Sisters of the Holy Infant Jesus http://www.kilmurry.ie/history/missionaries/missionaries_1.htm

1972 to 1988,
Sister Aidan Fitzgerald, from Holy Infant Jesus Mission, who obtained her Malaysian citizenship in 1966. She come to Malaya in 1954. Sister Aidan left her hometown in Cork County, Ireland, to teach in Malaya. She taught Science in Con-vent Light Street Secondary School from 1954 to 1965 before being transferred to Convent Green Lane where she later became its prin-cipal from 1972 until retiring in 1988. Headmistress Sekolah Menengah Convent, Green Lane, Penang(1972-1988). Member of Religious Congregation (HIJ) 1952 Graduated from National University of Ireland 1954 came to Malaya and became a Malaysian citizen.
Sister Aidan's Block was named after her.

1988- ? Ms. Oh Siew Keng
? to 2001 Pn Balkish Mohd Isa,
2002-2005 Pn Sharifah Hamidah bt Syed Mohd Alhabshi
2005- 2006 Pn Patimah bt Othman
2006 Pn Lim Yen Lee

The famous student of CGL, Datuk Nicol Ann David

Datuk Nicol Ann David is a Malaysian female professional squash player. She is currently ranked world number 1 in women's squash, and is the first Asian woman to achieve this. She won the British Open title in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as the World Open title in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010.
Nicol David was born in Penang. She studied in Green Lane Convent Secondary School. Her parents are Ann Marie David and Desmond David. Her father is an engineer and her mother is a retired school teacher. Nicol has two sisters,are all students from Convent Green Lane. Lianne and Cheryl, both of whom are accomplished squash players at the national level.



Suggested websites:

1. Nicol David, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicol_David
2. Nicol David personal website; In my own words; http://www.nicoldavid.com/
3. Penang's Green convent turns golden; http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/green2/Article/

Church of the Holy Spirit, Green Lane

1958 Church of the Holy Spirit

The Catholics who had dispersed into the suburbs of Georgetown during the Japanese occupation (1941-1945) remained put after the war. Meanwhile, new townships and large housings estates began sprouting in the suburbs from Green Lane to the airport. In 1958, when Fr. Surmon MEP returned from his leave in Europe, he was informed by the then Bishop of Penang, the late Rt. Rev. Francis Chan, to establish a new Catholic community in Green Lane area in Penang. Fr. Surmon who was entrusted with this task , took up residence at Little Sisters of the Poor and started gathering his flock of mix races, which numbered 1000.This community was known ‘parish without church’.

They celebrated mass on Sundays and feast days for 10 years at the canteen of the Green Lane Convent. After 10 years of hard work of collecting funds and discussing plans for a new church with the help of some advisors such as Mr. Gerry Reutens, and later of an building committee (1966 – 1973), a piece of land was bought some distance of the main thoroughfare; another piece was added on with the help of Rt. Rev Mother Tarcisius of the IJ Sisters and it was used as a play field and a car park. At the beginning it was decided that the new church would be dedicated to St. Bernadette since that year (1958) was the centenary of Our Ladys’ apparition to Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858. Later on the Vatican II and around 1962, the late Bishop Francis Chan was agreeable to the suggestion that the name to be changed to the Church of Holy Spirit.

The new townships and large housings estates began sprouting in the suburbs from Green Lane to the airport. In 1958, when Fr. Surmon MEP returned from his leave in Europe, he was informed by the then Bishop of Penang, the late Rt. Rev. Francis Chan, to establish a new Catholic community in Green Lane area in Penang. Fr. M Surmon MEP was the first Parish Priest from 1958 – 1970.
In September 2002, the Apostolic Delegate to Malaysia, Archbishop Adriano Bernardini issued a decree “That the Church in honour of the Holy Spirit in the city of Penang be elevated to the dignity and the status of a CATHEDRAL CHURCH, with all the rights, honours and privileges as well as duties and obligations attached to this kind of church”

http://www.holyspiritcathedral.com/english/html/about/history.htm

Wat Pinbang-Onn(วัดปิ่นบังอร)

1889 - Wat Pinbang-Onn(วัดปิ่นบังอร)

Wat Pinbang-Onn is a small Thai Buddhist temple along Green Lane (Jalan Masjid Negeri) in Penang. Actually there are two temples sharing this name, the Inner Sanctuary Temple วัดปิ่นบังอร(ใน) at 355 Jalan Masjid Negeri, and the Outer Sanctuary Temple, วัดปิ่นบังอร(นอก), at 379 Jalan Masjid Negeri.
Though the wat had existed since 1889, yet it was only in 1934 that the name 'Wat Pin Bang Onn' was officially given to the temple by Prince Swasdi,( Prince Svasti Sobhon) a son of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand. Until then, it was simply called Wat Nok or 'Outer Temple, to differentiate with Wat Nai or Inner Temple next door. Prince Swasdi died in 1935 in Penang and his remains were cremated in a special pavilion in front of the bot. Present at the funeral was AM Goodman, the Resident Councillor of Penang who came on behalf of the British ...

Wat Pinbang-Onn is the place of worship for the small community of Malaysians of Thai descent. Many of these come from southern Thailand. Wat Pinbang-Onn is the only temple that observes a Thai ceremony called Soong Prit. This ceremony is held to bid farewell to departed souls, and is a way for the devotees to show filial piety to their deceased parents and ancestors.

In this ceremony, the departed souls are invited back on the 15th day of the 10th moon of the Thai calendar. Chariots made of food are prepared for the ceremony. These are offered to the departed souls along with prayers that they rest in peace. Along with the Thais, some Chinese have also observed Soong Prit because they believe that this form of an cestral worship will bring them merit.

A short history of Watt Pinbang-Onn
The former name of Pinbang-onn temple was Watt Batu Lancang( วัดบาตูลันจัง). Later on Watt Batu Lancang was given to a new name to Watt Pinbang-onn. It was given by Krom Phrasawasdiwatnavisid (1865-1935)(more commonly known as Prince Svasti Sobhon or Prince Svasti Vatanavisishtha )who was the father of Phra Nang Cau Phaiphannee. Phra Nang Cau Phaiphannee was the queen of the king Rama VII. It was recorded that Krom Phrasawasdiwatnavisid was given a name to Watt Pinbang-onn on 1st January, 1934 when he was fleeing to Penang.

Pinbang-Onn temple was situated at Green Lane (now Jalan Masjid Negeri). It is a large compound, approximately 50 Rai (about 18 acres). The temple consists of Shrine Hall (Uposatha) , Dhamma Hall (Dhammasala) and Cetiya which are casted with Thai, Burmese and Chinese arts.

Formerly Pinbang-Onn temple was very famous and important place for Thai people in the island. There were several thai government officials who fled to the island during the political unstable. In 1935 Krom Phrasawasdiwatnavisid passed away in Penang and the royally-sponsered cremation ceremony was held in the temple compound. This official cremation ceremony was presided by Somdej Phra Cau Borommavongther Krom Phraya Dhamrongrajanuphap(more commonly known as Prince Damrong Rajanubhab) till end of the ceremony.

Besides the royally-sponsered cremation ceremony of Krom Phrasawasdiwatnavisid, Pinbang-Onn temple was well-known to the public, that is in 1947 when the first Prime Minister of Thailand, Phraya Manopakornnitidhada passed away in Penang. His body also was kept in the temple for performing ceremony and even today his keeping tomb can be seen at the temple compound.

The former abbots of the temple are listed in 7 numbers. The names of the former abbots are as follows:

1. Phra Adhikarn song
2. Phra Adhikarn Pek
3. Phra Adhikarn Imm
4. Phra adhikarn Can
5. Phra Adhikarn Heng
6. Phra Adhikarn Khong
7. Phra Khru Sangharak Ba
8. Phra Khru Pannya Sasanurak (the present chief abbot).

(http://watpinbang-onn.webs.com/history.htm)

วัดปิ่นบังอรใน/Wat Pinbang-Onn Nai (Wat Nai)

Wat Nai or 'Inner Temple', Wat Nai is a Thai Buddhist temple located at Green Lane (Jalan Masjid Negeri) in Penang. It is located on the same piece of land as Wat Pinbang Onn next to it. According to information given to me, the land was given by Queen Victoria to the Thais. Wat Nai is probably best known for the Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre located within its premises.

Within the grounds of Wat Nai are a couple of huge bodhi trees. One of them has a pavilion below it called Jayamangala Mahabodhi. It was opened by the venerable Sayadaw U Pandita on Wesak Day, 7 May 2001, corresponding to Buddhist year 2545. The other bodhi tree, called Vijayuttra Mahabodhi, is located at the entrance way of Wat Nai, and has a small shrine to it.

One of the principal buildings of Wat Nai is the Tiratana Sima, or Sam Poh Tian / Triple Gems Hall. It was built in the style of Chinese temples, with dragon and curved roof ridges. The Tiratana Sima underwent restoration in 1985 through funds collected by Kathina devotees. The restored hall was opened by the venerable Phra Khru Sorabhanpisuddhgana of Wat Mahathat, Bangkok, on 18 October 1986.

1968 Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre(MBMC)

Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre is a Thai Buddhist meditation centre at 355, Jalan Masjid Negeri (Green Lane) in Penang. It is located within the grounds of Thai Buddhist temple , วัดปิ่นบังอรใน/Wat Pinbang-Onn Nai (Wat Nai).

The Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Center (MBMC), established in Penang in 1968, It became the first meditation temple in Malaysia, where Buddhist meditation was taught systematically. The monk and lay teachers trained there played an important role in introducing Vipassana (Insight) meditation in the Mahasi Sayadaw tradition , to university students and young professionals in 1970s and 1980s. This lead to the spreading of the meditation to other parts of Malaya. Initially it was popular with English educated professionals, but it later spread to Chinese educated Buddhists.
It is affiliated to the Mahasi Meditation Centre in Yangon, and provides a retreat as well as meditation classes. The meditation teacher is Sayadaw U Pannathami. A disciple of Sayadaw U Pandita of Panditarama of Myanmar (Burma), Sayadaw speaks English well.

Suggested websites:

1.Wat Pinbang-Onn, Penang, Malaysia; http://watpinbang-onn.webs.com/aboutus.htm

2.Malaysian Buddhist Meditation Centre; http://mbmcpg.bravehost.com/activities.html

3. www.karensoft.net.my/mbmc

The North Malaysia Malayali Samajam

The North Malaysia Malayali Samajam was formed in 1951 to cater for the social and cultural needs of Malayalis in the states of Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

Malayalis are those who hail from the ethno- linguistic area of Malabar coast in South India now called Kerala, then comprising of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar with a language of their own called Malayalam. Malayalis have their own traditions and customs and celebrate festivals such as Onam.

In the year 1952, the Samajam bought a piece of land and a small attap building at 95-E, Jalan Sungei Pinang, Penang , for a price of RM14,750 . This amount was advanced free of interest by some of our members. The advances though late were refunded to them in instalments.

The present premises at 213, Jalan Mesjid Negeri, Penang , was purchased on 2nd February, 1964 at a price of RM52,000 for which we had to dispose our old premises at 95-E, Sungei Pinang Road for RM 48,000. The balance required was raised through donations from our members.

In 1965, the Association moved to its new premises at 213, Jalan Mesjid Negeri, Penang. Extensive renovations were carried out to the building to cater for the social, cultural and sports activities. During the next five years, efforts were initiated to raise funds to meet the loans incurred in renovating the building.

Activities such as Malayalam classes , Cultural practices, Badminton, Volleyball and Indoor Games were started at the Samajam in 1970.

In 1972, the Samajam formed a Youth Section and the Youth Section initiated the following:

1. Survey on Malayali Community in Penang
2.Malayalam Cultural Shows
3.Talks on "Role of Minorities in Nation Building"
4.Regional Conferences with the theme "Malayali Youth and Their Challenges"
5.Dialogue Sessions with various Malayali organisations and
6.Joint activities with other (non_Malayali) organisations

The year 1973 saw our Malayali Youths emerge as Champions in the Penang State Inter-Club Quiz Competition. The same year through the efforts of the Youth Section, a Samajam Educational and Welfare Fund was established.

In 1976, as part of the fund raising programme for the All Malaysia Malayali Foundation or more affectionately called AMMA Foundation, the Samajam organised musical performances by leading play-back singers Mr. K.J. Jesudass and Miss Sujatha from Kerala. The venture not only grossed a sizeable collection for the Foundation but more importantly , it brought together the community very much closer and a sense of dedication and an awareness of the plight and needs of the poorer members of the community prevailed.

A national forum on "Malayalis and their Challenges" was organised in 1980. In 1981, the Samajam hosted the 6th Annual Delegates Conference of All Malaysia Malayali Association (AMMA) at Penang. An Inter-Samajam Badminton Tournament and a Malayalam Cultural Show ("Kala Virunnu") were also organised in conjunction with the Conference.

In 1982, at a dinner in honour of Tan Sri B.C. Sehkar and the late Dr. PP. Narayanan, donations for AMMA Foundation were collected. The year 1983 witnessed the First Malayali Youth Convention at Penang. In 1984, a briefing on Maika Holdings was given by YB Dato K. Pathmanaban and investments totaling RM128,000 from members were collected. The Samajam sponsored the First All Malaysia Malayali (AMMA) Convention in Penang in the year 1986.

A resolution was passed 1987 to purchase a building for our members in Kedah. Accordingly in March 1988, premises No. 74-A, Taman Bunga Raya at Sungei Petani was purchased for a price of RM 60,500. The following year renovations costing about RM40,000 were carried out to the Samajam premises in Penang. Perimeter walls costing RM15,000 were constructed for both Samajam buildings in 1989.

The 1990 Annual General Meeting of the Samajam resolved to construct a twelve room hostel as a wing of the Samajam premises in Penang. Plans were submitted to the authorities in 1991 and approved in 1992. The hostel was constructed and occupied in 1993.

The Samajam published a book "Aspects of Malayalee Culture " in 1994 and this book was circulated throughout Malaysia through our sister Samajams in other states.

A resolution to extend the hostel to accommodate an additional six rooms was passed at the Annual General Meeting held in 1995. The extension works commenced in 1996 after the approval of the amended plans and was completed in late 1996. The hostel building was officially declared open by YB Dato Seri Dr S Samy Vellu.

Apart from all these, during the past 50 years the Samajam has carried out its regular sports, youth, ladies, cultural, social and educational activities without fail. The regular activities include Malayalam classes, Onam games competitions, Ladies cooking classes, Vishu, Easter, Christmas and New Year get-togethes. Visits to charitable homes and hospital and presentation of scholarships and educational awards. The celebartions of National Day and Onam is an annual affair when all Malayalees, irrespective of their social or religious differences participate. Also during all these years the Samajam has never failed anyone who has sought its help and is still continuing with its charity work as far as its funds permit.

The North Malaysia Malayali Samajam is an affiliate of the All Malaysia Malayali Association (AMMA) - an umbrella association of all Malayali associations in Malaysia. The Samajam is also a member of the Penang Indian Cultural Coordinating Committee and Penang Amateur Athletics Association. Our Samajam was also an affiliated member of the Ghandi Memorial Hall in Sg Patani. Many of our members are holding principle posts in these organisations.

The year 2001 was very significant in the annals of NMMS. Our Samajan was 50 years old and the Golden Jubilee celebrations was officially launched with pomp and fan fare amidst members and local dignitaries, at our Penang premises on 22nd April 2001. The Guest of Honour YAB Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon, the Chief Minister of Penang, clad in jippa, launched the year long celebration by lighting the traditional nilavillaku. The Chief Minister also donated RM15,000-00 for the celebrations. The Management Committee also approved RM25,000-00 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee in different towns to give an opportunity to all members to participate and to enjoy.

The North Malaysia Malayali Samajam is stepping into the next decade determined to provide beter services to the members in particular and to the society in general.

(source: http://www.nmms.org.my/message.htm)

Suggested websites/articles/books

1. Their association websites, http://www.nmms.org.my/message.htm
2. From Malabaris to Malaysian - The Untold Story of Malayalees in Penang by Professor Suresh Narayanan; http://1malabari.net/general/2003/12/from-malabaris-to-malaysiansthe-untold-story-of-malayalees-in-penang/
3. Persatuan Malabari Malaysia, http://www.pmm.org.my/
4. Who is a Malabari?; Malaysia Malayalee Association http://www.amma.org.my/whoisamalabari.html
5. Kerala; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kerala
6. Malabar Coast, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malabar_coast

Lung Yen Association, Penang(槟城龙岩会馆)

Lung Yen Association, Penang槟城龙岩会馆(established 1929)

The association is located at 211,Jalan Masjid Negeri 11600 Penang. Tel: 2828021

Lung Yen Association is in Green Lane, at 211, Jalan Masjid Negeri,116001 Pulau Pinang. But the Association also have a old art deco style building at the corner of Fish Lane and Malay Street, Georgetown.

It is a clan association for people from the district of Longyan(龙岩/龍岩) in Fujian province, China.

Longyan (龙岩/龍岩) is a prefecture-level city(地级市)in southwestern Fujian province, China. It is situated in the upper reaches of the Jiulong(九龙江) and Tingjiang rivers(汀江). Longyan borders on the municipalities Sanming(三明市) to the north, Quanzhou(泉州市) to the east, Zhangzhou( 漳州市)to the southeast, and the provinces of Jiangxi(江西省) and Guangdong(广东省) to the west and south respectively. The area is also part of Western Fujian or Minxi(闽西).

Earlier in 282 AD, its name was Xinluo counties(新罗县). In 736 AD, Tang Dynasty (唐朝)), the Tingzhou prefecture(汀州府)was established in western Fujian or Minxi (闽西)), administering Changting(长汀), Huanglian and Xinluo counties(新罗县). Six years later Xinluo was named Longyan for the nearby cavern, a famous scenic site. In 1912, Longyan was a district. In 1996, it become a prefecture level city.

Due to the ancient conflicts in central China and aggression from northern tribes, many Han people moved from central China to Longyan. These were the Hakka people. The city Changting (长汀), is often referred to as the home of the Hakka and the Tingjiang River (汀江) is known as the "mother river" of the Hakka people. Longyan is famous for it as the Home of Hakka People as Hakka people takes up 75% of entire population, but actually Longyan is more or less multicultural. For example, the dialect of Xinluo District (新羅區)is a language compromising approximately half Hakka and half Minnan dialect(閩南語), spoken in the southeast of Fujian province and whole Taiwan. However Zhangping City(漳平) is an area for Minnan dialect(閩南語區), a type of Zhangzhou dialect(漳州腔).

Lung Yen Association, Penang(槟城龙岩会馆)was established to cater for the social needs of Longyan people in Penang. The first or pioneer of Longyan came rather late to Penang, reported in 1908. The early kongsi established was Chang Yan Ching Ming Fook kongsi(苍岩清明福公司),set up in 1908. In 1925, the kongsi bought a building at No 11, MacNair Street(頭條路橫街)for 3,000 strait dollars. At the same time, board of governors and trusteeship were established for the kongsi. In 1928, the kongsi members suggested establsihing an association known as Lung Yen Association, Penang.Its registered address was at Malay Street

1929, November 11th, Lung Yen Association, Penang was officially established, formerly it was known as Chang Yan Ching Ming Fook kongsi(苍岩清明福公司), at 11, MacNair Street, Penang.It was officially opened by the Consul of China,Penang. Despite the formation of the clan association, the association was facing dual problems of membership shortage and financial difficulties. However the clan house was able to function under the said obstacles. In 1936, a Member Welfare Department was set up, and membership started to increase. In 1938, the clan association moved to new premise at 92, Malay Street, Penang, constitution of clan association, and association flag was drafted/designed, and the association was also active in social and donation campaign for the Sino-Japanese war.

During Japanese occupation, from 1941 to 1945, all clan association activities stopped; many members was killed and suffered during the war. The first AGM post war was held in 1945.

In 1950, a new premise at No 24, Malay Street was bought. An art deco style building was later constructed at the corner of Fish Lane and Malay Street,Georgetown. Lung Yen Association was active in sport, especially basketball, where the association have a strong team; musical room, and even a library for the members. The association even have a hostel facilities for the members and clan men from other states.

1954, a scholarship fund was established for the children of the clan association.

1979, a building fund campaign was launched, and finally a new building for the clan association was completed at 211, Green Lane, Penang on Dec 1980.

Lung Yen Association in Penang, however is dominated by people from Minnan dialect, few Hakka are the member, due to peculiarity that Penang is an area dominated by a localized Hokkian, a polluted type of Minnan dialect. Prior to formation of Lung Yen Association, most of the Lung Yen people joined Zhangzhou Association or Cheang Chew Association(槟榔屿漳州会馆). If they are Hakka, they joined Teo Chew Association (槟榔屿潮州会馆), established in 1855, and various clan houses like Tengchow Association (汀州会馆), Yongting Association, like She Foo Kongsi Ann Teng Tong (永定胡氏安定堂), Pertubuhan Yungting Utara Semenanjung(北马永定同乡会),and Hakka Association or Penang Khek Association(Persatuan Khek)(槟州客属公会).

From the history of the association, it revealed that the early pioneer of Lung Yen Association, Penang, were very farsighted. Tracing the history of their association moving from MacNair Street, Malay Street to Green Lane. They had followed the trends of the people movement from George Town to the suburb of Green Lane. They are able to maintain a healthy climate for the association with foundation of association building and clan activities. But despite that due to cultural changes of the younger generation, and the changing needs of modern clan men. Like the other clan houses in Penang, the Lung Yen Association, Penang is facing the problem declining membership and aging membership. This provide the threat for the surviving of the clan association.

Being a clan association for prefecture-level city(地级市), which now included Xinluo District(新罗区),Zhangping City(漳平市),Changting County(长汀县),Yongding County(永定县),Shanghang County(上杭县),Wuping County(武平县) and Liancheng County(连城县). Lung Yen Association, Penang can be an umbrella clan association for the respective clan houses from the said districts e.g. Tengchow Association (汀州会馆), Yongting Association, like She Foo Kongsi Ann Teng Tong (永定胡氏安定堂),Pertubuhan Yungting Utara Semenanjung(北马永定同乡会). These district clan association can become an associate members of the Lung Yen Association,Penang. Thus increase the membership of the association and facilitate the organization of clan activities.

Perhaps a marketing activities for the young members, and young professionals should be organized as an urgency effort.

槟城龙岩会馆(1929)

槟城龙岩会馆于1929年11月11日成立,会址在槟城头条路横街门牌11号。本会馆前身为苍岩清明福公司,龙岩人南来源历史未及百年,1890 最先抵槟者为翁志鹏、陈水胜、陈水发兄弟及邱笃光诸氏。

1908年后,由于家乡治安欠佳,戚族相引,先后来槟者日众。是年由翁志鹏、陈水旺、陈水发、王瞻甫诸氏发起组织苍岩清明福公司(Chang Yan Ching Ming Fook kongsi),历年来向乡友募捐作为春秋两祭之用,祭祀余款则存入同乡商店以生利息。迄1925年存款已达3000余元,遂由翁碧齐、陈水旺、陈水发、章静波诸氏,以各不同数目乐捐凑足 4250元,购买头条路横街11号厝业一座,为苍岩清明福公司产业。同年11月1日,成立董事会,选出信理员8位负责管理之,并协理同乡一切福利事业,些 为龙岩会馆之出、雏形。
1928年由汤茂轩、林炳照、陈康臣、刘家华、蒋体酪诸氏建议创立龙岩会馆,于是组筹备会,办事处设立台牛后霍溪别墅。经过一年筹备工作,槟城龙岩会馆遂于1929年11月11日在头条路横街门牌11号正式成立,恭请驻槟领事杨念祖剪彩。
会馆成立初年,会员不多,经费短缺。但会馆尽力为同乡福利开展慈善工作。1936年,会馆附设互助部,龙岩乡亲踊跃入会。1938年,馆地迁入台牛后门牌 92号,会馆在郭廷方及全体董事的努力下,会务进展甚速,制定了会章、会旗、是年召开大会,通过新章程,并组织筹赈祖国伤兵难民委员会,支援抗日,筹款数 目为槟城当时社团之冠。
1941年马来亚沦陷,在日本统治时期,会馆停止活动。1945年,马来亚光复,会馆来年召开复兴典礼及会员大会。1947年,协助家乡龙岩高中募捐教 室、宿舍等。同年还成立北马救济家乡水灾委员会,募捐救济家乡灾民。1950年购买台牛后24号。1954年,郭廷方先生倡议设立“槟城龙岩会馆银喜教育 基金,”资助同乡清贫子弟,奖励成绩优良学生,此举为槟城首例,自1984年起,每年分发的奖助学金已达万元以上。
1979年由李良潮、倪子仲接任以来,会务多有兴革,积极开展乡谊联络工作,组织“春节慰问团”,北上吉打、玻璃市、南下吡叻、天定等地,后又先后访问新 加坡、吉隆坡、台湾等地,募备捐款,购买新会所。1981年12月,槟城龙岩会馆为青草巷新馆举行开幕典礼,新馆宽畅明亮,环境优美,屹立大道旁,受人注 目赞赏,实吾岩邦之光荣。

References:

1. 槟城龙岩会馆廿二周年暨新厦落成纪念刊.http://libapps2.nus.edu.sg/sea_chinese/documents/Southeast%20Asian%20Chinese%20Historical%20Document/List%2011/Bin%20cheng%20long%20yan%20hui%2022/mu%20lu.pdf
2. 第五届世界龙岩同乡恳亲联谊大会纪实·开幕篇, http://www.fjxinluo.gov.cn/news/zhnews/201011/16720.shtml

Green Lane

Green Lane(青草巷)


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Green Lane(青草巷), or Jalan Masjid Negeri(州清真寺路)as it is called today, is one of the major roads leading out of George Town from Jalan Air Itam, starting from the crossroad junction of Scotland Road(苏格兰路), Air Itam Road(亞也依淡路), passes Glugor Roundabout, continue until it connects with Jalan Tunku Kudin(东姑古汀路). Part of the Green Lane is under Gelugor area. The local Chinese called it Chhen-chhaú-hāng(青草巷), which means green grass lane. But today Green Lane is no longer green…….the residential area has become a commercial area, especially along Jalan Masjid Negeri, mainly with second car dealers. You cannot recognized that is was once a popular middle class residential area in Penang…..

Green Lane , broadly speaking is George Town’s suburb area, part of Gelugor. Narrow definition, it is the areas around Green Lane or Jalan Masjid Negeri.

History of Green lane

Wat Pinbang-Onn ( วัดปิ่นบังอร) was at Green Lane(may not be the name) in 1889, when the area is still a farming area. It is the earliest establishment in early Green Lane.
In the early 1920s, Green Lane was a small lane within a rather small farming community. Opposite Wat Pinbang Onn was a coconut estate, where Lam Wah Hospital now stand.

The most important landmark on that lane was, and still is, the Penang Free School, built by Anglican Church. Wat Nai and Wat Pinbang-Onn have also established themselves in the Green Lane area.

1951- The Straits Times, 23 June 1951, Page 8 - Penang will build 93 houses From Our Stall Correspondent PENANG. Fri. "NINETY-THREE houses will be built by the Penang Municipality and put up for sale. The houses will go up in Green Estate, bounded by Green Lane and Jalan Husein. Penang Municipal Commissioners have, however, not yet decided when to start building or how many houses to put up first, said the Deputy President, Mr SV Adams......

Green Lane was still a quiet country lane in the 1950's, when the land in Green Lane was being developed into one of the earliest suburbs of George Town. The development of Green Lane was carried out in phases. In the 1950's, the government quarters around Cheeseman Road(奇斯曼路)was developed. Within this area are roads such as Taylor Road(泰勒路), Jalan Sir Hussein (named after Sir Dr. Hussein Hasanally Abdoolcader, a noted Penang lawyer, admitted to Registry of Supreme Court on 1-11-1912; Member of Legislative Council Strait Settlement from 25-7-1940 for one year, the first Indian in Malaya to receive the British Knighthood as reported in The Straits Times, 2 January 1948, Page 1 ), Lengkok Ariff(named after Abdullah Ariff), Jalan Kennedy, Jalan Philips.

Cheeseman Road is named after Harold Ambrose Robinson CHEESEMAN, CMG, Esq., who was teachers of PFS for 15 years(1907-1923), Inspector of Schools Penang(1923-1928), superintendent of education in Johore(1928-?), Deputy Director of Education before the war(1941--1942)(later Colonial Education Service), Director of Education, Malayan Union, and former POW Camp internee at Changi, Singapore during Japanese occupation(1942-1945). Mr. Cheeseman assumed duty as an assistant master at the Penang Free School in 1907. In 1923 he became inspector of schools in Penang, and five years later superintendent of education in Johore. Just before the war he was promoted to be Deputy Director of Education... HR Cheeseman, Director of Education in the Federation of Malaya, has just retired from the service at the age of sixty. 1959- Cheeseman, HR, CMG, 6 Cannon Road, Ramsgate, Kent, UK.

On the Penang Free School side of Green Lane are also new roads. These were named after the school itself (Free School Road) as well as some of its headmasters from the turn of the 20th century, including Hamilton Road (after W. Hamilton, 1925-26), Pinhorn Road (R.H. Pinhorn, 1904-1925), Hargreaves Road (W. Hargreaves, 1891-1904) and Hutchings Garden, after the founder of the school, Rev. Sparke Hutchings.
During that time, Church of the Holy Spirit (now Cathedral of the Holy Spirit) established to cater for the Catholic community staying in the area. Convent Green Lane, was also established by the Catholic church.

The land south of Hamilton Road was occupied by the Green Lane Convent as well as Thai Buddhist temples. The housing estate developed behind them all had the word "Hijau" to it. These are some of the earliest roads with numbers in their names in Penang.

In the 1960s, Green Lane evolved from a farming community into several housing estates. Various developers changed the landscape from sleepy farming areas such as Guan Joo Seng and Island and Peninsular Berhad into a new suburb. A new landmark the Holy Spirit Cathedral was already established together with the Guan Joo Seng Estate in the late 50s - now known as Taman Besi. Around the Church of the Holy Spirit was developed Island Park in the 1960's. The roads here were named after metal, namely Mas (for emas, gold), Besi (iron), Tembaga (brass) and Gangsa (bronze). Green Lane now grew from a little lane to a full road.

The early Green Lane had formed……..

With the introduction of the industrial estate at Bayan Lepas, Green Lane became the trunk road connecting Georgetown with the south i.e. Gelugor and Bayan Lepas. Green Lane grew from a single lane to a triple lane road today. It is also one of the busiest roads in Penang.

Penang's first suburbs for the local middle- class were created in the 1960s at Green Lane, a new landmark the Holy Spirit Cathedral was established together with the Guan Joo Seng Estate - now known as Taman Besi. The suburbs have since been extended to Island Glades developed by Island and Peninsular Berhad, it was at the time an estate. Island Glades, later renamed Taman Mutiara. The roads here are all named Delima (ruby). In between Island Glades and Island Park came a later development, Taman Greenview, in the late 1970's.

Green Lane was renamed Jalan Masjid Negeri(State Mosque Road) in the late 1970's, upon the completion of the Penang State Mosque. However the local residents still prefer the old name of Green Lane as it is shorter and easy to call. The name Green Lane however continues to live on, with its icon landmark Convent Green Lane still remind the people that the road was once called Green Lane……...
The road passes through a few major housing estates e.g. Taman Besi, Island Glades and Island Park.

Across Green Lane from Island Glades is the housing development of Batu Lanchang. The Lam Wah Ee Hospital was moved here in the late 1970's. The roads in the suburb bordered by Lebuhraya Gelugor, Lebuhraya Batu Lanchang and Green Lane have their names derived from amalgamating the names of the neighbouring areas. Hence we get names such as Batu Green (Batu Lanchang + Green Lane) and Gelugor Green (Gelugor + Green Lane). Taman Gelugur, Taman Ghee Hiang(Ghee Hiang Hooi) was developed by the famous Ghee Hiang, the famous biscuit (tau sar pneah) & sesame seeds oil manufacturer in Penang.

Jalan Masjid Negeri(Green Lane) today

Green Lane ends at the Udini Roundabout, which is today served by a flyover as well as an underpass. This roundabout marks the traditional city limit of George Town until the 1970's, when the metropolitan area expands and spills south, reach as far as Teluk Kumbar by the turn of the 21st century.

Today , Green Lane is one of the busiest thoroughfares in George Town . Green Lane refers to the environs surrounding Jalan Mesjid Negeri. Important landmarks apart from the aforesaid are the McDonalds drive-in, Penang Free School, Cathedral of the Holy Spirit , Convent Green Lane, The Trinity Methodist Church ,Chung Hwa Confucian High School, Tropicana Medical Centre, Lam Wah Ee Hospital, Tesco Jelutong and YWCA.

Public Transport

Despite the fact that from 1960s to 1980s, five bus companies served the island ( including one run by the MPPP, the Penang City Council), yet public transport service to Green Lane was limited, and it was difficult for people who have no private transport. The City council MPPP bus served the area. Bus No 11 and Bus 8. Bus 11 served the route between Air Itam and Jelutong, from Air Itam Market , passing Air Itam Road, Green Lane and turn left to Batu Lanchang Road(now known as Teh Ewe Lim Road), and stopped at Bukit Dumbar station, Jelutong. Bus No. 8 was from Botanical Garden to Glugor Roundabout. The only Yellow bus serving the area was No 77, which started from Maxwell Road station, running along Julutong Road, and turn to Batu Lanchang Road at the junction near Julutong police station, turning to Green Lane, Yeap Chor Ee Road, until Kampong Kastam.(Note : Based on memory, Bus number may be wrong). So at the time, if you do not have own transport, it was difficult to go to Green Lane, a middle class suburb where most of them owned cars.

Today, Rapid served the area.Visitors to Green Lane can take the 103 Rapid Penang bus which plies Batu Ferringhi and the Bayan Lepas International Airport or the 206 which plies Komtar and Tesco, Jelutong.

1889 - Wat Pinbang-Onn(วัดปิ่นบังอร)

Wat Pinbang-Onn is a small Thai Buddhist temple along Green Lane (Jalan Masjid Negeri) in Penang. Actually there are two temples sharing this name, the Inner Sanctuary Temple วัดปิ่นบังอร(ใน) at 355 Jalan Masjid Negeri, and the Outer Sanctuary Temple, วัดปิ่นบังอร(นอก), at 379 Jalan Masjid Negeri.
Though the wat had existed since 1889, yet it was only in 1934 that the name 'Wat Pin Bang Onn' was officially given to the temple by Prince Swasdi,( Prince Svasti Sobhon) a son of King Chulalongkorn of Thailand. Until then, it was simply called Wat Nok or 'Outer Temple, to differentiate with Wat Nai or Inner Temple next door. Prince Swasdi died in 1935 in Penang and his remains were cremated in a special pavilion in front of the bot. Present at the funeral was AM Goodman, the Resident Councillor of Penang who came on behalf of the British ...

1928 Penang Free School

On December 31st, 1927 the Penang Free School moved to a new site at Green Lane on Jalan Masjid Negeri in 1928 from its original premises on Farquhar Street(华盖街).
1930- The Straits Times, 9 January 1930- Junior Service Association in Green Lane, almost opposite the Free School. ... PENANG JUNIOR CIVIL SERVICE ASSN. (From Our Own Correspondent). Penang. June 9. THAT there was a big Increase In membership following removal of the club's premises from Green Lane to Dato Kramat Road, opposite the Dato Kramat Gardens and playing fields, last year, is stated in the report of the Junior Civil Service Association Penang , to be presented at the AGM to be held on June 17th, 5 p.m.( The Straits Times, 11 June 1939, Page 5)
1941-1945 During Japanese occupation, many town folks escaped to Green Lane. A training school for The Indian National Army, called the Swaraj Institute set up for training agents who were to be sent into India for espionage and propaganda work. It operated at the site of the Penang Free School on Green Lane.

1957- The Trinity Methodist Church
Trinity Methodist Church Penang, located in Georgetown in the state of Penang is a member of the Trinity Annual Conference (TRAC) of the Methodist Church in Malaysia. It is one of the two English-speaking Methodist churches on the island, situated along Jalan Masjid Negeri. It is located just opposite the Green Lane McDonald's. The Trinity Methodist Church was started in 1957. Over the years, the church has expanded a few times, added new wings for its kindergarten, now called Tadika Trinity Methodist. There are three services held on Sundays, at 9:00 am, 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.
http://www.penangtrinity.org/main/

1958 Church of the Holy Spirit
The Catholics who had dispersed into the suburbs of Georgetown during the Japanese occupation (1941-1945) remained put after the war. Meanwhile, new townships and large housings estates began sprouting in the suburbs from Green Lane to the airport. In 1958, when Fr. Surmon MEP returned from his leave in Europe, he was informed by the then Bishop of Penang, the late Rt. Rev. Francis Chan, to establish a new Catholic community in Green Lane area in Penang. Fr. Surmon who was entrusted with this task , took up residence at Little Sisters of the Poor and started gathering his flock of mix races, which numbered 1000.This community was known ‘parish without church’.
They celebrated mass on Sundays and feast days for 10 years at the canteen of the Green Lane Convent. After 10 years of hard work of collecting funds and discussing plans for a new church with the help of some advisors such as Mr. Gerry Reutens, and later of an building committee (1966 – 1973), a piece of land was bought some distance of the main thoroughfare; another piece was added on with the help of Rt. Rev Mother Tarcisius of the IJ Sisters and it was used as a play field and a car park. At the beginning it was decided that the new church would be dedicated to St. Bernadette since that year (1958) was the centenary of Our Ladys’ apparition to Bernadette in Lourdes in 1858. Later on the Vatican II and around 1962, the late Bishop Francis Chan was agreeable to the suggestion that the name to be changed to the Church of Holy Spirit.

1958 YWCA
The Oldest YWCA in Malaysia established in 1909. In 1909, Penang had the distinction of being the first town in the States and Settlement of Malaya (Malaysia) to be chosen for YWCA.

In 1909, Miss Fairburn, a British missionary, threw open the doors of her home in Dato Keramat Road to the needs of young women. She acted as President, Secretary and Treasurer. They started as a weekly Bible reading and prayer group, which grew and expanded its activities.

When Miss Fairburn left, the missionary Ladies carried on until Mrs Dewar, a Major’s wife took over. During the 1914 war, the members knitted for the soldiers. Miss Rutherford, the World’s secretary, came to the Penang Centre on her visit to Malaya.

Subsequently on the 19th January 1924, a Rest Room was opened opposite the Victoria Pier, which was under the care of Mrs Khoo Gek Tuan. The room was very popular, as all the working girls were very regular. Monthly Tiffins were held and they used to be “full house”. This building was pulled down later (former Chinese Chamber of Commerce).

In July 1927, a Hostel called “The Tower” was opened for working girls in Anson Road with Miss Anderson as the Hostel Warden. The Hostel was successful for some time but as the rent was very high and the house was in a poor condition, another house was acquired in Logan Road . However, due to lack of Finance Miss Ewart who was in charge had to close down the Hostel in 1938.

In 1938, The “Y” also ran a Creche at Patani Road for the children of Municipal Labourers. These activities and special efforts connected with the Second World War continued until December 1941.

From 1941 until 1946, all the records and minute books were lost, due to the war. Information about the YWCA history from 1909-1941 were gathered from the old members of the YWCA in 1946 by Miss Ivy Sabapathy and read out to the members at the YWCA meeting held at 5.00pm 13th September 1952.

Anniversary PENANG. Wed. - The Penang Y.W.C.A. will hold a 'family gathering" to celebrate the third anniversary of the opening of its hostel at Green Lane on Saturday. (The Straits Times, 17 August 1961, Page 5)

1961 Convent Green Lane
青草巷修道院女中 SMK Convent Green Lane(CGL) Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, better known as Convent Green Lane, is a girls' secondary school in Penang. It is located along Green Lane, with one side along Hamilton Road.
Convent Green Lane was established by the Roman Catholic missionaries, primarily instrumental being Father M. Surmon of the Missions étrangères de Paris. Father Surmon serves as the parish priest of the Church of the Holy Spirit (now Cathedral of the Holy Spirit) while staying at the Little Sisters of the Poor along Batu Lanchang Lane. Convent Green lane was opened on 3 April, 1961.
The first headmistress of Convent Green Lane was Sister Helen O'Sullivan. From a beginning with just twelve classrooms, the school has expanded over the decades. The school hall was added in 1968 while a library came into being six years down the road

1965 The North Malaysia Malayali Samajam(Established in 1951)

The association is located at 213, Jalan Mesjid Negeri, Penang

The North Malaysia Malayali Samajam was formed in 1951 to cater for the social and cultural needs of Malayalis in the states of Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

Malayalis are those who hail from the ethno- linguistic area of Malabar coast in South India now called Kerala, then comprising of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar with a language of their own called Malayalam. Malayalis have their own traditions and customs and celebrate festivals such as Onam.

In the year 1952,the Samajam bought a piece of land and a small attap building at 95-E, Jalan Sungei Pinang, Penang , for a price of RM14,750 . This amount was advanced free of interest by some of our members. The advances though late were refunded to them in instalments.

The present premises at 213, Jalan Mesjid Negeri, Penang , was purchased on 2nd February, 1964 at a price of RM52,000 for which we had to dispose our old premises at 95-E, Sungei Pinang Road for RM 48,000. The balance required was raised through donations from our members.

In 1965, the Association moved to its new premises at 213, Jalan Mesjid Negeri, Penang. Extensive renovations were carried out to the building to cater for the social, cultural and sports activities.

1967- The Cerebral Palsy Children's Association of Penang.
The Spastic Children's Association of Penang was founded 1962 by the Rotary Club The first training session started in 1963 with 5 children. In 1966, the late Lim Cheng Ean offered the Association the use of his house, Hardwick, and the training centre was relocated there. In 1967 the Centre opened at Green Lane on one acre of leased land. Staff include teachers, an occupational therapist, a speech therapist, as well as a physiotherapist,
There are now 23 members of the staff at the training centre, there are 107 children at 10 classes. In October 2000 a workshop was opened for kids of 18 years and above who are unable to find suitable jobs. It makes book marks, files and other articles for sale.
Penang is the only centre in Malaysia providing treatment by the Dr Wang method. The kids come from as far away as Kuching

1972 Chung Hwa Confucian High School,
Chung Hwa Confucian High School (or 孔圣庙中华中学 in Chinese) is a national-type secondary school located in Green Lane, Penang, Malaysia. The school is one of the 10 Chinese secondary schools in Penang and also has a good record of co-curriculum and public examination results.
It is the only overseas Chinese School to be sanctioned by the Qing Dynasty Government of China, which officially presented it with royal seals bearing the school's name through its consulate and local businessman Cheong Fatt Tze, who is also credited with being the founder of the school.

1981 Lam Wah Ee Hospital
Lam Wah Ee Hospital (traditional Chinese: 南華醫院) is a 700 bedded tertiary acute care hospital located at Jalan Tan Sri Teh Ewe Lim, Penang, Malaysia. This not-for-profit private hospital is accredited by the Malaysian Society for Quality in Health and ISO 9001:2008 certified. The Hospital started as a provider of traditional Chinese Medicine treatment in 1883 while the Western Medicine division commenced operations in 1983.
The idea of setting up a community health care centre in Penang was first mooted by a few Chinese community leaders in 1876 and a fund-raising campaign was subsequently launched. A traditional-style building was completed in 1883 on a plot of land about 10,600 sq. ft. at Muntri Street. This was known as the Lam Wah Ee Hospital.

1981 Lung Yen Association, Penang槟城龙岩会馆(established 1929)

211,Jalan Masjid Negeri 11600 Penang. Tel: 2828021
Lung Yen Association is in Green Lane, at 211, Jalan Masjid Negeri, 116001 Pulau Pinang. But the Association also have a old art deco style building at the corner of Fish Lane and Malay Street, Georgetown. It is a clan association for people from the district of Longyan(龙岩/龍岩) in Fujian province, China.



The Squash Queen, Nicol David

Datuk Nicol David was born in Penang. She studied in Green Lane Convent Secondary School. Datuk Nicol Ann David is a Malaysian female professional squash player. She is currently ranked world number 1 in women's squash, and is the first Asian woman to achieve this. She won the British Open title in 2005, 2006 and 2008, as well as the World Open title in 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. Her parents are Ann Marie David and Desmond David. Her father is an engineer and her mother is a retired school teacher. Nicol has two sisters. The family is from Green Lane.