Penang State Government commemorative ornament

Penang is one of Malaysia’s 13 states. It’s located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It’s said that the name came from the betel nut trees that could be found everywhere in the early years. Several of Penang’s cities are sister or friendship cities with Taiwan’s cities. The seat of the Penang State Government is in state capital George Town. The state government consists of two branches, executive and legislative. The Penang State Executive Council forms the executive branch, while the Penang State Legislative Assembly is the legislature of the state government. The current head of government is Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, the giver of this gift. The state government does not have a judiciary branch, because unlike Taiwan, Malaysia’s judicial system is a federalized system and relevant judicial affairs are handled by Malayan courts. Featured in this ornament is a rickshaw, once a common mode of transportation for residents of Penang.