After we were done with the community service at PERSATUAN KEBAJIKAN KANAK-KANAK

ISTIMEWA (PERKIS),we went to the island or in other words Pulau Penang.We went there with the
same bus around 1p.m.The plan is to stop at the Kota Lama and we were assign to choose a
historical place and make some research and observation.

Before arriving,we stop at the University Sains Malaysia (USM) to perform Zuhur .We have to admit
that the university was quite impressive because the place was very huge and has a lot of
foreigners.Then we the bus continue to the nest destination which is the Kota Lama.We arrived a liithe
bit late as plan as the traffic was pretty bad.After all we made it.

Right after we were there.we wondering around to find a restaurant first and decided to eat at the
Old Town White Coffe.Even the building of the restaurant itself look old,classi,vintage and have the
sense of British architecture on it .

After long discussion we decided to take a look on Fort Cornwallis since the place look interesting
and most important the most near of all places.The entrance fee for adults that have the MyCard is
RM10 and same goes for children whereas for foreigners the fee is RM20.

Here are some of the history and background of the Fort Cornwallis. Fort Cornwallis, which has a
rich history of more than two centuries, stands out in the forefront. It is today, the largest and most
intact fort that can be found in Malaysia.
Fort Cornwallis history dated back to the starting point when Sir Captain Francis Light from the
British East India Company, first landed on the island with his crew in the year 1786. He was to take
possession of the island from the Sultan of Kedah back then, to serve as a base or stop-over for the
British companys spice and silk trading route.
In order to protect the base from any foreign military forces, pirates and even Kedah itself,
Francis Light decided to build a fort on the cape of the islands north eastern coast, overlooking the
sea -where he first set foot. The initial simple fort was made out of only nibong palm trunks as
stockades, without any concrete structures. Francis Light named the fort after the Governor General
in Bengal at that time Charles Cornwallis. The fort was only reinforced with bricks years later again
by Francis Light but under a different Governor, designing it as a star-shape, covering approximately
418 square feet. And though, the intention of the fort was built to withhold and defend attacks from
enemy invasions, apparently no battles ever occurred throughout the headship of the British company
at the fort. In the end, it is used more for administrative and storage base rather than a combat
ground.
When visiting the fort, the five major must-see artefacts are, first and foremost, the statue of the
legendary Sir Captain Francis Light. In fact, no visitors would be able to miss the statue of Francis
Light as its positioned overlooking the fort entrance, greeting visitors. The bronze statue was sculpted
by F.J. Wilcoxson in the year 1936 to commemorate the 150 th anniversary of Francis Lights historic
landing. Today, this statue, even though was sculptured based on his son, William Lights picture, it is
undeniably one of the famous icons associated with the history of the colonial era of Penang Island.

Next would be the gun powder magazine in which explosives were once stored during the British
administration in anticipation for a battle. It was constructed in 1814. The structure of the bunker was
built in the shape of a pill box with a thick wall to minimise damage should there be any explosions
that may happen. The magazine is located at its origin place at the northwest corner of the fort. It is
strategically located at the spot whereby its ammunitions are near the surrounding cannons,
especially the Sri Rambai.

The ever first Christian chapel, as well as one of the earliest roofed structures in the history of
Penang, can be found inside the fort. The small modest chapel was constructed in 1799 at the south
west corner of the fort, just beside the jail cell. It was recorded that after Francis Light died, his widow,
Martina Rozells, remarried to John Timmers in the chapel on the same year it was built.

Last but not least, beside the chapel, will be the row of barracks and a small jail cell that are still
in its origin state which was built in 1811. The barracks were believed to be used as storage for
artilleries. As for the small jail cell, its in between the barracks and the chapel. But now, instead of a
jail, it is now a favourite photographing spot whereby visitors would get the feel of being in prison
behind bars and be photographed from the outside, complete with the prisoner cells number.

As a site which is rich in history, Fort Cornwallis is often chosen as the preferred venue for major
cultural and festival celebrations of the Penang state. These events are conveniently held at the open
air amphitheatre which is situated right in the middle of the forts ground.
Presently, Fort Cornwallis is a preserved historical landmark, and its in the core zone of the
Georgetown UNESCO World Heritage site. Coincidently, the fort is also right in the Georgetown city
hub itself. All the distinctive structures and artefacts in the fort are still very much as intact as in its
authentic state. Hence, its a unique combination of old meets modern tourist attractions.
And that was the end of our visit to the Fort Cornwallis.We had so much fun while learning the
Malaysias history itself.It made us realise how grateful we are living in this time where the country
already gain the freedom and peace
Right after then we were instructed to ride the bus and go back home.To conclude the trip in
Penang Island was memorable as the community service.That day was precious to us.