Dr Sun Yat Sen - A Revolutionist Who Will Forever Be Remembered

GEORGE TOWN (Penang, Malaysia), Nov 12 (Bernama) -- Behind the walls of 120 Armenian Street, George Town, little did people know that the historic building had contributed to the establishment of the Republic of China. Dr Sun Yat Sen, the first president, founding father of the republic, a revolutionist and also a physician, born on November 12, 1866 had visited Penang five times from 1905 to 1911 as a revolutionary in exile. During the period he had met leaders and following the meetings, had conducted an Emergency Meeting in 1910 involving the Tongmenghui, a secret society and underground movement which had led to the China Revolution on October 11, 1911. During the very meeting, Dr Sun had managed to raise Straits Dollar 8,000 for the Second Guangzhou Uprising which he called as the turning point of the revolution, and months later, the China revolution occurred. Now 106 years after the meeting, the building where the historic event took place is still well preserved and had been turned into a museum with the help of local heritage groups, state government as well as private bodies. Today, many countries worldwide including Hawaii and Hong Kong had celebrated the 150th birthday as a sign of respect and admiration for his effort and sacrifice during the revolution. Peoples Republic of China in Penang Vice Consul-General, Chu Kai Ming, who had attended the 150th birthday of Dr Sun at the museum today thanked those involved in preserving the building till today. “Even though we are far from home, we are forever grateful to what Dr Sun had done for our great nation. We are proud to be part of a great nation that was founded by Dr Sun. Thank you to everyone who have helped preserve this historic building well all these years,” he said. Yesterday, in China, the Republic when celebrating the birthday of the hero and the nation’s President, Xi Jinping who is also the Secretary-General of the Communist Party of China (CPC) said the best tribute to Dr Sun would be to continue his vision. "The best way we could remember Sun Yat-Sen is to learn to carry forward his spirit, to unite those can be united and to mobilize all that can be mobilised to build the China he had dreamed of,” said President Xi in his speech. Sun Yat Sen museum director, Khoo Salma Nasution (picture) who is also a prominent heritage activist said the building had gone through internal restoration and maintenance to upkeep the historic building since 1993. In 2002, the former president of the Republic of China, Hu Jintou had come to visit the historical building and prior to his arrival, the state government at the moment had provided a grant for refurbishment. Following the arrival of the former president, in 2007, a movie titled Road To Dawn was produced by Shenzhen Film Production for the next generation to remember the efforts and sacrifices of Dr Sun. “The movie was made to commemorate the historic event as well as the uprising, as well as to instill cultural awareness and educate the public about the history,” she said. Through the DVD, the museum that was granted a copyright of 20 years will receive funds collected from the sold discs for the use of restoration. “Now, after 20 years from the first restoration done on the building, we would need more funds to upkeep the place in good condition,” she said (photoBERNAMA). -- BERNAMA