Summary
- Penang State Museum has clarified public concerns over apparent spelling mistakes on a recreated sign.
- “Pendudok” and “pendidekan” reflect the Malay spelling system used when the museum opened in 1965.
- The sign reproduces inscriptions from the original commemorative plaque.
- Modern spellings “penduduk” and “pendidikan” were standardised following spelling reforms introduced in 1972.
GEORGE TOWN, August 28 — The words “pendudok” and “pendidekan” displayed at Penang State Museum are historical Malay spellings rather than mistakes, state tourism executive councillor Wong Hon Wai said.
The words appear on a recreated sign based on the original commemorative plaque from the museum’s 1965 opening.
Wong said the spellings reflected the Malay orthography officially used at the time, before Malaysia and Indonesia introduced a new Romanised spelling system in 1972.
He said preserving the original wording follows museum conservation principles aimed at maintaining historical authenticity. The museum welcomed public questions about its exhibits and historical materials.
