06/07/2026

MONDAY | JULY 6, 2026

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Ű BY T.C. KHOR newsdesk@thesundaily.com

Thousands attend George Town Heritage Celebrations

GEORGE TOWN: The streets here were filled with colour, music and activity on Saturday as thousands of revellers turned up for the opening festival of the George Town Heritage Celebrations. Children and adults painted batik and clay pots, strung beads, made paper lanterns and tried their hand at traditional activities. Others browsed heritage books, watched Teochew puppet demonstrations, enjoyed Chingay and lion dance performances, and explored exhibitions showcasing the city’s diverse cultures. Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow joined the crowds on a walkabout through Armenian Street and the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi precinct, stopping at community booths to chat with exhibitors and visitors. At one booth, he tried manning a Teochew puppet and at another, he donned a traditional Indian Muslim attire, including a red fez and checkered sarong . Chow said the festival had grown following the strong response to the event last year. “The organisers (expanded) the celebration area to accommodate more participants and visitors

times between 1905 and 1911, transforming the island into one of the Tongmenghui’s (Chinese Revolutionary Alliance) most important overseas bases. During those visits, he rallied support among the overseas Chinese community, raised funds and planned revolutionary activities that contributed to the 1911 Xinhai Revolution, which overthrew the Qing dynasty and led to the establishment of the Republic of China. Penang Island Mayor Datuk A. Rajendran said the tamarind, also known as asam jawa , is a staple ingredient in Malay, Indian and Peranakan cuisine, making the sapling “a blend of a monumental global legacy and the everyday flavours of Penang heritage”. Sun’s great-grandniece, Alexandra Sun, founder and chairman of the Sun Yat Sen Cultural Foundation based in Beijing, and a descendant of Sun’s elder brother Sun Mei, brought three saplings to Malaysia. Sun Yat Sen Museum director Khoo Salma Nasution said two would be planted in Penang, while the third would go to Ipoh on July 7 during the launch of the Perak Sun Yat Sen Centre. The ceremony forms part of the commemorations marking Sun Yat Sen’s birth anniversary and was organised by Chung Shan Wooi Koon Association president Tham Sau Hoong. The event precedes the relaunch of the Penang Sun Yat Sen Heritage Trail, which traces key sites linked to his revolutionary activities in George Town. The relaunch took place yesterday at the Chung Shan Wooi Koon Association, at 30 King Street. Among those present at the tree-planting event were Penang Heritage Trust president Clement Liang, Universiti Sains Malaysia School of Humanities History Section chairman and senior lecturer Dr Tan Chee Seng, representatives from the Nanjing Normal University and representatives of the Penang Island City Council. – By T.C. Khor expectations. Organisers initially expected about 20,000 visitors, but estimated attendance had reached some 30,000 by Saturday evening. Ang said attendance over the four-day celebration is expected to reach between 40,000 and 50,000. “The quality of the experience is just as important as the numbers. If visitors leave with a stronger connection to George Town and choose to return in the future, then we have achieved our objective.” Among those accompanying Chow were state Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai, state Local Government, Town and Country Planning Committee chairman H’ng Mooi Lye, Tanjong MP Lim Hui Ying and Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng.

o Festival allows visitors to explore local traditions, identity: Chief minister

commemorated the 160th birth anniversary of Chinese revolutionary leader Dr Sun Yat Sen with the planting of a tamarind sapling derived from the historic tree that he planted at his ancestral home in Cuiheng Village, Zhongshan in Guangdong, more than 143 years ago. Penang Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai said the original tamarind tree was listed as a nationally protected Grade I ancient tree in China’s Compendium of Ancient and Famous Trees in 2006. “This tree is not merely a botanical specimen but a living witness to Dr Sun Yat Sen’s early revolutionary journey. It symbolises resilience, patriotism, peace and friendship,” he said during the tree-planting ceremony on Saturday. He added that the planting resonated with history, celebrated more than a century of friendship and symbolised the continuation of shared cultural heritage between Penang and China. Chinese Consul General in Penang Zhou Youbin said the sapling, propagated from the century-old tree planted by Sun, had now taken root in Penang, where the revolutionary leader once united overseas Chinese in support of China’s democratic revolution. “As the tree sends forth new shoots, may our hearts across mountains and seas look together towards the future,” he said, adding that the tree symbolised the deep-rooted friendship between China and Malaysia. The tree was planted at Armenian Street Park, opposite the Sun Yat Sen Museum at 120 Armenian Street, which served as Sun’s Southeast Asian revolutionary headquarters in 1910. It was in Penang that he convened the historic Penang Conference, launched the fundraising campaign for the Huanghuagang Uprising and founded the Chinese media Kwong Wah Yit Poh. Sun visited Penang a total of six grow and reach a wider audience, making it an event many look forward to annually.” The celebrations will continue until July 7 with a 5km George Town Heritage Walk, Historic Buildings Open House, cultural performances, storytelling sessions and more than 30 workshops organised by more than 40 community partners. Visitors could also explore 12 heritage buildings, including temples, churches, mosques and clan association buildings, many of which are rarely open to the public. George Town World Heritage Incorporated general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said visitor turnout on opening night exceeded

platform for individuals to learn about and appreciate the cultural heritage that makes George Town special.” The celebrations this year coincide with the 18th anniversary of George Town’s inscription as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Describing the milestone as a sign of maturity, Chow said it should encourage organisers and participating communities to continue improving the festival while preserving the traditions that make George Town unique. “Every community possesses traditions and stories. While only a portion could be showcased each year, the celebration continues to

following the surge in attendance recorded last year. “As a result, 43 community organisations are taking part in this year’s celebration, with activities spread across a wider area. “Besides the main festival grounds, programmes are also being held around Armenian Street and the Khoo Kongsi precinct, allowing visitors to enjoy a broader range of cultural experiences,” he said after the walkabout. He added that the annual celebration allows both locals and tourists to discover the traditions, food, performances and customs that have shaped George Town’s identity. “The event is an important

Tree planted to honour Chinese icon GEORGE TOWN: Penang

Rainbow thosai adds colour to event GEORGE TOWN: One of the most popular attractions at this year’s George Town Heritage Celebrations was the Penang Hindu Association’s (PHA) rainbow thosai, prepared with natural ingredients instead of artificial colouring. “Although thosai is our heritage, today they have taken it one level higher. Sundarajoo (second from right) with Murugiah (left) at the PHA thosai -making booth, showing the multi-coloured dish. – T.C. KHOR/THESUN

and restore wellness balance. Sundarajoo said the demonstration offered visitors an opportunity to discover a less-known aspect of Indian heritage. “According to tradition, this knowledge is linked to Bodhidharma, the Indian Buddhist monk who travelled to China and whose teachings became associated with the Shaolin Temple and its martial arts.” PHA president Datuk P. Murugiah said the exhibition was designed not merely to showcase Indian traditions but also to encourage the public to appreciate and experience them. “The traditional practices represent a valuable aspect of our cultural heritage. “By preserving and sharing them, especially with the young generations, we could ensure the continuation of our cultural identity while helping visitors appreciate the ingenuity of past generations, which could inspire the future.” – By T.C. Khor

“These thosais are multi-coloured because they are made from different natural ingredients, giving each one its own colour and flavour. “There is nothing artificial about them. We use butterfly pea flower, spinach and curry leaves, beetroot, carrot, turmeric and purple cabbage,” he told theSun . Beyond the colourful dish, PHA also introduced visitors to yoga sessions, demonstrations of varma kalai (pressure point massage) by the Malaysian Varma Kalai Association, masala tea served in traditional clay cups, and an activity in which visitors painted and kept the cups after enjoying the beverage. Dr K. Kaniappan of the Malaysian Varma Kalai Association demonstrated the varma kalai practice, and curious onlookers gathered as he explained how pressure applied to specific points is traditionally believed to relieve pain

The showcase formed part of the association’s Art of Relaxation exhibition, combining food, wellness and cultural traditions to encourage visitors to experience Indian heritage firsthand. Prepared in a vibrant spectrum of colours, the South Indian staple quickly became one of the festival’s most photographed attractions, drawing curious visitors eager to discover the secret behind its striking appearance. The colourful thosai reflected this year’s “Kongsi Cerita” (Sharing Stories) theme. Housing and Environment Committee chairman Datuk Seri Sundarajoo Somu said the thosai demonstrated how a traditional dish could evolve while remaining true to its roots.