GEORGE TOWN, Feb 13 – Penang Gerakan Acting Youth Chief Jason Loo took the opportunity during the Valentine’s Day festival to give roses to the owners of traditional Kopitiam and hawkers in George Town, to appreciate their efforts in preserving the living stories of Penang.
He said most Malaysian youths spend too much time in trendy cafes instead of visiting old-style kopitiams and traditional shops. He told that traditional KOPITIAMs represent the collective memories of “Penang Lang (Penangites)”, especially the senior citizens living in the state. Without these KOPITIAMs, George Town is a city without soul and stories.
He said it is the most of the traditional KOPITIAMs in George Town are now managed by the second or even third generation of the owners, such as this Bee Hwa Cafe, is now in its third generation. To protect the soul (living heritage) of the city, Young Master movement had launched the “Hop HopKopitiam campaign” at the end of 2016, hoping to revive the youth’s interest in traditional coffee shops.
According to Jason, the existence of these traditional KOPITIAMs completely enrich Penang’s cultural landscape. In particular, the traditional coffee shop’s successors, who are willing to continue managing the coffee shops, ensuring this KOPITIAMs’ culture can be preserved.
“Youngsters like me appreciate these KOPITIAMs successors who are willing to maintain the business very much because the task is not an easy job. You would be touched by the “Penang Lang human touch” if you spend time relaxing in the Penang traditional KOPITIAMs.”
From strangers to friends, this is the relationship between KOPITIAM owners and customers, between customers and customers, and you could see groups of friends spend time chit-chatting and gather in traditional KOPITIAMs. This is the most interesting part of the traditional KOPITIAMs in Penang.
