By V. Sivaji

Founded in 1919, the Penang Eurasian Association (PEA) celebrates its 100th anniversary with a great line-up of events from now until the end of the year.

Present at a press conference recently to announce the run-up for the celebrations was state exco for Local Government, Housing, Town and City Planning, Jagdeep Singh Deo, PEA chairwomen, Mavis Baptist, organizing chairman Dato Aloysius Gasper and other members of the association.

The 4,000 plus strong community’s association is located along Kelawei Road formerly known as Kampung Serani.

“Although the Eurasian community is a small one in the country, they have contributed greatly to the development of the country as a whole.

“I also would like to urge them to continue with their good work in the coming years,” said Jagdeep.

Among the activities planned are the Feast of Assumption which includes a procession from Fort Cornwallis to the church at Leith Street from 6.30pm where the Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow will attend on Aug 14.

Other highlights include the Eurasian Heritage Fiesta & 100th Anniversary celebrations (Aug 17), Merdeka countdown (Aug 30), Seniors event at Rainbow Hotel (Sept 15), Public Speaking Competition ((Sept 16) Gala Dinner at The Top ( Nov 9) Golf Tournament (Nov 9) and Penang Eurasian Recipe Book (Nov) among others.

Meanwhile, Gasper said that the first Europeans came to Penang Island in 1786 at the Fort Cornwallis site and today the community is pleased to play its role in the society.

At the press conference, Jagdeep also called upon non-Islamic religious bodies to approach the Non-Islamic Houses of Worship (RiBi) Fund programme for their needs to upkeep, maintenance and renovation expenses for their premises.

“We have so far helped some 148 houses of worship be it Chinese Temples, Indian Temples, Churches and also Gurdwaras in the state amounting to RM5.8 million to date,” said Jagdeep.

He later toured the association to witness the collage of pictures depicting the former leaders of the association and social activities being out.