The Star Online > North

Saturday September 30, 2006

Prove Jannaton founded isle, historians told

HISTORIANS are urged to prove to the Culture, Arts and Heri-tage Ministry that it was the late Minangkabau Sultanate Minister Datuk Jannaton who founded Penang and not Fran-cis Light. 

Deputy minister Datuk Wong Kam Hoong said they should present the ministry with the facts and supporting documents so that the National Archives could look into the matter. 

“In history books, Christopher Columbus was said to the founder of the land that was later known as America but prior to his arrival, settlements were already there.  

“In spite of this, he is still considered to be America’s founder.  

FROM MINANGKABAU: Mohd Noor Merican Ahmad Merican, father of Dr Ahmad Murad, looking at the epitaph on Jannaton's tombstone.

“History is not something that can be changed overnight as the details need to be thoroughly checked. A colloquium made up of people familiar with the matter can be held to determine the facts,” he said. 

Penang Malay Heritage Socie-ty advisor Dr Ahmad Mu- rad Merican said he was preparing a comprehensive paper to show that Jannaton arrived here much earlier than Light. 

“I have been researching Jannaton’s history since 1980. I have come across historical documents in Sumatra which supported my theory that he arrived on the island in 1749 with 180 followers. 

“His grave in Persiaran Changkat Minden 1 is present-ly under my family’s care as I am a sixth generation descendant. 

“His epitaph in Arabic states that he died in 1789 and came from Pagar Ruyung in West Sumatera,” he said.