A Little about Penang

Writers Corner

> "Founding of Penang", by Peter Herman
> "Penang", by Sam Lang
> "Penang", poem by Julie Nawrotzky
> "Penang", poem by Kevin Horton

Penang lies on the Straits of Melaka, off the northwestern coast of Malaysia. Penang State consists of Pulau Penang (Penang Island; also known as Pulau Pinang - "Betel Nut Island"), and a narrow strip of mainland coast known as Seberang Prai (or Province Wellesley). It is around 285 sq km in size with a population of approximately 1.2 million (at October 2002).

History
The English East India Company, attracted by Penang's strategic location and with the permission of the Sultan of Kedah, established the first British colony in Malaya on Pinang Island in 1786. A naval and trading base was established by the company in return for protection against various enemies. Province Wellesley was acquired in 1798; in 1800 it was incorporated with Pinang Island (called Prince of Wales Island until 1867) as a single administrative unit. A legacy of grand colonial buildings still stand. Rubber plantations were established on the mainland. Pinang Island-which commanded the trade of the northwestern Malay Peninsula, the western coast of south Thailand, and the east coast of Sumatra - was developed as the focus of the British challenge to Dutch commercial power in the region. In 1826 the Pinang colony was united with Malacca and Singapore to form the Straits Settlements under a single British colonial governor. In 1867 the Straits Settlements became a crown colony. In 1946 Pinang became a member of the Malayan Union (which was replaced in 1948 by the Federation of Malaya) and in 1963 became part of Malaysia. Population (2001) 1,313,500.

For more than a hundred years, Penang remained under British Colonial rule. Its independence in 1957 saw it participate in the newly formed Federation of Malaya, and then later in 1963 it became one of the 13 states of Malaysia.

Climate
Penang enjoys a warm and humid tropical climate throughout the year with temperatures ranging from an average of 23 degrees Celcius to 32.2 degrees Celcius (70oF to 95oF). There are no distinct hot or cold seasons and the mean annual rainfall of approximately 267 cm is evenly distributed throughout the year, though September through November may be considered the wettest months.

Agriculture
The British expanded tin mining and rubber plantations but were restricted by a limited labour force. Therefore large numbers of Chinese were brought in as laborers, which eventually tilted the balance until the economy was dominated by ethnic Chinese. There were also Indian immigrants, attracted by the establishment of the colonial port, bringing with them spices, rich cloths and religious customs.

Language
Malay or Bahasa Malaysia, is the official language of Malaysia. People in Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei speak Malay as their first or second language. Like English and other languages in the world, it has many different dialects, ranging from Batavian to Kelantanese. Each dialect has its own way of sounding, and a native speaker of the language can usually tell a dialect from another.

Bahasa is the medium of instruction in schools and universities although English is taught as a second language and is widely spoken and generally understood. Many other Asian languages and dialects are also spoken including Mandarin and other Chinese dialects such as Hokkien, Hakka, Cantonese. Also Tamil and other indian dialects, Thai and Japanese.

The language is easy to learn, as far as learning any language goes. The reason for this is that it is deceptively simple in its structure: the spelling is consistently phonetic and most sounds are pronounced roughly as in English. There are no declensions, no conjugations and almost no fixed grammatical rules. Words are economised, as in the following example:

The Malay proverb "Pole downstream and the crocodiles will laugh at you", is in Malay, "Bergalah hilir, tertawa buaya", or literally "Pole downstream, laugh crocodiles". Another example, "If you can't find it, bring another one", is in Malay, "Ta jumpa, bawa lain" or literally "Not find, bring another." This is the way Malay is spoken.

Etiquette
Malays are generally tolerant of the behaviour of others. However, it is courteous to observe the customs of the country one is visiting, and body language can be as much a part of effective communication as speech.

When in Malaysia using the left hand to give or receive anything should be avoided. Muslims consider using the left hand unclean and always use their right hand to eat with. Pointing with your forefinger is considered very rude; indicate with your head or your hand with the fingers closed. A similar gesture, with the fingers together and palm face downwards, can be used to beckon someone. It is considered aggressive to put your hands on your hips, or to cross your arms in front of you when speaking with someone.

Appropriate dress is also important. While shorts and t-shirts are acceptable in beach resorts, hotels and tourist shops, it is considered more polite for men to wear long pants and a shirt and for women to dress similarly or in a knee-length dress. Sarongs should not be worn in public by foreigners.

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