Johnston Has Fond Memories Of Penang

GEORGE TOWN (Malaysia), Nov 16 (Bernama) -- There is a Canadian who brims with pride that Penang has been recognised as a world heritage site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Oragnisation (Unesco). He is none other than Canadian Governor-General David Lloyd Johnston. He and his wife have fond memories of Penang which is dubbed internationally as 'The Pearl of the Orient', having visited the island about 20 years ago. Thus, visiting the island today, was akin to a walk down memory lane. Penang's academic links with Canada, in as far as high education institutions are concerned, are another factor which Johnston is thrilled about. "Many fond memories are engraved here. This is my first visit (to Penang) after becoming governor-general. "I was here with my wife, about 20 years ago," he said at a press conference after making a courtaesy call to Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng here. Together with a delegation, Johnston and his wife spent time walking around the Penang Heritage Trail from St George's Anglican Church, The Goddess of Mercy Temple, Maha Mariamman Temple and Masjid Kapitan Keling. The official welcoming ceremony for the Canadian entourage will be held at E&O Hotel tonight in honor of the governor-general. It will be hosted by Penang's State Head Abdul Rahman Abbas. During the visit to the island, Johnston is scheduled to visit RIM Blackberry Factory at Jalan Perindustrian Bukit Minyak, Seberang Perai Tengah and deliver a keynote address entitled, 'Diplomacy of Knowledge: Education and Globalisation in the 21st Century' at the University Sains Malaysia. -- BERNAMA