A WALK through the narrow tunnels, old barracks, cannon sites, ammunition storerooms and lockups at the Penang War Museum in Batu Maung, George Town, offers visitors a glimpse into the sacrifices and courage of previous generations.
More than just a tourist attraction, the outdoor living war museum and its structures provide visitors with a vivid insight into the hardships endured during World War II.
As the nation celebrates National Day and Malaysia Day the museum serves as a reminder that the peace and freedom enjoyed today did not come easily, but were forged through a long history of sacrifice and resilience.
Its founder Datuk Johari Shafie said the Penang War Museum, located on a hillside in Batu Maung, was formerly a British military fort built during the colonial era and offered a 320° view of the sea.
“The fort was built by the British in 1930 and completed in 1939, at a cost of about £40mil at the time.
“The 8.09ha site has various military structures, including tunnels, barracks, cannon sites, ammunition storerooms, observation towers and lockups,” he told Bernama.
Johari said most of the structures remained largely untouched, giving visitors a chance to experience what life was like at the fort and understand the military defences in place during that era.
“This is not a museum with replicas or copied displays.
“It is authentic, the real thing, so students can come here, walk around and see for themselves the sites linked to World War II,” he said.
Johari said the fort was also part of the Malaya Campaign, falling to the Japanese army under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita on Dec 16, 1941.
The site, he said, was used as a camp for prisoners of war (POW) during the three years and eight months of Japanese occupation, before the prisoners were transferred to several locations, including Kranji in Singapore and Kanchanaburi in Thailand, where they were forced to work on the Death Railway.
After World War II ended on Aug 15, 1945, the fort was abandoned for almost 60 years before efforts were made to preserve it as a historical site.
For Johari, the true value of the museum is not simply the fort that has survived, but the stories of the people who lived through the war and left their mark on its history.
He said the personal collections of two former POW, including photographs and accounts of their experiences in captivity, were among the important historical materials kept at the museum.
The museum also earned international recognition when it was invited to become one of the founding members of the International World War II Museum Association, based in Beijing, China.
“The Penang War Museum is the only one of its kind in South-East Asia to join the association and become a council member,” said Johari.
Asked about preservation efforts, he said maintaining the historic site was not easy.
“It requires strong commitment, particularly due to the cost of maintenance and the need to have staff who are passionate about preserving its history,” he said.
Johari said the museum also welcomed group bookings from families and those interested in programmes related to history and patriotism.
