GEORGE TOWN, April 6 – Some 2,000 people braved the rain to join the Penang Island City Day celebrations at the Esplanade on Saturday night. Befitting the event, towering in the backdrop was the majestic City Hall building spruced up with impressive lights and decorations. Yang diPertua Negeri Tun Abdul Rahman Abbas, Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and Mayor Datuk Patahiyah Ismail, along with consuls-general representing foreign consulates, councillors and heads of government departments led the celebrations.
“We assure Penang folk the best service and continue our efforts to make the city safe, clean, green and healthy,” said Patahiyah. She said the city council’s priority would be to provide a good infrastructure system to spur development and growth. Lim said the state authorities had earmarked several green projects in line with the “Cleaner, Greener, Safer and Healthier Penang” programme. He said that through the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), heritage sites had been brought to the recognition of international bodies like the Aga Khan Foundation.
“The promotion of cultural, creative art and crafts through international events like the George Town Festival and Tropfest Short Film Festival has placed the city on the world map,” he said. Lim said the city council had increased its staff from 3,576 to 3,964. The highlights of the evening were the colourful concert and a fireworks display. A cast of local entertainers, led by Datuk David Arumugam, got the crowd on their feet with old favourites.
“I am happy my town is now a city and hope this will draw many tourists,” said “Alleycat” Arumugam after his performance. He said the organisers had done a good job to promote the city. Master of ceremonies Datuk Mahadzir Lokman introduced artists like Dasha Logan, Chelsia Ng, Ramnah Ramli, Nur Adlyn, Culture Shot, Mamu, Euphoria Penang, Punjabi Dhol Blaster, Syaifaana Subri, James Boyle and Azfar Dun. “Penang has always been everything to me,” Dasha, who hit the music charts in the United Kingdom recently, said. “It’s about time Penang was declared a city as we have all on our little island. I’m so proud to be called a Penang island city girl.”
