THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN

SPEECH BY CHIEF MINISTER OF PENANG
AT THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH OF THE FUND-RAISING CAMPAIGN

ON 23TH FEBRUARY 2019

A very warm Sat Sri Akal to all my Sikh brothers and sisters

YB Jagdeep Singh Deo,
Penang State Executive Councillor (EXCO),

Dato Mahinder Singh Dulku,
Chairman of the Conservation and Restoration Committee,

Mr Daljit Singh,
President of the Wadda Gurdwara Sahib,

YB Daniel Gooi,
ADUN for Pengkalan Kota,

Distinguished guests and the congregation of the Gurdwara

It is indeed a great pleasure to have been invited by the Conservation and Restoration Committee of the Wadda Gurdwara Sahib to officiate the launch of the Fund-Raising Campaign to raise funds for the conservation and restoration of this historic religious building.

This is my first official visit to the Gurdwara as Chief Minister and I take this opportunity to further strengthen my ties with the Sikhs and take warm memories with me.

I understand that this is one of the foremost and earliest Gurdwaras in the country having been first set up in Fort Cornwallis. The present Gurdwara was founded in 1901 in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of Her Majesty Queen Victoria’s reign.

For the present government administration, the significance of this building lies not only in its religious and heritage status but also in the fact that one of our own icons, the late Y.B Karpal Singh had walked, played and studied in this august institution during his formative years.

It is clear that the building has suffered the ravages of time and needs to be returned to its past glory. The present government of Penang is in total support of maintaining and enhancing the status of heritage buildings and will provide aid within its means to ensure that such buildings are restored, protected and gazetted.

The Gurdwara is now a Category 1 building and registered in the records of the City Council of Penang Island as such. I am also made known that the Jabatan Warisan Negara had paid a site visit last year and the Gurdwara is awaiting recognition for Heritage Status under the National Heritage Act.

I am informed that the cost of the conservation and restoration of this 120-year-old building will be in between RM2.5 to RM3 million. The completion period for the work is estimated to be 24 months and depending on what is discovered upon the skimming works, it may extend beyond the 24 months. I am sure the Committee under the able stewardship of Dato’ Mahinder will do an excellent job. There are many activities planned for fund raising and the committee’s motto is “fast and furious”.

I wish the committee and the congregation of the Gurdwara the very best in its noble endeavor.

Thank you.