Category Archives: Penang’s History, My Story
Streets named after places in England remind the British of home ( 27 April 2013 )
Cleaned up good: An aerial view of the 4.8m-tall metal structure resembling pinang fruits at the roundabout next to the clock tower at King Edward’s Place. THE British colonial officers who came to Penang must have missed their country very […] Continue Reading
A cowboy town that was old Penang ( 20 April 2013 )
Old architecture: Cantonment Road in Pulau Tikus was probably named after an army camp in the area. It intersects with Burmah Road and Kelawei Road. GUNS, cannons, bullets and mercenaries — these were the essentials in old Penang and a […] Continue Reading
British and local bigwigs remembered in the seven-street precinct ( 13 April 2013 )
Photos by ZHAFARAN NASIB Seventh street: Cecil Street is named after Straits Settlement goverrnor Sir Cecil Clementi. There was always much excitement in the area. We would occasionally get calls from our police sources who tipped us off on clashes […] Continue Reading
Francis Light’s contributions are fondly remembered in history but not of his wife ( 06 April 2013 )
Standing proud: The restored Suffolk House shines brightly in its restored grandeur. AS A schoolboy taking the bus home, I would pass by the Methodist Boys School (MBS) in Jalan Air Itam almost every day. I never knew about the […] Continue Reading
Transformation of Bayan Lepas into free trade area does not diminish its attractions ( 30 March 2013 )
NOBODY would have imagined that Bayan Lepas – which is now full of factories, houses and shopping centres — used to be the rice bowl of Penang, just one big padi field stretching as far as the eye can see. […] Continue Reading
Weld Quay retains its heritage with nearby clan jetties and pre-war buildings ( 23 March 2013 )
Old ways: Bullock carts were a common sight as it was used to ferry people and goods. I CRINGE every time I hear our television news reader or radio announcer pronounce Weld Quay as Weld Koay. And I wonder whether […] Continue Reading
This is Radio R double A F… ( 16 March 2013 )
1984: Radio RAAF Butterworth station production manager Flight Lieutenant Peter Howman with announcer Bronwyn Tuohy going through the recorded tape tracks. The days of a special radio station and the community of Aussies who made Tanjung Bungah their home while […] Continue Reading
Cinemas of old had their own identity and architectural design ( 09 March 2013 )
Old and new: Cathay, also known as the Choong Lye Hock Theatre, stood as a cinema for more than 35 years, but today, it houses a Mydin supermarket (pic below). FOR just 40sen, many of us got to buy a […] Continue Reading
The Star’s humble beginnings were in Pitt Street and so were the writer’s ( 02 March 2013 )
Vibrant: King’s Street is home to Penang’s Little India. FATE works in mysterious ways. I joined The Star as a rookie reporter after finishing Sixth Form in 1980. We were called cub reporters then. Being accepted into The Star, which […] Continue Reading
Reliving the exciting hunt for catfish ( 23 February 2013 )
Magnificent: The 30.2m-high bronze statue of the Goddess of Mercy adds grandeur to the Kek Lok Si temple in Air Itam. MENTION Air Itam and what comes to mind is the famed Kek Lok Si temple, the Penang Hill railway, […] Continue Reading
