Padungan is a main city area of Kuching , Sarawak , Malaysia .
76-548: The Kuching South City Council (MBKS) headquarters is located there. The state constituency represented in the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly is Padungan (state constituency) . The elections were heavily contested in 1983, and 1991. A number of civic associations have had headquarters in Padungan for the past 90 years, with many businesses having offices there. An “industrial estate” and
152-553: A housing estate were built in the area in 1959. In the 1960s, the area became industrial. There are a variety of banks, travel agencies, currency exchanges, and related institutions in the neighboring area, and even right on the high street, in the 21st century. A significant new ecologically friendly hotel has opened, the Roxy Pandungan Hotel . Tourism in Malaysia has boomed in the 21st century, especially to
228-541: A Charter of Justice was granted which mandated the establishment of a "Court of Judicature" composed of the Governor, a recorder and three councillors. The high court was inaugurated at Fort Cornwallis in the following year, with Edmond Stanley as recorder. With the establishment of the court, George Town became the first settlement in British Malaya to possess a modern judicial system. In 1826, George Town
304-457: A brain drain which left it without the expertise to regulate urban development and arrest its decline. In response, George Town's civil societies banded together and galvanised public support for the conservation of historic buildings, and to restore the city to its former glory. Following subsequent heritage conservation efforts, a portion of the city centre was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. Widespread resentment over
380-510: A city shall continue to be preserved and maintained and shall remain unimpaired by the merger hereby effected". George Town had benefitted from a real estate boom towards the end of the 20th century, but in 2001, the Rent Control Act was repealed, worsening the depopulation of the city's historical core and leaving colonial-era buildings in disrepair. The city also suffered from incoherent urban planning, poor traffic management and
456-746: A fortress before the outbreak of fighting, the British high command led by Lieutenant-General Arthur Percival decided to abandon the island and secretly evacuate George Town's European population, leaving the settlement's Asian residents undefended against the Japanese advance. According to historian Raymond Callahan, "the moral collapse of British rule in Southeast Asia came not at Singapore, but at Penang". The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) seized George Town on 19 December without encountering any resistance. During Japanese occupation , George Town
532-529: A growth in the private sector. George Town's jurisdiction was expanded by the Malaysian federal government to encompass the entirety of Penang Island and the surrounding islets in 2015. This expansion resulted in an enlargement of the city government's manpower and responsibilities, as well as enhancing the regulation of heritage conservation. The jurisdiction of George Town covers an area of approximately 306 km (118 sq mi), encompassing
608-472: A month to deal with matters under their respective terms of reference. The Committees make decisions in the form of recommendations to the Full Council for its adoption at its ordinary meeting, which is usually held at the end of the month. SUPP (15) PBB (8) PDP (3) PRS (3) SDNU (1) George Town, Penang This
684-571: A non-European gentry and middle class, which in turn fostered nascent intellectual activities and political movements. George Town, according to historian Mary Turnbull , emerged as "a Mecca for Asian intellectuals", who perceived it to be more intellectually receptive than Singapore. The settlement was a centre for reformist newspapers, and attracted political and intellectual figures such as Rudyard Kipling , W. Somerset Maugham and Sun Yat-sen . However, political turmoil in Qing China and
760-610: A population of 794,313 as of 2020 . Classified as a "Gamma −" city , the second highest in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur , George Town is the commercial centre for northern Malaysia and one of the few high-income economies of the cities outside the Klang Valley . According to Euromonitor International and the Economist Intelligence Unit , George Town has the highest potential for revenue growth among all Malaysian cities and contributed nearly 8 per cent of
836-496: A system in 1792 whereby matters of justice were partially delegated to local leaders. This decision was ratified by Lieutenant-Governor George Leith in 1800. However, further legal disputes meant that under the directives of the Bengal Presidency , this system was replaced by a set of regulations in 1805, drafted by Leith and revised by John Dickens, the presidency's appointed judge and magistrate for Penang. In 1807,
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#1732790777620912-863: A tin mining boom in the Malay Peninsula , the Port of Penang became a leading exporter of tin. By the end of the 19th century, George Town emerged as the foremost financial centre of British Malaya, as mercantile firms and international banks were established. Throughout the century, George Town's population grew rapidly in tandem with economic prosperity. Between 1797 and 1830, an influx of immigrants from all over Asia quadrupled its population. A cosmopolitan population emerged, comprising Chinese , Malay , Indian , Peranakan , Siamese and migrants of mixed European-Asian lineage referred to as "Eurasians". The population growth also created social problems, such as inadequate health facilities and rampant crime, with
988-515: Is an accepted version of this page George Town is the capital of the Malaysian state of Penang . It is the core city of the George Town Conurbation , Malaysia's second largest metropolitan area with a population of 2.84 million and the second largest metropolitan economy in the country. The city proper spans an area of 306 km (118 sq mi) encompassing Penang Island and surrounding islets, and had
1064-464: Is shaped by centuries of intermingling between various cultures and religions. It has also gained a reputation as Malaysia's gastronomical capital for its distinct culinary scene . The preservation of these cultures contributed to the designation of the city centre of George Town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. George Town was named in honour of King George III , the ruler of Great Britain and Ireland between 1760 and 1820. Prior to
1140-463: Is situated. Over the centuries, the built-up area of George Town has expanded in three directions – along the island's northern coast, south down the eastern shoreline and towards Penang Hill to the west. The surrounding islets within George Town's jurisdiction are Jerejak , Andaman , Udini, Tikus , Lovers' , Betong , Betong Kecil, Kendi and Rimau islands. The riverine systems within
1216-692: Is the busiest cruise terminal in the country. Established as an entrepôt by Francis Light in 1786, George Town was the first British settlement in Southeast Asia , and its proximity to maritime routes along the Strait of Malacca attracted an influx of immigrants from various parts of Asia. It became the capital of the Straits Settlements in 1826, only to lose its administrative status to Singapore in 1832. Shortly before Malaya attained independence from Britain in 1957, George Town
1292-444: Is the densest in the country. Batu Lancang has the largest proportion of Chinese residents in any state constituency. Due to George Town's predominantly Chinese population and the longstanding political consciousness, the city has been regarded as a stronghold for the incumbent Pakatan Harapan (PH) coalition. As of 2023 , non-Malays formed the majority in 15 out of the 19 state constituencies in George Town, particularly around
1368-560: The Battle of Penang where the Imperial German Navy cruiser SMS Emden sank two Allied warships off the settlement. World War II , on the other hand, caused unprecedented social and political turmoil in George Town. In mid-December 1941, the settlement was subjected to severe Japanese aerial bombardment , forcing inhabitants to flee George Town and take refuge in the jungles. While Penang Island had been designated
1444-587: The British High Commissioner held the power to appoint six more. In 1956, George Town became Malaya's first fully-elected municipality and in the following year, it was granted city status by Queen Elizabeth II . This made George Town the first city within the Malayan Federation, and by extension, Malaysia. During the early years of Malaya's independence, George Town retained its free port status, which had been guaranteed by
1520-629: The Köppen climate classification ( Af ). Weather forecast in George Town is served by the Penang Meteorological Office at Bayan Lepas , which acts as the primary weather forecast facility for northwestern Peninsular Malaysia. The city experiences relatively consistent temperatures throughout the course of the year, with an average high of about 32 °C and an average low of 24°C. It sees on average about 2,477 millimetres (97.5 in) of precipitation annually. Its proximity to
1596-570: The Penang Botanic Gardens and the 2,562 ha (25.62 km ) Penang National Park , was inscribed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in recognition of the area's biodiversity. As land scarcity is a pressing issue in George Town, land reclamation has been extensively undertaken at high-demand areas, such as at Tanjong Tokong and Bayan Lepas . Between 1960 and 2015, George Town expanded by more than 9 km (3.5 sq mi) due to land reclamation that altered much of
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#17327907776201672-461: The Penang state government under an extendable one-year term. As of 2023 , one of the 24 councillor positions has been allocated to the city's non-governmental organisations (NGOs), while the remaining 23 are occupied by component parties of the ruling state government. The mayor since 2023 is Rajendran P. Anthony, the second mayor of Indian descent in the city's history after D. S. Ramanathan and
1748-575: The State Assembly Building in Light Street since 1959. George Town is represented by six Members of Parliament and 19 state constituencies . Prior to 2023, state elections had been conducted simultaneously with nationwide general elections every five years. Tanjong is the smallest parliamentary constituency in Malaysia by area. Padang Kota is the least populated state constituency by population, while Pengkalan Kota
1824-554: The Straits Settlements . A Municipal Commission for George Town came into being the following year. In 1957, prior to Malaya's independence , Queen Elizabeth II granted George Town city status, making it the first city in the new nation. By then, George Town had also become the first municipality in Malaya to have a fully-elected local government. Following the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation , local government elections across
1900-712: The 1963 elected Councillors should have expired on 30 June 1966. However, due to certain political development in the State, the tenure of office was extended by the State Government and the Councillors who were elected at the 3rd local council elections in 1963 continued to hold office until 14 October 1981 when the council was restructured. The enactment of the Kuching Municipal (Amendment) (No.2) Ordinances 1977 made 15 December 1977 among other things, led
1976-883: The Administration, the Treasury, the Building & Landscaping, the Engineering, the Rating and Valuation, the Public Health, and the Licensing undertake the functions of the Organisation. Each head of division controls expenditure as approved in the annual estimates of the council. The mode by which the council conducts its business is through the committee system. The Standing Committees normally meet once
2052-478: The British to enlarge and reinforce Fort Cornwallis as the garrison for the settlement. Local governance committees were formed from 1796 to resolve specific matters of administration. However, there were no unified legal systems in place to maintain order in the settlement. Light, who believed that feudal laws instituted by the newly-immigrated settlers were incompatible with British law , initially implemented
2128-461: The British. The George Town City Council enjoyed full financial autonomy and by 1965, it was the wealthiest local government in Malaysia, with an annual revenue almost double that of the Penang state government . This financial strength allowed the Labour -led city government to implement progressive policies, and to take control of George Town's infrastructure and public transportation. These included
2204-492: The Central Area Transit (CAT) bus service in collaboration with Rapid Penang . In 2025, MBPP projected its estimated revenue at RM433.3 million and an estimated expenditure of RM466.3 million, which included allocations for smart city projects, economic growth, cleanliness, sustainability and urban mobility. After Pakatan Rakyat (predecessor to the incumbent Pakatan Harapan ) was voted into power in 2008 ,
2280-558: The City of Kuching South is a corporation established under the Local Authorities Ordinance, 1996. Like all other local authorities, it is essentially an authority providing public services within its area of jurisdiction comprising an area of 61.53 km . The council now consists of a Mayor, a Deputy Mayor and 30 Councillors, all of whom are appointed by the State Government of Sarawak. The State Government appoints
2356-471: The Councillors elected in 1963 ceased to hold office on 14 October 1981. On 1 August 1988, the Municipality was elevated to city status, making it the fourth city in Malaysia after George Town , Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh . This historic date also saw the administrative division of the City into Kuching North (covering a significant part of the central areas of downtown Kuching, previously administered by
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2432-526: The Councillors on a 2-year term, renewable at its discretion. The Councillors represent the various political component parties of the coalition government of Sarawak. The Councillors are responsible for formulating the Councils policies and for ensuring that the Administrator implements these policies in an efficient and effective manner. The mode by which the council conducts its business is through
2508-865: The George Town City Council and the Penang Island Rural District Council were merged to form the Penang Island Municipal Council. This led to a prolonged debate over George Town's city status, in spite of Clause 3 of the Local Government (Merger of the City Council of George Town and the Rural District Council of Penang Island) Order, 1974, which stated that "the status of the City of George Town as
2584-429: The George Town City Council in 1966. Local government elections nationwide were also suspended in the aftermath of the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation , never to be reinstated. The period of relative prosperity vis-à-vis the rest of Malaysia came to an end in 1969, when the Malaysian federal government rescinded George Town's free port status. This sparked massive unemployment, brain drain and urban decay within
2660-682: The Kuching Municipal Council and including new areas across the Sarawak River, previously administered by the Kuching Rural District Council) and Kuching South (covering part of the areas previously administered by the Kuching Municipal Council to the east of downtown Kuching and come new areas to the south of the former Municipality, previously administered by the Kuching Rural District Council) comprising an area of 61.53 km . The Council of
2736-433: The Municipality into a local government entity, financially self-supporting and managing its own affairs, subject to such safeguards as might be deemed advisable. As a result of this action the Municipality became autonomous on 1 January 1953. The municipal council at this time was formed on a purely racial basis of twenty-four representatives of the public, with a British officer as chairman. The governor in council appointed
2812-425: The arrival of the British, the geographical area had been known as Tanjung Penaga , due to the abundance of penaga laut trees ( Calophyllum inophyllum ) found at the cape ( tanjung ) of the city. The city is often mistakenly spelled as "Georgetown", which was never the city's official name. This misspelling may be due to confusion with other places worldwide that share the same name. In common parlance,
2888-465: The cape, it was densely covered in jungle. After the area was cleared, Light oversaw the construction of Fort Cornwallis , the first structure in the newly established settlement. The first roads of George Town – Light , Beach , Chulia and Pitt streets – were created in a grid-like configuration. This urban planning method facilitated the easy division, transaction and assessment of land, as well as efficient military deployment. The grid pattern
2964-472: The chairman, as he also did six other councillors of various nationalities who represented different interests in the lives of the local community. The other eighteen councillors with approval of the governor were nominated by the various associations, who looked after the interest of the Chinese, Malay, Indian, Ceylonese, Dayak and British communities. In 1956, initiatives were made by the governor to plan for
3040-511: The city include the Kluang, Dua, Glugor and Pinang rivers. The Pinang River, which is 3.5 km (2.2 mi) long, flows through the city centre. Penang Hill, with a height of 833 m (2,733 ft), is the highest point in Penang, serving as a water catchment area and a green lung for the city. In 2021, the 12,481 ha (124.81 km ) Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, which includes
3116-730: The city of George Town is also called " Penang ", which is the name of the larger state. In 1771, Francis Light , a former Royal Navy captain, was instructed by the British East India Company (EIC) to establish trade relations in the Malay Peninsula . He arrived in Kedah , a Siamese vassal state facing threats from the Bugis of Selangor . Kedah's ruler Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin II offered Light Penang Island in exchange for British military protection. Light noted
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3192-470: The city's decline also resulted in the then opposition Pakatan Rakyat bloc (now Pakatan Harapan ) wresting power in Penang from the incumbent Barisan Nasional (BN) administration in the 2008 state election . The newly-elected state government took a more inclusive approach to heritage conservation and sustainable urban development, while concurrently pursuing economic diversification . The city has since witnessed an economic rejuvenation, boosted by
3268-403: The city's eastern shoreline. In 2023, a massive reclamation project commenced off Batu Maung to build the 920 ha (9.2 km ) Silicon Island, envisioned as a new hub for high-tech manufacturing and commerce. Reclamation projects to create Gurney Bay and the nearby mixed-use precinct of Andaman Island are also ongoing. George Town features a tropical rainforest climate , under
3344-540: The city. The federal government also began channelling resources towards the development of Kuala Lumpur and Port Klang , leading to George Town's protracted decline. To revive Penang's fortunes, newly-elected Chief Minister Lim Chong Eu launched the Komtar project in 1974 and spearheaded the establishment of the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (Bayan Lepas FIZ) which, at the time,
3420-495: The committee system. The Standing Committees normally meet once a month to deal with matters under their respective terms of reference. The Committees make decisions in the form of recommendations to the Full Council for its adoption at its ordinary meeting, which is usually held at the end of the month. The City Secretary is the Chief Administrative Officer of the City Council. Its various divisions, namely
3496-460: The country have been suspended since 1965. The Penang Island City Council (MBPP), headquartered in the City Hall , carries out the official administrative and legislative duties of the city. One of the two city governments in Penang, MBPP is led by a mayor , assisted by a secretary and 24 councillors who perform oversight responsibilities over 19 departments. Each councillor is appointed by
3572-405: The country's personal disposable income in 2015, second only to Kuala Lumpur. Its technological sector, anchored by hundreds of multinational companies , has made George Town the top exporter in the country . The Penang International Airport links George Town to several regional cities, while a ferry service and two road bridges connect the city to the rest of Peninsular Malaysia. Swettenham Pier
3648-840: The days of the Brooke Administration, some semblances of the functions of the council were performed by the Public Works Department. Sir Charles Vyner Brooke was installed as the Third Rajah on 22 July 1918. In 1921 the Kuching Sanitary and Municipal Advisory Board was formed. Following a new legislation, the Board became the Municipal Authority for Kuching on 1 January 1934 marking the early beginning of what would in due course become
3724-435: The elective system by an appointment system of Councillors. It was provided that the council should consist of the chairman, the deputy chairman; and not less than eight and not more than twenty-four Councillors to be appointed by the Governor to serve a term not extending three years. This amendment Ordinance was only brought into force with effect from 15 October 1981 on which date a new set of Councillors were appointed and all
3800-421: The entirety of Penang Island and nine surrounding islets. George Town is slightly more than two-fifths the size of Singapore . The 295 km (114 sq mi) Penang Island has an uneven terrain with a mountainous topography down the middle. The island's coastal plains are narrow, with the most extensive plain located at the northeastern cape, where the 25.5 km (9.8 sq mi) city centre
3876-536: The event of Penang's absorption into Malaya's customs union, the Penang Secessionist Committee was founded in 1948 and attempted to avert Penang's merger with Malaya. A petition at the time warned that the incorporation of Penang into Malaya would "reduce it to the churn of filth of a fishing village... trade assiduously built up during the last one and a half centuries will be turned to nothing, entailing untold monetary losses and hardship to
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#17327907776203952-455: The first free election, which eventually took place on 4 November. A total of 58 persons offered themselves as candidates for the 9 wards and 278 seats on the new Council. The newly elected Council took office on 1 December 1956. The President and Vice President were elected from among the Councillors and held office for a period of one year, with eligibility for re-election. Free election lasted only for several years. The 3-year term of office of
4028-464: The first political election ever held in the settlement. Although the committees were organised ad hoc and lacked regulatory power, these early measures marked the beginning of a systematic approach to municipal governance in Penang. In 1856, the India Board , an administrative body of British India , passed Act No. XXVII, which mandated the appointment of Municipal Commissioners and taxation of
4104-764: The first settlement in British Malaya to be liberated from the Japanese. After a period of military administration , the British dissolved the Straits Settlements in 1946 and merged the Crown Colony of Penang into the Malayan Union , which was then replaced with the Federation of Malaya in 1948. At first, the impending annexation of the British colony of Penang into the vast Malay heartland proved unpopular among Penangites. Partly due to concerns that George Town's free port status would be at risk in
4180-560: The first since 2015. MBPP's current urban planning strategy is set out in the Penang Island Local Plan 2030 , first published in 2022. The city government is responsible for municipal services including waste management, public maintenance and community service. It is also involved in major infrastructural projects such as the Jalan Bukit Kukus Paired Road . Since 2009, it has operated
4256-604: The influx of Chinese migrants posed security concerns among the British authorities. Sun chose George Town as the headquarters for revolutionary activities by the Tongmenghui in Southeast Asia that eventually launched the Wuchang Uprising , a precursor to the Xinhai Revolution that ushered in the beginning of Republican China . George Town emerged from World War I relatively unscathed, except for
4332-401: The island of Sumatra makes George Town susceptible to dust particles carried by wind from transient forest fires that cause the perennial Southeast Asian haze . In 1796, a committee was formed to record trade revenue, and another committee responsible for property valuation was established in 1800. The latter committee was assembled through an election of ratepaying representatives, making it
4408-459: The island on 17 July that year. They took formal possession of the island "in the name of King George III of England " on 11 August. Penang Island was renamed Prince of Wales Island after the heir to the British throne . George Town was the first British colonial possession in Southeast Asia and marked the beginning of the gradual British colonisation in Malaya . When Light first landed on
4484-565: The islands, including to Kuching. Hotels are being built in the Padungan area. Padungan became a budget tourism destination for inexpensive food and hostels , as well as its central location in Kuching. In 2014, Rough Guides featured the Nomad hostel and restaurants in the Topspot food court and Pinoy restaurant (serving Philippines cuisine ) on Jalag Padungan, the main or high street of
4560-488: The latter culminating in rioting in 1867 . George Town came under direct British rule when the Straits Settlements became a British crown colony in 1867. Law enforcement and immigration control were gradually strengthened to suppress organised crime . More investments were also made on the settlement's health care and public transportation. Advances in education and living standards gave rise to
4636-570: The local authority for Kuching, known as the Kuching Municipal Board. At the outbreak of hostilities in 1941, the Central Government was giving consideration to the question of according full municipal status to the Board, but the war interrupted this and the question was not considered again until the resumption of Civil Government in 1946, at which time Sarawak had also become a colony of Great Britain. In 1947, it
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#17327907776204712-402: The local language. This Sarawak location article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Kuching South City Council The Council of the City of Kuching South ( Malay : Majlis Bandaraya Kuching Selatan , abbreviated MBKS ) is the city council which administers the southern part of the city of Kuching in the state of Sarawak , Malaysia . This council
4788-500: The local population also forced women into sexual slavery . Between 1944 and 1945, Allied bombers based in India targeted naval and administrative buildings in George Town , damaging and destroying several colonial buildings in the process. The Penang Strait was mined to constrict Japanese shipping. Following Japan's surrender , on 3 September 1945, British Royal Marines launched Operation Jurist to retake George Town, making it
4864-409: The maintenance of its own public bus service, as well as the construction of public housing schemes and the Ayer Itam Dam . However, longstanding political differences between the George Town City Council and the Alliance -controlled state government led to allegations of maladministration against the city government. In response, Chief Minister of Penang , Wong Pow Nee , took over the powers of
4940-506: The merchants in Penang". The secessionist movement was ultimately met with British disapproval. To assuage the concerns raised by the secessionists, the British government guaranteed George Town's free port status and promised greater decentralisation. Meanwhile, municipal elections, which had been abolished in 1913, were reintroduced in 1951 , further diminishing the secessionists' commitment to their cause. Nine councillors were to be elected from George Town's three electoral wards, while
5016-421: The move and the Federal Court later ruled that local government elections are not within the purview of state governments. George Town is the administrative capital of Penang. The offices of the Chief Minister of Penang and the Penang state government are located in Komtar , while the official residence of the Governor of Penang is located in Scotland Road. Penang's legislature has been convened in
5092-420: The neighborhood. Nightlife and cafe culture has arrived in recent years, as of 2012, pushing aside the traditional karaoke culture. A variety of businesses that cater to tourists have been operating in the area, including currency exchanges , dining options, and cyber cafes . At both the western and eastern sides of Jalan Padungan are “ kitschy ” monuments to cats; the city’s name is a homophone of “cat” in
5168-413: The newly-elected state government attempted to reinstate local government elections within Penang. Backed by strong support from George Town's NGOs, the Local Government Elections (Penang Island and Province Wellesley) Enactment was passed in 2012, which would have allowed city government elections for the first time since the 1960s. However, the Barisan Nasional -controlled federal government objected to
5244-481: The strategic potential of the island as a "convenient magazine for trade" that could enable the British to check Dutch and French territorial ambitions in Southeast Asia, and tried unsuccessfully to persuade his superiors to accept the Sultan's offer. Light was finally authorised to negotiate the British acquisition of Penang Island in 1786. After the cession was finalised with Muhammad Jiwa's successor Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah , Light and his entourage landed on
5320-417: Was also replicated in Singapore following the acquisition of the island by Stamford Raffles in 1819. As Light intended, George Town grew rapidly as a free port and a conduit for spice trade , taking maritime commerce from Dutch posts in the region. The spice trade allowed the EIC to cover the administrative costs of Penang. The threat of French invasion in the midst of the Napoleonic Wars forced
5396-405: Was declared a city by Queen Elizabeth II , making it the first city in the country's history. In 1974, George Town was merged with the rest of the island, throwing its city status into doubt until 2015, when its jurisdiction was reinstated and expanded to cover the entire island and adjacent islets. The city is described by UNESCO as having a " unique architectural and cultural townscape" that
5472-631: Was established after the city was officially granted city status on 1 August 1988. Their jurisdiction covers an area of 61.53 square kilometres. The council consists of the mayor plus thirty councillors appointed to serve a one-year term by the Sarawak State Government. DBKU is responsible for public health and sanitation, waste removal and management, town planning, environmental protection and building control, social and economic development and general maintenance functions of urban infrastructure Majlis Perbandaran Kuching (MPK) . During
5548-544: Was found necessary to introduce a modified form of Committee System as the work of the Board had grown to such as extent as to make it impracticable for the Municipal Commissioners to deal with the various problems of administration in a single monthly meeting. In 1949, the Governor of Sarawak directed that the Chairman of the Kuching Municipal Board should submit a comprehensive detailed scheme to convert
5624-458: Was made the capital of the Straits Settlements , which also comprised Singapore and Malacca . In 1832, the administrative centre was relocated to Singapore, as it surpassed George Town in commercial and strategic prominence. Despite its secondary importance to Singapore, George Town continued to play a crucial role as a British entrepôt. Following the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and
5700-661: Was only lightly garrisoned by the IJA, while the Imperial Japanese Navy converted Swettenham Pier into a major submarine base for the Axis powers . Japanese military police imposed order by massacring Chinese civilians under the Sook Ching policy; the victims were buried in mass graves all over the island, such as at Rifle Range , Bukit Dumbar and Batu Ferringhi . Poverty and wanton Japanese brutality towards
5776-487: Was outside the city. Although these were successful in transforming Penang into a tertiary-based economy , they also led to the decentralisation of the urban population as residents gravitated towards newer suburban townships closer to the Bayan Lepas FIZ. The destruction of hundreds of shophouses and whole streets for the construction of Komtar further exacerbated the hollowing out of George Town. In 1974,
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