IT was sweet recognition for the five businesses in Penang island yesterday after receiving the accolades for being listed under the George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI) Heritage Recognition and Awards 2020.
Despite the sweltering heat and hectic schedule, Pengkalan Kota assemblyman Daniel Gooi, together with GTWHI general manager Dr Ang Ming Chee, continued to visit a few other award-winning shops, which are located in the heritage enclave and Taman Green Lane.
They were present to hand over the plaques, certificates and photo albums to the businesses, which had been awarded under the Cultural Continuity Recognition Award and Conservation, Enhancement and Adaptation categories.
The shops they visited were Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker in Stewart Lane; Green Buildings (Ren I Tang Heritage Inn) in Penang Street; Kok Ying Chow Signboard Maker in Taman Green Lane; Teow Hin Chan in Beach Street and Ng Kee Cake Shop in Cintra Street.
Lee Chin Poh (Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker), Eu Yeok Siew (Ren I Tang Heritage Inn), Dicky Low (Kok Ying Chow Signboard Maker), Terrence Lim (Teow Hin Chan) and Esther Loh (Ng Kee Cake Shop) each received a plaque, certificate and photo album from Gooi and Ang.
Lee, who is the Penang Heritage Joss Stick Maker owner, told Buletin Mutiara that he was pleased to receive the award.
“I am extremely proud to obtain this recognition from the state as we are considered to be one of the oldest joss stick makers in the world.
“I plan to organise a series of workshops to impart the knowledge of making joss sticks to the younger generation.
“This tradition and legacy should be passed over from one generation to another, especially to the younger ones.
“In fact, I have a foreign student, who came all the way from Germany to learn this heritage skills.
“Once again, I am delighted with this achievement,” he quipped.
Ren I Tang Heritage Inn owner Eu was also upbeat to be able to obtain the recognition from GTWHI.
“We had started the business decades ago before this building was restored a few years ago.
“We are still retaining the charm of the heritage,” she said.
Teow Hin Chan owner Lim was also delighted to have been able to obtain such prestigious award.
“It means a lot to us, especially during this pandemic, ” said Lim, who showed Buletin Mutiara the ceramic items they are selling.
At the end of the visit, Gooi said it was important to be present to hand over the recognitions to them.
“This shows our appreciation and commitment to the living heritage.
“All these traditions and legacies should be preserved for future generation,” he said.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Chan Kok Kuan