Protecting Melaka's Peranakan legacy for the past 40 years
Speaking at the museum's 40th anniversary celebration at a leading hotel on Saturday (July 19), the Klebang assemblyman praised the museum's lasting legacy since its establishment in 1985, calling it more than just a historical site but a living testament to family dedication and community pride.
'Forty years is no small feat, and what began as a humble family initiative has grown into an iconic cultural institution known far beyond our shores,' he said.
Lim shared that the museum, housed in the ancestral home of the Baba Chan Kim Lay's family, offers a unique window into the lives, values and aesthetics of the Peranakan community.
'It's a living archive, a time capsule where history is not just displayed but felt.
"This museum is a 'Rumah Penuh Jiwa' (a house full of soul) where every embroidered kebaya, every piece of furniture, every porcelain dish carries with it a story of resilience, elegance and cultural fusion,' he added.
Lim highlighted the museum's role in shaping cultural appreciation among the younger generation, saying it helps foster greater understanding between communities and strengthens Malaysia's shared identity.
'It teaches us that heritage is not just about the past but who we are today and how we carry these values forward,' he said.
He also pointed to Melaka's growing popularity as a cultural and tourism destination, noting that the state attracted 15 million tourists during Visit Melaka Year 2024.
'This clearly shows that Melaka's charm and rich heritage continue to resonate with visitors.
'We will see a better momentum for the tourism industry this year with Malaysia set to chair Asean and host World Tourism Day, where the Historic City has been chosen as the venue," he said.
Lim said the state government has now set an ambitious target of 16.5 million tourists for 2025, with even bigger goals in sight for Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
'We are not just preserving heritage but bringing it to life and sharing it with the world," he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
an hour ago
- The Star
Can Malaysia secure a deal?
AS we are just days away from Aug 1, 2025, the effective date when Malaysian exports to the United States will be subject to a 25% tariff rate, it is still a guessing game as to how negotiations between Malaysia and the United States will unfold and whether we will get a better deal or maintain the status quo. For Malaysia, what is at stake is not just the final rate we will eventually settle on, but also what we are willing to sacrifice to secure a lower rate, as seen with countries like Vietnam, the Philippines, and Indonesia in the Asean region, and Japan, which has a revised rate of 15%.
Barnama
9 hours ago
- Barnama
Vietnam Stands At Core Of Evolving ASEAN: Malaysian Ambassador
Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai delivering his speech at the halal seminar in Hanoi on Wednesday. HANOI, July 25 (Bernama-VNA) -- Vietnam continues to hold a central position in an ever-evolving Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Datuk Tan Yang Thai has said. Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in an interview with Tan in conjunction with 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN, reported Tan highlighted Vietnam's prominent and active contributions to the ASEAN community-building process, especially during the bloc's transformation from a loosely structured regional organisation into a rules-based community. Vietnam made its mark early with the Hanoi Plan of Action (HPA) in 1998, hosting the 6th ASEAN Summit, and leading the bloc's first formal workplan towards the ASEAN Vision 2020, he said. bootstrap slideshow The country, which formally join ASEAN on July 28, 1995, also strongly supported the establishment of key ASEAN mechanisms during this period, such as the ASEAN Plus Three, the East Asia Summit (EAS), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), expanding the bloc's dialogue partnerships and global reach. He said notably, Vietnam's Chairmanship in 2020, during the peak of COVID-19, demonstrated its strong leadership in crisis diplomacy. For the first time in history, Vietnam hosted the ASEAN Summit virtually, alongside the establishment of the ASEAN COVID-19 Response Fund, and the implementation of coordinated regional recovery measures, demonstrating the bloc's solidarity and flexible response capability. After 30 years, Vietnam has evolved from a new entrant into a credible, constructive, and consensus-building member of ASEAN, the diplomat said, noting that its performance reflects increasing confidence, growing diplomatic weight, and a strong commitment to regional peace, prosperity, and shared identity - well aligned with the goals of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045. According to the ambassador, Vietnam has emerged as one of ASEAN's most dynamic economies, making significant contributions to ASEAN's global trade profile and serving as an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI) in the region. Tan also highlighted the fruitful development in Vietnam-Malaysia bilateral relations in recent years, noting the recent upgrade of their ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership marks a timely and historic step.
Rakyat Post
14 hours ago
- Rakyat Post
The End Of An Era: How Penang Lost Its Most Beloved School Uniform Shop
Subscribe to our FREE Walk through the narrow streets of George Town, Penang, and you'll hear the stories before you even reach Jalan Magazine. Stories of yellow buses from Jelutong packed with families heading to one destination. Stories of mothers dragging six kids across town because there was only one place that mattered. Stories of uniforms so legendary that wearing them was like sporting designer labels. Come 31 July, those stories will become memories. Kimnovak, the iconic school uniform shop that's been the backbone of Malaysian education fashion since 1969, is closing its doors forever. From Barbershop to School Uniform Empire The business has humble beginnings – it started as a barbershop by the mother of the owner, Lim Kwee Heng. Recognising an opportunity in the early days, when few businesses sold school uniforms, she transformed the barbershop into a specialised school uniform store. Lim and his 70-year-old wife, Wong Bee Lian, later took over the family business. Through dedication and continuous improvements, they built Kimnovak into a well-known brand. Every year, before school term begins, their shop would be packed with parents and children buying uniforms. Kimnovak owner Lim (right) and his wife Wong have been carefully sewing school uniforms, with all fabrics imported from overseas. (Pix: Kwong Wah) More Than Just Fabric For 56 years, the Guitar brand logo stitched into every collar wasn't just a label—it was a badge of honour. 'Those days, wearing Guitar brand uniform is equal to wearing LV,' writes David Chew Chee Kian in a Facebook comment that's racked up 59 likes and counting. He's not exaggerating. The social media tributes pouring in read like love letters to a lost era. Zafran Zufar shopped there from Standard 1 in 1987 through Form 5 in 1997, calling it a 'legend shop.' Vijay Kumar's been buying uniforms there since 1979. Lina Yeoh's family story spans three generations—she started shopping there when her kids were small, and just three years ago, she brought her granddaughter to buy her Standard 1 uniform. 'My two generations ❤️ shop. Me & my children,' writes Mageswari Krishnan. 'Going to miss you Kim Novak. Happy retirement.' The Guitar That Defined Generations Kimnovak's closure represents more than the end of a business—it's the end of an era when quality mattered more than convenience, when families made shopping an event, when a guitar logo on a school uniform could make a kid feel special. The comments section of the closure announcement reads like a digital wake, filled with equal parts gratitude and sadness. 'Best quality colour no fading,' Joyce Loh testifies. Dorothy Lim puts it bluntly: 'A bit more expensive but quality no other shops selling uniforms can compare.' But here's the thing that made Kimnovak special: they never branched out. While other businesses chased expansion, this single shop on Jalan Magazine became a pilgrimage site. Families would travel from Butterworth by bus and ferry just to shop there. What We're Really Losing Muhammad Yusuf remembers the ritual: 'We will take the yellow bus from Jelutong and go here for shopping.. after that we will go to Komtar 4th floor to eat that famous Nazir nasi ayam.' The Guitar logo itself became a conversation starter. 'I loved when we could afford getting new uniforms with the guitar logo tags on them,' recalls Viv Adram. Used to just love looking at that logo but had so many questions… 'why guitar' hahaha 😂 Then there's the comment that breaks your heart: 'My child belum born… Haiya… No chance to tell them mummy use to go here liao…' writes one parent, realizing their future children will never experience what they took for granted. Looking at the old signboard that has been in business for many years, Lim and his wife Wong couldn't help but feel extremely reluctant to part with it. (Pix: Kwong Wah) The Perfect Storm The closure isn't sudden—it's the result of a perfect storm that's been brewing for years. The owners are ageing out, no successor is waiting in the wings, and the constant changes in school uniform regulations have made the business increasingly challenging to navigate. It's a story playing out across Malaysia, where family businesses that once anchored communities are disappearing. But Kimnovak's closure feels different. This isn't just about losing a shop—it's about losing a cultural institution. 'Penangites parents choice before online shopping era existed,' writes Nur Hidayah, capturing something essential about what's being lost. In an age of online shopping deliveries and fast fashion, Kimnovak represented something increasingly rare: craftsmanship, consistency, and community connection. Kimnovak is located at 207, Jalan Magazine, 10300 George Town, Penang. They're open from 10:30 am to 6 pm , closed on Sundays, until 31 July 2025. Parts of this story have been sourced from Share your thoughts with us via TRP's . Get more stories like this to your inbox by signing up for our newsletter.
