NINE QUESTIONS FOR SARAWAK REPORT: CURRENT / THE BRITISH ROYAL VISIT

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AT the tail-end of their Royal Tour of Malaysia, the Royal Couple made another quick stop at the devastated State of Penang, the erstwhile Pearl of the Orient.

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2. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA ARRIVE IN PENANG AMID FLOODS

3. RELATED: ROYAL COUPLE VISIT 4 PLACES OF WORSHIP IN PENANG

4. RELATED: PENANGITES TOUCHED BY THE WARMTH OF PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA

5. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH
6. RELATED: BAREFOOT LUXURY! CHARLES AND CAMILLA DON ELABORATE SILK SHAWLS - BUT REMOVE THEIR SHOES - AS THEY'RE WELCOMED BY MALAYSIAN COMMUNITIES ON THEIR VERY ACTION-PACKED ROYAL TOUR

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PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA BEGIN TOUR OF RATHER DAMP PENANG

REPORTED BY NEW STRAITS TIMES

GEORGE TOWN, November 7, 2017 –

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, began their tour of the state today with a visit to the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site.

The royal couple first visited St. George Church at Lebuh Farquhar to attend its service, before proceeding to Masjid Kapitan Keling at Jalan Buckingham.

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales (left) and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall (centre) visiting the St George church.
Photo: BERNAMA

They then strolled to the Han Jiang Ancestral Temple and later paid a call on the Arulmigu Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

Hundreds of Penangites gathered for a glimpse of the heir to the British throne, with some being lucky enough to shake his hand.

Prince Charles and Camilla’s visit to the Heritage Site is expected to be concluded by 2pm.

('Prince Charles, Camilla Begin Tour of Rather Damp Penang.' – New Straits Times, November 7, 2017)

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1. PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA BEGIN TOUR OF RATHER DAMP PENANG

3. RELATED: ROYAL COUPLE VISIT 4 PLACES OF WORSHIP IN PENANG

4. RELATED: PENANGITES TOUCHED BY THE WARMTH OF PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA

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PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA ARRIVE IN PENANG AMID FLOODS

REPORTED BY CHANNEL NEWSASIA

GEORGE TOWN, November 7, 2017 –

The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, arrived in Penang on Monday (November 6) night as part of a day-long official visit to commemorate the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations between Malaysia and the United Kingdom.

The heir to the British throne and his spouse flew in a Royal Air Force aircraft at the Penang International Airport at 8.10pm. They arrived at the northern Malaysian state after a storm triggered serious flooding on Saturday.

The royal couple was accompanied by Minister-in-Attendance S K Devamany, who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.

Upon arrival, the royal entourage was greeted by Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and the full line-up of state executive councillors.

The royal couple are scheduled to visit a number of places of worship in the heritage enclave on Tuesday, including the St. George Church, Kapitan Keling Mosque, Han Jiang Ancestral Temple and Sri Mahamariamman Temple.

They are also expected to stroll around the heritage areas at noon before Prince Charles visits the Sun-Yat Sen Museum in Armenian Street while Camilla heads to the Teochew Puppet and Opera House on the same street to enjoy a cultural show.

The Prince of Wales will visit the World Fish Centre, an international research organisation that harnesses fisheries and aquaculture to reduce hunger and poverty based in Batu Maung, the southern part of the Penang Island.

Following the visit to the fish centre, the Prince will proceed to the Royal Malaysian Air Force in Butterworth, Seberang Perai in Peninsular Malaysia or previously known as Province Wellesley, for Five Power Defence Arrangements.

At night, the British royals will attend the Sandhurst Alumni Reception at Eastern and Oriental Hotel before they conclude their visit in Penang, by attending the Penang Peranakan Museum Reception in Church Street.

This is the royal couple’s maiden visit to Malaysia.

Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh attended the official opening of the 16th Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur in 1998, while Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, visited in September 2012.

('Prince Charles, Camilla Arrive in Penang Amid Floods.' – Channel NewsAsia, November 7, 2017)

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1. PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA BEGIN TOUR OF RATHER DAMP PENANG

2. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH

4. RELATED: PENANGITES TOUCHED BY THE WARMTH OF PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA

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ROYAL COUPLE VISIT 4 PLACES OF WORSHIP IN PENANG

REPORTED BY BERITA DAILY

GEORGE TOWN, November 7, 2017 –

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and his wife Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, began their maiden visit to Penang by visiting places of worship in George Town, the UNESCO World Heritage site.

The British royal couple is on a one-day visit to Penang, which was originally named “Prince of Wales Island”, with their first stopover at the St. George’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia which was built in 1818.

Upon the arrival at the church at 10.05 am, the royal entourage was greeted by St. George’s Church, Penang’s Bishop Charles Samuel before they spent 20 minutes admiring the church’s new pipe organ inside the church which was declared a national heritage in 2007.

Prince Charles and Camilla were also presented with an oil painting in conjunction with the church’s bicentenary celebration before they proceeded to visit the Kapitan Keling Mosque which was only a kilometre away.

Built in 1801 by Penang’s first Indian Muslim settlers, Kapitan Keling Mosque located at the junction of Lebuh Buckingham and Lebuh Pitt, is one of the largest mosques in Penang Island which was built according to the Indo-Moorish structure.

Earlier, hundreds of people from all walks of life holding the Malaysian and United Kingdom flags, had gathered along the streets under tight security to catch a glimpse of the British royal couple and some were lucky enough to shake his hand.

At the mosque, the royal couple was welcomed with a kompang troupe, a traditional Malay musical instrument, before they were greeted by the chairman of the mosque, Datuk Meera Mydin Mastan who later accompanied the British royal visitors to participate in a tree planting event to commemorate their visit here.

After spending about 15 minutes at the mosque, they then signed the guest book before leaving on foot to the Han Jiang Ancestral Temple, about 100 metres away.

Han Jiang Ancestral Temple or previously known as Teochew Kongsi located in Chulia Street was built in 1890 by the Teochew migrants from Chaozhou prefecture, on the eastern part of Guangdong province in China.

The Prince and Duchess spent about 15 minutes enjoying the lion dance troupe, a traditional Chinese cultural dance in the temple before they strolled across the street to visit the Sri Mahamariamman Temple at Queen Street.

British royal couple is on a one-day visit to Penang, which was originally named “Prince of Wales Island”, with their first stopover at the St George’s Church, the oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia which was built in 1818

Accompanied by Minister-in-Attendance S K Devamany, who is also Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, the royal couple toured the temple.

Sri Mahamariamman temple is the oldest temple in George Town which was built in 1833 and was extensively renovated in 1933 with a prominent dome and entrance tower.

The royal couple then proceeded to visit the Seven Terraces, a contiguous row of Anglo-Chinese terrace houses located just behind the Goddess of Mercy Temple at Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling here.

The visit of Prince Charles and Camilla to Malaysia is part of a 11-day tour of Their Royal Highnesses to Singapore, Malaysia and India from October 30 to November 9.

('Royal Couple Visit 4 Places of Worship in Penang.' – Berita Daily, November 7, 2017)

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1. PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA BEGIN TOUR OF RATHER DAMP PENANG

2. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH

3. RELATED: ROYAL COUPLE VISIT 4 PLACES OF WORSHIP IN PENANG

5. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH

6. RELATED: BAREFOOT LUXURY! CHARLES AND CAMILLA DON ELABORATE SILK SHAWLS - BUT REMOVE THEIR SHOES - AS THEY'RE WELCOMED BY MALAYSIAN COMMUNITIES ON THEIR VERY ACTION-PACKED ROYAL TOUR

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PENANGITES TOUCHED BY THE WARMTH OF PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA

REPORTED BY NEW STRAITS TIMES

GEORGE TOWN, November 7, 2017 –

The management committee of the three worship places in George Town were counting their lucky stars to be able to personally welcome the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles and his wife, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, during their maiden trip to the island on Tuesday.

They were pleased to have had the opportunity to spend warm moments with the royal couple.

At the Sri Mahamariamman temple, Prince Charles and Camilla were given a rousing welcome as the committee had organised a traditional classical performance, which chairman N. Siva Subramaniam said the prince thoroughly enjoyed.

Prince of Wales, Prince Charles, greets the public at the Seven Terraces, Stewart Lane.
Photo: BERNAMA

"I was awestruck by the prince's humbleness.

"He said it the music was nice and unique. We welcomed them with flower garlands.

"He also came in and greeted my wife and our committee members' families. Each one of us felt very lucky to have met him personally.

"The prince and his wife showed us that they are really down to earth and humble," said Siva when met after the visit today.

The royals began their tour of the state today with a visit to the George Town Unesco World Heritage Site where hundreds of Penangites had gathered to catch a glimpse of the heir to the British throne. Some were lucky enough to shake his hand.

Prince Charles and Camilla first visited St George Church at Lebuh Farquhar before proceeding to Masjid Kapitan Keling at Jalan Buckingham.

At the mosque, Prince Charles also planted an olive tree to mark his visit.

The mosque's chairman Datuk Meera Mydin Mastan said he also shared with the royals the mosque's history.

He also praised Camillia for wearing the scarf provided by the committee when entering the historic prayer hall.

"They were very respectful regardless of their royal status, I wished they could stay a bit longer with us today so that they can fully experience the culture of our Indian Muslim community in Penang," said Meera.

Prince Charles later strolled over to nearby Han Jiang Ancestral Temple before leaving to visit other famous sites on the island including the Seven Terraces, Sun Yat Sen Museum and China House at Lebuh Pantai.

At about 3.35pm, the royal duo visited the Royal Malaysian Air Forces base in Butterworth.

Later this evening, the prince and his wife will attend the Sandhurst Alumni reception at Eastern & Oriental (E&O) Hotel before concluding their Penang visit at the Penang Peranakan Museum at Lebuh Church.

The royal couple is expected to depart for India tomorrow morning.

('Penangites Touched by the Warmth of Prince Charles, Camilla.' – New Straits Times, November 7, 2017)

– - –

1. PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA BEGIN TOUR OF RATHER DAMP PENANG

2. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH

3. RELATED: ROYAL COUPLE VISIT 4 PLACES OF WORSHIP IN PENANG

6. RELATED: BAREFOOT LUXURY! CHARLES AND CAMILLA DON ELABORATE SILK SHAWLS - BUT REMOVE THEIR SHOES - AS THEY'RE WELCOMED BY MALAYSIAN COMMUNITIES ON THEIR VERY ACTION-PACKED ROYAL TOUR

– - –

PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH
REPORTED BY BERNAMA

GEORGE TOWN (BERNAMA), November 7, 2017 –
The Prince of Wales, Prince Charles today expressed his concern on the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA) based in the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RAMF) in Butterworth, here.

RAMF Butterworth Acting Base Commander Colonel Amer Mahmud Abdul Rahman said Prince Charles expressed his concern during the one-hour visit to the RAMF base, which was part of the maiden visit to Malaysia of the heir to the British throne.

"His Royal Highness was attracted and concerned about the FPDA (Five-Power Defence Arrangements) which contributed significantly in preserving stability and security in the South-east Asian region.

As members of the British Royal family, they are unique because their family members are also trained as military officers and involved in military operations around the world.

"In view of this, the Butterworth Air Base was chosen as one of the locations for the visit by His Royal Highness in Penang. There are many historical elements that he liked here," he told Bernama.
('Prince Charles Visits Malaysian Air Force Base in Butterworth.' – BERNAMA, November 7, 2017)

– - –

1. PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA BEGIN TOUR OF RATHER DAMP PENANG

2. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH

3. RELATED: ROYAL COUPLE VISIT 4 PLACES OF WORSHIP IN PENANG

4. RELATED: PENANGITES TOUCHED BY THE WARMTH OF PRINCE CHARLES, CAMILLA

5. RELATED: PRINCE CHARLES VISITS MALAYSIAN AIR FORCE BASE IN BUTTERWORTH

– - –

BAREFOOT LUXURY! CHARLES AND CAMILLA DON ELABORATE SILK SHAWLS - BUT REMOVE THEIR SHOES - AS THEY'RE WELCOMED BY MALAYSIAN COMMUNITIES ON THEIR VERY ACTION-PACKED ROYAL TOUR
REPORTED BY DAILY MAIL

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall were honoured with luxurious silk shawls and garlands of sandal wood as they experienced four religions in one day.

The couple visited places of worship belonging to the Christian, Muslim, Chinese and Hindu communities in the Penang capital George Town as they celebrated the Malaysian city's diverse residents.

Strolling down what is colloquially known as the Street of Harmony, the royal couple walked from a mosque to the temples as backpackers and shop keepers stopped to capture the unannounced visit on their mobile phones.

Drummers and other musicians led the way as they walked to the Sri Mahamariamman Hindu temple, completed in 1833, that was ornately decorated with colourful statues and beautiful carvings of gods inside.

Following tradition, Charles and Camilla removed their shoes and were given a brief tour of the place of worship before shimmering gold coloured shawls were placed around their shoulders and matching garlands draped around their necks.

Preveena Balakrishnan, a local historian and hindu, said: 'We wanted to have a fragrant garland so we chose sandal wood, flower garlands will fade and die.
'The silk shawls are given to Kings and Queens and we believe silk has the power to attract positive vibes.'

Outside the couple posed for photographs, with an impatient Camilla amusingly tapping her husband smartly on the arm to get his attention so that they could pose - probably the only woman in the world who could get away with it.

Earlier in the day the couple visited St. George's Church, the oldest Anglican Church in South East Asia, a Muslim mosque where they met leaders and planted a tree, a Teochew Chinese Temple where they watched a colourful lion dance.

The visit was intended to show the religious diversity of Malaysia, showing how different faiths can live in peace and prosperity.

The 800m road known as the Street of Harmony, reflects the migrant communities which moved to Penang during the British Administration when it was a bustling trading port.

Later Camilla visited the Teochew Puppet and Opera House, where she posed with two of the elaborately costumed performers.

Unique to the state of Penang, Teochew puppetry and opera came to Malaysia from the Teochew people, who emigrated from China in the 19th century.

Traditionally, Teochew puppetry troupes consist of nine members divided into groups of three to handle puppets, sing and play musical instruments.

The musical ensemble uses the same instruments as a regular Teochew opera troupe — gongs, drums, cymbals, dulcimer, fiddle and a traditional Chinese instrument made from coconut shells.

The puppets themselves are intricate and detailed, taking up to three weeks to make.

Camilla also happily took the starring role in an impromptu shadow puppet show, as she showed off her skills in a short play.

PRINCE CHARLES THANKS DIVER WHO PROTECTED WAT

Prince Charles has thanked a British diver who has helped protect the wreck of a Second World War ship bearing his name from 'awful' looters.

The Prince, on a visit to RAF Butterworth in Penang, said his work in quietly preventing the ship, which is Crown property, being stripped for scrap metal was 'marvellous' and 'so appreciated'.

As a sign of his thanks he gave Stephen Flew, a 54-year-old petroleum engineer originally from Swansea who has voluntarily dived the wreck for 18 years, and the Malaysian Navy a signed photograph of HMS Prince of Wales in 1941 with its crew to them as a gift.

Royal Navy battleships HMS Prince of Wales, where Churchill and Roosevelt signed the Atlantic Charter, and HMS Repulse both sank off the east coast of Malaya, near Kuantan, Pahang, on December 10, 1941.

Part of Force Z, it was intended to intercept the Japanese invasion fleet but instead, with no air cover, were attacked in open water and sunk by long-range torpedo bombs.

Admiral Sir Tom Phillips went down with the ship, becoming the highest ranking Allied officer killed in battle in the Second World War and causing

The two ships sank with 840 sailors, and now exist as war graves on the ocean floor.

In recent years, they have become a target for looters who anchor small boats above them and use homemade explosives to loosen and then steal their metal.

The Royal Navy wrecks are Crown property, and looked after by the Royal Malaysia Navy which cooperates with the British High Commission to protect them.

They are aided by divers from company Xtreme Divers, with volunteer Mr Flew.

For the last six years, when the problem of looting has become serious, Mr Flew has monitored changes and activity in the ship to report to the British High Commission, who have in turn worked with the Malaysian Navy, Air Force and coastguard to patrol the seas.

The Prince, a diver and former president of the British Sub-Aqua Club, thanked volunteers and the military, telling them he appreciated their work 'trying to keep these awful people away'.

'I can't thank you enough for your fantastic work,' he said. 'It's so appreciated'.

Greeted by Ling Goh, founder and director of museum, and assistant director Chai Lin, the Duchess posed for a photograph with the ladies in traditional dress.

Moving inside, she was shown instruments including cymbals and drums, asking how they were made.

Told Ling Glh's family had been puppeteers for five generations, she exclaimed: 'Its a family affair.'

Directed to a table, she was shown shadow puppets and, when invited, picked one up to see how it worked.

Pauline Fan, creative director of cultural organisation Pusaka explained that the story had been adapted from the Ramayana ancient Indian folk tale Rama and Sita.

The Malaysian version tells the story of a Princess, played by the Duchess' puppet, who is kidnapped by an ogre king. Instructed by her beloved, she is eventually saved by an army of monkey warriors.

The Duchess appeared to thoroughly enjoy herself, gamely moving the puppets arms to play along.

She then moved to listen to a yang quing instrument being played and admire ornate opera headdresses, before sitting down to take in a puppet show from be professionals.

Afterwards, she was given a second try at joining in, this time with a stringed puppet.

Successfully manipulating its limbs with the string, she appeared pleased and surprised, telling onlookers: 'I could've been a puppeteer.'

The Duchess later moved to the cool shade of the China House cafe, a favourite Penang haunt for visitors including Julie Walters who became a regular while filming Indian Summers in the region.

She was shown the cafe's extraordinary selection of around 40 different cakes, before sitting down with local craftswomen to learn about their skill.

Pulling up a chair next to Lilian Tong, director of the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the Duchess watched as they deftly embroidered a beaded pattern in a frame.

'It's very good,' she said. 'So impressive.
'My husband started a school for traditional arts and now it's scattered in different countries. I hope they'll have it here because it conserves there traditions.

'It's so lovely to see this, this lovely work still being done.'

Particularly taken with a pair of tiny embroidered slipper-like shoes, she told Mrs Tong: 'I love bead work, I always have it on my clothes. It's a great favourite of mine.'

Offered the chance to do some sewing of her own, she tried to do a tentative stitch before apologising for forgetting her glasses.

'I'm sorry I don't have my glasses but even if I did have them I'm not a very good sewer,' she said.

The Duchess also tried her hand at batik painting, creating the beginning of a blue flower while she asked about the coloured ink artists were using.

As her husband embarked his own programme of events focused on heritage and the environment - which included an impromptu walkabout through the islands streets - she took a moment to pause for a cup of tea at China House before an evening reception.

Later the prince visited RAF Butterworth to meet, first opened by the British in October 1941 but now controlled by the Royal Malaysian Air Force.

Among those he met was Squadron Leader Caroline Would, whose husband Wing Commander Colin Would, is the senior British officer there, who taught his son, Prince William, weapons training when he was in the RAF.

Squadron Leader Would, who has now retired, told Charles that she had been William's instructor in the air warfare centre at RAF Cranwell in Lincolnshire.

His brother, Prince Harry, was at the base at the same time.

She said afterwards: 'Prince William was great, really down to earth.
'He did a three day course with us that had a lot of theory and he slotted straight into it.
'He made a few jokes at his bodyguard's expense. He pinched his lunch one day and told us he didn't need it because he was getting a bit tubby. It was very funny.'

She said she had also done six months on secondment with The Prince's Trust and Charles has spotted the charity's pin badge she was wearing.

'It's an incredible charity and we have been able to replicate it here, especially with young women,' she told him.

And then in the evening, Hollywood met royalty as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Bond girl Michelle Yeoh met Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

The Malaysian-born actress was introduced to the couple at a reception on the last night of their hugely successful six-day visit to her home country.

The couple were at a reception to celebrate Malaysian art and culture at Penang's Peranakan Mansion.

Built in 1894, Penang Peranakan Mansion was originally the home of Kapitan Cina (Chinese Captain) Chung Keng Kwee and is a glorious example of Malay/Chinese architecture.

Charles, in a lounge suit, and Camilla, in a while flowing Anna Valentine tunic, were greeted by owner Peter Soon and met with the chief minister and governor of Penang, before being introduced to Ms Yeoh, elegant in a pink dress and satin heels.

Eighty reception guests ranged from a diverse arts and cultural background and included Malaysian actress Tan Sri Dato' Seri and comedian Harith Iskander.

The couple were also treated to a performance on a traditional sape' stringed instrument by musician and singer Alena Murang, one of the few women in the country to play professionally.