85-639: 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 km (289 sq mi) and had a population of 946,092 as of 2020, making it the third largest city in Malaysia . Originally
170-489: A "poor cousin" to George Town , Seberang Perai has undergone significant transformation in the decades following Malaya's independence. 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". In 2021, 'Penang Bay', an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development, urban regeneration and creative economy between downtown George Town and Butterworth ,
255-546: A city on 1 January 1957 by a royal charter granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II , becoming the first town in the Federation of Malaya to become a city (Singapore became a city in 1951). The royal charter stated that: ... the said Municipality of George Town shall on the First Day of January in the year of Our Lord One thousand nine hundred and fifty-seven and forever after that be a city and shall be called and styled
340-520: A combined meaning of "bachelor scholars" who pursued spiritual studies instead of wordly ties. For the past two decades, students from universities around Malaysia have been invited for research and have done their graduate works at the Valley. Much of the historical links is still vague considering not many of the scriptures and writings survive. Even the temples did not survive the onslaught of age because their wooden roofing has rotted and withered over
425-509: A common sight during the annual festivities. The Minor Basilica of St. Anne at Bukit Mertajam plays host to the annual Novena feast , which draws thousands of pilgrims from abroad. 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. As part of urban renewal efforts, several locations at Butterworth have been adorned with street art . Additionally, container art pieces showcasing
510-471: A growing services sector concentrated around retail and tourism. In 2020, Seberang Perai's GDP was worth RM45.149 billion (US$ 10.836 billion), accounting for about 46.5% of Penang's total GDP. The economy of Seberang Perai is primarily driven by the services and manufacturing sectors, which together contributed nearly 93% of the city's GDP that year. The first industrial estates in Penang were established in
595-407: A neighbouring borough. As the new council was not granted city status, and the city, through oversight, failed to appoint charter trustees to inherit the city charter, the city ceased to exist. Most residents disagreed with this view and held that as George Town's city status has never been revoked, it remains a city to this day. According to lawyer Datuk Anwar Fazal, George Town "legally has been and
680-479: 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. 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
765-686: 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. Throughout the 19th century, Province Wellesley was administered from George Town without any local governance structure in place. This changed in 1913 when the Municipal Ordinance came into effect, mandating the establishment of local governments in Province Wellesley. Three local governments were created, namely
850-508: A preemptive assault on Perai . The Kedahan forces were routed and the Sultan was forced to sue for peace . In 1800, the EIC annexed a strip of the mainland from Kedah for a sum of 4,000 Spanish dollars . 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
935-405: A total of 20 police stations throughout the city as of 2022. According to the 2020 Malaysian census, Seberang Perai had a population of 946,092 within its jurisdiction of 748 km (289 sq mi), giving it a population density of 1,264.8/km (3,276/sq mi). This also makes Seberang Perai the third largest city by population in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Kajang . Seberang Perai
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#17327733123711020-542: 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. In the decades following Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai's population grew rapidly due to the spillover of development from George Town . Between 1975 and 1990, suburban sprawl became more pronounced within
1105-546: 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. Opened in 2014, the Second Penang Bridge spans 24 km (15 mi) between Batu Kawan and Batu Maung on the island. List of cities in Malaysia In Malaysia, cities ( Malay : bandaraya ) are officially designated under
1190-709: Is located in Pengkalan Bujang, Merbok . The Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is also located that known as Sungai Batu, excavations have revealed jetty remains, iron-smelting sites, and a clay brick monument dating back to 110 AD, making it the oldest man-made structure to be recorded in Southeast Asia. The local rulers adopted Hindu - Buddhist Indian cultural and political models earlier than those of Kutai in eastern Borneo , in southern Celebes or Tarumanegara in western Java , where remains showing Indian influence have been found dating from
1275-483: Is represented by seven Members of Parliament and 21 state constituencies . 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 . 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
1360-716: Is still a city because the City of George Town Ordinance 1957 had not been repealed". As city status is a matter of law, the actual legal position will depend on an analysis of the City Council of Penang (Transfer of Functions) Order 1966 and the Local Government Act 1976. On 1 January 2015, the Malaysian federal government upgraded the Penang Island Municipal Council into the present-day Penang Island City Council , thereby expanding
1445-562: 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 . Seberang Perai's jurisdiction also includes two offshore islets – Aman and Gedung islands. These islets feature mudflats that connect with
1530-606: The Cherok To'kun Inscription which was engraved on a large boulder, other inscriptions discovered in Bujang Valley are comparatively small in size and probably were brought in by Buddhist pilgrimage or traders. UNESCO made a report in 1987 endorsing the site. In 2014, some ruins of candi (temples) in Bujang were destroyed by an urban developer, causing an international outcry against attacks on cultural heritage. In 2017,
1615-500: The Cherok Tok Kun megalith , found at Bukit Mertajam , both indicate significant Hindu influence at the area between the 5th and 6th centuries. In 1786, Francis Light acquired Penang Island from Kedah in exchange for British military protection. 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
1700-532: 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. In particular, Chinese comprised the majority at areas such as Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam and Nibong Tebal . Economic sectors in Seberang Perai by GDP share (2020) Formerly regarded as
1785-779: The Middle East , as well as Malay refugees from Kedah fleeing the Siamese conquest of their homeland . 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 . The territory's boundaries were further extended in 1868 and in the Pangkor Treaty of 1874 , effectively enlarging the British-held territory from
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#17327733123711870-530: 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. Guar Kepah remains the only known example of coastal adaptation among Neolithic humans in Malaysia. Seberang Perai was once a part of the Bujang Valley civilisation. The Mahanavika Buddhagupta plaque and
1955-548: The Sukma Games held that year , the multi-purpose stadium has a FIFA -certified football field, and also hosts motorsports events and concerts. In addition to the stadium, newer sports facilities have been planned in areas like Nibong Tebal and Seberang Jaya . In the late 19th century, Islamic education, taught in huts called pondoks in Malay , was common in the rural areas of Province Wellesley. These pondoks served as
2040-445: The federal government , is tasked on handling policies and laws related to local governments. KPKT formally classifies local governments in three different categories: city councils , municipal councils, and district councils, with exceptions equivalent to the three respective categories. These categories are separated by certain requirements related to urban population, finances, and infrastructural developments. The 60th meeting of
2125-420: The north . 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. 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
2210-416: The northern and central districts of the city. By 1991, Seberang Perai's population outstripped that of Penang Island for the first time in the state's history. 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 . Ethnic Chinese constituted a significant proportion of the city's population at nearly 33%, followed by
2295-427: The "rice bowl" of Penang, Seberang Perai has a long history of agriculture. 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. As of 2017, agriculture made up nearly 44% of Seberang Perai's land use. The city had approximately 12,472 acres (5,047 ha) of paddy fields as of 2008, mainly located in
2380-568: The 1960s at Mak Mandin and Perai during the tenure of the state's first Chief Minister Wong Pow Nee . However, these early efforts at industrialisation were limited to import substitution . 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. The Nathan Report of 1970, produced by Robert R. Nathan Associates , proposed an export-led growth strategy and
2465-466: The 19th century. After Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai benefitted from the development spillover from George Town . 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 . Two road bridges were constructed to physically connect Seberang Perai with George Town, complementing an existing ferry service between
2550-562: The 5th century, i. e. an Amaravati Buddha statue found in southern Sulawesi and a Sanskrit inscription found east of Jakarta. Three inscriptions found in Palembang (South Sumatra) and on Bangka Island , written in a form of Malay and in an alphabet derived from the Pallava script, are proof that these "Indonesians" had definitely adopted Indian models while maintaining their indigenous language and social system. These inscriptions reveal
2635-468: The Bujang Valley was Nik Hassan Shuhaimi Nik Abdul Rahman who wrote and publish countless books and articles on this topic. He introduced a periodisation of the history of Bujang Valley as well as a theory which explains about the process of indigenisation of the Indian Culture which formed the socio-economic make up of the polity. Other earlier local archaeologist who significantly contributed to
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2720-607: The CITY OF GEORGE TOWN instead of the Municipality of George Town and shall thenceforth have all such rank, liberties, privileges and immunities as are incident to a City. However, local government elections were abolished by the federal government in 1965, and the functions of the City Council were transferred to the Chief Minister of Penang in 1966. A Municipal Council for the whole of Penang Island ,
2805-552: The Japanese four days later. 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. Rice farmers in Province Wellesley were encouraged to increase their yields, but the rice supply deficit proved too great to overcome. Despite
2890-473: The MNKT, held on 3 June 2008, approved updated criterion on the selection process for the granting of city status on a local government: Kuala Lumpur is by far the largest urban area as well as the largest metropolitan area in Malaysia. George Town , the capital city of Penang , forms the core of the country's second largest conurbation . To the south, Johor Bahru is the heart of Johor Bahru Conurbation ,
2975-623: The Muda River in the north to the Kerian River in the south. The development of roads and railways in the early 20th century promoted the growth of Province Wellesley's rubber industry. 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
3060-603: The North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively. The three remaining local governments were subsequently merged into a single municipality in 1974. Two years later, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status and the local government was renamed the Seberang Perai Municipal Council. In the early 1960s, the Penang state government began industrialising Seberang Perai through
3145-468: The Penang Island Municipal Council, was set up between 1974 and 1976. Although the city status of George Town was never officially revoked, George Town's existence as a corporate entity was in doubt, let alone as a city. This is similar to the position of the former city of Rochester in England, the site of England's second-oldest cathedral, which had been a city from 1211 until 1998 when it was merged with
3230-485: The antiquity department at Muzium Negara has eyewitness accounts of magnificent objects such as a 10-feet-tall Raja Bersiung Throne and various idols and items from the Valley. In 2013, it was reported that, a 1,200-year-old Hindu Temple at the site, identified as Candi No. 11, had been demolished by a land developer. Candi 11 was one of the most ancient of the Old Kedah kingdom and was amongst 17 registered candi. In
3315-543: The city limit of George Town to encompass the entirety of Penang Island, as well as a handful of surrounding islets. The royal charters for Kuala Lumpur , Kuching , Kota Kinabalu , Shah Alam , Malacca City , Alor Setar and Miri were from the Malaysian head of state, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong , while Ipoh , Johor Bahru , Iskandar Puteri and Subang Jaya were granted by their respective state sultans. Malacca City
3400-572: The city, the other being a Universiti Teknologi MARA campus at Permatang Pauh . 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 . Following the success of the Penang Digital Library in George Town , the Penang state government has initiated
3485-479: The city. 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. 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. Seberang Perai
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3570-473: 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. Parliamentary constituencies State constituencies Seberang Perai has a judicial system that consists of
3655-413: The construction of similar digital libraries at Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam . 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. In addition, six private hospitals are scattered throughout
3740-508: The discoveries reported by Col. Low and has recently been subjected to a fairly exhaustive investigation by Dr. Quaritch Wales . An inscribed stone bar, rectangular in shape, bears the ye-dharma hetu formula in Pallava script of the 7th century, thus proclaiming the Buddhist character of the shrine near the find-spot (site I) of which only the basement survives. It is inscribed on three faces in 6th century, possibly earlier. Except for
3825-611: The discovery of a set of new iron smelting sites, Sungai Batu site enlarging the settlement area to 1,000 square kilometres (390 sq mi). Bujang Valley situated near Merbok , Kedah , between 1,217-metre Mount Jerai in the north and Muda River in the south. It is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia . The area consists of ruins that may date more than 1,500 years old. More than 50 ancient pagoda temples, called candi (pronounced as "chandi"), have also been unearthed. The most impressive and well-preserved of these
3910-484: The early 5th century. Relics found in the Bujang Valley are now on display at the archaeological museum. Items include inscribed stone caskets and tablets, metal tools and ornaments, ceramics, pottery, and Hindu icons. The archaeological remains suggest a Buddhist polity once existed in the area. In Sanskrit the term bhujangga means "scholar", thus the name itself is roughly translated into "Scholars' Valley". The Malaysian word bujang means "bachelor" and suggests
3995-559: 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. The creation of local governments further accelerated infrastructural developments within the territory. RAF Butterworth
4080-469: 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. In 1953, the British reorganised
4165-457: The establishment of the first industrial estates at Mak Mandin and Perai . 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. These were accompanied by a significant increase in the municipality's population, which was largely due to
4250-620: The existence of a Dapunta Hyang (lord) of Srivijaya who led an expedition against his enemies and who curses those who will not obey his law. Being on the maritime route between China and South India , the Malay peninsula was involved in this trade The Bujang Valley, being strategically located at the northwest entrance of the Strait of Malacca as well as facing the Bay of Bengal , was continuously frequented by Chinese and south Indian traders. Such
4335-545: The face of public criticism, the Kedah State Government sought to deflect blame by claiming that it was powerless to do anything because the land was privately owned and further, that the site had not been gazetted as a historical site. After the controversy, the Tourism and Heritage Ministry has agreed to consider gazetting the Bujang Valley as heritage site. Before the 1970s, the research in Bujang Valley
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#17327733123714420-449: The first city in the country, and the only city declared before Malayan independence . George Town remained the sole city of Malaya until 1963, when Singapore was formally incorporated into Malaysia . However, Singapore's expulsion in 1965 meant that George Town would remain Malaysia's only city until Kuala Lumpur 's declaration as a city in 1972, by Abdul Halim of Kedah , the fifth Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. In 1988, Kuching
4505-467: The governance of city councils ( Malay : Majlis bandaraya ), although there are several exceptions. As of 2024 , 20 areas in the country are officially termed cities by law. Among them, 16 are from Peninsular Malaysia , while 3 are from East Malaysia . George Town , the capital city of Penang , was declared a city on 1 January 1957 by Elizabeth II , Queen of the United Kingdom , making it
4590-562: The government of Malaysia announced that more research on the site is still needed, thus excluding it from the Malaysian tentative list. The government also said that Bujang's Merbok Museum and Pengkalan Bujang held historical significance to the site. The Bujang Valley is currently in the process of being nominated by Malaysia into the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2013. In 2017, the government announced that they will make more research and conservation efforts in
4675-615: The identities of Penang's local communities have also been installed at Butterworth and Batu Kawan . 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. The 40,000-seater Penang State Stadium at Batu Kawan is the main stadium of Penang. Constructed in 2000 for
4760-462: 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. The three remaining district councils were consolidated into a single municipality in 1974. As a municipality, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status in 1976 and city status in 2019. One of
4845-411: The local governments within the territory. Five local governments – one each for the municipalities of Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, and three rural district councils – were instituted. After Malaya gained independence in 1957, the ruling Alliance coalition moved to amalgamate the local governments within Seberang Perai. In 1961, the Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipalities were consolidated with
4930-445: 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. In 2022, the seaport handled close to 1.32 million TEUs of cargo, the third highest in Malaysia. The logistical role of Seberang Perai is further complemented by Penang Sentral , a transit-oriented development (TOD) at Butterworth . Known as
5015-698: 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. The south district cases are handled by the Jawi Magistrates Court. The Royal Malaysia Police is responsible for law enforcement within Seberang Perai, maintaining
5100-531: The mainland due to sedimentation that occurred during the construction of the Penang Bridge . The city is demarcated by the Muda River to the north, which serves as the border between Seberang Perai and Kedah . To the south, the tripoint between Seberang Perai, Kedah and Perak lies within the Kerian River . Several riverine systems flow through the city, including Perai , Juru, Jejawi and Tengah rivers. River pollution caused by industrial waste has been
5185-615: The mayor of Seberang Perai is Hj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid. The City Tower , located at Bukit Tengah , serves as the city council's headquarters. MBSP's current urban planning strategy is outlined in the Seberang Perai Local Plan 2030 , first published in 2021. In 2025, MBSP projected its estimated revenue at RM367.3 million and an estimated expenditure of RM416.1 million, which included allocations for environment, public safety and infrastructure. Seberang Perai
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#17327733123715270-407: The nation's third largest urban area. Other metropolitan areas with a population of more than 500,000 include Ipoh, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu. The following table shows the largest cities by population in Malaysia. Bujang Valley The Bujang Valley ( Malay : Lembah Bujang ) is a sprawling historical complex and has an area of approximately 224 square kilometres (86 sq mi), with
5355-766: The other hand, the Ministry of Housing and Local Government ( Malay : Kementerian Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan , abbreviated as KPKT) handles the classification and standardisation of local governments while providing them with consultation services ( i.e. technical consultancy and federal funding). For the Federal Territories , their respective local governments are monitored by the Ministry of Federal Territories and Urban Wellbeing ( Malay : Kementerian Wilayah Persekutuan , abbreviated KWP). The National Council of Local Governments ( Malay : Majlis Negara Kerajaan Tempatan , abbreviated as MNKT), formed in 1960 by
5440-524: The past 1,200 years. The museum itself is inadequate and not organised, much of the findings are elsewhere scattered from Museum Negara to Singapore (which once formed a part of Malaysia). Folk stories and oral history also provide place for a magnificent kingdom of jewels and gold. Outside peninsular and insular Southeast Asia, oral history in India suggests the presence of golden chariots and jewels in hidden caves at Bujang Valley and Mount Jerai. Some visitors to
5525-420: 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 . In 2001, Universiti Sains Malaysia relocated its engineering campus to Nibong Tebal , and it is now one of the two public universities in
5610-574: The research of Bujang Valley include from Leong Sau Heng, Mohd Supian Sabtu, Kamarudin Zakaria, and Zulkifli Jaafar. After 2008, The Centre for Global Archaeological Research (CGAR) from University Sains Malaysia , led by Mohd Mokhtar Saidin explored a new archaeological complex which reveals dozens of new sites, said to be dated from the 2nd century CE. Claudius Ptolemaeus (Greek: Κλαύδιος Πτολεμαῖος; c. 90 – c. 168), known in English as Ptolemy,
5695-420: 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 . 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. In 2016, Design Village , Penang's first premium outlet mall ,
5780-804: The southern limits of Kedah, which were formed by the river. 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. [REDACTED] British East India Company 1800–1858 [REDACTED] British Raj 1858–1867 [REDACTED] Straits Settlements 1826–1941; 1945–1946 [REDACTED] Empire of Japan 1941–1945 [REDACTED] Malayan Union 1946–1948 [REDACTED] Federation of Malaya 1948–1963 [REDACTED] Malaysia 1963–present Seberang Perai bears evidence of human habitation during
5865-538: The southern part of the Indochinese peninsula and the western part of the Indonesian archipelago. These coastal cities had a continuous trade as well as tributary relation with China from very early period, at the same time being in constant contact with Indian traders. The rulers of the western part of Indonesia adopted Indian cultural and political models e.g. proof of such Indian influence on Indonesian art in
5950-454: The spillover of development from George Town. 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. The industrial sector has also spurred the development of newer townships within the municipality, such as Seberang Jaya and Batu Kawan . Seberang Perai
6035-924: The strengthening of linkages with the global economy. 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 . 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 . The availability of industrial land has attracted several local and multinational companies (MNCs), such as Mattel , Flex , Sanmina , JinkoSolar , Honeywell and Lam Research . In 2022, Seberang Perai received investments worth nearly RM10.9 billion, which accounted for 79% of Penang's total inbound investments that year. Within
6120-533: The territory was acquired by the British East India Company (EIC) in 1800. The term "Seberang Perai" is believed to have emerged from a local expression used to refer to the northern banks of the Perai River . 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 . The Thai word plāi ( Thai : ปลาย ), meaning "the end", referred to
6205-487: The town boards for Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam , and the Province Wellesley Rural Board, which administered the rest of the territory. 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. After Malaya's independence,
6290-476: The two cities. Penang Sentral , a new transit-oriented development , has strengthened Seberang Perai's role as the logistics hub of northwestern Malaysia. Following decades of rapid urbanisation and infrastructural developments, Seberang Perai was conferred city status in 2019. Seberang Perai was originally named Province Wellesley after Richard Wellesley , who was the Governor-General of India when
6375-527: 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. The Penang state government appoints the mayor and councillors, with the councillors serving under an extendable one-year term. Local government elections were put in place in 1961, but were suspended due to the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and have not been reinstated since. As of June 2024,
6460-400: Was a Greek geographer, astronomer, and astrologer who had written about Golden Chersonese , which indicates trade with India and China has existed since the 1st century AD. As early as the 1st century AD, Southeast Asia was the place of a network of coastal city-states, the centre of which was the ancient Khmer Funan kingdom in the south of what is now Vietnam. This network encompassed
6545-505: Was chartered as the first city in East Malaysia. Klang is the most recent municipality in the country declared a city, doing so on 5 February 2024. There are also highly urbanised and populated areas across the country that did not attain city status, but are sometimes referred as cities. Officially, these areas are classified as municipalities or townships . [REDACTED] Federal Territories George Town became
6630-454: Was declared a "historical city" prior to being granted city status in 2003. Kuala Lumpur, the largest city, is the national capital and a federal territory, but as of 2012, most government ministries have relocated to the new administrative capital of Putrajaya . Local governments or local authorities in Malaysia ( Malay : pihak berkuasa tempatan , abbreviated PBT) are placed under the jurisdiction of their respective state governments . On
6715-416: Was done by western archaeologists, the most prominent ones include H.G. Quaritch Wales, Dorothy Wales, and Alastair Lamb. After the 1970s, local archaeologists were trained to continue the research, excavations and reconstructions of sites were done by National University of Malaysia and University of Malaya in collaboration with National Museum . The most prominent local archaeologist who did research in
6800-407: Was granted city status in 2019. Seberang Perai spans the entire mainland portion of Penang. With a total land mass of 747.8 km (288.7 sq mi), Seberang Perai is slightly larger than Singapore . The terrain of the city is mostly flat and alluvial , except for the hilly region that lays along its eastern border with Kedah. Standing at a height of 1,787 ft (545 m), Mertajam Hill
6885-425: Was launched, further enhancing Batu Kawan as a retail destination. The Penang state government has undertaken initiatives to promote agritourism and ecotourism in Seberang Perai. 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. Seberang Perai has historically been
6970-476: Was named Province Wellesley after Governor-General of India Richard Wellesley . The Perai River became the international border between British and Kedah territories. The EIC had sought to turn the island into an agricultural outpost. 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
7055-440: Was officially announced. With significant industrialisation since the 1970s, the city has been designated a "growth centre" within the George Town Conurbation . 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 . The development of newer townships has also driven economic diversification , with
7140-542: Was opened just a few months prior to the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and Japan in December 1941. 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. 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
7225-407: Was proven by the discovery of trade ceramics, sculptures, inscriptions and monuments dated from the 5th to 14th century CE. The Bujang Valley was continuously administered by different thalassocratical powers including Funan , Srivijaya and Majapahit before the trade declined. In Kedah there are remains showing Buddhist and Hindu influences which has been known for about a century now from
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