Jump to content

Seberang Perai

Coordinates: 5°24′29.95″N 100°22′10.37″E / 5.4083194°N 100.3695472°E / 5.4083194; 100.3695472
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Page semi-protected
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Province Wellesley)

Seberang Perai
Province Wellesley
City of Seberang Perai
Bandaraya Seberang Perai
Other transcription(s)
 • Mandarin威省 (Simplified)
威省 (Traditional)
Wēishěng (Pinyin)
 • Tamilசெபராங் பிறை
Ceparāṅ Piṟai (Transliteration)
 • Thaiเซอเบอรังเปอไร
Soeboerangpoerai (RTGS)
Flag of Seberang Perai
Official seal of Seberang Perai
Map
Seberang Perai is located in Seberang Perai, Penang
Seberang Perai
Seberang Perai
Seberang Perai is located in Malaysia
Seberang Perai
Seberang Perai
Seberang Perai is located in Asia
Seberang Perai
Seberang Perai
Coordinates: 5°24′29.95″N 100°22′10.37″E / 5.4083194°N 100.3695472°E / 5.4083194; 100.3695472
Country Malaysia
State Penang
DistrictsNorth, Central and South
Mukims[1]Butterworth and 56 subdistricts
Founded[2]1800
Establishment of local governments[2]1913
Municipality[3]15 December 1976
Incorporated (city)[3]16 September 2019
Government
 • TypeCity council
 • BodySeberang Perai City Council
 • Mayor[4]Hj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid
 • City Secretary[4]Mohd Ibrahim Md Nor
Area
 • City748 km2 (289 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)[5]
 • City946,092
 • Rank3rd in Malaysia
1st in Penang
 • Density1,264.8/km2 (3,276/sq mi)
Demographics
 • Ethnic groups
Time zoneUTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postal code
12xxx–14xxx
Area code(s)+604-3, +604-5
Websitewww.mbsp.gov.my

Seberang Perai is a city in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located on the Malay Peninsula and separated from Penang Island by the Penang Strait, it shares borders with Kedah to the north and east and Perak to the south. The city spans an area of 748 km2 (289 sq mi) and had a population of 946,092 as of 2020, making it the third largest city in Malaysia.[5][6]

Originally a part of Kedah, the territory containing the city was ceded to the British East India Company in 1800. It was named Province Wellesley and has been administered as part of Penang ever since.[2][7] The territory became a centre for cash crop agriculture, while the development of new towns such as Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam followed with the advent of roads and railways towards the end of the 19th century.[7][8]

After Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai benefitted from the development spillover from George Town.[9][10] The Port of Penang, the third busiest seaport in the country, was relocated to the municipality in 1974, bolstering its industrial-based economy that has attracted numerous multinational companies.[11][12][13] Two road bridges were constructed to physically connect Seberang Perai with George Town, complementing an existing ferry service between the two cities.[14] Penang Sentral, a new transit-oriented development, has strengthened Seberang Perai's role as the logistics hub of northwestern Malaysia.[15][16] Following decades of rapid urbanisation and infrastructural developments, Seberang Perai was conferred city status in 2019.[10][17]

Etymology

Seberang Perai was originally named Province Wellesley after Richard Wellesley, who was the Governor-General of India when the territory was acquired by the British East India Company (EIC) in 1800.[18] The term "Seberang Perai" is believed to have emerged from a local expression used to refer to the northern banks of the Perai River.[19] After the acquisition of Province Wellesley, the river became the boundary between British-held territory to the south and Kedah to the north. Seberang means "the other side" in Malay.[20] The Thai word plāi (Thai: ปลาย), meaning "the end", referred to the southern limits of Kedah, which were formed by the river.[21]

The Hokkiens referred to the northern banks of the river as koay kang, which means "across the river". At the time, passengers from George Town would land at Perai and cross the river to get to Butterworth and the hinterland beyond. The term koay kang coincides with the Malay name Seberang Perai.[19]

History

Historical affiliations

British East India Company 1800–1858
British Raj 1858–1867
 Straits Settlements 1826–1941; 1945–1946
Empire of Japan 1941–1945
 Malayan Union 1946–1948
 Federation of Malaya 1948–1963
 Malaysia 1963–present

Early history

Seberang Perai bears evidence of human habitation during the Neolithic era. The site of Guar Kepah, located on the southern banks of the Muda River, is home to human remains found in shell middens that indicate the settlement of the area in that period.[22][23] Guar Kepah remains the only known example of coastal adaptation among Neolithic humans in Malaysia.[22]

Seberang Perai was once a part of the Bujang Valley civilisation.[24] The Mahanavika Buddhagupta plaque and the Cherok Tok Kun megalith, found at Bukit Mertajam, both indicate significant Hindu influence at the area between the 5th and 6th centuries.[24][25]

British rule

British acquisition and expansion of Penang (in yellow) occurred between 1786 and 1874, when the final alterations to Penang's boundaries was enacted.[26][27][28][29]

In 1786, Francis Light acquired Penang Island from Kedah in exchange for British military protection.[30] However, when Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah of Kedah attempted to retake the island by force in response to the EIC's reneging on military protection, British forces launched a preemptive assault on Perai. The Kedahan forces were routed and the Sultan was forced to sue for peace.[7][31]

In 1800, the EIC annexed a strip of the mainland from Kedah for a sum of 4,000 Spanish dollars.[2][7][31] This acquisition, negotiated by George Caunter on behalf of Lieutenant-Governor George Leith, gave the EIC permanent sovereignty over both Penang Island and the newly acquired territory, which was named Province Wellesley after Governor-General of India Richard Wellesley.[32] The Perai River became the international border between British and Kedah territories.[21]

The EIC had sought to turn the island into an agricultural outpost.[8] The annexation of Province Wellesley allowed for the expansion of the cash crop industry from the island to the mainland. This led to the harvesting of spices and sugar, which attracted migrants from China, India, Myanmar and the Middle East, as well as Malay refugees from Kedah fleeing the Siamese conquest of their homeland.[7][8][33] In 1831, the EIC expanded Province Wellesley northwards, moving the international border between British and Siamese territories from the Perai River to the Muda River.[34] The territory's boundaries were further extended in 1868 and in the Pangkor Treaty of 1874, effectively enlarging the British-held territory from the Muda River in the north to the Kerian River in the south.[35][36]

The development of roads and railways in the early 20th century promoted the growth of Province Wellesley's rubber industry.[8] Malaya's new rail lines, which ran from the Siamese border to the north to Singapore to the south, cut through Province Wellesley, allowing the Port of Penang to become a major tin exporter. This led to the emergence of new towns, such as Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, as logistics hubs. The Municipal Ordinance of 1913 resulted in the creation of three local governments within Province Wellesley – the Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam town boards, and the Province Wellesley Rural Board.[2][8] The creation of local governments further accelerated infrastructural developments within the territory.[8]

World War II

A British pillbox along the northern frontier of Province Wellesley during the Malayan Campaign.

RAF Butterworth was opened just a few months prior to the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and Japan in December 1941.[37] As Japanese troops landed in Kota Bharu and Songkhla, Allied squadrons defending northern Malaya were decimated and had to retreat to RAF Butterworth by 8 December.[38] The air base was subsequently attacked by Japanese bombers the following day. The Royal Air Force abandoned it on 15 December, and Penang fell to the Japanese four days later.[39]

During the Japanese occupation, Province Wellesley, like George Town, underwent significant social upheaval. Civilians suffered harsh treatment from the Japanese, who attempted to enforce order, while living conditions worsened along with the economic situation.[8] Rice farmers in Province Wellesley were encouraged to increase their yields, but the rice supply deficit proved too great to overcome.[39] Despite the establishment of "pioneer farms" in the territory by Japanese administrators in 1944, food shortages persisted until the end of the war when British forces liberated Penang. Following the war's end, British authorities swiftly undertook action to restore order in Province Wellesley, which was plagued by elements of the Chinese underworld and communist infiltrations.[8][39]

Post-independence

In 1953, the British reorganised the local governments within the territory.[2][8] Five local governments – one each for the municipalities of Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, and three rural district councils – were instituted.[2][40][41] After Malaya gained independence in 1957, the ruling Alliance coalition moved to amalgamate the local governments within Seberang Perai.[42] In 1961, the Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipalities were consolidated with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively.[2][43] The three remaining local governments were subsequently merged into a single municipality in 1974.[3] Two years later, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status and the local government was renamed the Seberang Perai Municipal Council.[3]

In the early 1960s, the Penang state government began industrialising Seberang Perai through the establishment of the first industrial estates at Mak Mandin and Perai.[44] In 1974, the Port of Penang was relocated from George Town to the municipality, and in 1980, the adjacent Perai Free Industrial Zone was created to take advantage of the available maritime and rail infrastructure.[12][45] These were accompanied by a significant increase in the municipality's population, which was largely due to the spillover of development from George Town.[9][10]

Decades of economic growth and the availability of industrial land have led to substantial investments in infrastructure, including the completions of the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge that connect the municipality with George Town.[10][14][46] The industrial sector has also spurred the development of newer townships within the municipality, such as Seberang Jaya and Batu Kawan.[47] Seberang Perai was granted city status in 2019.[17]

Geography

Seberang Perai spans the entire mainland portion of Penang. With a total land mass of 747.8 km2 (288.7 sq mi), Seberang Perai is slightly larger than Singapore.α[6] The terrain of the city is mostly flat and alluvial, except for the hilly region that lays along its eastern border with Kedah.[48] Standing at a height of 1,787 ft (545 m), Mertajam Hill is the tallest point within Seberang Perai. The city's coast is divided into a northern sandy shoreline and a muddy, mangrove-covered southern coastline. The southern coast is geographically sheltered by Penang Island, while the northern shoreline is more exposed to the Malacca Strait.[48]

Seberang Perai's jurisdiction also includes two offshore islets – Aman and Gedung islands.[49] These islets feature mudflats that connect with the mainland due to sedimentation that occurred during the construction of the Penang Bridge.[48]

The city is demarcated by the Muda River to the north, which serves as the border between Seberang Perai and Kedah.[50] To the south, the tripoint between Seberang Perai, Kedah and Perak lies within the Kerian River.[51] Several riverine systems flow through the city, including Perai, Juru, Jejawi and Tengah rivers.[48] River pollution caused by industrial waste has been a persistent issue for decades, with the Juru, Jawi and Perai rivers classified as having average water quality (Class III) by Malaysia's Department of Environment since 2016.[52]

Map of subdistricts within Seberang Perai.
Click link at the top right corner to zoom in.
Climate data for Butterworth (2016–2022)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 32.2
(90.0)
33.0
(91.4)
32.8
(91.0)
32.6
(90.7)
32.3
(90.1)
32.1
(89.8)
32.1
(89.8)
31.9
(89.4)
31.3
(88.3)
31.1
(88.0)
30.9
(87.6)
31.5
(88.7)
32.0
(89.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 24.0
(75.2)
23.7
(74.7)
24.7
(76.5)
25.1
(77.2)
25.3
(77.5)
25.0
(77.0)
24.9
(76.8)
24.6
(76.3)
24.4
(75.9)
24.6
(76.3)
24.6
(76.3)
24.3
(75.7)
24.6
(76.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 96.3
(3.79)
83.6
(3.29)
100.7
(3.96)
183.7
(7.23)
261.0
(10.28)
148.9
(5.86)
185.9
(7.32)
126.3
(4.97)
293.4
(11.55)
291.9
(11.49)
266.3
(10.48)
112.9
(4.44)
2,150.9
(84.66)
Average precipitation days 7.6 6.0 7.1 13.4 14.9 10.0 11.1 12.6 16.0 17.3 13.9 10.3 140.2
Source: Meteomanz[53]

Governance and politics

Local government

Above: Flag of the Seberang Perai City Council
Below: The City Tower, the headquarters of the city government, was completed in 2005, replacing the previous administrative offices at Butterworth.[54][55][56]

Throughout the 19th century, Province Wellesley was administered from George Town without any local governance structure in place.[8] This changed in 1913 when the Municipal Ordinance came into effect, mandating the establishment of local governments in Province Wellesley.[2][8][57] Three local governments were created, namely the town boards for Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, and the Province Wellesley Rural Board, which administered the rest of the territory.[2]

The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) was formed following several reorganisations throughout the 20th century. In 1953, the Province Wellesley Rural Board was split into three rural district councils for the Northern, Central and Southern districts.[2][40] After Malaya's independence, the local governments were gradually amalgamated by the then Alliance-controlled state government. The Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipal governments were merged with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively, in 1961.[2][43] The three remaining district councils were consolidated into a single municipality in 1974.[3] As a municipality, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status in 1976 and city status in 2019.[3][17]

One of the two city governments in Penang, MBSP is led by a mayor, assisted by a secretary and 24 councillors who perform oversight responsibilities over 18 departments.[58] The Penang state government appoints the mayor and councillors, with the councillors serving under an extendable one-year term.[59] Local government elections were put in place in 1961, but were suspended due to the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and have not been reinstated since.[60][61] As of June 2024, the mayor of Seberang Perai is Hj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.[62] The City Tower, located at Bukit Tengah, serves as the city council's headquarters.[54]

MBSP's current urban planning strategy is outlined in the Seberang Perai Local Plan 2030, first published in 2021.[49][63] In 2023, MBSP projected its estimated revenue at RM314.6 million and an estimated expenditure of RM357.13 million, which included allocations for infrastructure, economic growth, heritage conservation and community engagement.[64]β

State and national representation

Distribution of ethnic    Chinese and    Malays in Seberang Perai, derived from the 2020 Malaysian census.[1]

Seberang Perai is represented by seven Members of Parliament and 21 state constituencies.[65] Prior to 2023, state elections had been conducted simultaneously with nationwide general elections every five years. As of 2023, ethnic Malays formed the majority in 11 of the 21 state constituencies, especially in the city's north.[65] On the other hand, non-Malays were largely clustered in urban constituencies such as at Butterworth, Perai, Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan, as well as many of the coastal areas in the south. In the 2023 state election, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance retained 12 of Seberang Perai's constituencies, whereas the far-right Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc won nine Malay-majority seats across swathes of the north and southeast.[65]

Parliamentary constituencies[65]

State constituencies[65]

Judiciary

Seberang Perai has a judicial system that consists of the magistrate and sessions courts. Each of the city's three districts is served by these courts. The north district cases are under the jurisdiction of the Butterworth Magistrates Court, while the central district cases are presided over by the Bukit Mertajam Magistrates Court.[66] The south district cases are handled by the Jawi Magistrates Court. The Royal Malaysia Police is responsible for law enforcement within Seberang Perai, maintaining a total of 20 police stations throughout the city as of 2022.[67][68][69]

Demographics

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1921130,341—    
1931141,388+8.5%
1947183,616+29.9%
1957233,234+27.0%
1970343,010+47.1%
1980432,982+26.2%
1991545,688+26.0%
2000655,711+20.2%
2010818,197+24.8%
2020946,092+15.6%
Source: [5][70][71][72][73][74][75][76][77]
Ethnicities of Seberang Perai in 2020[5]
Ethnicities / Nationality Percentage
Malays
49.0%
Other Bumiputeras
0.3%
Chinese
32.9%
Indians
9.6%
Others
0.4%
Non-Malaysians
7.7%

According to the 2020 Malaysian census, Seberang Perai had a population of 946,092 within its jurisdiction of 748 km2 (289 sq mi), giving it a population density of 1,264.8/km2 (3,276/sq mi).[5] This also makes Seberang Perai the third largest city by population in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Kajang. Seberang Perai is also the most populous settlement within the George Town Conurbation, containing over 54.3% of Penang's population. The city centre of Butterworth recorded a population of 80,378, or approximately 8.5% of the total population of Seberang Perai.[1]

In the decades following Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai's population grew rapidly due to the spillover of development from George Town.[9] Between 1975 and 1990, suburban sprawl became more pronounced within the northern and central districts of the city.[78] By 1991, Seberang Perai's population outstripped that of Penang Island for the first time in the state's history.γ

Ethnicities

As of 2020, Malays accounted for 49% of Seberang Perai's population and were the majority ethnic group in the northern part of the city.[5] Ethnic Chinese constituted a significant proportion of the city's population at nearly 33%, followed by the Indians at almost 10%. During the British colonial era, agriculture promoted significant immigration from China and India, resulting in sizable non-Malay populations within the central and southern districts of the city.[7][8][5] In particular, Chinese comprised the majority at areas such as Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam and Nibong Tebal.[1]

Economy

Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" to George Town, Seberang Perai has undergone significant transformation in the decades following Malaya's independence.[10][79][80] The Penang state government has been actively promoting a policy of balanced development between the two cities, and Seberang Perai has been positioned as the "future of Penang".[81][82] In 2021, 'Penang Bay', an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development, urban regeneration and creative economy between downtown George Town and Butterworth, was officially announced.[83]

With significant industrialisation since the 1970s, the city has been designated a "growth centre" within the George Town Conurbation.[8][10] Nine of Penang's industrial clusters are located in the city, which has emerged as a significant recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the seventh largest exporter in Malaysia.[84][85] The development of newer townships has also driven economic diversification, with a growing services sector concentrated around retail and tourism.[86][87][88]

Manufacturing

The first industrial estates in Penang were established in the 1960s at Mak Mandin and Perai during the tenure of the state's first Chief Minister Wong Pow Nee.[89] However, these early efforts at industrialisation were limited to import substitution.[90] After the revocation of George Town's free port status and the fall of the Alliance-led state government in 1969, newly elected Chief Minister Lim Chong Eu sought to restructure Penang's economy.[90][91] The Nathan Report of 1970, produced by Robert R. Nathan Associates, proposed an export-led growth strategy and the strengthening of linkages with the global economy.[90] In 1980, the Perai Free Industrial Zone was created with the aim of becoming a significant manufacturing hub for bulk items, taking advantage of its proximity to the Port of Penang and the railway line that connects it to the rest of western Peninsular Malaysia.[90][92]

Seberang Perai is now home to nine of Penang's industrial clusters – namely at Mak Mandin, Perai, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Minyak, Simpang Ampat and Batu Kawan.[84][93] The availability of industrial land has attracted several local and multinational companies (MNCs), such as Mattel, Flex, Sanmina, JinkoSolar, Honeywell and Lam Research.[46][94][95] In 2022, Seberang Perai received investments worth nearly RM10.9 billion, which accounted for 79% of Penang's total inbound investments that year.[96] Within the same year, RM65.7 billion worth of exports passed through the Port of Penang, making Seberang Perai the seventh largest exporter among Malaysian cities.[85]

Services

Opened in 2016, Design Village at Batu Kawan houses 150 stores within a 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m2) net lettable area.[97]

The development of newer townships, namely Seberang Jaya and Batu Kawan, has given rise to a thriving retail sector, attracting major players such as Sunway Group and IKEA, respectively.[86][98] In 2016, Design Village, Penang's first premium outlet mall, was launched, further enhancing Batu Kawan as a retail destination.[86][97]

The Penang state government has undertaken initiatives to promote agritourism and ecotourism in Seberang Perai.[99] The Penang Tourism Master Plan, formulated in 2021, identified the city's agricultural sector, as well as natural features like mangroves, mudflats and waterways, as having untapped tourism potential.[100]

Seberang Perai has historically been the logistical hub of Penang, serving as a termini for rail and ferry services. The relocation of the Port of Penang to the city in 1974 facilitated the development of new container services.[45][101] In 2022, the seaport handled close to 1.32 million TEUs of cargo, the third highest in Malaysia.[96][102] The logistical role of Seberang Perai is further complemented by Penang Sentral, a transit-oriented development (TOD) at Butterworth.[16]

Agriculture

Known as the "rice bowl" of Penang, Seberang Perai has a long history of agriculture.[8][103] During British rule, spice, sugar and rubber were some of the major crops in the territory. Post-independence, the focus has shifted to rice, palm oil and coconut cultivation.[10] As of 2017, agriculture made up nearly 44% of Seberang Perai's land use.[49] The city had approximately 12,472 acres (5,047 ha) of paddy fields as of 2008, mainly located in the north.[10][104] Despite limited land availability, Penang has consistently recorded the highest average rice yield in Malaysia since 2018, with a total yield of RM190.8 million in 2022.[105]

Culture

A container art installation at Butterworth, created in 2020.[106]

Seberang Perai's ethnic diversity has given rise to a variety of cultural celebrations throughout the year. Chinese New Year is celebrated at Chinese-majority areas such as Butterworth, where public events and decorated streets are a common sight during the annual festivities.[107] The Minor Basilica of St. Anne at Bukit Mertajam plays host to the annual Novena feast, which draws thousands of pilgrims from abroad.[108] The 'Street of Harmony' at Seberang Jaya has nine places of worship, each representing a different faith, and is a tribute to religious diversity within the township.[109]

As part of urban renewal efforts, several locations at Butterworth have been adorned with street art.[110][111] Additionally, container art pieces showcasing the identities of Penang's local communities have also been installed at Butterworth and Batu Kawan.[106] In recent years, Seberang Perai has emerged as a venue for newly introduced events that celebrate the city's culture and nascent arts scene, such as the Butterworth Fringe Festival and the Penang International Paddy Festival.[112][113]

Sports

The 40,000-seater Penang State Stadium at Batu Kawan is the main stadium of Penang.[114] Constructed in 2000 for the Sukma Games held that year, the multi-purpose stadium has a FIFA-certified football field, and also hosts motorsports events and concerts.[114][115] In addition to the stadium, newer sports facilities have been planned in areas like Nibong Tebal and Seberang Jaya.[116][117]

Education

An entrance of Universiti Sains Malaysia's engineering campus at Nibong Tebal

In the late 19th century, Islamic education, taught in huts called pondoks in Malay, was common in the rural areas of Province Wellesley.[118] These pondoks served as the precursors to the madrasa system and modern religious schools that are still prevalent across the city.

As of 2022, Seberang Perai is home to a total of 159 primary schools and 79 secondary schools, in addition to one international school located in the city's south.[67][68][69] In 2001, Universiti Sains Malaysia relocated its engineering campus to Nibong Tebal, and it is now one of the two public universities in the city, the other being a Universiti Teknologi MARA campus at Permatang Pauh.[119] Several private institutions have also been established throughout the city, including at Batu Kawan, where local colleges have formed partnerships with foreign universities such as University of Wollongong and University of Plymouth.[119][120][121] Following the success of the Penang Digital Library in George Town, the Penang state government has initiated the construction of similar digital libraries at Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam.[122][123]

Healthcare

Sunway Medical Centre, a private hospital at Seberang Jaya, was opened in 2022.[124]

Healthcare in Penang is provided by a two-tier system consisting of public and private hospitals. The Malaysian Ministry of Health administers four public hospitals in Seberang Perai – namely at Kepala Batas, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam and Sungai Bakap.[125][126] In addition, six private hospitals are scattered throughout the city.[125]

In recent years, private hospitals such as Bagan Specialist Centre, Sunway Medical Centre and KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital have contributed significantly in making Penang the top destination for medical tourism in Malaysia.[127][128] The Seberang Perai City Council has also installed three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the city as of 2023 as part of a state-wide initiative to enhance survival rates of cardiac arrest cases.[129][130]

Transportation

Land

Penang Sentral was designed to integrate bus, rail and ferry services, located in close proximity to both the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal and the Butterworth railway station.

Seberang Perai is connected to George Town by two road bridges. The 13.5 km (8.4 mi) Penang Bridge connects the suburb of Perai with Gelugor in the island city.[14] Opened in 2014, the Second Penang Bridge spans 24 km (15 mi) between Batu Kawan and Batu Maung on the island.[131]

The North-South Expressway, a 966 km-long (600 mi) expressway along western Peninsular Malaysia, passes through the length of the city along with the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) West Coast Line.[132][133] The Butterworth railway station serves as the principal terminal of northwestern Malaysia.[133] Apart from the regular KTM services, Butterworth is one of the main stops of the Eastern and Oriental Express service between Bangkok and Singapore.[134] Major toll routes in Seberang Perai include the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) and the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway.[135]

Opened in 2018, Penang Sentral is a transit-oriented development (TOD) located adjacent to the Butterworth railway station and the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.[15][16][136] It serves as an integrated hub for bus, rail and ferry services.[136]

Rapid Penang is the primary public transport operator in Seberang Perai, with a total of 14 public bus routes within the city, along with two cross-strait routes connecting the city and George Town, as well as five interstate routes that run to southern Kedah and northern Perak.[137] In recent years, the Penang state government has proposed the introduction of urban rail across the state as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan.[138] The plan includes the cross-strait Mutiara LRT line linking the city with George Town, and a monorail line between Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam.[139][140]

Sea

North Butterworth Container Port (NBCT), part of the Port of Penang, has been gazetted as a Free Commercial Zone (FCZ) since 2021.[101]

In 1974, the Port of Penang was relocated from George Town to Seberang Perai in order to facilitate new container services.[12][45][141] The seaport now consists of seven terminals and berths located across Butterworth and Perai, including the North Butterworth Container Port (NBCT) which has been designated a Free Commercial Zone (FCZ) since 2021.[101][141] It serves as a crucial export hub for northwestern Malaysia and southern Thailand.[141] The Port of Penang is the third busiest in Malaysia, handling nearly 1.32 million TEUs and RM65.7 billion worth of exports in 2022.[85][96][102]

Prior to the completion of the Penang Bridge in 1985, the Penang ferry service was the only transportation link between the city and George Town.[142] Since 2023, three ferries have been operating daily between both cities across the Penang Strait.[143] The introduction of newer ferries that year significantly improved service frequencies to 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak hours.[144]

Utilities

In 1968, the Asian Development Bank approved a loan of US$7.2 million for Penang to extract water from the Muda River, which forms the boundary between Seberang Perai and Kedah.[145] The Muda River Water Scheme was inaugurated in 1973 by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdul Razak Hussein, which also included Kedah's assurance to Penang of the latter's riparian rights to retrieve water from the river.[146] Since then, Seberang Perai has been heavily dependent on the river as its main source of water. Raw water is channeled from the river to a water treatment facility at Sungai Dua before being distributed to the rest of the city.[147] The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is also responsible for overseeing the six reservoirs in the city, including the Mengkuang Dam, the largest dam in the state with a capacity of 86.4 billion litres.[148][149][150]

Electricity in Seberang Perai is supplied by Tenaga Nasional (TNB), the national power company. The city's electrical infrastructure is powered by two combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants at Perai.[151] As part of ongoing efforts to minimise energy consumption, TNB and the Seberang Perai City Council planned to replace 77,359 street lights in the city with LED street lighting by 2023.[152]

In 2020, Penang became the first Malaysian state to require the installation of fibre-optic communication infrastructure for all development projects.[153] 2023 marked the implementation of 5G technology in Seberang Perai, with the installation of the supporting spectrum infrastructure at 235 sites across the city.[154]

International relations

As of 2023, four countries have appointed honorary consuls within the city.[155]

Sister and friendship cities

Seberang Perai is also twinned with the following sister and friendship cities.

Sister cities

Friendship cities

Notable people

Seberang Perai was the birthplace of prominent Malaysian public officials and personalities, including:

Notes

Singapore's land mass is approximately 734 km2 (283 sq mi).[166]
As of 2021, 1 Malaysian ringgit was equivalent to 0.24 US dollar.[167]
In 1991, Seberang Perai had a population of 545,688, larger than that of Penang Island which recorded a population of 518,478.[75]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "MyCensus 2020: Mukim/Town/Pekan". Department of Statistics Malaysia: 174–175. February 2024. ISBN 9789672537069.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Leng, Hin-Seak (May 1969). "Political leadership in a plural society: Penang in the 1960's" (PDF). Australian National University.
  3. ^ a b c d e f "History". Seberang Perai City Council. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Management group". Seberang Perai City Council. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h "Key Findings of Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020" (pdf) (in Malay and English). Department of Statistics, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-2000-85-3.
  6. ^ a b Edmund Lee (20 May 2019). "New era of development for Seberang Perai with 'city status' recognition". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d e f Ooi, Keat Gin (2015). "Disparate Identities: Penang from a Historical Perspective, 1780–1941" (PDF). Kajian Malaysia. 33 (Supp. 2): 27–52. ISSN 0127-4082. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Chan, Wai Yeap. "The History of Bukit Mertajam (1800–1957): From Agrarian Town to Central Hub of Northern Malaya". Penang Institute – via Academia.edu.
  9. ^ a b c Hasni, Rosmiyati (2015). "Predicting Seberang Perai housing land pattern in 2017" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h Samat, Narimah (22 July 2013). "Urban Expansion and its Impact on Local Communities: A Case Study of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia". Universiti Sains Malaysia. ISSN 0128-7702 – via ResearchGate.
  11. ^ "Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 21 February 2023.
  12. ^ a b c Athukorala, Prema-chandra. "Growing with Global Production Sharing: The Tale of Penang Export Hub, Malaysia" (PDF). Australian National University.
  13. ^ Liew, Jia Teng (18 November 2021). "Cover Story: Why companies are flocking to Batu Kawan Industrial Park". The Edge. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  14. ^ a b c "Penang bridges". Institution of Civil Engineers. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
  15. ^ a b Kharas, Homi (2010). "Cities, people & the economy: A study on positioning Penang" (PDF). World Bank. Khazanah Nasional. ISBN 978-983-44193-3-2.
  16. ^ a b c Joshua Woo Sze Zeng (9 July 2020). "Exploring a transit-oriented development (TOD) Framework for Penang's urban growth" (PDF). Penang Institute (7).
  17. ^ a b c "Seberang Perai gains city status". Malay Mail. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  18. ^ Cotterell, Arthur (2014). A History of Southeast Asia. Marshall Cavendish. p. 243. ISBN 9789814634700.
  19. ^ a b "Seberang Perai: Stories from Across the Sea". MPH Group. 30 September 2016. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  20. ^ "Translation of across – English–Malay dictionary". Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  21. ^ a b Opalyn Mok (21 July 2017). "Bringing life back to the river that Perai is named after". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
  22. ^ a b Shahidan, Shaiful (2 July 2018). "Tapak Guar Kepah: Bukti perkuburan masyarakat Neolitik di dalam timbunan cangkerang laut" [Guar Kepah: Evidence of Neolithic Burial in Shell Mound]. Universiti Sains Malaysia (in Malay). 11 (2).
  23. ^ Opalyn Mok (10 May 2019). "5,000-year-old 'Penang Woman' on display at archeological site in Guar Kepah". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  24. ^ a b Sarjit Singh, Meljev Singh Sidhu (2018). "Building materials and structural foundations in the Bujang Valley and comparisons with four regional settlements" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  25. ^ Murphy, Stephen (2017). "Revisiting the Bujang Valley: A Southeast Asian entrepôt complex on the maritime trade route" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society: 2.
  26. ^ Hill, Ronald David (23 November 1839). "Plan of Prince of Wales Island and Province Wellesley". National Archives of Singapore. Ms copy by Poon Puay Kee. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  27. ^ Moniot, Jules Michael (1860). "Map of Prince of Wales Island, or Pulo Penang and Province Wellesley including a Careful Survey of the South Channel". National Archives of Singapore. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  28. ^ Stanford, Edward (1870). "Map of Prince of Wales Island and Province Wellesley, Straits Settlements". National Archives of Singapore. Revised by Major J.F.A.McNair. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  29. ^ Allen, J. De V.; Stockwell, A. J.; Wright, L. R. (1981). "Documents Archive – Pangkor Engagement of 1874". Empire in Asia. Annotated by Aloysius Ng. National University of Singapore. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  30. ^ Samuel Wee, Tien Wang (1992). "British strategic interests in the Straits of Malacca 1786–1819" (PDF). Simon Fraser University.
  31. ^ a b Jenkins, Gwynn (2008). Contested Space: Cultural Heritage and Identity Reconstructions: Conservation Strategies Within a Developing Asian City. LIT Verlag Münster. p. 32. ISBN 978-3-8258-1366-6.
  32. ^ Marcus Langdon (2013). Penang: The Fourth Presidency of India. 1805–1830. Volume One: Ships, Men and Mansions. Areca Books. pp. 219, 222. ISBN 9789675719073.
  33. ^ Zhao, Long (2 December 2018). "The townscape evolution of historic port settlement of George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia" (PDF). University of Putra Malaysia. 11.
  34. ^ Mior Hamzah, Mior Ahmad Noor. "Hubungan Melayu-Siam: Melihat kepada persoalan sempadan di Kedah" (PDF). Universiti Utara Malaysia (in Malay): 42.
  35. ^ Ahmat, Sharom. "Kedah-Siam relations, 1821–1905" (PDF). Siam Society.
  36. ^ Aloysius Ng. "Documents Archive – Pangkor Engagement of 1874". National University of Singapore. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2023.
  37. ^ "RAF Station Butterworth Malaya (1939–1957)" (PDF). Air Force Association – New South Wales.
  38. ^ Farrell, Brian (2008). "Malayan Campaign 1941–42: Lessons for One SAF" (PDF). Ministry of Defence (Singapore). Government of Singapore.
  39. ^ a b c Barber, Andrew (2010). Penang At War : A History of Penang During and Between the First and Second World Wars 1914–1945. AB&B. pp. 63–117. ISBN 9789834337230.
  40. ^ a b "Plan to split rural board". Singapore Standard. 20 October 1953. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  41. ^ "Town Councils planned". Singapore Free Press. 10 December 1952. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  42. ^ "Ranchangan gabongan majlis2 tempatan". Berita Harian (in Malay). 19 April 1960. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  43. ^ a b "Province gets new district council". The Straits Budget. 19 April 1961. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  44. ^ Chin, Yee Whah (July 2006). "Penang Small and Medium Enterprises: Struggle, Accommodation and Challenges" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  45. ^ a b c Sue-Ching Jou, Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, Natacha Aveline-Dubach (2014). Globalization and New Intra-Urban Dynamics in Asian Cities. Taipei: National Taiwan University. pp. 187–188. ISBN 9789863500216.
  46. ^ a b "Hot on Singapore's heels". The Business Times. 3 July 1992. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  47. ^ Tern Chern, Lo (19 October 2022). "Rise of Batu Kawan". The Star. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
  48. ^ a b c d Abd. Rahman, Abdul Hadi (September 2000). "Coastal Sedimentation and Recent Coastline Changes Along the Seberang Perai Coast, Pulau Pinang" (PDF). University of Malaya.
  49. ^ a b c "Draf Rancangan Tempatan Seberang Perai 2030" (PDF). Seberang Perai City Council (in Malay).
  50. ^ Lopez, Leslie (9 April 2021). "Murky politics as two Malaysian states – Penang and Kedah – clash over water". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  51. ^ Mohd Yunus, Zubir (16 October 2016). "Kerian menjadi titik sempadan Perak, Kedah, Pulau Pinang". Berita Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  52. ^ Dermawan, Audrey (29 May 2022). "The sad state of Penang rivers". New Straits Times. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  53. ^ "SYNOP/BUFR observations. Data by months". Meteomanz. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  54. ^ a b Yaacob, Zainulfaqar (25 September 2019). "Kompleks pentadbiran MBSP kini dinamakan 'Menara Bandaraya'". Buletin Mutiara (in Malay). Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  55. ^ Goh, Ban Lee (25 February 2019). "Butterworth set to soar". The Sun. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  56. ^ Yeng, Ai Chun (22 November 2008). "Former MPSP building up for sale". The Star. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  57. ^ "First batch of commissioners appointed: Singapore bodies to be consulted". The Straits Budget. 5 June 1913. p. 12. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  58. ^ "Struktur Pentadbiran". Seberang Perai City Council (in Malay). 4 October 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  59. ^ "Background". Penang Island City Council. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  60. ^ "Alliance sweeps in". The Straits Budget. 31 May 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  61. ^ Abdullah, Saifuddin. "George Town: Malaysia's First Local Democracy". Penang Institute. Retrieved 19 December 2023.
  62. ^ Edmund Lee (26 June 2024). "New mayor for MBSP". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 31 July 2024.
  63. ^ Akmal, Riadz (9 July 2021). "Impressive feedback for proposed 2030 Seberang Perai planning blueprint". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 8 February 2024.
  64. ^ "MBSP Budget Focuses on Building Green and Clean City". The Star. 5 October 2022. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  65. ^ a b c d e Hutchinson, Francis (23 November 2023). "The August Poll in Penang: A Perspective on Pakatan, its Partners and its Prospects" (PDF). ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
  66. ^ "Court Directory". penangbar.org. Penang Bar Committee. 15 January 2018. Archived from the original on 3 December 2016. Retrieved 22 June 2018.
  67. ^ a b "My Local Stats Seberang Perai Utara Pulau Pinang 2022". Department of Statistics Malaysia. November 2023. ISSN 2735-2498.
  68. ^ a b "My Local Stats Seberang Perai Tengah Pulau Pinang 2022". Department of Statistics Malaysia. November 2023.
  69. ^ a b "My Local Stats Seberang Perai Selatan Pulau Pinang 2022". Department of Statistics Malaysia. November 2023. ISSN 2735-251X.
  70. ^ A. Vlieland, C. (1932). "British Malaya: A report on the 1931 census and on certain problems of vital statistics". Straits Settlements: 129 – via Department of Statistics Malaysia.
  71. ^ V. Del Tufo, M. "Malaya: A report on the 1947 census of population". Federation of Malaya: 136 – via Department of Statistics Malaysia.
  72. ^ "1957 population census report no. 3: State of Penang". Department of Statistics, Federation of Malaya. Kuala Lumpur: 4–6. 11 July 1959 – via Department of Statistics Malaysia.
  73. ^ Chander, R. "1970 population and housing census of Malaysia". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: 53–54.
  74. ^ Khoo, Teik Huat (June 1984). "1980 population and housing census of Malaysia: Population report for administrative districts". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Kuala Lumpur: 123–129.
  75. ^ a b Khoo, Soo Gim (February 1995). "Population and housing census of Malaysia 1991: General report of the population census". Department of Statistics Malaysia. 2. Kuala Lumpur: 25. ISSN 1394-3642.
  76. ^ Abdul Rahman, Shaari (September 2004). "Population and housing census of Malaysia 2000: Census atlas". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Putrajaya: 79. ISSN 1394-6250.
  77. ^ "Population and housing census of Malaysia: Population profile by parliament and state legislative assembly areas 2010". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Putrajaya: 17–19. May 2012.
  78. ^ "City scan Penang, Malaysia: City resilience program" (PDF). World Bank.
  79. ^ Rena Lim (10 November 2018). "Mainland holds Penang's future". The Star. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  80. ^ Goh, Ban Lee (7 October 2019). "Seberang Perai comes of age". The Sun. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
  81. ^ Susan Loone (29 August 2018). "Penang CM rolls out vision, says state's future is in Seberang Prai". Malaysiakini. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  82. ^ Akmal, Riadz (4 May 2023). "Penang govt intensifies efforts for balanced development in Seberang Perai and Penang island". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 10 February 2023.
  83. ^ Christopher Tan (9 March 2021). "Penang Bay – A potential SDG City Zone to unlock opportunities". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  84. ^ a b "No more industrial land in Seberang Perai, says exco man". Free Malaysia Today. 28 June 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  85. ^ a b c "Final External Trade Statistics 2023". Department of Statistics Malaysia: 89. July 2023. ISSN 2180-1827.
  86. ^ a b c Filmer, Andrea (March 2019). "Batu Kawan Rising". Penang Monthly. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  87. ^ "Batu Kawan becomes hotspot for new retail". The Vibes. 20 May 2022. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  88. ^ "Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021–2030" (PDF). Penang state government. May 2021. ISBN 9789671966105.
  89. ^ Chin, Yee Whah (July 2006). "Penang Small and Medium Enterprises: Struggle, Accommodation and Challenges" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  90. ^ a b c d Athukorala, Prema-chandra. "Growing with Global Production Sharing: The Tale of Penang Export Hub, Malaysia" (PDF). Australian National University.
  91. ^ Ooi, Kee Beng (December 2009). "Tun Lim Chong Eu: The Past is Not Passé". Penang Monthly. Archived from the original on 8 August 2020. Retrieved 30 November 2017.
  92. ^ Peter Nijkamp, Amitrajeet A. Batabyal (2016). Regional Growth and Sustainable Development in Asia. Springer. p. 245. ISBN 9783319275895.
  93. ^ Christopher Tan (3 April 2021). "Penang strives to drive industry forward". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  94. ^ "Manufacturing Companies In Perai, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia". Dun & Bradstreet. Retrieved 31 January 2024.
  95. ^ Rafee, Hannah (20 March 2020). "Steady climb in Penang industrial segment". The Edge. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  96. ^ a b c "Laporan Sosioekonomi Negeri Pulau Pinang 2022". Department of Statistics Malaysia. August 2023. ISSN 2600-9854.
  97. ^ a b Dermawan, Audrey (24 August 2017). "Design Village Penang aims to draw in some 2.5 million visitors this year". New Straits Times. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  98. ^ "Higher FY20, FY21 profits seen for Sunway REIT". The Edge. 19 March 2019. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  99. ^ Vimal, Kevin (11 April 2022). "Seberang Perai set to become the next big thing in tourism". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  100. ^ "Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021–2030" (PDF). Penang state government. ISBN 9789671966105.
  101. ^ a b c Yusof, Ayisy (8 February 2021). "Penang Port's NBCT gazetted as a free commercial zone". New Straits Times. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  102. ^ a b "Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 21 February 2023.
  103. ^ Stephanie Kee (January 2018). "Penang – A Rice Bowl State under Threat?". Penang Monthly. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  104. ^ Opalyn Mok (23 February 2017). "Spurring the local economy in Seberang Perai through agro-industry". Malay Mail. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  105. ^ "Penang's average rice production highest in country for six straight years". The Sun. 22 November 2023. Retrieved 10 February 2024.
  106. ^ a b Rachel Yeoh (24 May 2022). "Bandar Cassia dubbed Penang's new art city". The Vibes. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  107. ^ Hilmy, Imran (10 January 2023). "'Painting' Seberang Prai town red". The Star. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  108. ^ Sharma, M. Sivanantha (31 July 2022). "Over 30,000 attend St Anne's Feast celebrations in Penang". The Star. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  109. ^ Vimal, Kevin (16 September 2022). "Never let differences separate us, says CM Chow". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  110. ^ Opalyn Mok (2 February 2017). "A Butterworth art scene? It's already here". Malay Mail. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  111. ^ Lo, Tern Chern (16 February 2017). "Butterworth Art Walk in alley aimed at getting visitors to stop and ponder". The Star. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  112. ^ "Butterworth Fringe Festival draws 30,000 with local and international cultural acts". The Sun. 27 December 2023. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  113. ^ Akmal, Riadz (24 July 2022). "Penang International Paddy Festival draws thousands of visitors". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  114. ^ a b "Penang Meeting Planners Guide 2022–23" (PDF). Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau.
  115. ^ Lo, Tern Chern (27 June 2020). "Penang seeks RM67mil for stadium". The Star. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  116. ^ "Sports centre in Seberang Prai to be ready next year". The Star. 23 July 2022. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  117. ^ Liew, Jia Xian (20 September 2022). "Facelift for pool to make a splash". The Star. Retrieved 11 February 2024.
  118. ^ Sulong, Jasni (2015). "Pondok education in Seberang Perai: Its evolution and uniqueness" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
  119. ^ a b "List of Institutes of Higher Learning" (PDF). Invest Penang. Retrieved 9 December 2023.
  120. ^ Jeremy Tan (28 June 2022). "Varsity college opens new campus in Batu Kawan industrial park". The Star. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  121. ^ "High employability education by Plymouth University". The Star. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  122. ^ Akmal, Riadz (22 November 2021). "Butterworth Digital Library Clinches Two Awards". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  123. ^ Akmal, Riadz (27 May 2023). "First digital library in Bukit Mertajam set for completion next year". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  124. ^ Dewi, K. Kasturi (7 August 2023). "Health boost for northern region". The Star. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  125. ^ a b "Penang's Healthcare Facilities". Penang Institute. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  126. ^ "Hospital". Seberang Perai City Council. 31 January 2019. Retrieved 13 February 2024.
  127. ^ Mulyanto, Randy (21 November 2023). "Malaysia's Penang Lures Medical Tourists from Indonesia". Nikkei, Inc. Retrieved 7 December 2023.
  128. ^ Cheryl Poo (16 August 2023). "Recovery of Malaysia's Medical Tourism Sector in the Bag, More Markets Targeted". The Edge. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  129. ^ Hilmy, Imran (28 November 2023). "Penang Health Dept Installs 168 Automated External Defibrillators". The Star. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  130. ^ Akmal, Riadz (3 April 2023). "'Heart Saver Penang' Initiative to Increase Coverage of AED". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  131. ^ AR, Zurairi (1 March 2014). "Longest bridge in Southeast Asia launches today in Penang". Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  132. ^ "Study on traffic control and management system of Malaysian expressways and toll highways" (PDF). Malaysian Highway Authority. December 1989 – via Japan International Cooperation Agency.
  133. ^ a b "Urban Transport Study in Greater Metropolitan Areas of George Town, Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia: Progress Report (Phase 1)" (PDF). Japan International Cooperation Agency. August 1979.
  134. ^ Cripps, Karla (14 July 2023). "Famed luxury train is returning to Southeast Asia with two new routes". CNN. Retrieved 15 October 2023.
  135. ^ "Annual Report 2021" (PDF). Highway Authority Malaysia. 2021.
  136. ^ a b Kaur, Sharen (18 February 2020). "Phase 2 of Penang Sentral to go full swing next year". New Straits Times. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  137. ^ "Rapid Penang – Bus". MyRapid. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  138. ^ Azhar, Kamarul (27 August 2020). "Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout". The Edge. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  139. ^ "Loke: Federal Gov't Takes Over Penang LRT Mutiara Line Project from State Gov't". The Sun. 29 March 2024. Retrieved 29 March 2024.
  140. ^ "Public Transport – LRT & BRT". Penang Infrastructure Corporation. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  141. ^ a b c Azmi, Zuriati (2015). "ASEAN Economic Community 2015: A case study on the potential impacts to Penang Port Sdn Bhd" (PDF). Universiti Utara Malaysia.
  142. ^ Jeremy Tan (29 November 2023). "Nostalgia of Voyages Past for Penang's Iconic Ferries". The Star. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  143. ^ Opalyn Mok (8 December 2023). "Penang Port CEO Says Extra Ferry Open for Private Charter". Malay Mail. Retrieved 10 December 2023.
  144. ^ "New Penang Ferry Service Operational from Today". The Sun. 7 August 2023. Retrieved 27 December 2023.
  145. ^ "Location of approved loans and technical assistance projects 1968" (PDF). Asian Development Bank: 16. February 1969.
  146. ^ "See us in court, Chow tells Kedah over Sg Muda feud". The Vibes. 10 March 2021. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  147. ^ "PBAPP draws up crisis management plan to tackle Sg Muda incidents". The Star. 4 October 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  148. ^ "Statistics". Penang Water Supply Corporation. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  149. ^ "Penang Dams & Effective Capacity". Penang Water Supply Corporation. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  150. ^ "No problems with Mengkuang Dam: PBAPP". The Vibes. 24 October 2023. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  151. ^ "Electricity and Gas Supply Infrastructure Malaysia" (PDF). Suruhanjaya Tenaga. Putrajaya.
  152. ^ Ong, K. H. (13 February 2023). "Penang island Completes Converting over 33,000 Streetlights to LEDs, State Govt to Seek Incentives from Ministry". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  153. ^ Opalyn Mok (21 December 2020). "Penang makes it compulsory for developers to install fibre optic infrastructure in new developments". Malay Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  154. ^ Ahirudin, Ahirul (9 September 2022). "Penang first in northern Malaysia to get 5G coverage". The Vibes. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
  155. ^ "Diplomatic and consular list November 2023". Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia. November 2023.
  156. ^ "Fremantle fast facts". City of Fremantle. Retrieved 15 January 2024.
  157. ^ "Closing Remarks Municipal President MPSP" (PDF). Seberang Perai City Council. 29 August 2014.
  158. ^ "Biographical Notes: Wong Pow Nee (7 November 1911 – 31 August 2002) – Malaysian politician" (PDF). ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute.
  159. ^ "Tun Mohamed Salleh Ismael". Royal Malaysia Police. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  160. ^ "Biografi Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad". Federal Court of Malaysia. 24 July 2023. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  161. ^ "PM Anwar returns to hometown in Penang". The Star. 23 January 2023. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  162. ^ "Pejabat Tuan Yang Terutama". Penang state government. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  163. ^ "Profile: Mat Sabu, the crowd-puller". New Straits Times. 3 December 2022. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  164. ^ Soo, Wern Jun (5 July 2018). "Age no longer a factor, says deputy to youngest minister". Free Malaysia Today. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  165. ^ a b Saaid, Hamdan (22 November 2021). "Jin Wei-June Wei main beregu campuran?". Harian Metro. Retrieved 16 January 2024.
  166. ^ "Environment". Department of Statistics Singapore. Retrieved 29 December 2023.
  167. ^ "Exchange Rates". Central Bank of Malaysia. Retrieved 21 February 2024.