As reported in The Star
Spreading the message of peace Board wants organisations to explore Penang’s history
THE Penang State Museum Board is calling all non-governmental organisations (NGOs), clubs and societies to uncover more history of Penang.
Its chairman Wong Hon Wai said the board welcomes all parties to give their ideas for the celebration of peace in 2015.
“Several countries will be celebrating the 70th anniversary of peace since World War II ended in 1945.
“The board would like to also use this opportunity to explore more about the history in Penang and to raise awareness among the people,” he said after opening the ‘Peace Night’ celebration at the Penang Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese War Memorial near the Air Itam roundabout in Air Itam, Penang, on Sunday.
Wong said the board would also like to work with Penang Heritage Trust (PHT) on possible exhibition, publication or events which involved the history of Penang.
“Penang is filled with interesting historical places of interest such as the Russian memorial in Pulau Jerejak and the Penang War Museum in Batu Maung.”
At the ‘Peace Night’ celebration, he said the 14.9m Penang Overseas Chinese Anti-Japanese War Memorial obelisk inaugurated on Nov 11 in 1951 is believed to be the tallest in the world.
“There are only four of such obelisks in the world, there’s one in Kuala Lumpur (in the Guang Dong cemetery) built in 1947, and two more in China’s Yunan Province built in the 1980s.”
Also present was SJK (C) Kong Min Pusat board of trustee chairman Datuk Chuang Keng Kung.
The monument, under the management of the school’s board of trustees, is a memorial for the Chinese community in Penang who died in the Japanese Occupation of Malaya during World War II.
The memorial was originally built by the Penang China Relief Fund, a Penang-based fund raising organisation.
After the organisation disbanded in 1952, the responsibility of managing the memorial was passed on to the school board.
Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, who attended the annual memorial service held yesterday, said the monument had become a popular attraction compared to previous years.
“The number of tourists stopping by the memorial while on their way to Penang Hill is increasing.
“Penang Hill is more attractive but those interested in the memorial will come,” he said.
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