The Esplanade, Fort Cornwallis, Witness Nation's Independence History In Penang

By Erma Idayu Mohd Yusop

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Penang is not only famous as an attractive tourist location, it is also rich in historic and significant places in the country's independence story.

Apart from being famous for its beautiful beaches, cultural heritage and diverse food, Penang Island is also a location that holds a thousand and one important stories in the journey of Malaya (at that time) towards independence, among them, The Esplanade.

Set against the backdrop of colonial buildings, The Esplanade continues to be remembered as a historic location that witnessed important moments in national independence events in Penang including the lowering of the British flag ceremony as well as witnessing the declaration of independence on August 31, 1957.

Besides The Esplanade, Fort Cornwallis which is also located here was built by the British in the 18th century and was one of the earliest defences structure built by the colonists.

Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) president Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff shared with Bernama the historical event that took place at The Esplanade on August 30, 1957 when the Union Jack flag was lowered there to mark the end of colonialism in Penang.

Elaborating further, Mohd Yussof, 94, said at that time he was the Penang UMNO Youth secretary who was also in the organising committee for Malaya’s Independence Day celebrations in the state.

"On August 30, 1957, we first parade in a car and waved the federation flag and UMNO flag around Penang before gathering at The Esplanade to celebrate the nation's historic moment together.

"The ceremony of lowering the British flag is full of history after the end of colonisation of Penang and the flag was handed over to the last representative of the British resident, RP Bringham, then through Fort Cornwallis they left there on a ship and returned to their home country (Britain)," he said.

Mohd Yussof said Fort Cornwallis was the British entrance to George Town known as Tanjung Penaga and it was also the location where the colonists left the state and left Malaya as an independent country.

Mohd Yussof who is also Pertubuhan Amanah Warisan Melayu Pulau Pinang (Pewaris) president shared that on Sept 1, 1957, a historic ceremony was also held at The Esplanade when Penang's first Chief Minister Wong Pow Nee read the declaration of independence.

He said the assembly held at that time was quite a fun event with the presence of people of various races because the country achieved independence and when the independence was declared, Wong also raised the flag of the Federation of Malaya.

In addition, Mohd Yussof said The Esplanade was also the location chosen by the Father of Independence, the late Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra al-Haj, to make an announcement about the mass amnesty of communist members on Dec 5, 1955.

"The Esplanade is also the site for various celebrations and campaigns, and even became the first location for Pesta Pulau Pinang in 1970 and was once a place for the British to play cricket during the era of British rule," he said.

Meanwhile, the Penang Malay History and Civilization Association president Datuk Abdul Kader Md Ali said he hoped that the history of The Esplanade would not simply disappear, instead the younger generation should know about it because it was an important location in the effort to achieve national independence.

"Penang Island was the first British colony in the Malay Peninsula when the colonists established a city at The Esplanade and they entered through the sea at Fort Cornwallis. We all as Malaysians must together defend the freedom we have enjoyed," he said.

Fort Cornwallis is an old city in the shape of a four-pointed star built in 786 by the British military commander, Charles Cornwallis and Fort Cornwallis has an important value as a British defence and trade centre in the region.

The city which was built to protect against the threat of the enemy is the only fortress that still exists in Penang facing the sea.

-- BERNAMA