WHAT started as a club for Peranakan communities to connect and enjoy leisure activities, the State Chinese Penang Association (SCPA), formed in 1920, turns 103 this year!
To commemorate this remarkable landmark anniversary, a special dinner was organised courtesy of the SCPA, which was attended by Peranakan communities from as far as Western Australia, Thailand and nearby areas like Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
It was a night filled with a decorated line-up of exciting activities, such as the Peranakan costume showcase, Peranakan cultural dance, food and costume exhibition and many others.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and his wife Madam Tan Lean Kee were present during the dinner that was held at the JEN Hotel in George Town yesterday.
In his speech, Chow spoke highly of the Peranakans and their humble beginnings in Penang since 1920, hailing their commitment to a culture of their own, the transition over the years, which includes triumphing over negative challenges and standing strong as one community.
“You (SCPA) have transcended boundaries to emerge triumphant and this speaks volumes of how unity and strength garnered from the concerted efforts of your members with a common goal in sight.
“This has led to the SCPA today standing tall and strong in the face of multi-faceted changes in the 21st century and still reaching out to the four corners of society in Penang.
“As the world continues to change, we will also continue to evolve as these changes unfold in ways like never before. In the face of the many challenges that arise, there is a greater need to stay confident and press ahead against all odds.
“Your greatest strength comes from cooperation and the most effective way forward is through solidarity among the Babas and Nyonyas not just in Penang but across the globe,” Chow said in his speech.
At the event, the Buletin Mutiara team took the opportunity to speak to a Peranakan family that was based in Western Australia, who had travelled to Penang just to participate in this momentous occasion of SCPA’s 103-year-old anniversary celebration.
Freddie Low, 58, a Melaka-born, said he was impressed with the unity among the Peranakan community in Penang, and lauded the SCPA’s outstanding achievement of reaching over a century-old this year.
“I felt so connected to my Baba Nyonya culture when I was away for a long time, and that was when I became very active in representing this proud culture of mine.
“It was during a convention that I attended in Singapore some time ago that broadly opened my greater perspective on the uniqueness of this culture.
“I am very proud to be a part of it, and it is amazing how this community is being preserved tremendously well in Penang,” Low said.
He is the current president of the Peranakan Community of Western Australia.
Low is here in Penang with his wife Luanna Low, 51.
Another individual, Nadiane Bastin, 68, a Belgian, said she truly loves the Baba Nyonya culture for its colourful and vibrant showcase of food, costumes, unique materials and many others.
“I love the ‘Kebaya’ because it is just so beautiful how they make each design look so different and unique.
“The Peranakan communities are so welcoming, and I look forward to attending more of such events in the future,” Nadiane said.
Nadiane and her husband Raymond Hayon, 68, have been residing here under Malaysia My Second Home (MMH2).
Also present during the dinner were Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Wong Yuee Harng, Pulau Tikus assemblyman Joshua Woo Sze Zeng and the SCPA president Datuk Seri Tan Gin Soon.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix and video by Alissala Thian