GEORGE TOWN – Penang's diverse range of living heritage and culture were evident today when the heritage regulator – George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) – selected more than 70 premises, organisations, and individuals to honour in conjunction with the 11th anniversary of the township as a Unesco world heritage site in July.
Despite the prevailing pandemic, the jury was given 107 nominations to honour for the annual recognition and awards ceremony. The esteemed panel settled for more than 70 this year.
They were saluted for their dedication towards sustaining the living heritage and outstanding universal values, by a panel led by Professor Emeritus Datin Paduka Siti Zuraina Abdul Majid (former director-general, National Heritage Department), Moe Chiba (programme specialist and head of Unit Culture, Unesco Office Jakarta), Dr Rohit Jigyasu (project manager, The International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property), Dr Paritta Chalermpow Koanantakool (former director, The Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn Anthropology Centre), and Dr Ang Ming Chee (general manager of GTWHI).
The list of recipients of the GTWHI Heritage Recognition and Awards are as follows:
4.1 Category: Conservation, Enhancement, and Adaptation
4.1.1 Award Recipients
● Tokong Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Tanjong Tokong, Pulau Pinang, King Street Fu De Ci Temple @ No 32, 32A, 34, Lebuh King (2017-2019)
● Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce, The Conservation of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building @ No 2, Lebuh Penang (2012-2015).
4.1.2 Honourable Mention by the Jury
● Enchanting Estate Sdn Bhd, Spices Hotel@ No 5 Lorong Lumut (2012), Urban Spice Hotel and Cafe @ No 89, Lebuh Acheh (2015).
● George Town Heritage Hotels Sdn Bhd, Seven Terraces @ No 14A, Lorong Stewart (2011-2013)
● Persatuan Warisan Dato Koyah, Makam Dato Koyah @ No 43, Jalan Transfer (2016-2018)
● Seh Tek Tong Cheah Kongsi, A Beam of Hope Through Heritage Restoration @ No 52, Lebuh China (2019), No 149, Lebuh Pantai (2019), No 42, Lebuh King (2019).
4.1.3 Special Mention by the Jury
● City Council of Penang Island, Bangunan Dewan Bandaraya (City Hall) @ Jalan Padang Kota Lama (2013-2015).
● City Council of Penang Island Heritage Conservation Department, Upgrading Works inside Lane and Backlanes at Lebuh Ah Quee (2020), Lebuh Gereja (2019), Lebuh Penang (2019), Lorong Pitt (2020).
● Estate of Yeap Chor Ee, Deceased, Forward School @ No 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 & 18 Lebuh Acheh (2019).
● Green Buildings Sdn Bhd, Ren I Tang Heritage Inn @ No 82A, Lebuh Penang (2010-2013).
4.2 Category: Cultural Heritage Events and Activities
4.2.1 Honourable Mention by the Jury
● Hong Kong Street Tow Boh Keong Temple, Nine Emperor Gods Festival.
● Omara Production, Ghazal Party.
4.2.2 Special Mention by the Jury
● Gabungan Belia Persatuan Klan Cina Pulau Pinang, Chinese New Year Celebrations Miao Hui.
● Ju Xian Tang Temple, Queen Street, Li Tie Guai God Celebrations.
● Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong Phor Thor Committee, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong Phor Thor (Hungry Ghost Festival) Celebration.
● Kwangtung and Tengchow Association Penang, Hungry Ghost Festival Celebrations of Kwangtung and Tengchow Association.
● Penang Chinese Clan Council, Meng Eng Soo Open Day.
● Penang Hindu Association, Hindu Cultural and Heritage (Pongal, Mother’s Love, Engagement, Nitchayathartham, Kolam, Indian Bullcart, Indian pottery, Indian Masala Tea, Indian Sweets).
● Persatuan Warisan Dato Koyah, Maulidur Rasul.
● State Chinese Penang Association, Handcrafting of Nyonya beaded shoes (Kasut Manek, Manek-eh).
● Tokong Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Tanjong Tokong, Pulau Pinang, Traditional Chinese Praying Rituals Conducted on the Birthday Celebrations of the Deity Guan Gong
● Tokong Thai Pak Koong (Ng Suk) Tanjong Tokong, Pulau Pinang, Traditional Chinese Praying Rituals Conducted on the Birthday Celebrations of the Deity Thai Pak Koong
● Tong On Wooi Koon (Women’s Wing), Begging Festival.
4.3 Category: Lifetime Achievement
4.3.1 Lifetime Achievement Award (Mastery of Skills)
● Chor Teik Heng
● Chua Saw Tin
● Jimah Chin
● Khoo Tiang Shing
● Lee Teik Chye
● Teoh Huah Guan.
4.3.2 Lifetime Achievement Award (Dedication on Knowledge Transmission)
● Anthony Chan Guan Fook
● Cheah Cheng Seang
● Chong Yit Leong
● May Lim Seiw Seng @ Lim Ah Mui
● Noo Wan @ Wandee Aroonratana
● Omar bin Md. Hashim
● Ooi See Han
● Tang Ah Wa @ Tang Chin Yong
● Toh Ai Hwa
● Yeap Chin Boon.
4.3.3 Lifetime Achievement Award (Merit on Cultural Heritage Advocacy)
● Cheah Swee Huat
● Eustace Anthony Nonis
● Tong Poh Kheng.
4.3.4 Lifetime Achievement Award (Merit on Outstanding Efforts and Dedication)
● Kuan Cheng Phoey
● Lam Pin Lik
● Law Boon Wah @ Don Law.
4.4 Category: Cultural Continuity Recognition
4.4.1 Platinum Status (100 years+)
● Ghee Hiang Manufacturing Co Sdn Bhd (c. 1856)
● Hameediyah Restaurant (1907)
● Kwongtuck Sundries & Liquors Sdn Bhd (c. 1836)
● Hospital Lam Wah Ee Chinese Medicine Division (c. 1883)
● Penang Fooi Chew Association (c. 1822)
● Red House Alcohol Distributor (c. 1900)
● Thai Pak Koong Temple (Ng Suk) Tanjong Tokong, Pulau Pinang (c. 1792)
● Yin Oi Tong Co Sdn Bhd (c. 1796)
4.4.2 Gold Status (50–99 years)
● Cheng Woh Medical Hall (c. 1933)
● Hock Lean Seng (c. 1922)
● Hong Kong Shoe Store (c. 1958)
● Hup Huat Trishaw (c. 1922)
● Kedai Songkok O.S.M. Mohd Shariff (1941)
● Kok Ying Chow Signboard Maker (c. 1940)
● Kim Lee Leong Chan (c. 1930)
● Kun Kee Food Industries Sdn Bhd (1952)
● L. C. Lee & Co. (c. 1939)
● Ng Kee Cake Shop (c. 1928)
● Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker (c. 1948)
● Penang Straits Chinese Dondang Sayang Club (c. 1954)
● Poh Aun Tong (1947)
● Seang Hin Leong (c. 1925)
● Seng Seng Advertising Service (c. 1939)
● Teow Hin Chan (1968)
● Traditional Home of Dessert (c. 1933)
● The World Optical Company (1934).
4.4.3 Silver Status (25 – 49 years)
● Gabungan Belia Persatuan Klan Cina Pulau Pinang (c. 1988)
● Central Paper Agencies Sdn. Bhd. (1983)
● Kim Giak Low Choon Puppet Show (c. 1989)
● Kumpulan Boria Omara Pulau Pinang (c. 1991)
● Penang Hong Guan Culture Association (c. 1989)
● Penang Siamese Association (1976)
● Tian Hua Arts and Antique (c. 1967).
GTWHI in a statement said that it will be contacting the award winners soon. – The Vibes, April 22, 2021
