FORMER Indonesia President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is scheduled to visit Penang for the first time next month as the main personality behind the inaugural Peace Dialogue, initiated by a group of Singaporean and local technocrats.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow welcomed the initiative, stating that the state can now be a platform for dialogue and cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, technological disruptions and divisions around the world.
He said it is timely for Penang to host the inaugural peace dialogue at Jen Hotel on Sept 5 and 6, as dialogue fosters greater understanding and practical cooperation among nations and communities.
Among the distinguished intellectuals who will take part in the dialogue are Dr Henry Wang Huiyao, Prof Victor Gao, Prof Jeffrey Sachs, Prof Kishore Mahbubani, Dr Wang Sheng-Wei, Dr Jonna Lei, Prof Emerita Tan Sri Mazlan Othman, Prof Emeritus Jomo Kwame Sundaram and Dr Yeoh Lam Keong.
Sachs will participate virtually via teleconferencing.
Held under the auspices of the Commonwealth of World Chinatowns (CWC) series of dialogues and conferences, Chow said that peace begins when people are willing to listen to one another.
The Batu Kawan Member of Parliament said that peace is no longer solely a national agenda driven by diplomacy and foreign policy, but has also become a state agenda as global developments directly affect economies, security and communities.
The brainchild of Penang Free School old boy Winfred Khoo, who is now based in Singapore with support from the Penang State Art Gallery chairman Lee Khai, Penang Hill Corporation general manager Datuk Cheok Lay Leng and Tech Dome Penang chief executive officer Khoo Boo Wooi, the event is poised to market Penang as a venue for dialogues and frank exchanges on global diplomacy.
Khoo said that in the event of a growing sense of conflict and disharmony around the world, coming to terms with the new age of a multi - polar world is important.
The dialogue also headlines a conference on holistic medicine and history.
In addition, they will collaborate with Tech Dome Penang to organise a public and student session before the dialogue at the hotel to introduce the International Youth Space Camp initiative, which Tech Dome plans to launch in Penang.
Former Balik Pulau Member of Parliament Yusmadi Yusoff, who is now engaged in foreign relations, said that dialogues have always been the forte of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in engaging areas of conflict and political differences.
It is a hallmark of the Penang - born Anwar's diplomatic craftsmanship, and to have an international dialogue here can be lauded, he said. - August 4, 2026.
