TWO traditional medicine halls in Campbell Street have been honoured with special recognitions under the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) Heritage Recognition and Awards initiative this year.
Cheng Woh Medical Hall and Poh Aun Tong Medical Hall in Campbell Street were awarded the Gold Status under the Cultural Continuity Recognition Award category.
The Gold Status is given to any organisation or company that is between 50 and 99 years old.
Lee Xi Wen, who currently runs the Cheng Woh Medical Hall, was happy and honoured to receive the recognition on behalf of the medical hall.
“My family have been in the business since 1933, and Cheng Woh has survived four generations. I am a member of the fourth generation.
“I was born and raised in George Town, and the same goes to my other family members.
“George Town will always have a special place in my heart,” he told Buletin Mutiara after receiving the award from Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow at his premises today.
Lee said this was the first time that Cheng Woh received such recognition.
“This award means a lot to us. It is truly an honour for me and my family to receive this recognition,” he added.
Lee said that Cheng Woh is now venturing into health food industry to diversify its products.
“This is apart from our traditional Chinese medicine business,” he said.
As for Chan Soo Sum, who currently runs the Poh Aun Tong Medical Hall, she said it was not an easy feat for the business to survive 75 years.
The second-generation member said there were many ups and downs since the business was established in 1947.
“Nevertheless, we managed to overcome those challenges and the business is still here today.
“We are delighted to receive this recognition from GTWHI. Thank you for recognising old businesses like ours in George Town,” she said after receiving the award from Chow at her shop.
Also present were Chow’s political secretary Teh Lai Heng, who is also the Komtar assemblyman, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee.
Chow also visited Makam Dato Koyah in Jalan Datuk Koyah, Hameediyah Restaurant in Campbell Street and Kwongtuck Sundries and Liquors Sdn Bhd (also in Campbell Street) to present the GTWHI awards.
Makam Dato Koyah received an honourable mention by the jury under the Conservation, Enhancement, and Adaptation category; and a special mention by the jury for its cultural heritage events and activities that were conducted by Persatuan Warisan Dato Koyah to mark the Maulidur Rasul celebration.
Meanwhile, Hameediyah Restaurant received the award under the Cultural Continuity Recognition Award category.
The 116-year-old nasi kandar restaurant obtained a Platinum Status under the category. The Platinum Status is for any organisation or company that is over 100 years old.
Kwongtuck Sundries and Liquors Sdn Bhd also received the Platinum Status under the Cultural Continuity Recognition Award category.
Each of the recipient received a plaque made from ‘kayu jati’ and copper, a certificate, a photo album, and other gifts as a gesture of appreciation.
Chow congratulates all the business premises and organisations that received the GTWHI Heritage Recognition and Awards today.
“Earlier in the morning, I have attended the GTWHI Heritage Recognition and Awards Ceremony that was held at Bayview Hotel George Town.
“There were 22 individuals who were conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award under the GTWHI Heritage Recognition and Awards.
“And now, we are here to visit five premises to present them their awards.
“The awards are significant to recognise the artisans, individuals, companies and organisations for their dedication and contribution in the respective fields.
“The objective of the GTWHI Heritage Recognition and Awards is also to honour the recipients’ roles in contributing towards cultural heritage in George Town, which has shaped our cultural identity,” he said.
The full list of the award recipients and information on the awards can be obtained at [email protected] or https://gtwhi.com.my/heritage-recognition-awards-2020/.
On a separate matter, Chow said that the Penang government had not made any decision with regard to the state-level Chinese New Year celebration open house.
“Most likely we will organise it in a smaller scale. It depends on the Covid-19 situation. We are closely monitoring the situation.
“We will not organise it if the situation does not permit it.
“We will discuss the matter during the state executive council meeting on Wednesday,” he said.
Story by Riadz Akmal
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar
Video by Chan Kok Kuan