Enduring bond between sister cities

THE reception hosted by the Australian High Commission in Penang was an opportunity to look back on the historical ties between sister cities George Town and Adelaide.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow and Governor of South Australia Frances Adamson attended the reception held at Suffolk House, Penang.

In his speech, Chow said that George Town and Adelaide had evolved into vibrant hubs of culture with diverse populations.

“Both cities have received recognition from Unesco, with George Town declared a World Heritage Site, and Adelaide named as a City of Music.

“Penang looks forward to more meaningful collaborations with our sister city across various domains,” Chow said, adding that Suffolk House was a most appropriate venue as it was once home to Captain Francis Light, the founder of Penang.

His eldest son Colonel William Light founded Adelaide in South Australia a few decades later.

“We are impressed by the tale of the Light father and son but we must also give due credit to two other gentlemen who are unrelated by birth but united in their foresight.

“They are the then premier of South Australia, the late Don Dunstan, and the second Penang chief minister, the late Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu.

Suffolk House was the home of Captain Francis Light whose eldest son William went on to found Adelaide in Australia. — Filepic

“Together, Dunstan and Lim forged this sister city connection on Dec 8, 1973.

“We owe them our deepest gratitude for building the bond that we now celebrate 50 years later,” Chow said.

Buletin Mutiara reported Adamson as saying that she was excited to be in Penang for the first time as the 36th governor of South Australia.

“We hope this relationship between George Town and Adelaide can further prosper,” she said in her speech.

Also at the reception were Penang Deputy Chief Minister II Jagdeep Singh Deo, Penang Island City Council mayor Datuk A. Rajendran and Chow’s wife Tan Lean Kee, Malaysia Airlines northern region commercial and sales area manager Lisa Wong Wen Ling, South Australia state representative (Malaysia) for Trade and Investment Adil Akbar and Aeon Co (M) Bhd perishable and daily & dairy trade procurement head Thomas Tan.

The Government of South Australia is holding an Adelaide food fair at Queensbay Mall, Penang, from Sept 1 to 30.