Monday, October 23, 2006

Not Francis Light?


According to NST today, Penang was found by Malays and Hakka Chinese even before arrival of Francis Light (here too) in 1786.

Two leading scholars have claimed that the local Malay and Chinese communities were already contributing towards the development of the island, before Light arrived.

Ahmad Murad, who is also chairman of the Centre of Intellectual History and Malay Thought at Universiti Teknologi Mara in Shah Alam, said Datuk Jannaton, Nakoda Nan Intan and Nakhoda Kechil were already on the island before Light landed.

"History books and other literature items showed that Nakhoda Kechil invited Light to the island back in 1786."

There were already Malay settlers on the island for about 50 years before the arrival of the British."Penang was a melting pot of the Acehnese, Minangkabau and other ethnic groups, with a good society system prior to 1786," said Ahmad Murad.

Echoing his sentiment was Cheah, who also pushed for historical recognition on behalf of the Hakkas."Some early documentation indicated that there were some 58 fishermen living on the island, led by three leaders from China.

"The trio landed in
Tanjung Tokong in 1745 and ruled the local community until they died in 1799," said Cheah, who is also an author of several books on political scenarios in the country.He also said that the "Tua Pek Kong" temple in Tanjung Tokong was built in remembrance of the settlers’ early contributions.

He added that it was the Hakkas who had given suggestions to the British on ways to modernise the island
.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

whosoever found the island is not important. all were earth human and they had migrated to another planet. to be more precise, the island was found by a man named "Pinang"!!! Pulau Pinang ma lol!!!