PENANG marked a historic day on Friday with the official opening of the Gurney Bridge, a new landmark linking Gurney Drive to the reclaimed Andaman Island and Straits Quay, as one of the state’s most treasured heritage brands, Ghee Hiang, celebrated its 170th anniversary.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow spent the day moving between the two major events as festive-season traffic built up across the island, underscoring the significance of both milestones for Penang’s present and future.
The day began with the opening of the Gurney Bridge, an eight-lane signature structure forming a new connection between Gurney Drive and Bay, Andaman Island and the waterfront commercial hub of Straits Quay in Tanjong Tokong.
The bridge provides an alternative route to the heavily congested Tanjong Tokong stretch, easing traffic flow along the island’s northern corridor.
Chow said the bridge, developed under the master planning of Eastern & Oriental Berhad for the Andaman project, reflects Penang’s vision for enhanced mobility and sustainable urban growth.
Designed as a landmark along the northern seafront, the bridge features a four-metre pedestrian walkway on both sides, creating a continuous, car-lite link between the public spaces of Gurney Bay, Gurney Drive and Andaman Island.
E & O managing director Kok Tuck Cheong said the bridge symbolised the developer’s commitment to building a city that is connected and forward-looking.
“In creating this bridge, what we have experienced is that not only does it give easy access, but it also offers a shortened journey from the traditional route.
“This resonates closely with our concept of a 15-minute city. With the completion of this bridge, there is a lot more that everyone will be experiencing in the future, not only in the residential but the commercial components of what we are going to unfold in future phases,” he said.
Later in the day, the Chief Minister attended celebrations marking the 170th anniversary of Ghee Hiang at its main outlet at the corner of Macalister Road and Anson Road.
Renowned for its tau sar peah and fragrant sesame oil, the heritage brand commemorated the milestone with a “Triple Celebration” that included the unveiling of its 170th anniversary signboard, the launch of its 2026 Chinese New Year gift box and the reopening of its newly renovated Macalister Road outlet.
Chow joined Ghee Hiang executive director Datuk Ch’ng Huck Theng, the seventh-generation custodian of the family business founded in 1856.
Ch’ng, who is also active in the tourism and lifestyle publishing sectors, credited the brand’s longevity to the enduring support of the Penang community.
“On behalf of Ghee Hiang, we want to say a big thank you to all of you who have supported and trusted us from generation to generation.
“As I always say, Ghee Hiang is not just a product, but it has become an important part of many families. Many of you grew up eating our Tau Sar Pneah, Hneoh Pneah, Phong Pheah, and Beh Teh Saw,” he said.
He also announced a collaboration with the Penang Chef Association on a cookbook aimed at promoting local chefs and eateries across the state.
Chow described the anniversary celebration as modest yet deeply meaningful. “I don’t think there is another enterprise in Penang that is 170 years old. For many of us, this place brings back a lot of memories.
“When we talk about Ghee Hiang, it feels as though we are talking about part of Penang’s family. Almost every Penangite has some memory of Ghee Hiang — the famous sesame oil and, of course, tau sar peah,” he said. - December 13, 2025
