An appeal to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng, Penang State Government and the Board of the Penang Hill Corporation
We respectfully ask the Chief Minister, members of Penang State Government and the Board of the Penang Hill Corporation to allow the members of the Alumni of Uplands School a final opportunity to visit the old site, for perhaps 1 week prior to any handover to the new owners, so we might say our farewells and pay our respects to an old friend.
By James Justice MBII
In light of Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng’s announcement, that Amanresorts will refurbish the famous Crag Hotel in Penang within 3 years. In which he totally neglected to mention the time Uplands School occupied the site for some 20+ years from 1955 and the importance its successor The International School of Penang still plays in its economy today.
As spokesperson for the Uplands School (Penang Hill Alumni) and son of one of the first school governors. I would like to point out that since 2005 and the school’s 50th anniversary there has been an upsurge of ex- alumni (ex-pats) returning to Penang to remember and visit their childhood school haunt.
Culminating in the 2010 reunion, that brought 250+ alumni and families back to Penang, thereby boosting tourism income during month of March. So as 2015 would mark the 60th anniversary of the school and the possibility of the current landmark being changed an destroyed forever. Oh they might keep an old dumb waiter (kitchen food lift) how appropriate. As they say money talks and Penang’s Heritage walks.
We respectfully ask the Chief Minister, members of Penang State Government and the Board of the Penang Hill Corporation to allow the members of the Alumni of Uplands School a final opportunity to visit the old site, for perhaps 1 week prior to any handover to the new owners, so we might say our farewells and pay our respects to an old friend.
Perhaps they could issue a press release in answer to this request that gives us suitable advance warning to make the required travel arrangements for such a visit. And please give consideration to the number of students that passed across its bridge in its time as a school and the income this event alone will bring into Penang. Also the ensuing Press interest in a part of Penang’s forgotten Heritage.
And also consider slowing the new train down to an enjoyable 15 minute journey rather than 5 roller-coaster rides for us in middle to old age? After all we tourists are paying 3x more than locals so let us get value for that money and enjoy the stunning views.
