GEORGE TOWN: Not many young people today are aware that Padang Kota Lama bears witness to many of the state’s historical events in the past.
The site will be the venue for this year’s launch of the national-level ‘Bulan Merdeka’ (Independence month) and “Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2018” events which will be launched by Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad tomorrow.
The parade ground and playing field, which borders Fort Cornwallis on one side and Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, Jalan Padang Kota Lama and Light Street, was originally created by the British colonials and given the name The Esplanade for their favourite sports, cricket.
Today, it continues to be a famous promenade amongst tourists and locals, and a choice venue for major celebrations and events.
Persatuan Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pemenang) and Pertubuhan Amanah Warisan Pulau Pinang (Pewaris) president Tan Sri Yussof Latiff said after the British left, many of the state’s history was shaped on this very field.
He said one of the unforgettable one was how the Union Jack was taken down from the flag pole within the iconic Fort Cornwallis at 6pm sharp on Aug 30, 1957 and handed over to the last Governor and Resident Councillor of Penang, Robert Porter Bingham. Bingham received the flag and immediately left in a boat.
“The following day, at 8am, a large crowd gathered at the same field for the Proclamation of Independence by the then Chief Minister of Penang, the late Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee, after the first Chief Minister of Malaya, Tunku Abdul Rahman, had done the same in Kuala Lumpur.
“I was there to witness the once-in-the-lifetime event. And the rest, as they say, is history,” he told the NSTP in an exclusive interview recently.
Yussof said it was also at Padang Kota Lama where Tunku Abdul Rahman had announced a mass pardon to the the Malayan Communist Party.
“Another notable history created at the field was when Japanese Crown Prince Akihito, now Emperor Akihito, planted the Bunga Tanjong (Mimusops elengi), a tree that is often identified by the tip of George Town, also called Tanjung, in conjunction with his visit to Penang on Feb 21, 1970.
“The tree is still there. In fact, the trees around the field were planted by several dignitaries such as the then Mayors of Adelaide, Steve Condous and James Jarvis and the then District Head of Medan A.S. Rangkuty,” he noted.
He added that even the first annual Pesta Pulau Pinang was held at Padang Kota Lama before it was moved to its present location in Sungai Nibong.
Back then, it was organised by the then Penang Island Municipal Council (now Penang Island City Council) with S.M. Mohamed Idris as its president. Idris is now a household name in leading consumers group, the Consumers’ Association of Penang.
Yussof said the government’s decision to hold this year’s launch of the national-level ‘Bulan Merdeka’ (Independence month) and “Fly the Jalur Gemilang 2018” events at Padang Kota Lama tomorrow brought back many fond memories of the historic field, which is a focus of both historians and society alike.
“In fact, the field is also used by many political parties to hold their rallies. Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, campaigned here when the People’s Action Party (PAP), Singapore’s ruling party, decided to campaign in Peninsular Malaysia for the 1964 Malaysian general election.
“It is also a venue for many of the cultural and promotional activities.
“With its rich history, all the more, the field should be protected and conserved at all cost so that it will continue to be greatly appreciated for many generations to come,” he stressed.
More than 30,000 people are expected to throng Padang Kota Lama for the national-level launch. This year’s Independence Day celebration is themed ‘Sayangi Malaysiaku."
A host of events have been lined up from now until Sept 16 when the country celebrates Malaysia Day.