AN illustrious landmark located minutes away from the heart of George Town.
Founded in 1868, the Penang Club was once a social club for (primarily) British expatriates in Penang. It has undergone exciting transformations over the years while keeping true to its traditions and heritage.
Penang Club was among the 112 award recipients for the Penang Centennial Heritage Excellence Award by the Penang government recently.
The Penang government initiated the Penang Centennial Heritage Excellence Award to recognise and honour the outstanding contributions of dedicated organisations, associations, societies, educational institutions, businesses, services, or related groups that have propelled Penang’s excellence in the past century.
Penang Club general manager Shekhar Nair said he was proud to be part of the historic Penang Club (then known as the Pinang Club) which was touted to be the first club to be established in the country.
“We are thankful to the Penang government for recognising and honouring our contributions to the state in the past century. I believe not many states have done that,” Shekhar, who has been with the club as the general manager since 2016, said.
Shekhar has vast experience, having worked for over 30 years in Malaysia, Australia, Singapore, and the United Kingdom – with a track record in the hospitality and convention sector in Singapore and Malaysia, namely The Westin Hotels Group, Holiday Inn Group, The Goodwood Park Hotel, The American Club, The Grand Hyatt, D’MC Events & Convention, and Razzmatazz International Exhibition Pte Ltd.
He has, over the years, received many accolades and merit certificates from The Westin Hotels Group for his exemplary services rendered to distinguished luminaries such as the late Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, former United States president George W. Bush, and the late King of Pop Michael Jackson, during their visits to Singapore.
As the general manager of Penang Club, Shekhar supported the food bank drive which benefitted the poor and needy during the movement control order (MCO) and the conditional movement control order periods. The drive was part of Penang Club’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) programme. He also presided over many charity events by the club.
Penang Club 2022/2023 president Datuk Malkit Singh Dalip Singh said the club is rich in heritage and has travelled a long journey.
“We are honoured to be part of its heritage and as the president of the club’s current committee, I have an aspiration to make Penang Club a six-star club without affecting its heritage.
“The Penang Club is not a profit-making club. Whatever we earned through membership, we plough back into the club so that the members can enjoy food and beverages or other facilities, at reasonable prices.
“Whatever plans we have for the club, they are subjected to approval from the eligible members,” he told Buletin Mutiara recently.
Malkit said he hoped to rejuvenate the Penang Club with the cooperation of his committee and club general manager.
“We hope to provide more facilities for our members, such as an outdoor jacuzzi and a children’s wading pool because we are a family-oriented club.
“Other further plans include repurposing unused areas in the club and transforming them into presidential suites to cater for our members.
“Penang Club is strategically located near the heart of George Town. It is a resort within a city.
“We are also planning to upgrade the office working environment of our staff as it is quite cramped now,” he said.
Malkit added that there was also a plan to instal a huge monitor at the entrance of the club to showcase the club activities and the happenings in the state.
“We hope to highlight Penang’s tourist attractions. We have many affiliate members and outstation members from overseas who return to Penang occasionally.
“This can be our way of promoting Penang to our members. The highlights can also be projected in our rooms too,” he said. Currently, the club has eight spacious rooms.
“All these plans will have to be approved by the eligible members. We need to hold an EGM to obtain approval and funds,” he said.
Malkit said the committee tried to offer six-star facilities at three to four-star prices.
“Every facility is designed to give our members the best at the lowest price possible.
“We do our best to balance our budget. We want to keep it affordable for our members, but we must not suffer losses because that would mean bad management,” he added.
Penang Club also provided a platform to groom budding comedians.
“We provide them with a platform to showcase their skills every fortnightly. This is also part of our CSR to help develop talents in Penang,” Malkit said.
He also spoke about the Christmas party with children and staff of The Cerebral Palsy (Spastic) Children’s Association of Penang. The high tea was held at the club on Dec 10 last year.
“Our club was delighted to host the party and share the Christmas joy with the children and staff of the association. All of us had a wonderful time,” he said.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Noor Siti Nabilah Noorazis