Seberang jaya: Not many people are aware that in the heart of Seberang Jaya, Penang, lies a unique area that stands as a symbol of unity and harmony among Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious communities – the Streets of Harmony. Located at the intersection of Jalan Todak and Lorong Jelawat 4, the area is home to nine houses of worship, including a mosque, a Hindu temple, a Buddhist temple, a Taoist temple, a Sikh gurdwara, and a Christian church – all built within close proximity to one another.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, each place of worship is located within a 300-metre radius, allowing visitors to explore them on foot and offering a living testament that communities of different faiths can coexist in an atmosphere of mutual respect and understanding. Penang Harmony Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (Harmonico) general manager Paul Au Chong Yee stated that Streets of Harmony in Seberang Jaya is the second such location in Penang after the one in George Town, officially launched by Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow on Sept 16, 2022, in conjunction with Malaysia Day.
Au emphasized that the choice of date was significant as it symbolises the unity of Malaysia’s multi-racial and multi-religious society, echoing the spirit of the nation’s formation in 1963, which brought together the Federation of Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore. He noted that Streets of Harmony is a state government initiative designed to celebrate Penang’s cultural diversity and to encourage interaction between communities of different faiths and races.
He added that the project is not meant to promote any particular religion but to highlight how diversity can foster a spirit of unity when people of different backgrounds live side by side in mutual respect. Harmonico has also introduced the Seberang Jaya Harmoni Tour – a special educational module offering the public, particularly the young generation, the opportunity to learn about harmony through guided group visits to the various houses of worship, led by trained volunteer facilitators.
The module was developed as a pilot project in 2023 and was fully implemented last year, with support from the State Education Department. It is now offered as an elective co-curricular activity for students in National Type Secondary Schools (SMJK). Currently, there are four Streets of Harmony locations across Penang – in George Town, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam, and Bayan Baru.
Harmonico also plans to expand the initiative to other areas, including Sungai Pinang, Pulau Tikus, Batu Feringghi, Teluk Bahang, and Bukit Tambun, with the ultimate goal of establishing Penang as Malaysia’s ‘City of Harmony.’ The 2025 Malaysia Day celebration, with the theme ‘Malaysia MADANI: Rakyat Disantuni’, will be held at the PICCA Arena Butterworth Convention Centre tomorrow with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and the Yang Dipertua Negeri Pulau Pinang Tun Ramli Ngah Talib scheduled to attend. This edition is being held in Penang in line with the practice of rotating the location between Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia every year.