A walk through the narrow tunnels: walk through the narrow tunnels, old barracks, cannon sites, ammunition storerooms and lockups at the Penang War Museum in Batu Maung offers visitors a glimpse into the sacrifices and courage of previous generations. More than just a tourist attraction, the outdoor living war museum provides visitors with a vivid insight into the hardships endured during World War II through its historic structures.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, as the nation celebrates National Day and Malaysia Day (HKHM) 2026, the museum serves as a reminder that the peace and freedom enjoyed today did not come easily, but were forged through a long history of sacrifice and resilience. Its founder Datuk Johari Shafie said the Penang War Museum, located on a hillside in Batu Maung, was formerly a British military fort built during the colonial era and offered a 320-degree view of the sea.

'The fort was built by the British in 1930 and completed in 1939, at a cost of about £40 million at the time. The 20-acre site has various military structures, including tunnels, barracks, cannon sites, ammunition storerooms, observation towers and lockups,' he said when met by Bernama at the museum here. Johari said most of the structures remained largely untouched, giving visitors a chance to experience what life was like at the fort and understand the military defences in place during that era.

'This is not a museum with replicas or copied displays. It is authentic, the real thing, so students can come here, walk around and see for themselves the sites linked to World War II,' he said. Johari said the fort was also part of the Malaya Campaign, falling to the Japanese army under the command of General Tomoyuki Yamashita on Dec 16, 1941.

According to him, the site was used as a prisoner-of-war camp during the three years and eight months of Japanese occupation, before the prisoners were transferred to several locations, including Kanchanaburi in Thailand, where they were forced to work on the Death Railway and the Bridge over the River Kwai, as well as Kranji in Singapore. After World War II ended on Aug 15, 1945, the fort was abandoned for almost 60 years before efforts were made to preserve it as a historical site.

For Johari, the true value of the museum is not simply the fort that has survived, but the stories of the people who lived through the war and left their mark on its history. He said the personal collections of two former prisoners of war (POWs), including photographs and accounts of their experiences in captivity, are among the important historical materials kept at the museum.

The museum also earned international recognition after being invited to become one of the founding members of the International World War II Museum Association, based in Beijing, China. 'The Penang War Museum is the only museum of its kind in Southeast Asia to join the association and become a council member, with registration number 014,' he said.

Asked about preservation efforts, Johari said maintaining the historic site was not easy, requiring strong commitment, particularly due to the cost of maintenance and the need for staff members who were passionate about preserving its history. Meanwhile, he said the museum also welcomed group bookings from families and those interested in programmes related to history and patriotism, apart from regular daytime visits.