Date: 21st June 2012

Venue: Bayview George Town

Time: 9.30am - 1.00 p.m

The Penang State Government is organising a grand celebration for all Penang Chinese clans and associations that have been around in the state for 100 years or more.  The main purpose of the event is to show appreciation to these clans and associations for their many years of contribution towards the culture and society of Penang and its success today. It is also an excellent platform to promote the culture, history and heritage of Penang as well as to market Penang as a destination for Cultural Tourism. The hundred-year-old clan temples and houses that were built by these associations dominate the streets of George Town and are now state treasures and part of the main tourist attraction in the city.

Compared to other cities, Penang is the only one in the world with the highest number of living Chinese clans and associations that are over 100 years, with the oldest at 217 years and the youngest at 101 years. These 74 clans and associations still maintain their traditions and have been preserving their culture including the architecture of their buildings and rituals up till today. No other cities including Kuala Lumpur, Melaka, Singapore or even in China have as many Chinese clans or associations with a history of 100 years or more in existence.

Currently, the five oldest associations in Penang are The Kwangtung & Tengchow Association (217 years), Tengchow Association (217 years), Soon Tuck Wooi Koon (214 years), Tokong Thai Pak Koong (212 years) and Kong Hock Keong (212 years).

Chinese communities have existed in Penang since year 1745, even before the arrival of Francis Light. After the British took control of the island and declared it a free port, more Chinese from China and other parts of Southeast Asia moved to Penang for business and trade opportunities. These Chinese communities then formed associations for individuals with the same surname or those who came from the same province in China as a way to look after their own kind and to overcome economic difficulty, social ostracism and oppression. A few examples would be the Kwangtung and Tengchow Association, Hokkien Association, Lim Kongsi and Cheah Kongsi. Associations were also founded by communities with the same trade such as the Penang Goldsmiths Association and the Penang Barbers’ Association.

The Penang State Government hopes that this event could highlight the contributions of the ancestors of Chinese communities in Penang as well as the history of our state so that it will not be forgotten and can be passed down from generation to generation.

The Penang 100 Years Chinese Association Grand Celebration will be happening on 21 June 2012 with a forum presented by invited speakers from Penang and China from 9.30am to 1.00pm, and an appreciation dinner at the Che Hoon Khor Moral Uplifting Society Hall at 7.30pm on the same day.