UNESCO World Heritage Site

The celebration begins today. Penang shall be celebrating her successful application for listing as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Several attempts were made before but each time we failed. This time, making a joint application with Malacca, both were successful.

The Khoo Kongsi (Clan House)

The past week or so, the inner city has been abuzz with activities. Municipal workers have been busy putting up decorations and lightings. While some are rejoicing this new -found status, many seemed not to bother with it.

I would have thought that celebration of such nature should involve everybody. Well, almost. It is most tragic that the school children have been denied celebrating this event. In fact the mainstream media has been doing their best to play down this event. It is tragic that on an occasion like this, where the government has spent so much money and effort to secure this important listing, they have decided to treat it like a non-event!

We do not know if this is a directive from the Ministry of Education or is it the little Napoleon in the Penang State Education Department who decided to snub the State government’s celebration. In either case it does not bode well for the state and country. It is childish and irresponsible.

The Kek Lok Si Temple

For reasons best known to themselves, the BN government has seen fit not to work together with the Penang state government or other opposition state governments. What kind of message will this action send to our young school going children? What hope have we got to build unity and strength for this nation?

I really have my doubts if Mahathir’s 2020 vision can come true. When the Prime Minister is more concern with Malay unity instead of Malaysian unity, that alone is explanation enough why there is such a book called “Malaysia – A Failed Nation”