Is Penang still being occupied by British?

Yes, among the many states and territories of Malaysia, Penangites are probably the fanciest of English as a mean of everyday communication language, and especially for business and academic purposes, but do we really need to keep erecting notice and name boards in English? And even naming new shops, buildings and schools with names of English heritage to this very day after 52 years of nation independence?

Gurney Plaza, Queensbay Mall, Esplanade, The Lightfront, Suntech (tower), The One etc. -- instead of Plaza Gurney, Kompleks Queensbay (or rather a better local name!), Padang Kota, Persisiran Sinar/Cahaya/Nur, Suria, Satu, "dan sebagainya!"

Not enough with the naming of almost every newly built hotels from Teluk Bahang/Batu Feringghi all the way to Bukit Jambul/Bayan Baru (the latest including Eastin Hotel and B-Suite) and naturally spilled to new luxury & semi-luxury apartment and housing communities - eg. Goldcoast, this not so positive development has even spreaded to Balik Pulau which has for hundreds of years been occupied with local natives since before the arrival of Francis Light to Penang!

Banners & notices in English addressed to mostly Malay residents?

Take Botanica.ct, one of the largest land development for residentials and businesses in the island of Penang, perhaps even larger than the entire original township of Kongsi (small strip of Jalan Balik Pulau from the junction of Jalan Tun Sardon all the way south to Jalan Genting). The 300-acre project developed by MTT Properties & Development Sdn Bhd is being progressed at a steady pace for the past few years, and takes about ten years in total to complete.

To market this ambitious development in the heart of the island, which is rather far from existing city infrastructures like the local airport, seaports, and administrative centres of both local government and private entities (including over 200 multinational manufacturing plants in Bayan Lepas & Batu Maung free trade zone), the developer has forced Balik Pulau, long known for modest developments for educational institutions to welcome another major "international" school - but why in the world is the name "Prince of Wales Island International School" picked out of many other possible names bearing our own royals of Malaysia or nobles of Pulau Pinang? Or simply "Penang"!

Oh well, the school turns out to offer "British Curriculum" after all...

International school to begin enrolment in September

The school hoped to register about 140 students for a start. -NST

Sun, Jan 24, 2010
New Straits Times

GEORGE TOWN - The Prince of Wales Island International School, to be built within the Botanica. CT garden township in Balik Pulau here, will take in its first batch of students in September next year.

Costing RM95 million (S$40 million), the school will start its enrolment in September.

MTT & Priority Group of Companies group executive chairman Datuk Kenny Ong said the school hoped to register about 140 students for a start.

He said there would be places for local students as well as those from abroad, especially Asian countries.

He said MTT had established the MTT Learning Academy Sdn Bhd as a subsidiary, to own, manage and operate the school.

"We expect to begin operation by the third quarter of next year, pending proper compliance with the relevant rules and regulations.

"Our main aim is to provide a balanced education, not only academically, but also in terms of fundamental life qualities with the aim to develop students into complete and wholesome individuals," he said at the groundbreaking yesterday.

Present was the British High Commissioner Boyd McCleary.

At the event, Ong's mother, Datin Looi Woon Yin, also planted a tree -- "Tree of Wisdom" -- to symbolise the birth of a new beginning.

Ong said the school would have a low teacher-student ratio of one teacher to a maximum of 25 students.

It will offer Year Seven to Year 13 British curriculum programmes for students aged 12 to 18 by experienced teachers, a majority of whom will be from the United Kingdom.

To be located on a 2.8ha site with 40.6 per cent open areas, the school with full boarding facilities, will be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that can cater for up to 800 students.

There are air-conditioned classrooms and tutorial rooms, specialised science laboratories, specialised workshops, a cafeteria, a multipurpose hall, a library, a drama and music hall, a natural acoustic concert auditorium and low density air-conditioned boarding homes.

There will also be a wide range of outdoor facilities, including a football field, a courtyard with netball courts, tennis courts, a swimming pool and changing rooms.

Ong said the school was given the name Prince of Wales Island International School to revive a part of Penang's heritage by using its historical name.

Penang is currently home to several international schools, including the International School of Penang (commonly known as Uplands School), St Christopher's International Primary School, Fairview International School, Tenby International School and Dalat International School, which are all located in its north-east district.

McCleary said MTT's intention to establish an international school was a noble one.

MTT, a Penang-based property developer which is building the 120-ha Botanica. CT garden, will launch phase three of the project in March, consisting of terrace and semi-detached homes, located just behind the school.

The school is the first non-residential phase within the township.

So, not enough with almost the entire east coast of Penang island being practically colonized by English ghosts, let's make Balik Pulau a refreshed British settlement?