Prime Minister Dato Seri Anwar Ibrahim graced the official re-opening of the historic Fort Cornwallis in a ceremony attended by state leaders and guests.
On hand was Penang Chief Minister YAB Chow Kon Yeow, State Exco for Tourism and Creative Economy YB Wong Hon Wai, Think City MD Dato Hamdan Abdul Majeed, Penang Island City Council Mayor Dato A. Rajendran, Chief Minister Incorporated general manager, Datin Barathi and a host of other invitees.
“The reopening of Fort Cornwallis, which has a profound meaning not only for the people of Penang but also for the entire Malaysian nation. The effort to preserve heritage such as Fort Cornwallis is not just about beautifying a city, but also about restoring the history that shaped this nation.
“We do not preserve Fort Cornwallis to glorify colonization. On the contrary, we preserve it so that future generations understand that once upon a time, the fate of the nation was determined by foreign powers, not by its own people. This bitter and bitter history must be a lesson so that we do not repeat it.
“We must not erase history, nor deny historical facts. But our history must not be dictated by the narrative of our former colonial masters. It must be reclaimed and reconstructed by our own people, to give meaning to the sacrifices, suffering, and devotion that shaped this nation, and to make it relevant to our society and our future.
“The lesson of history is clear. Without unity, development, security, and defensive strength, others will determine our fate. That is why we must build internal strength through unity and the spirit of unity among all races, by putting the interests of the country above narrow racial and religious interests.
“Since the early days of the country’s formation, previous leaders understood the reality that Malaysia is a country in need of improvement. Therefore, Tunku Abdul Rahman chose the motto “Unity Increases Quality,” because only by uniting can we raise the quality and dignity of the country and ensure justice for every citizen,” said Anwar in his speech.
Meanwhile, Chow said that the reopening of Fort Cornwallis is a proud milestone for Penang and a reminder that our heritage must be preserved for future generations.
“As Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim highlighted, history teaches us the importance of unity, resilience and safeguarding our identity as we continue building a progressive Malaysia.
“This conservation effort also reflects our commitment to balancing heritage with development. Through the North Seafront Programme, the state government has invested nearly RM50 million with our partners to revitalise Fort Cornwallis and its surroundings, creating a heritage destination that benefits tourism, the local economy and the people of Penang,” he said.
