PENANG HILL RAILWAY: A CENTENARY CELEBRATION (1923-2023) PRESS CONFERENCE
SPEECH BY YAB TUAN CHOW KON YEOW
THE CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
PENANG HILL RAILWAY:
A CENTENARY CELEBRATION (1923-2023)
PRESS CONFERENCE
6 SEPTEMBER 2022
Yang Berbahagia Dato’ Cheok Lay Leng
General Manager of Penang Hill Corporation
Distinguished Guests,
Members of the Media,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
A very good afternoon to all.
It gives me great honour to be here with all of you today to announce that the Penang Hill railway system will be celebrating its 100th anniversary next year in 2023.
The Penang Hill funicular started in 1923 and has certainly remained as one of Penang’s most well-known heritage icons. What started as a simple mode of transportation to the hilltop for fresh air and convalescence, has now become a celebrated landmark for both Penang and the nation.
While the funicular coach may have changed over the years, the incredible engineering works that made it all possible has remained timeless over the century, and this is truly worthy of a grand celebration.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I believe that many of you have taken a ride on the funicular to visit Penang Hill. But are you aware of its history and interesting mechanism behind it?
Well, this funicular railway is the only one of its kind in Malaysia. It has one of the steepest tunnel tracks in the world, and has transported over 47 million visitors, including local and international tourists, residents and the local community since 1924.
This remarkable mode of transportation has truly transformed the hill. It has spawned the socio-economic progress and eco-tourism on the hill as well as its surrounding areas, covering Air Itam and Air Puteh. The hill has also become a favourite spot for the community to carry out healthy activities such as hiking.
With the theme “Penang Hill Railway: A Centenary Celebration (1923-2023)”, Penang Hill Corporation will be organising various interesting activities to celebrate this momentous milestone. Some of the highlights will include a Centenary Gala Dinner, a Commemorative Book, documentaries and exhibitions.
Our signature events which have grown from strength to strength over the years, like the Penang Hill Festival, Penang Hill Forest Challenge and Trash Free Hill will also be organised in sync with the Centenary celebration theme next year.
In conjunction with this celebration, Penang Hill Corporation is also organising a logo design competition. The logo contest is open to all Malaysians aged 18 years and above from 6th September until 6th October 2022. The centenary logo must depict a solid visual or components to commemorate the heritage and contribution of the Penang Hill Railway to Penang Hill. Details will be announced on the Penang Hill Corporation’s social media pages soon. All interested parties especially students are encouraged to participate. The winning prizes are:-
|
Prize Ranking |
Reward |
|
First Prize |
· RM500 (Cash) · One (1) Funicular Pass with one (1) year validity · Limited Edition Gift(s) |
|
5 X Consolation Prizes |
Each shall receive: - · RM200 (Cash) · One (1) Funicular Pass with six (6) months validity · Limited Edition Gift(s) |
To spread the festive mood around the hill, Penang Hill Corporation hopes to work closely with its business partners on the hill to curate a synchronised themed experience for its visitors.
The celebration which will take place over the course of next year will be aimed to educate and promote a greater understanding and appreciation of this unique heritage icon to Malaysia as well as the Southeast Asia Region.
Not only that, but we also hope to showcase Penang Hill’s incredible biodiversity as well as its precious heritage to the world; befitting its recent listing as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme on 15 September 2021.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
In the spirit of LovePenang, I urge everyone to show their love to one of Penang’s most loved icons and to support its Centenary celebration. It will be an exciting year on the hill next year. So, join us as we celebrate the Penang Hill Railway 100th anniversary in 2023!
More information will be announced from time to time by Penang Hill Corporation on their official website and social media pages; please stay tuned.
Thank you.