CHIEF Minister Chow Kon Yeow has urged the public to be accountable for the upkeeping of the facilities at the Sia Boey Urban Archaeological Park.
He mentioned this at the launching ceremony of the booklet on the park titled ‘In a New Light: Memories and Aspirations for Sia Boey’ today.
“We need the cooperation from the public to help us maintain what had been achieved in Sia Boey and the costs that came with it.
“Maintenance of the facilities here is an ongoing effort and comes with monthly expenditure and tireless dedication from council workers.
“I hope everyone who visits Sia Boey will play the role of being responsible citizens to upkeep this beautiful urban archaeological park and its facilities,” said Chow.
He also congratulated the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) and the Penang City Eye team for having done an impressive job in documenting the nostalgic changes of Sia Boey into what it is today through the booklet.
“I recalled the saying that ‘change is inevitable’ when I was going through the booklet, as proven by the photos and the stories accompanying them.
“We have witnessed the changes which took place in Sia Boey over the decades, which do not only include the physical sense but also human activities as well as standards of living and values that we cherish.
“Just like the Sia Boey folks in the past, the current generation of Penangites too must be prepared to embrace physical changes to Penang due to the inevitable circumstances that will determine our future development.
“And more importantly, the new skill set which is needed for our young to thrive in the future,” he added.
Apart from that, Chow also shared that the next phase of the Sia Boey Rejuvenation Project would involve the restoration of the crumbling shophouses along Magazine Road and Maxwell Road.
However, he said the project is still currently in the planning stage by Penang Development Corporation.
Meanwhile, GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee said the booklet was launched today after almost 18 months of hard work by the GTWHI and Penang City Eye team.
“This is one of the many stories of Sia Boey, which have helped us understand our nostalgic attachment to Sia Boey.
“It also gives us a sense of identity, and it represents part of the social and cultural background of our generation.
“We would like to thank the unconditional support from the state government that has allowed us to take our ideas from the drawing board into reality.
“We would also like to express our appreciation to the GTWHI team, the Penang City Eye Team, the interviewees, and the resource providers, that have collectively completed this project,” she added.
It is learned that the project was done by collecting old photos and documenting oral history information related to Sia Boey.
Ang also shared that during the nine months excavation mission at Prangin Canal, GTWHI team uncovered artefacts from as early as the 1920s.
“Items found included wooden spinning tops, plastic toy cars, forks and spoons.
“These artifacts have helped us visualise Sia Boey from different eras.
“We hope you will enjoy reading the untold stories documented here,” she said.
Also present was Penang City Eye chief editor Chong Lee Choo.
Story by Tanushalini Moroter
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan
Video by Alissala Thian