Reviews & Press : : Streets of George Town, Penang: An Illustrated Guide to Penang's City Streets & Historic Attractions

The Star
23 April 1994
by Ridzwan Chesterfield

George Town through the eyes- of a native

THERE'S no-one better qualified to write of a place than a native. Born and bred in Penang, author Khoo Su Yin's Streets of George Town, Penang, is an authoritative guide to the old world, charm of the streets of Penang's capital.

And her love for the place shows through in her descriptions. Foreign writers come and go leaving romanticised-reports of the 'Pearl of the Orient' but Khoo shows us the grassroots perspective.

A local girl who has carefully gleaned facts of the real George Town from writer-cum-researcher Ong Seng Huat, the author tells us that George Town is different.

To illustrate the uniqueness of George Town with its nostalgic streetscapes and definite vibes of a bygone age Khoo provides us with nearly 300 pictures; all taken by herself and with descriptions which leave nothing amiss.

Old street names are-used in her book-pre-war names which help to give readers an inkling of the period during which the streets came into being and help explain how the-streets derive its character.

And to add to the grassroot flavour most names are given in Hokkien, the dialect many Penangites use.

The author clearly knows her stuff and makes the pictures come to a live with many short stories. After all the first and last purpose of writing is communication - what is historybut a series of stories. The island is more, much more than a place to water ski, sunbathe and partake of great food.

And Khoo brings draws it out most vividly. The author shows us what made nad still makes George Town tick.Khoo is now hoping to start the Sun Wen Cultural Centre in none other than Dr. Sun Yat Sen Penang Base.