Penang Scout | Coronation Camp

Use to be "Coronation Scout Campsite"

Location: Waterfall Road (Jalan Air Terjun, 10350 Penang, Malaysia.)

History
The use to be Coronation Camp which is located outside of the Botanical Gardens, Penang, at the end of the Waterfall Road (Jalan Air Terjun), in the valley of Waterfall River (Sungai Air Terjun). Its are is 8 acres, bordering with Waterfall River in the south, and the hills in the north. now no longer available to the scouts. currently is just another flat land.

It is opened all year long. The campsite is 6 acres in size and it is recommended for Children camp (below 13 years old), Family camp (where family are participating as a unit) and Nature camp (nature and botany studies), King Scout Camps, Adventure Camp, Penang Jamboret, Jamborees, Patrol Leader Camp, Campfire Leadership Course, Woodbadge course and etc...

The campsite was discovered in 1951 by the 1st Penang Rover Scout Crew, under the leadership of the late Mr Oon Hoot Ewe, in a hiking activity. Mr Oon immediately applied it as the second campsite for scouters in Penang and the nation for their Wood Badge courses.

The other campsite that was to be returned to the government due to the expiration of lease in 1962 was in Teluk Bahang. Until 1952, even though without buildings, bathrooms, and piped water, the Wood Badge course was organized by the Penang State Scout Training Team and several groups of scouts had been using Coronation Camp for their weekend camping. Temporary bathrooms were built, and piped water was obtained from nearby houses.
Mr Ho Wai Foon took care of the campsite from 1952 till 1953, in addition to his duty as the Camp Warden of Jubilee Camp in Teluk Bahang. Mr Ho was the person who gave the name Coronation Camp to the campsite as 1953 was the year of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation.

In 1954, a troop hall and storerooms were constructed, and were officiated by Sir Rowallan on 6 November 1954. There is a stone engraved into the walls of the headquarter building stating that Sir Rowallan officiated the opening of the troop hall and storerooms. The first Camp Warden was Mr Yeoh Cheng Wah, followed by Mr Jamboo Rajah, Mr Paul Kandasamy, Mr Lim Eng Ghee, Mr Ho Wai Foon, Hai Hussain bin Che Mat, Mr Wong Soon Lee, Mr. Benny Toolseram, Mr Tan Chooi Poh. In 1956, several toilets were built in the low side of hill slope. There were four bathrooms and four toilets constructed.

An American Scout Troop from Thailand visits the Penang Coronation Camp & Butterworth Scouts for a week.

In 1967, Mr Yeoh Phee Tin, State Scout Commissioner at that time, directed ten hutments from the first Malaysian Jamboree in Teluk Bahang be transferred to Coronation Camp.
The camp's fixed kitchen was donated by the King's Scout Council in 1975. As several jamborees were held in conjunction with the World Jamboree, more bathrooms and toilets were built to accomodate the huge number of scouts in 1971 and 1975.

In 1985, Malaysian Girl Guide Jamboree was held here and 30 portable bathrooms, together with all 2-inch water pipes worth RM5,000.00 were purchased. Several thousand ringgit was spent in the construction of several spot lights throughout the campsite for children one-night camps, and night activities, campfires and night games. Fluorescent tube lights were installed in the troop hall and in the hutment's.

in 1998, while under the care of camp warden Benny Toolseram, the team manage to get fund to renovate the whole campsite, inclusive repairing the portable bathroom since 1985 to a safe and clean bathroom for all the scouts & guide who use the campsite. Also with the same renovation all hutment from the Jumbilee camp are maintain and repair.

Sadly to say the campsite were to be return back to the PBA for the expansion of the botanical garden. Camp Coronation campsite have been use by most of the NGO's body in Penang, a sweet memory for most of the youngster and is so close to nature yet close to the city. This is the best strategy venue to develop the youngster love of nature and leadership development, many training were conduct here, many country of scouts have step foot on this historical site yet very sad that the Presiden of Penang Scout also the Presiden of PBA during that time which is Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon didnt stop the return of the said land but agree for the return of the campsite to PBA. This is the sadness news to all the NGO's in Penang. Another historical site destroy by the goverment led by Tan Sri Koh Tsu Koon.

The Coronation Camp is owned by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang) and managed by the Penang State Scout Council (Majlis Pengakap Negeri Pulau Pinang).


The map of Coronation Camp

the 15th Asia Pacific Girl Guide Jamboree in Camp Coronation Camp

TSU KOON'S 'GRAND ACHIEVEMENT'
written by Stephen Tan Ban Cheng, Friday, August 22 2008 12:26 am

It was under the watch of Koh Tsu Koon that the Penang Scouts ended up without a viable Scout Camp.

For the record, we have two camps - one in Guillemard Reservoir where camping is impossible as high-rise apartments hover just next door and the other within the National Forest Reserve in Teluk Bahang. The Teluk Bahang camp was paid for by the Penang Scouts through a RM88,000 donation made by the late Tan Sri Loh Boon Siew.

Penang, which saw Scouting being established in 1908, used to have two camps. One was in Jubilee Camp which hosted the First Malaysian Jamboree way back in 1966 under the leadership of the then Penang Chief Minister Tan Sri Wong Pow Nee. The other was Coronation Camp near the Waterfalls. The lease for Coronation Camp was finally withdrawn about three years ago, despite strenuous representations made to the Penang State Government.

This meant that one of the "grand achievements" of the Tsu Koon-led State Government was to virtually rob thousands of Penang Scouts of any viable camp to celebrate the first one hundred years of Scouting.

I know this because I was an Assistant State Scout Commissioner (ASC) for Penang after spending a two-year spell as its Penang State Boy Scouts Association Legal Adviser.

As a former troop leader, I left as ASC without any rancour, except that I feel there must be adequate facilities for training for our boys since they are the future leaders of the country.

In a moment of insanity, the Tsu Koon-led State Government made the conscious decision to sacrifice that future for their present needs.

Penang Scouts | History

The History of Scouting in Malaysia

Two years after Lord Baden Powell founded the Scouts Movement in England, an English explorer, F.C. Sands who came to Singapore in 1910 started Scouting activities for British youths in Singapore. In 1919, scouting for Malay boys in Singapore was founded by Captain N.M. Hashim and A.Z. Alsagoff.

Among the first Malay states that has started scouting at that time was Pekan in Pahang. The movement was founded by G.M. Laidlow. It was not until 1927 that the Pahang scouts movement was revived through the efforts of H.P. Hertslet and then Wheelr and Frisby from the Pahang Educational Office.

In Penang the scouts movement was founded by a well-known educator, H.R.Cheeseman of the Penang Free School in 1915. Cheeseman has served for 13 years in the Malayan scouts movement as a Malayan Scout Assistant Commisioner.

In Perak, however, scouting was founded in 1926 in the Maktab Melayu Kuala kangsar by I .R. Wheeler. Many more schools soon followed by establishing their own scouts movement. In Kedah, scouting started in 1922 by E.A.G.Stuart, R.P.S. Walker and C.W.Bloomfield.The arrival of Cheeseman in Johore in 1928 signifies the beginning of the scouts movement in Johore. The first troupe to be established in Johore was at the English College(now Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar) Johore Bahru. The scouts movement of Malacca and Negeri Sembilan started in 1926 by Brunstone.

In 1926, Selangor started its own scouts movement and the person being responsible for this is Ameen Akbar. This is followed by the founding of the scouts movement in Terengganu in 1927 by A.J.Gracle and in Kelatan(1927)by Y.M.Tengku Ahmad Temenggong. The last state in the Malay Peninsular to form a scout movement was Perlis in 1931.

The Sabah scouts movement was formed in Sandakan in 1915,while in Sarawak it was established in 1913, but was only active again in 1930.

Before the independence, the Persekutuan Budak-budak Pengakap Tanah Melayu consists of all states, each as a scouting district. After the WWII, the Malaya and Singapore scouts movement combined to become a branch of the Scouts Federation of Great Brittain. After changes has been made to the branch, each state becomes a federation that consists of a few scouting divisions and units. Each division will then have its own troop.

When Malaya achieved independence in 1957, the Malayan Scouts Movement becomes a full member of the WOSM. With the establishment of Malaysia in 1963, it changed its name from Persekutuan Budak-budak Pengakap Persekutuan Tanah Melayu to Persekutuan Pengakap Malaysia. The number of members increased when Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore becomes its member. When Singapore was separated from Malaysia in 1965, The Singapore Scouts Movement was also separated and no longer remained a branch of the Malaysian Scouts Federation. The Malaysian Scouts Headquarters, the BP House in Jalan Hang Jebat, Kuala Lumpur was opened on the 5th January 1957 to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the World Scouting Movement. Today, it is the symbol of strength for Scouting in Malaysia.

More history on the Penang Jubilee camp in teluk bahang coming up in the next post.. check out the upcoming photo...

Penang "Pearl of Orient" continue..

This is the old look of Tanjung Tokong, where you can still see the beach from the main road, now is a shopping mall standing firm and extended with a piece of reclamation land with apartment and landed property erect on it.















A wonderful walk on this wooden bridge out to the middle of teluk bahang sea where the fishing village is located















Have a slow walk on top of the sea... the walk is like half kilometer from the island















Row of fishing boats back from their fishing trip, floating in Blue and red where is the official colour set by the ministries of fisheries.
















Sleeping(Reclining) Buddha temple or the known as Wat Chayamangkalaram which is build in 1845, this is also the 3rd longest Reclining Buddha in the world and the biggest in Malaysia. The Temple is build on the land donated by Queen Victoria to Thai & Burmese community in Penang.















The 13.5 Km long Penang Bridge linking the mainland and Penang Island is another pride of Penang people.

Burmese Society In Malaysia

The Burmese are devout Buddhists. History tells us of Burmese settling in Penang Island, many wear around the Pulau Tikus area. They came here as early as 1800s and appealed to Queen Victoria of England for land to build bigger temples and burial grounds for elders. Queen Victoria through the East India Company granted land jointly for the Siamese and Burmese communities to erect their temples. This Burmese temple is the first Buddhist temple in Penang.

The Early History of the Burmese Community in Penang

Create Your Own

Dato’ Mary J. Ritchie & Ms. Nyee Aye Toolseram

We have no records of the earliest Burmese arrivals to Penang. However, we know that after 1800, there was a large Burmese settlement in the area between Bagan Jeramal and Pulau Tikus. The Burmese also settled in Batu Maung.

The earliest settlers were fishermen who came by fishing boats and established a colony - probably at Telok Ava, near the present Chinese cemetery in Telok Bahang. The early burial ground of the Burmese was a plot of land in front of Casuarina Hotel, probably the car park site. Most of the early Burmese communities were concentrated in the Burmese Village in Pulau Tikus. There were also nearby fishing settlements along the coast. Early paintings depicted the "Burmese Temple" (painted by Captain Edward H. Locker, 1805) and a house named "MacKinnon’s Residence near Burmese village" (painted by James Wathen, 1811) in the Pulau Tikus area.

The original site of the temple land was purchased by Nonia Betong from George Layton for 390 spanish dollars. The temple was founded on 1st August 1803 and named the Nandy Moloh Temple. The four trustees were all ladies: Nonia Betong, Nonia Meerut, Nonia Koloh and Nonia Bulan.

The Burmese community expanded, and together with the Thai Buddhist community they appealed to Queen Victoria of England for land to build bigger temples and burial grounds for elders. Queen Victoria through the East India Company granted land jointly for the Siamese and Burmese communities to erect their temples.

The Burmese Temple Trustees (1845) were Nong May & Bon Khan. Later, on the demise of the above trustees, three Burmese trustees were added: Koo Pao, Poh Oh and Changerig. The temple pagoda appears in an early painting (John Turnbull Thomson, 1848). In 1948, the Penang court appointed Maung Pho Min, Maung Shoey Nee and Maung Shoey Dong to administer the trust.

The Chief Monks of the temple were as follows:
The late Ven. U Nandamala 1803-1842
The late Ven. U Sutti 1842-1865
The late Ven. U Vicara 1865-1897
The late Ven. U Nanavamsa 1897-1922
The late Ven. U Jagara 1922-1957
The late Ven. U. Vimala 1957-1972
The late Ven. U Paranavamsa 1972- present

The Burmese are devout Buddhists. In recent years, much of the Buddhist Temple, including the old Simla Hall, has been redeveloped and new Buddha statues added, through the generous donations of devotees. The Burmese Buddhist festivals are Soon Dawgyi, Kathina celebration (offering of money tree and Kathina robes), Wesak Day Procession and Water Festival.
The Burmese were traders who conducted barter trade. They were also famous for cigar manufacturing. Some of the educated ones were civil servants, such as surveyors, station masters and clerks. A few became professionals, such as doctors.

The Burmese cigar factory was pioneered by Sin Yew Kyong (1890-1961). His wife was a Nonya by the name of Khoo Lean Sim. Coming to Penang at age 16, Sin later set up a "choorut" or cigar factory and company, Guan Hin, at 8, Tavoy Road, Penang. This factory employed about 300 Burmese choorut rolling factory girls in the 1930s. Sin later opened a cigar shop at 22 Prangin Lane, Penang, and a factory at 19 Eastern Road, Taiping, Perak. The factory was managed by his two sons Sin Hock Leong and Sin Tien Ho.

Many of the cigar factory girls were sought after as wives for the Chinese immigrants.
Through intermarriage, the Burmese integrated with other ethnic communities in Penang. The following are stories of two Burmese families in Penang.

Oral history by Dato’ Mary J. Ritchie
My grandmother Mah Nyong (1840-1921) came from Burma to Penang, trading in gem stones. My father Maung Shoay Tong was a trader, selling herbal cures and bicycles. He loved music and was active in community work. My mother Meh Itt Chanradvirode was born in Phuket, Thailand. She was active in giving herbal cures and healing injuries. My parents had 10 chlidren (7 sons and 3 daughters). My eldest sister is Mah Seng Yin and my eldest brother is Maung Song Seng. My uncle Maung Shoay Tee worked as a surveyor. He retired and stayed in Taiping. My aunt’s name was Mah Meek.

Oral history by Nyee Aye Toolseram
My grandfather was Dr. Hari Singh Thulasiram (Dr. Harrison Toolseram) of Burmese Indian origin. He had his clinic in Chulia Street. My grandmother Mah Poh Siew was of Burmese Chinese origin. My auntie, June Toolseram married Mr. Devosse of Dutch origin. My uncle Jan Toolseram married a Nyonya around the year 1941.

My father Puteh Toolseram or Phu Thay Toolseram (1898-1969) worked as a ledger clerk and a meter reader inspector. His first marriage was to Winnie Bamford of Dutch origin (circa 1904-1939). They had 4 sons and 2 daughters.

• Bamooung Toolseram
• Ong Toolseram
• ….

His second marriage was to my mother Keng Choo or Peh Nyet of Burmese Chinese origin (1915-1960). They had 2 sons and 4 daughters.

• Lha Toon Toolseram
• Bamoung Toolseram
• Nyee Aye Toolseram
• Nya Toolseram
• Darling Toolseram
• Bee Bee Toolseram

My father took part as a violin player in the Bangsawan performances organised by the Chinese Amateur Dramatic Association in aid of China Distress Relief Fund on 17-18 August, 1928. My uncle on my mother’s side is Maung Toon Meng, and he married a Chinese wife. There used to be a Penang Burmese Buddhist Association, according to a picture taken around 1941.
Future

Looking back at our history, we are proud to be the Penang Burmese community. As a minority, the questions we should ask are, what will happen to our community in the future? Will our religion and culture survive after 200 years of the history of Penang?

In view of the questions asked, we, a group of Penangites, have registered an organisation named Penang Burmese Society, with a mission to carry on our Burmese heritage and culture. Presently, we are planning, developing and strategising interesting programmes to promote Burmese living culture and traditions. We hope everyone (including the State government) can give full support to further our mission.

Thanks to friends and relatives who helped in the preparation of this presentation.
Mary J. Ritchie and Nyee Aye Toolseram

Penang "Pearl of Orient"

PENANG Rebranding...

Komplexs Tunku Abdul Rahman (KOMTAR) is back alive with the new lead government, for the pass 5 years KOMTAR have been in the dark, tenant start to leave one by one and end up with a sad scene...

Today in December 2008, KOMTAR have jump start its engine with PACIFIC Shopping MALL replacing the use to be SUPER KOMTAR where most penangites will remember. PACIFIC as the anchor tenant have start to bring back the light into the whole building. Also with a strong coffee aroma, luring customer to the newly open Georgetown Coffee visible to everyone who pass by KOMTAR, this particular spots use to be the A&W Burger outlet.
I belief many penangites are happy to see that the government effort in making the city light up as a city and not the known to many as ghost town Georgetown, and the most important once the pride of Penang, KOMTAR where it dominating the Penang Island's skyline. KOMTAR was once the tallest building in ASIA with 65 storey high and building cost of RM207million. Next to KOMTAR is Prangin Mall

Gurney Plaza with the new management "capital land" have expanded their new wing with more branding store moving in like MNG, Quicksilver... it has always been a good hang out place for many youngster, well for me.. hmmm occasionally i will be there for movie, food and gathering...

Standing tall at the entrance of Gurney Plaza is the Christmas tree... well deco.. many people posting just to snap a memory picture to bring back to their hometown... you be surprise to see the flow of foreigner and the travel buses... wow... is just great... way to go gurney plaza...

i purposely snap the photo is this way to let you wonder where is this, well is still gurney plaza.. you can see G Hotel standing just right to Gurney plaza shopping mall. G Hotel have its own unique style.. it is category as an interior hotel, many like to enjoy the view.. the lighting and other combination that make the place boom...


Now we are on Jalan Burmah, Jalan burmah is consider quite a long road in Penang, i have lost count of the KM but anyway... on this road you will see something new coming up and is almost complete.. TUNE Hotel... we understood that it will open soon...

TUNE Hotel is just right beside New World Park where this use to be a vacant land, today New World Park have tranform into an F&B a beautiful and attractive to public. Here there are a wide range of Penang hawker food which move in to the foodcourst from the tourist sopt call Swatow lane. Also not loosing out to the new trend, New world park also equipt themself with variuos of famous F&B outlet such as Starbucks coffee, Old town coffee, Rou gu cha, Korean BBQ Chicken and many more... even Fish Spa for those who seek for a relaxing mode...

Starbucks Coffee Corner

This come with a Grande drink.. is a RedCup... hmmm asking for price.. well is FREE!!!

Just heat up the Apple crumble, the aroma smell so good... this just melt in your mouth.. where to find this... come on.. Starbucks la.. only at RM8.80 per slice.. is another lunch for me..

Coffee lover aren't u, is a great time to capture the one and only Dark Cherry Mocha, this is the first time launch in the world under the Christmas Drink, I like it Hot.. just imagine mocha with cherry base.. wow... those who like it serve cool always can go the Dark Cherry Mocha Frappuccino Blended Coffee (Tall RM14.00 Grande RM15.00 & Venti RM16.00).

Shepherd's Pie stand strong in Starbucks Coffee menu, Shepherd's Pie is not big in portion but this is a very fulfilling food to try.. (RM7.50)

Iced Shaken Tea Lemonade is one drink to consume under the hot sun, is refreshing is awakening... is cool. (Tall RM10.00 Grande RM11.00 Venti RM12.00)

Penang State Street Dance Competition

Introduce to you Joel Tan (Muar Johor) and Takeshi Hamasaki (Japan)



Tonight at New World Park Penang turn alive with I-Dance competition... with the 13team of dancer from Penang and Ipoh joining together to bring the dance floor with flavor.. D show cum competition is sponsor by New World Park, Red Bull, Hotlink, Echo Park, Beads shop, Danzity & Celebrity Fitness and not forgetting the Penang State youth and sport committee and the Penang state government...



The I-Dance Competition is held for the second time this year after the success of the Penang Street Dance Competition in 2007. In 2007, the competition did not attract any major controversy. The event is a healthy pastime to combat social ills and fears that it would promote social problems among youngsters were baseless,”



Dancing is a performing arts, full of passion, dancer need strong stamina to keep on dancing, they think, they are creative, they have talent, is a good exercise, they learn team work, they learn coordinating and many more...


Look at their Uniform, they really know how to brand themselves to the public,



The event I-Dance, supported by the state youth and sports committee, will see the preliminary round held at the New World Park from 7pm to 10pm on Dec 20 which is today. The finals will be held at the Queensbay Mall on Dec 27 and a dance jamboree will be held at the New World Park on Dec 28. So guys and gals... gear up and lets dance