Chapter 29 - War Museum @ Penang

Would you dare to visit the War Museum in Penang? Apparently, it has been listed as one of the Top 10 Most Haunted Sites in Asia by the National Geographic Channel besides from the abandoned Tak Tak School in Hong Kong, Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan and an abandoned hospital at the Clark Air Base in Phillipines.    

Locally known as Bukit Hantu or Ghost Hill, not many dare to intrude this place for fear of its reputation as a place of haunting by ghost of dead soldiers - quite creepy if you choose to go alone, hence I would advise you to go with a group of friends. After I had been to this place, I am quite certain that the elder generation would definitely feel the big impact, knowing how Japanese had treated them before this - even so, this museum would definitely relive every single of your moments if you happen to stay at the War Era.                                  

                     

Let the history to begin - in 1930, a formidable fortress was built by the British army atop Bukit Maung, to protect the island from the enemy. It was at some point, Bukit Maung fell during an attack in which the Japanese army approached from inland, rather than from sea and from that day onwards, the fortress had transformed into a Japanese army base. This was where the dark history began, filled with narrations of how prisoners were tortured, ladies were the answer to fulfill their sex desires and etc. 

I must say that it was a big fortress, completed with underground military tunnels and ventilation shafts, ammunition bunkers, canon firing bays, logistic centre, sleeping quarters, first aid rooms, cook houses and etc. The fortress was then converted by a local Penangite, Johari Shafie after so many years of abandonment.

Was kinda taken aback when we toured around and I could feel the sorrowness and sadness - see below some pictures and I really hope that you can take this opportunity to revisit our history again.

War is never a solution but it leads to hatred and revenge.

Address : No. Lot 1350 Mukim 12, Batu Maung, Daerah Barat Daya, 11960 Pulau Pinang

Opening hour : 9.00am to 6.00pm daily

Entrance fee : RM 15 (for Malaysian)