They once lived.
By Eugene K
17 September 2007
Right outside the Penang General Hospital, Malaysia, is a pink building. With the cars parked outside it and the state of the windows on the building, you'll be forgiven to think that it is a building that is still much in use. The truth is far from it. The building had been abandoned for a year plus.
A local cafe owner, whom I know well as I visit his place regularly, gave me a tour of the building. He explained to me just what the building is exactly. It's actually a residential area for the medical attendants of the hospital. It was built some 45years ago, maybe even longer. Back then, any living space is better than none. Seven people would squeeze into one small room and called it home. At times, it would be too hot to sleep together. The kids will then drag their mattresses out into the corridors of the building and sleep there. It would be one huge sleepover party with the neighbours night after night.
Alas, in the name of development, abandonment soon took over. Come the end of this year, the building will be demolish. Gone will the laughters and tears that once was shared within those walls. Such is the price we pay.
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