Strokes of sweet nostalgia

(From left) SJK (C) Li Tek A headmistress Lim Poh Ing, Chin Kong, Pan, Ah Chye and Lee posing in front of the mural.

OLD memories of their school days came flooding back for several old boys upon seeing a mural featuring the now- demolished building of Chinese primary school Li Tek in Maxwell Road (now Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong) in Penang.

Instantly, they reminisced about their time at the school building which was torn down in 1977 to make way for the Komtar project in George Town.

The old boys of Li Tek Class of 1967 were paying a visit to SJK (C) Li Tek A in Lintang Macallum 1 where the elaborate wall mural can be seen.

“This is certainly a trip down memory lane, being reminded of the school’s humble beginning to where it is today.

“Those who studied there have many fond memories of the fun times they had at the building before it was torn down,” said Lee Thuan Chye who is SJK (C) Li Tek school board vice-secretary and alumni association secretary.

Lee said artist Pan Eng Heong spent more than a month to complete the mural.

Pan is now working on his third mural for the school.

During the visit, Li Tek Class of 1967 chairman Tan Chin Kong also presented RM3,000 to the school board secretary and alumni association chairman Tan Ah Chye for the school’s beautification project.

SJK (C) Li Tek A, SJK (C) Li Tek B and SJK (C) Li Tek Cawangan are all located in the same area.

Ah Chye said the school bought the land at the present place in 1980, adding that the school was built in 1983 with a cost of RM4.25mil.

“The school has a rich history as it was founded by famous personalities and philanthropists who were instrumental in the development of Penang.

“The mural is a way of paying homage to the rich culture of the Kuomintang party in Penang.”