Penang’s Heritage: From Criticism to Constructive Action

via Free Malaysia Today, 31 January 2024: Penang’s government, led by Wong Hon Wai, counters criticism of neglecting historical promotion by highlighting efforts like the repatriation of the “Penang Woman” skeleton. Despite challenges, including pandemic-related delays, the state aims to rejuvenate interest in its rich heritage with upcoming museum exhibitions.

He told FMT that the state was working with the national heritage department to bring back the skeletal remains, unearthed in Seberang Perai, that were taken by Dutch researchers and placed in the Nationaal Natuurhistorisch Museum in Leideen, the Netherlands.

Wong was responding to criticisms by noted architect Lim Chong Keat who said that not much was being done by the state’s museum and library boards to boost interest in Penang’s history.

Lim said while it was “fine” for authors everywhere to write about Penang history or to fictionalise it, there must be more serious historical research by Penangites.

The Penang museum and library should be compiling the documents for Malaysians to study, he said.

Source: Penang govt denies not doing enough to promote state history | Free Malaysia Today (FMT)