theSun | TUESDAY FEBRUARY 10 2009
speak up!
letter
letters@thesundaily.com
Unveil Penang’s
little gem
THANK you so much for your article, “The
ancient secret of Tanjung Tokong” (Feb 5).
It was with gratitude and a sense of relief
that a subject I am deeply passionate about
has at last been given a public voice.
I find it astonishing that an area of
such natural beauty, still filled with the
innocence of yesteryear, steeped in so much
history should have been so ignored by all the
“bodies” that have been creating a
furore over George Town and our infamous
decayed buildings. Kampung Tanjung
Tokong is a true gem on the island as it
has retained all the characteristics of a true
kampung and should at all costs be kept
as such before greedy developers plant
another layer of concrete curtains in its
place. This could be a genuine tourist site
if it was properly managed to encourage
the residents to remain and continue to
breathe life into the area. We have a genu-
ine living heritage in our midst and I cannot
comprehend why it has been ignored all
this while. My vision for this place is as a
tourist “must see” sight. We don’t even have
to build anything, it’s there!
Of course, there is a need for manage-
ment and a blueprint to ensure its sustain-
ability, but it really will not take that much
effort to get this project off the ground.
I am appealing to your paper to be
the flag bearer for this kampung. You
really will be handing a gift to the people of
Penang, a gift they already have but cannot
appreciate. Shame to all in tourism for
ignoring this little gem.
Kate Lim
Penang
The trail builders
of Bukit Jambul
THIS column has carried many
articles on Ugly Malaysians and
the adverse effects of their actions
on towns and cities. There are, of
course, Malaysians who not only
behave well, but also contribute to
improving the quality of life of the
people without attracting any at-
tention or expecting any reward.
In view of the depressing news
lately, especially the irresponsible
actions of the four unconscionable
“honourable” state assemblymen
that led to the change of Perak
state government, there is a need
to highlight the efforts of good
Malaysians.
An example are the people who
not only build trails to go up Bukit
Jambul, but also provide free hot
drinks at the summit from col-
lections in a donation box. These
hiking enthusiasts, led by the late
Teoh Ah Eng, began their work
in the early 1990s. Since then,
the trails have enabled hundreds
of hikers to go up the summit to
meet friends or enjoy the view and
fresh air or just to work up a good
sweat.
The view at the top of the hill
includes the Bayan Lepas Free
Trade Zone, Penang Bridge,
Glugor where Universiti
LocalCounsel
by Goh Ban Lee
Sains Malaysia is located and a
distant George Town City skyline.
The hikers include the young,
the not so young and even senior
citizens from all strata of society.
They are also multiracial includ-
ing a sprinkling of foreigners.
It takes about 20 to 25 minutes
for the average person to reach
the summit. Those who are fit can
make it in less than 15 minutes.
Those who pant just walking up a
three-storey building may not be
able to reach the top. However, if
one is persistent and has encour-
aging companions, he or she can
still reach the top in an hour. The
muscle aches may last a few days
though.
The efforts of the trail builders
have generated positive responses
among the hikers. Many fit
hikers carry up water for the
drinks in 5.5 litre containers from
a tap at the bottom of the hill. They
have also helped carry donated
concrete benches and exercise
equipment. Some hikers have
become the caretakers of the rest
area by helping to trim the bushes
or water the plants and keeping
the place clean.
There are several such hill
trails in Penang Island and every
one is unique and offers a different
view from the top. Hill hiking is
without doubt the most popular
sport in Penang Island today.
The most popular hiking trail is
the one originating from the Met-
ropolitan Park, formerly known as
the Youth Park, which is one of the
few success stories of the Penang
Island Municipal Council (MPPP).
Although the trail ultimately leads
to Penang Hill summit, most
hikers stop at the rest areas known
as No 3 or and No 5. For those
who have never walked up a hill
before, this is a good place to start.
Besides, of all the hiking trails, the
No 3 rest area has a better choice
of free drinks and foods.
17
As a result of the effort of
these trail builders, thousands of
Penangites, especially those from
the lower-income groups who
cannot afford to be members of
sports clubs, have a place for a
good workout. The savings on
medical bills must be enormous.
The benefits of an activity that
attracts multiracial participation
everyday are incalculable.
Although all the hiking trails
are built by volunteers, lately the
council has taken some interest.
For instance, in Bukit Jambul,
the MPPP, apart from putting up
a sign to caution the hikers about
the dangers of over-exertion, has
built a public toilet at the foot
of the hill using funds from the
federal government. But the time
has come for the authorities, par-
ticularly the MPPP, to play a bigger
role to complement and enhance
the good work of the volunteers.
Many trails are suffering severe
erosion owing to heavy traffic and
the elements. After all, these were
built without professional inputs
and funds. More importantly, the
government must gazette all vista
points and the access to them as
public property to prevent private
development in these areas,
For politicians who want to
serve the people, especially those
in the lower-income groups,
much can be achieved by working
closely with the hill-trail builders
and those who help to maintain
the rest areas.
Happy hiking.
Dr Goh Ban Lee is a retired
academic interested in urban
governance, housing and urban
planning. Comments: letters@
thesundaily.com.