A Tribute to Penang

As we all may know by now, Georgetown was recently awarded the UNESCO heritage city listing. Essentially, this listing clarifies the fact that Georgetown is a recognised city in the world (as stated in the city act of 1st January 1957), instead of being a municipality (under the local government act 1976). Next, Georgetown, and the periphery boundaries, is an amalgation of culture and heritage which deserves to be preserved. The two words, culture and heritage, is slowly eroding in this new era. The younger generation is more engrossed with technology and leading the high-life...hence, i believe this listing is a catalyst to reintroduce the rich culture and heritage of Georgetown and Penang to the youth, the region, and finally, the world.

Anyway, I did go for the tree planting ceremony, and here is the poem dedicated to this event. It's in Malay, and i do not attempt to translate it. Let's enjoy poetry as it is..

Sebatang Penaga di Tanjung

Kami memotong kulit tanah,
buat ruang dan daerah wujudmu,
anak penaga
dan anak kepada hasrat kami,
di tanjung nyaman ini.

sebatang penaga laut
kami serahkan pada seri hari
supaya kau berdiri
lurus,
menyaring angin pagi
dan asin laut.

saksikanlah
pekan menjalar,
bangsa-bangsa belayar di depan bayangmu,
kapal memunggah muatan
dan manusia sibuk urusan.

hulurlah sejukmu
kepada budaya
yang berbaur bagai
dan nilai yang tegak
di depan masyarakat.

lindungilah rumah dan balai tua
yang dibina waktu
dan sejarah di bawah bukit
kerana sejarahlah
yang melukis wajah kami
di depan kampung
kota dan dunia.

serahkanlah buahmu
kepada langit dan hujan,
kepada tanjung
dan alir zamannya,
semoga pulau ini
aman di tepi selat
yang beriak tenang.

-muhammad haji salleh-
19 Juy 2008