PENANG Tourism and Creative Economy Committee chairman Wong Hon Wai has announced that the Guar Kepah Archaeological Site was officially gazetted as a national heritage site on April 21 this year.
He revealed that efforts are currently underway to repatriate 41 human skeletons excavated from Guar Kepah and presently kept in Leiden, Netherlands. These remains are expected to be returned and placed in the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery by the end of the year.
Once returned, these prehistoric remains, originally unearthed during excavations in 1936 by Dutch archaeologist P.V. van Stein Callenfels, will be displayed alongside the ‘Penang Woman’ skeleton discovered in 2017.
The ‘Penang Woman’, believed to be over 5,000 years old, is currently safeguarded at the USM Archaeology Centre.
“All 42 skeletal remains, with the Penang Woman as the centrepiece, will eventually be housed in the Guar Kepah Archaeological Gallery,” Wong said in his speech at the opening of the ‘Discourse on Unveiling the Early Historical Narrative of Penang’ held at Lot 33, Prangin Mall today.
Located in North Seberang Perai, the Guar Kepah site was the first in Malaysia to be studied by Western researchers, from 1863 to 1936. The site yielded human remains, stone tools, food remnants, beads, and pottery shards, offering invaluable insights into prehistoric life.
The two-storey heritage gallery features interactive exhibition spaces, a seminar hall, shell midden excavation zones, administrative areas, visitor facilities, a cafe and souvenir kiosk.
“The gallery is poised to become a key archaeo-tourism attraction while also serving as a platform for further research into prehistoric life in the region. Its opening will enhance Penang’s value as a heritage and archaeological tourism destination, attracting visitors eager to explore our ancient roots.
“It is expected to open to the public by year-end, and I strongly encourage schools to organise educational visits so students can directly engage with Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage and deepen their historical understanding.”
Wong emphasised the importance of revisiting Penang’s early history, pointing out that the island is too often associated solely with the arrival of Francis Light in 1786, often cited as the moment he “discovered” Penang.
“However, Penang’s history did not begin there. Long before that, it had ancient ports, thriving Malay settlements, maritime trade, and cultural networks that linked it to the greater Nusantara region and beyond.
“We must re-evaluate the mainstream historical narrative, not to deny past accounts, but to enrich them with new perspectives and information. Discourses like this create the space to share diverse findings, enabling a more balanced, just, and inclusive narrative — in line with the philosophy of history as a living discourse.”
He expressed hope that the event would encourage more contributions from historians, archaeologists, and heritage enthusiasts, stressing the importance of community participation, including local residents, NGOs, and academic institutions, in documenting and preserving Malaysia’s historical legacy.
“History is not merely a record of dates and events. It is a tapestry woven with the values of struggle, sacrifice, loyalty, and the resilience of national heroes and everyday people who shaped the nation we live in today.
“Yet in today’s fast-paced world, history is often overlooked. Many young people are growing increasingly disconnected from their heritage. That’s why I strongly support programmes like this discourse, which help bridge the gap between the past and the future.”
Organising chairman Datuk Zulkafli Kamaruddin, who is also chairman of the Malaysian Historical Society (Penang Branch), was pleased with the turnout, noting that beyond invited guests and students, many were walk-in attendees.
He said Penang is often viewed through a colonial lens beginning with the arrival of Francis Light in 1786, but that narrative tells a small part of the state’s true history.
“Through this programme, we aim to create space for a new enlightenment by uncovering an earlier, more diverse, and more balanced history — one that includes the stories of the early Malay communities, Nusantara traders, and the civilisational networks that shaped Penang’s identity before the colonial era,” Zulkafli said.
“This discourse is a collective effort to raise awareness that history is not just about the past. It reflects our identity and provides the foundation for shaping the future. We sincerely hope it will spark deeper interest in local historical studies and inspire further initiatives.”
The panel featured Prof Datuk Dr Ahmad Murad Mohd Noor Merican, Abdul Rahman Ismail, and Associate Professor Dr Azmi Arifin, with Azeman Ariffin serving as moderator.
Also present were Tan Sri Abdul Ghafar Mahmud, council member and executive committee member of the Malaysian Historical Society, Dr Tan Chee Seng, chair of the History Programme at USM’s School of Humanities, representing the USM Vice-Chancellor, and businessman Datuk H’ng Ban Choon.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix by Alissala Thian