Inspiring recovery recorded in new book
GEORGE TOWN: The remarkable story of how Penang Hill got back on its feet two months after the havoc brought by the landslides last November is documented in a new book.
Many expected that it would take at least two or three years to recover from the damage caused by over 319 landslides.
Now, the tireless efforts of volunteers, government agencies and the Penang Hill Corporation (PHC) have been recorded in a pictorial book titled Healing Penang Hill.
Finance Minister Lim Guan Eng, who launched the book, said it captured the aftermath well with photographs of the landslides along with the restoration and rehabilitation works.
“The book is also aimed at recording PHC’s appreciation towards all parties who came forward to provide assistance during the emergency and restoration.
“The book records the progress made over 51 days, from the day of the disaster on Nov 4 till the day the funicular train service restarted operations on Dec 25 last year,” he said.
Lim, who is also former Penang chief minister, said the book launch came at an appropriate time as it was held during the maiden Penang Hill Festival.
“With the festival’s theme being ‘See the Nature. Feel the History’, it is apt to celebrate Penang Hill’s rich history, natural habitat and cultural heritage.
“This pictorial book serves as a reminder to us that our beloved hill must be preserved and conserved for our future generations.
“The extensive reconstruction work has just begun.
“I hope the healing process will accelerate and that Penang Hill will become fully green once again,” he said.
PHC general manager Cheok Lay Leng said the 80-page book featured pictures of those who worked or contributed on-site at various loca- tions during the recovery process.
“All the photos were taken using handphone cameras and there are over 160 photos of various sizes featured in the book.
“These pictures detail the landslide areas, the rescue mission, recovery work as well as the reopening of the funicular train service,” he said.
The book, Cheok added, was not for sale as it was a recording of a disaster on an unprecedented scale and the recovery work that followed involving the corporation and its partners, stakeholders and volunteers.
He said it was also a way to acknowledge all the contributors, including foreign workers who worked extended hours.
“We want this book to serve as a reminder of what happened to Penang Hill in the years to come,” he said.
As for the number of visitors to Penang Hill, Cheok said 2016 registered 1.6 million visitors, a figure that was expected to have gone up last year if not for the landslides that resulted in the temporary closure.
Nonetheless, 2017 still notched up a respectable 1.38 million visitors.
“This year, we expect the figure to reach the 1.7 million mark,” he said.