States and Territories of Malaysia
Pulau Pinang Penang
Flag of Penang Coat of arms of Penang
State motto: Bersatu dan Setia (United and Loyal) (formerly Let Penang Lead)
Anthem: Untuk Negeri Kita ("For Our State")
Capital	George Town
Ruling party	Pakatan Rakyat
- Governor	Tuan Yang Terutama Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas
- Chief Minister	Lim Guan Eng
History
- Ceded by Kedah to British	11 August 1786
- Japanese occupation	1942
- Accession into Federation of Malaya	1948
Area
- Total	1,046. Penang (pəˈnæŋ Malay: Pulau Pinang) is a state in Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang in Malaysia. The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008, in accordance with Malaysian laws for national elections, which states that a general election Pakatan Rakyat or PR ( People's Pact) was established on April 1, 2008. Yang di-Pertua Negeri, literally the "head of state" in Malay, is the official title of the (largely symbolic State Governors of the Malaysian A Chief Minister is the elected Head of government of a sub-national (e The Honourable Lim Guan Eng, MP ( Bagan) MLA ( Air Puteh) ( Chinese: 林冠英 Pinyin: Lín Guānyīng Throughout much of World War II, British Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak were under Japanese occupation. Year 1942 ( MCMXLII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (the link will display the full 1942 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. This is a list of the countries of the world sorted by total area. 3 km²
Population
- 2007 estimate	1,503,000
- Density	1436. List of countries by population in 2005|List of countries by population in 1907This is a list of countries ordered according to Population. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 91/km²
HDI  (2000)	0. The Human Development Index ( HDI) is an index combining normalized measures of Life expectancy, Literacy, Educational attainment, and GDP 828 (high)
National calling code	+604
National postal code	10000 - 19500
Licence plate prefix	P
Website:	http://www.penang.gov.my
1 2,031. Telephone numbering in Malaysia is regulated by the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC The postal codes used in Malaysia is a 5 digit code Listed below are the first 2 digits of codes assigned to each state and special administrative area Malaysian vehicle license plates ( Malay: Nombor plet kenderaan Malaysia or Nombor pendaftaran kenderaan Malaysia) are License 74 people per km² on Penang Island and 865. 99 people per km² in Seberang Perai

Penang (pronounced /pəˈnæŋ/; Malay: Pulau Pinang) is a state in Malaysia, located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia by the Strait of Malacca. The Malay language ( ISO 639-1 code MS is an Austronesian language spoken by the Malay people and people of other ethnic groups who reside in the Malaysia is a Federation which consists of thirteen '''states''' ( Negeri) and three '''federal territories''' ( Wilayah Persekutuan For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Peninsular Malaysia ( Semenanjung Malaysia) also known as Malaya or West Malaysia, is the part of Malaysia which lies on The Strait of Malacca is a narrow 805 km (500 mile stretch of water between Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia) and the Indonesian island of Sumatra Penang is the second smallest state in Malaysia after Perlis, and the eighth most populous. This article is about the Malaysian state For the computer scientist see Alan Perlis. A resident of Penang is colloquially known as a Penangite.

Name

The island was referred to as 檳榔嶼 (Bīnláng Xù) in the navigational drawings used by Admiral Zheng He of Ming-dynasty China in his expeditions to the South Seas in the 15th century. Zheng He ( Birth name 馬三寶 / 马三宝; Arabic / Persian name حجّي محمود شمس Hajji Mahmud Shams) (1371&ndash1433 was a Hui The Ming Dynasty ( or Empire of the Great Ming ( was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol -led China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Early Malays called it Pulau Ka-Satu or "First Island".

The name "Penang" comes from the modern Malay name Pulau Pinang, which means island of the betel nut tree (Areca catechu), family Palmae. Arecaceae or Palmae (also known by the name Palmaceae, which is taxonomically invalid or commonly palm tree) the palm family is a family of Flowering The name Penang can refer either to the island of Penang, the state of Penang or sometimes the state capital, George Town. George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang in Malaysia. More specifically, George Town is known as Tanjung in Malay. George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang in Malaysia. Penang Island is simply Pulau Pinang (/'pulaʊ 'pinaŋ/) and Penang state is Negeri Pulau Pinang in Malay.

Pinang also known as "The Pearl of the Orient".

Geography

State of Penang

The state is geographically divided into two sections:

• Penang Island: an island of 293 square kilometres located in the Straits of Malacca; and

• Province Wellesley (also known as Seberang Perai in Malay): a narrow hinterland of 760 square kilometres on the peninsula across a narrow channel whose smallest width is 4 km (2. Penang Island is located within the state of Penang, Malaysia. Seberang Perai (also known in English as Province Wellesley) is a narrow Hinterland opposite Penang island on the Malay Peninsula, 5 miles). It is bordered by Kedah in the north (demarcated by the Muda River) and east, and Perak in the south. Kedah ( Jawi: قدح pop 1778188 is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Muda River is the longest river in Kedah, Malaysia. The river provides water supply to Kedah and Penang. Perak is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of

The body of water between Penang Island and Province Wellesley is the North Channel to the north of George Town and the South Channel to the south of George Town. George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang in Malaysia. South Channel, also known as the Penang Strait to locals is a channel separating Penang Island and mainland Peninsular Malaysia in Malaysia. Penang Island is irregularly shaped, with a granitic, hilly and mostly forested interior, the highest point being Western Hill (part of Penang Hill) at 830 metres above sea level. Penang Hill is a Hill resort comprising a group of peaks the major hill system of Penang, Malaysia. The coastal plains are narrow, the most extensive of which is in the northeast which forms a triangular promontory where George Town, the state capital, is situated. A promontory is a prominent mass of land which overlooks lower lying land or a body of water (when it may be called a Peninsula or headland) The topography of Province Wellesley is mostly flat. Topography ( topo-, "place" and graphia, "writing" is the study of Earth 's Surface features or those of Planets Butterworth, the main town in Province Wellesley, lies along the Perai River estuary and faces George Town at a distance of 3 km (2 miles) across the channel to the east. Butterworth (population 108000 is the principal town of Province Wellesley ( Malay: Seberang Perai) in the state of Penang in Malaysia

Towns

Province Wellesley

Greater Metropolitan Area of Penang

The National Physical Plan of Malaysia envisages a Conurbation of George Town encompassing George Town and surrounding areas. Air Itam is a town in Penang, Malaysia. The famous Kek Lok Si Temple (極樂寺 and Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera are situated there Balik Pulau (literally meaning back of the island) is a town in Penang, Malaysia. Batu Ferringhi (Foreigner's Rock is a strip of beaches on the northern coast of Penang, Malaysia. Batu Maung is a small town in Penang, Malaysia. It is located in the southeastern part of Penang Island Batu Lanchang is an urban area in Penang near Jelutong. It has a big market food court a small shopping complex and it is the location of Lam Wah Ee Hospital Bayan Baru is located next to Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia. This town was the location of Hospital Pantai Mutiara and Penang's only Giant Bayan Lepas is a town in Penang, Malaysia being home to the Penang International Airport. Farlim or through its official name Bandar Baru Air Itam is a township area with housing estates located near Air Itam in Penang, Malaysia. Gelugor (named after a type of Tamarind Assam Gelugor also known as Gu-Lu-Gok is a town located at the southern part of Georgetown, a midway town between Georgetown George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang in Malaysia. Green Lane refers to an area which covers the stretch of Green Lane or today's Jalan Masjid Negeri Penang, Malaysia. Gurney Drive ( Persiaran Gurney) is a popular seafront Promenade in George Town, Jelutong is a town in Penang, Malaysia in the outskirts of Georgetown, the capital of Penang Paya Terubong is a small town located in Air Itam, Penang, Malaysia. Pulau Tikus (Rat Island is a small island off the coast of Penang, Malaysia. Pulau Betong is a small island in Penang, Malaysia.Made up of 2 islands it is approximately in size and is privately owned Sungai Ara is a big township located in Penang, Malaysia. It is located near the Penang International Airport. Sungai Dua is a town in Penang, Malaysia. It is located in the east part of Penang Island. Sungai Nibong is a town located near Batu Uban in Penang, Malaysia. Tanjung Bungah is a suburb in Penang, Malaysia. It is situated in the northern part of Penang Island Tanjung Tokong (English Translation Bay of Temples is a small town in Penang, Malaysia, bordering Gurney Drive and Tanjung Bungah Teluk Bahang is a town in Penang, Malaysia. It is situated on the northwestern part of Penang Island Bagan Ajam is a small town in Penang, Malaysia. It is best known for its morning market where most residents will be especially on weekends Bagan Luar is a town located in Penang, Malaysia. Batu Kawan is an island with a small town in the area of Penang, Malaysia. Bukit Mertajam is a town in Central Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia. Butterworth (population 108000 is the principal town of Province Wellesley ( Malay: Seberang Perai) in the state of Penang in Malaysia Jawi is a town on the mainland side of Penang, Malaysia. It is located in the parliamentary constituency of Nibong Tebal. Juru is a town in Penang, Malaysia. It situated in Seberang Prai Tengah. Kepala redirects here Kepala is also a Malay translation of the word " Head " Mak Mandin is a small town located in Penang, Malaysia. news story proving existence Nibong Tebal 高淵 is a Town under parliamentary constituency P047 Pantai Aceh is a town in Penang, Malaysia. The Sheikh Tahir Jalaluddin Falak Observatory is located here to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning Permatang Pauh is a town in Seberang Perai, the Hinterland portion of the island-state of Penang, Malaysia. Perai is a main industrial area in Penang, Malaysia. It is situated in Seberang Perai, which is on the mainland Raja Uda is one of the road name in Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia Seberang Jaya is a new township near Butterworth, Penang, Malaysia. Simpang Empat or Simpang Ampat or Sempang Ampat may refer to Simpang Empat Kedah Simpang Ampat Kedah Sungai Bakap is a town in Penang, Malaysia. It is situated in Seberang Prai Selatan. Bukit Tambun is a town located at the south of the mainland of Penang. The Conurbation of George Town, together with the Conurbation of Johor Bahru are designated as Regional Growth Conurbations while the Conurbation of Kuala Lumpur is the National Growth Conurbation.

The greater metropolitan area of Penang consists of highly urbanized Penang Island, Seberang Prai, Sungai Petani, Kulim and the surrounding areas. Sungai Petani ( Jawi: سوغاي فتني) (abbreviated " Sg Kulim is a major town and district in Kedah, Malaysia. It is the main industrial area in Kedah and the site of Intel Corporation regional factory and R&D In terms of population, it is the second largest metropolitan area in Malaysia after the Conurbation of Kuala Lumpur (Klang Valley). Klang Valley (Lembah Klang is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor According to National Census 2000, the population of this urban area in is about 1. 6 million. As for the Conurbation of Kuala Lumpur, the population in 2000 is about 4. 9 million while the population of Johor Bahru is 1. Johor Bahru, also spelled Johor Baharu, Johor Baru, ( "Baru" means "new" in Malay) or Johore Bahru and abbreviated 5 million. Currently, the population of this urban area is approximately 2 million. [1],

Under 9th Malaysia Plan, this urban area is referred to as the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER). Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER (Malay Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara or Korridor Utara) is a new economic development corridor in Malaysia The Northern Corridor Economic Region is one of the three development regions formed in Peninsular Malaysia, other development regions being the South Johor Economic Region (SJER) or Iskandar Development Region (IDR) and the East Coast Development Region. Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER (Malay Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara or Korridor Utara) is a new economic development corridor in Malaysia Iskandar Malaysia, formerly known as Iskandar Development Region (IDR and South Johor Economic Region (SJER is the new main southern development corridor in Iskandar Malaysia, formerly known as Iskandar Development Region (IDR and South Johor Economic Region (SJER is the new main southern development corridor in The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) encompases Penang (Penang Island and Seberang Prai), Kedah (Alor Star, Sungai Petani and Kulim) and Northern Perak. Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER (Malay Wilayah Ekonomi Koridor Utara or Korridor Utara) is a new economic development corridor in Malaysia Kedah ( Jawi: قدح pop 1778188 is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Alor Star, formerly known as Alor Setar is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia, and Kota Setar District's Administrative Centre. Sungai Petani ( Jawi: سوغاي فتني) (abbreviated " Sg Kulim is a major town and district in Kedah, Malaysia. It is the main industrial area in Kedah and the site of Intel Corporation regional factory and R&D Perak is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. It is the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of

Outlying islets

There are a number of small islets off the coast of Penang, the biggest of which, Pulau Jerejak, is located in the narrow channel between Penang Island and the mainland. Jerejak, or Pulau Jerejak (Jerejak Island is a 362 hectare Island located off the southeastern tip of Penang, Malaysia, a short ferry ride It was previously a leper and penal colony, but is now a tourist attraction. Leprosy (from the Greek lepi (λέπι meaning scales on a fish or Hansen's disease, is a chronic disease caused by the bacterium Other islands include:

Climate

Penang enjoys a year-round equatorial climate which is warm and sunny, along with plentiful rainfall, especially during the southwest monsoon from April to September. Pulau Aman is a small island in Penang, Malaysia. Famously known as the "Island of Peace" it is a home to a traditional Malay village Pulau Betong is a small island in Penang, Malaysia.Made up of 2 islands it is approximately in size and is privately owned Pulau Gedung is a small island in Penang, Malaysia. Pulau Kendi is a small island in Penang, Malaysia. Pulau Kendi is often frequented by tourists for leisure fishing Pulau Rimau is a small island in Penang, Malaysia. It is located off the southeastern coast of Penang island A monsoon is a seasonal prevailing wind which lasts for several months The climate is very much dictated by the surrounding sea and the wind system. Penang's proximity with Sumatra, Indonesia makes it susceptible to dust particles carried by wind from perennial but transient forest fires, creating a phenomenon known as the haze. Sumatra (also spelled Sumatera) is the sixth largest island in the world (approximately 470000 km² and is the largest island entirely in Indonesia (two Haze is traditionally an atmospheric phenomenon where dust smoke and other dry particles obscure the clarity of the sky

The Bayan Lepas Regional Meteorological Office is the primary weather forecast facility for northern Peninsular Malaysia.

Source: National Environment Agency

Demography

Jewish Cemetery in George Town

Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian)

The state has the highest population density in Malaysia with 2,031. Population density (in agriculture standing stock and Standing crop) is a measurement of Population per unit area or unit volume 74 people per square kilometre on the island and 865. 99 people per square kilometre on the mainland. It also the only non-Malay dominated state in Malaysia. Penang is the only state in Malaysia where ethnic Chinese forms a plurality. The ethnic composition in 2007 was:

• Ethnic Chinese: 645,900 (43. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Malaysian Chinese is a Malaysian of Chinese origin Most are descendants of Chinese who arrived between the fifteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries 4%)
• Malay: 601,200 (40. Malays (Melayu are an Ethnic group of Austronesian peoples predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast 2%)
• Indian Malaysian: 158,000 (9. Malaysian Indians are a group of Malaysians largely descended from those who migrated from southern India during the British colonization 9%)
• Others:
  • Bumiputra - other than Malay: 5,600 (0. 37%)
  • Non-bumiputra: 91,200 (6. 1%)

There were Jewish and Armenian communities in Penang before World War II, but these dissipated as a result of the Japanese occupation and the creation of the State of Israel in 1948. PLEASE TAKE NOTE************ The Armenians (Հայեր Hayer) are a Nation and Ethnic group originating in the Caucasus and in the Armenian Highlands A large World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including Throughout much of World War II, British Malaya, North Borneo and Sarawak were under Japanese occupation. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Israel topics. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. A small but commercially significant community of German merchants also existed in Penang. The German people (Deutsche are an Ethnic group, in the sense of sharing a common German culture, descent and speaking the German language as Today, Penang has a sizeable expatriate population especially from Japan and Britain, many of which settle in Penang after their retirement as part of the Malaysia My Second Home programme. An expatriate (in abbreviated form expat) is a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

Peranakan

A restaurant serving Baba-Nyonya cuisine.

The Peranakan, also known as the Straits Chinese or Baba-Nyonya, are the descendants of the early Chinese immigrants to Penang as well as to Malacca and Singapore. Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya ( Hokkien: Bā-bā Niû-liá) and Straits Chinese (zh-Hant 土生華人 named after the Straits Settlements Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya ( Hokkien: Bā-bā Niû-liá) and Straits Chinese (zh-Hant 土生華人 named after the Straits Settlements Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya ( Hokkien: Bā-bā Niû-liá) and Straits Chinese (zh-Hant 土生華人 named after the Straits Settlements Singapore They have partially adopted Malay customs and speak a Chinese-Malay creole. A creole language, or simply a creole, is a stable Language that originates seemingly as a nativized Pidgin. The Peranakan community possesses a distinct identity in terms of food, costume, rites, crafts and culture. Most of the Peranakan Chinese are not Muslims but practise ancestor worship and Chinese religion. A Muslim (مسلم pronounced Muslim, not Muzlim) is an adherent of the Religion During British rule, the Peranakan had a reputation of being loyal British subjects and many of them adopted British mannerisms. They prided themselves as being Anglophone and distinguished themselves from the newly-arrived Chinamen or sinkheh. The Peranakan, however, are almost extinct today due to their re-absorption into the mainstream Chinese community. However, their legacy lives on in their great cuisine, their intricate nyonya kebaya costume and exquisite handicrafts. A Kebaya is a traditional blouse worn by women in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore, sometimes made from sheer material and Handicraft, also known as craftwork or simply Craft, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or using only simple tools

Language

The common languages of Penang, depending on social classes, social circles, and ethnic backgrounds are English, Penang Hokkien, Tamil and Malay. A lingua franca (from Italian, literally meaning Frankish language, see etymology under Sabir and Italian below is any Language widely Malaysian English ( MyE) formally known as Malaysian Standard English (MySE is a form of English used and spoken in Malaysia as a second language Penang Hokkien is a local variant of Hokkien spoken in Penang, Malaysia. Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. The Malay language ( ISO 639-1 code MS is an Austronesian language spoken by the Malay people and people of other ethnic groups who reside in the Mandarin, which is taught in Chinese-medium schools in the state, is also increasingly spoken.

Penang Hokkien is a variant of Minnan and is widely spoken by a substantial proportion of the Penang populace who are descendants of early Chinese settlers. The Southern Min language or Min Nan ( POJ: Bân-lâm-gú or "Southern Fujian" language refers to a family of Chinese languages Dialects It bears strong resemblance to the language spoken by Chinese living in the Indonesian city of Medan and is based on the Minnan dialect of Zhangzhou prefecture in Fujian province, China, but incorporates a large number of loanwords from Malay and English. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The Southern Min language or Min Nan ( POJ: Bân-lâm-gú or "Southern Fujian" language refers to a family of Chinese languages Dialects Dialect The main dialect spoken in Zhangzhou is Hokkien, one of the major Min Nan ( languages This article is about the People's Republic of China province A loanword (or loan word) is a word directly taken into one Language from another with little or no translation Many Penangites who are not ethnically Chinese are also able to speak in Hokkien. Most Penang Hokkien speakers are not literate in Hokkien but instead read and write in standard (Mandarin) Chinese, English and/or Malay.

Malay is spoken locally with north-western dialect features, such as hang for "you" and depa for "they/them".

English is a working language widely used in business and commerce, and is also the language of instruction of Science and Mathematics in schools. English used in an official or formal context is predominantly British English with some American influences. British English or UK English ( BrE, BE, en-GB) is the broad term used to distinguish the forms of the English language used in the Spoken English, as in the rest of Malaysia, is often in the form of Manglish (Malaysian colloquial English). Manglish (or sometimes Malglish or Mangled English) is the colloquial version of the English language as spoken in Malaysia and it is a

Other languages, including Cantonese and Tamil, are also spoken in the state. Tamil (ta தமிழ்; t̪əmɨɻ is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. Teochew is heard more in Province Wellesley than on Penang Island.

Religion

Chinese Buddhism is the main religion on Penang

The official religion of Penang is Islam and the head of Islam is the Yang Dipertuan Agong, but other religions are freely practised. A religion is a set of Tenets and practices often centered upon specific Supernatural and moral claims about Reality, the Cosmos For other meanings including people named 'Islam' see Islam (disambiguation. The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the highest ranking office created by the constitution of the federation of Malaysia These are Buddhism, in the Theravada, Mahayana and increasingly also Vajrayana traditions, Taoism, Chinese folk religion, Hinduism, Catholicism, Protestantism (the largest denominations of which are the Methodists, Seventh-day Adventists, Anglican, Presbyterian and Baptists) and Sikhism- reflecting Penang's diverse ethnic and socio-cultural amalgamation. Buddhism is a family of beliefs and practices History Origin of the school The Theravāda school is ultimately derived from the Vibhajjavāda (or 'doctrine of analysis' grouping which was a continuation Mahayana ( Sanskrit: mahāyāna, Devanagari: महायान 'Great Vehicle' is one of the two main existing schools of Buddhism and a term for Vajrayana Buddhism is also known as Tantric Buddhism, Tantrayāna, Mantrayana, Mantranaya, Secret Mantra, Esoteric Buddhism and Taoism (pronounced /ˈdaʊɪzəm/ or /ˈtaʊɪzəm/ also spelled '''Daoism''') refers to a variety of related Philosophical and Religious traditions Chinese folk religion is a collective label given to various folkloric beliefs that draws heavily from Chinese mythology. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. Methodism is a movement within Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated " Adventist " Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished mainly by its observance Anglicanism is a tradition of Christian faith Churches in this tradition either have historical connections to the Church of England or have similar beliefs Presbyterianism is a family of Christian denominations within the Reformed branch of Protestant Western Christianity Baptist is a term describing individuals belonging to a Baptist church or a Baptist denomination. Sikhism ( IPA: or; ਸਿੱਖੀ sikkhī, IPA:) founded on the teachings of Nanak and nine successive gurus in fifteenth century

There is also a small, but little-known, community of Jews in Penang, mainly along Jalan Zainal Abidin (formerly Jalan Yahudi or Jewish Street). PLEASE TAKE NOTE************

Characteristics of Penang

Being one of the earliest, most established urban centres in Malaysia, Penang has often prided herself on her progress while at the same time relishing her traditional and enduring values, way of life and mannerism. Old Penang evoked images of the slow-paced lifestyle of merchants and planters in the Far East, where European culture intermingled with Eastern customs and colonial buildings stood next to attap houses and rickshaw pullers and where electric trams met bullock carts. The Far East is a term often used by people in the Western world to refer to the countries of East Asia. Rickshaws (or rickshas) are a mode of Human-powered transport: a runner draws a two-wheeled Cart which seats one or two persons A tram, tramcar, trolley, trolley car, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, of lighter weight and construction than a Train Chinese influence has always been more evident in urban areas due to their superior numbers while the Malays, until recent times, have largely resided in the rural areas.

21st century Penang remains a thriving commercial (and now industrial) centre with a relatively high standard of living. However, in terms of development it has been overtaken in recent years by the Klang Valley, which is the political and economic heart of modern Malaysia. Klang Valley (Lembah Klang is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor While the slower rate of development in Penang has left much of its cultural and architectural heritage intact, what development there has been poorly managed due to underfunding in infrastructure by the federal government, corruption and the breakdown of participatory local government since the late 1960s. Nonetheless, Penangites maintain a strong civic identity rooted in Penang's former pre-eminence, reinforced by a strong local cultural and linguistic identity.

History

Main article: History of Penang

Penang, originally part of the Malay Sultanate of Kedah, was given to the British East India Company in 1786 by the Sultan of Kedah, in exchange for military protection from Siamese and Burmese armies who were threatening Kedah. The history of Penang is closely related to the History of Kedah. Kedah ( Jawi: قدح pop 1778188 is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or Year 1786 ( MDCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Burma, officially the Union of Myanmar ( pjìdàunzṵ mjàmmà nàinŋàndɔ̀ is the largest country by geographical area in mainland Southeast Asia. On 11 August 1786, Captain Francis Light, known as the founder of Penang, landed in Penang and renamed it Prince of Wales Island in honour of the heir to the British throne. Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation Year 1786 ( MDCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Captain Francis Light (1740 – 25 October 1794) was the founder of the British colony of Penang (in modern-day Malaysia) and its

Unbeknownst to the Sultan, Light had acted without the approval of the East India Company when he promised military protection. When the Company failed to aid Kedah when it was attacked by Siam, the Sultan tried to retake the island in 1790. Year 1790 ( MDCCXC) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The attempt was unsuccessful, and the Sultan was forced to cede the island to the Company for an honorarium of 6,000 Spanish dollars per annum. An honorarium is an Ex gratia payment made to a person for their services in a volunteer capacity or for services for which fees are not traditionally required History Spain Following the introduction of the Guldengroschen in Austria in 1486 the concept of a large silver coin with high purity (sometimes known as "specie" This was later increased to 10,000 dollars, with Province Wellesley being added to Penang in 1800. Seberang Perai (also known in English as Province Wellesley) is a narrow Hinterland opposite Penang island on the Malay Peninsula, Year -of the Julian calendar. The Gregorian calendar was 11 days ahead of the Julian calendar until Friday, but 12 days ahead since Saturday. An annual honorarium of 10,000 ringgits continues to this day be paid by the Malaysian Federal Government to the state of Kedah. Ringgit ( Malay for "jagged" mostly refers to the Malaysian ringgit, which is the local currency in Malaysia, but it can also refer

In 1826, Penang, along with Malacca and Singapore, became part of the Straits Settlements under the British administration in India, moving to direct British colonial rule in 1867. For the game see 1826 (board game. Year 1826 ( MDCCCXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display Singapore The Straits Settlements were a collection of territories of the British East India Company in Southeast Asia, which were given collective administration in 1826 India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Year 1867 ( MDCCCLXVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting In 1946 it became part of the Malayan Union, before becoming in 1948 a state of the Federation of Malaya, which gained independence in 1957 and became Malaysia in 1963. Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Malayan Union was a federation of the Malay states and the Straits Settlements excluding Singapore. Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The Federation of Malaya (Persekutuan Tanah Melayu was a federation of 11 states formed on January 31 1948 from the nine Malay states and the British Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

The island was a free port until 1969. A free port ( porto franco) or free zone (US Foreign-Trade Zone is a port or area with relaxed jurisdiction with respect to the country of location Year 1969 ( MCMLXIX) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Despite the loss of the island's free-port status, from the 1970s to the late 1990s the state built up one of the largest electronics manufacturing bases in Asia, in the Free Trade Zone around the airport in the south of the island. This article is about the Decade 1970-1979 For the Year 1970 see 1970. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999

State government

The state has its own state legislature and executive, but these have very limited powers in comparison with those of the Malaysian federal authorities. Events 324 - Licinius abdicates his position as Roman Emperor. Year 1945 ( MCMXLV) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar Events 527 - Byzantine Emperor Justin I names his nephew Justinian I as co-ruler and successor to the throne Year 1946 ( MCMXLVI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full 1946 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1327 - Teenaged Edward III is crowned King of England, but the country is ruled by his mother Queen Year 1948 ( MCMXLVIII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the 1948 calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) Events 1400 - Owain Glyndŵr is declared Prince of Wales by his followers Year 1963 ( MCMLXIII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.

Executive

Penang is one of only four states in Malaysia not to have a hereditary Malay Ruler or Sultan, being a former British settlement, the other three being Malacca, also a British settlement, whose sultanate was ended by the Portuguese conquest in 1511, and the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak. Sultan (سلطان is an Islamic title with several historical meanings Sultan (سلطان is an Islamic title with several historical meanings Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic (República Portuguesa is a country on the Iberian Peninsula. East Malaysia consists of the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, located on the island of Borneo to the east across the South Sabah is a Malaysian state located on the northern portion of the island of Borneo. Sarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the Island of Borneo.

The head of the state executive is a Yang di-Pertua Negeri (Governor) appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King of Malaysia). Yang di-Pertua Negeri, literally the "head of state" in Malay, is the official title of the (largely symbolic State Governors of the Malaysian The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the highest ranking office created by the constitution of the federation of Malaysia The present Governor is Tun Dato' Seri Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Abbas. In practice the Governor is a figurehead, and he acts upon the advice of the state Executive Council, which is appointed from the majority party in the Legislative Assembly. In politics a figurehead, by Metaphor with the carved figurehead at the prow of a sailing ship is a person who holds an important title or office yet executes little

Chief Minister

The Chief Minister of Penang is Mr Lim Guan Eng from the Democratic Action Party (DAP). The Chief Minister of the State of Penang is the head of the executive branch of the government in the Malaysian state of Penang The Honourable Lim Guan Eng, MP ( Bagan) MLA ( Air Puteh) ( Chinese: 林冠英 Pinyin: Lín Guānyīng The Democratic Action Party, or DAP (Parti Tindakan Demokratik is a Secular, multi-racial social democratic / democratic socialist The DAP managed to form the state government after its coalition with Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) managed to win most of the state seats in the state election on 8 March 2008. The People's Justice Party ( Malay: Parti Keadilan Rakyat, often known simply as Keadilan is a Centrist Political party in Malaysia Events 1618 - Johannes Kepler discovers the third law of planetary motion. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common This is the first time since 1969 that the state has fallen to the Opposition, and the first time it is ruled by the Democratic Action Party. The Democratic Action Party, or DAP (Parti Tindakan Demokratik is a Secular, multi-racial social democratic / democratic socialist

Penang is the only state in Malaysia in which its Chief Minister has been continuously held by an ethnic Chinese since Independence, reflecting the state's ethnic majority. Malaysian Chinese is a Malaysian of Chinese origin Most are descendants of Chinese who arrived between the fifteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries Hari Merdeka ( Independence Day) is a national day of Malaysia commemorating the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial

Lim's deputy, Prof. Ramasamy made history by becoming the first ethnic Indian to hold the Deputy Chief Minister post. Malaysian Indians are a group of Malaysians largely descended from those who migrated from southern India during the British colonization

The Chief Minister heads the State Executive Council, the highest administrative body in the state, which answers to the Legislative Assembly. The state Secretariat and other state or federal government departments assist the Executive Council in the state administration. Most of the government offices are housed in the 65-storey Tun Abdul Razak Complex (KOMTAR) in the heart of George Town.

When Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, a coalition member of the Barisan Nasional (BN), headed the then state government, there have been occasional calls by United Malays National Organisation (UMNO) its other coalition member, to rotate the position of Chief Minister between BN component parties. The Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia ( Malaysian People's Movement Party or Gerakan in English) is a Political party Barisan Nasional ( National Front or BN) is a major political Coalition in Malaysia. The United Malays National Organisation, or UMNO, (Pertubuhan Kebangsaan Melayu Bersatu is a Right-wing party and Malaysia 's largest Political However, this has consistently been rejected by the Barisan leadership. Such demand reached new heights in 2006 on allegations of the marginalisation of the Malay populace. Interestingly, one of the more vocal proponents is Khairy Jamaludin, the son-in-law of the current Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi. The Prime Minister of Malaysia (in Malay Perdana Menteri) is the indirectly elected Head of government of Malaysia. Dato' Seri Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi (born 26 November 1939 is a Malaysian politician who has served as Prime Minister since 2003 It is to be noted that during Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad's tenure of prime ministership, he refuted claims of marginalisation by alluding to the Malay-governed state of Kelantan. Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad (ma'ħɑðiɽ bin mʊħɑmmæd̚ (recorded as born on 20 December 1925 was the fourth Prime Minister of In fact, Malays in Penang are only second to their counterparts in the Klang Valley. Klang Valley (Lembah Klang is an area in Malaysia comprising Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs and adjoining cities and towns in the state of Selangor They fare better than those from other states such as Kedah, Perlis and Terengganu. Kedah ( Jawi: قدح pop 1778188 is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. This article is about the Malaysian state For the computer scientist see Alan Perlis. Terengganu ( Jawi: ترڠڬانو, formerly spelled Trengganu or Tringganu) is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia

The current Malaysian Prime Minister, Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, hails from the mainland town of Kepala Batas. The Prime Minister of Malaysia (in Malay Perdana Menteri) is the indirectly elected Head of government of Malaysia. Dato' Seri Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi (born 26 November 1939 is a Malaysian politician who has served as Prime Minister since 2003 Kepala redirects here Kepala is also a Malay translation of the word " Head " Whereas, the former Deputy Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and now the de-facto leader of PKR, is from the town of Bukit Mertajam, also in Province Wellesley. Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim (born 10 August 1947) is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998 The People's Justice Party ( Malay: Parti Keadilan Rakyat, often known simply as Keadilan is a Centrist Political party in Malaysia Bukit Mertajam is a town in Central Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia.

Local Authorities

The City Hall housing the Municipal Council of Penang Island

The Dewan Sri Penang

There are two local authorities in Penang, the Municipal Council of Penang Island (Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang) [2] and the Municipal Council of Province Wellesley (Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai)[3]. Local governments are administrative offices that are smaller than a State. Local councillors have been appointed by the state government since local elections were abolished in Malaysia in the 1960s. The 1960s decade refers to the years from the beginning of 1960 to the end of 1969 Both municipal councils are made up of a president, a municipal secretary and 24 councillors. The president is appointed by the State Government for two-year terms of office while the councillors are appointed for one-year terms of office. The state is divided into 5 administrative divisions:

• Penang Island:
  • North-East District (Daerah Timur Laut)
  • South-West District (Daerah Barat Daya)

• Province Wellesley (Seberang Perai):
  • Central Province Wellesley (Seberang Perai Tengah)
  • Northern Province Wellesley (Seberang Perai Utara)
  • Southern Province Wellesley (Seberang Perai Selatan)

Each district is headed by a district officer.

The following table shows the succession of the heads of governments of Penang from its founding years to the present day.

Legislature

See also: State Seats Representatives, 12th Malaysian General Election#Penang

The State Assembly Building

The unicameral state legislature, whose members are called state assemblymen, convenes at the neoclassical state Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri) building at Light Street. Events 2492 BC - Traditional date of the defeat of Bel by Hayk, progenitor and founder of the Armenian nation Year 1786 ( MDCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Events 1056 - Byzantine Empress Theodora becomes ill dying suddenly a few days later without children to succeed the Throne Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) Events 1381 - Peasants' Revolt: in England, rebels arrive at Blackheath. The year 1959 ( MCMLIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. The following are the members of the Dewan Undangan Negeri, or state assemblies elected in the Malaysian general election 2008. Neoclassical architecture was an architectural style produced by the neoclassical movement that began in the mid-18th century both as a reaction against the Rococo It has 40 seats, 19 of which are held by the Democratic Action Party, 11 by Barisan Nasional, eight by Parti Keadilan Rakyat and one by PAS since the 2008 general elections. The Democratic Action Party, or DAP (Parti Tindakan Demokratik is a Secular, multi-racial social democratic / democratic socialist Barisan Nasional ( National Front or BN) is a major political Coalition in Malaysia. The People's Justice Party ( Malay: Parti Keadilan Rakyat, often known simply as Keadilan is a Centrist Political party in Malaysia The Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party or the Islamic Party of Malaysia ( Parti Islam Se-Malaysia) commonly known as PAS or Pas, is an Islamist The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008, in accordance with Malaysian laws for national elections, which states that a general election It was a sharp reversal from the 38 seats held by BN in the 2004 elections and only the second time since Independence that the state fell into non-BN control, the last being in 1969. General elections were held in Malaysia on March 21, 2004. The incumbent National Front (Barisan Nasional government of Prime Minister The Malaysian general election of 1969 was the third general election since independence held in West Malaysia (Malaya on May 10, 1969, and in

In the Malaysian Parliament, Penang is represented by 13 elected Members of Parliament in the Dewan Rakyat (House of Representatives), serving a five-year term, and has two senators in the Dewan Negara (Senate), both appointed by the state Legislative Assembly to serve a three-year term. The Parliament of Malaysia (Parlimen Malaysia is the national Legislature of Malaysia, based on the Westminster system. A Member of Parliament, or MP, is a representative elected by the voters to a Parliament. The Dewan Rakyat (literally "Hall of the People" or House of Representatives is the lower house of the Parliament of Malaysia. The Dewan Negara (literally "National Hall" or Senate is the Upper house of the Parliament of Malaysia.

Judiciary

The court system in the Federation had its origin in the 1807 charter known as the First Charter of Justice whereby the British East India Company obtained from the British Crown the right to establish a permanent Court of Judicature in the settlement of Penang. Year 1807 ( MDCCCVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Honourable East India Company ( HEIC) referred to most commonly as the East India Company, also historically and colloquially as John Company, or TalkCommonewalth realm.--> The monarchy

Today, the judicial power is almost completely vested in the federal court system. Malaysia is a Federation of thirteen states but judicial power in the federation is almost exclusively vested in a federal court system. The Supreme Court Building in Light Street and Farquhar Street houses the Penang registry of the High Court in Malaya as well as the George Town Sessions Court and Magistrates courts. The High Court in Malaysia is the third highest court in the hierarchy of courts, after the Federal Court and the Court of Appeal. The Penang Prison is located at Gaol Road.

Economy

Industry

Penang state is today the third-largest economy amongst the states of Malaysia, after Selangor and Johor. Selangor ( Jawi script: سلاڠور population 72 million is one of the 13 states of Malaysia. Johor (alt English spelling Johore, Jawi scriptجوهر is a state of Malaysia between 1°20"N and 2°35"N Manufacturing is the most important component of the Penang economy, contributing 45. 9% of the State's GDP (2000). 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The southern part of the island is highly industrialised with high-tech electronics plants (such as Dell, Intel, AMD, Altera, Motorola, Agilent, Hitachi, Osram, Plexus, Bosch and Seagate) located within the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone. The multinational technology company Dell Inc develops manufactures sells and supports Personal computers and other computer-related products Altera Corporation ( is one of the two major manufacturer of high-end PLDs ( Programmable logic devices, along with Xilinx. Motorola Inc ( is an American, multinational Fortune 100, Telecommunications company based in Schaumburg Illinois. Agilent Technologies ( or Agilent, is a measurement and instrument company headquartered in Santa Clara, California. () is a Multinational corporation specializing in high-technology and services headquartered in Marunouchi Itchome Chiyoda, Tokyo, Japan. OSRAM is part of the industry sector of Siemens AG and one of the two leading lighting manufacturers in the world A plexus is a network It has more specific meanings in multiple fields Robert Bosch GmbH is a German diversified technology-based corporation which was started in 1886 by Robert Bosch in Stuttgart Germany. In January 2005, Penang was formally accorded the Multimedia Super Corridor Cyber City status, the first outside of Cyberjaya, with the aim of becoming a high-technology industrial park that conducts cutting-edge research. January 2005: ← - January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September Situated in Malaysia, the MSC Malaysia or formerly known as Multimedia Super Corridor is a Government initiative designed to leapfrog Malaysia into the Cyberjaya is a new planned township with a science park as the core that forms a key part of the Multimedia Super Corridor in Malaysia. In recent years, however, the state is experiencing a gradual decline of foreign direct investments due to factors such as cheaper labour costs in China and India.

The entrepôt trade has greatly declined, due in part to the loss of Penang's free-port status, but also due to the active development of Port Klang near the federal capital Kuala Lumpur. An entrepôt (from the French " Warehouse " is a Trading post where merchandise can be imported and Exported without Port Klang ( Pelabuhan Klang) is the one of the main Ports of Malaysia, located in the district of Klang in the state of Selangor. Kuala Lumpur (ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər Malay /kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ/ and locally /kwɑləlʊmpɔ/ or even /kɔlɔmpɔ/ or often abbreviated as K However, there is a container terminal in Butterworth which continues to service the northern area. Butterworth (population 108000 is the principal town of Province Wellesley ( Malay: Seberang Perai) in the state of Penang in Malaysia

Other important sectors of Penang's economy include tourism, finance, shipping and other services.

The Penang Development Corporation (PDC) is the state development agency to develop, plan, implement and promote development projects in the form of socio-economic interests on behalf of the State Government of Penang. It functions as the investment arm of the state government.

Agriculture

Penang agriculture is mainly made up of the major export crops of rubber and oil palm and some cocoa, the food commodities comprising paddy, fruits, coconut, vegetables, livestock which is dominated by poultry and swine, fisheries and aquaculture, and new emerging industries such as ornamental fishes and floriculture [4]. Agriculture refers to the production of goods through the growing of plants and fungi and the raising of domesticated Animals The study of agriculture The oil palms ( Elaeis) comprise two species of the Arecaceae, or palm family Cocoa is the dried and fully fermented fatty seed of the cacao tree from which Chocolate is made Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many The term fruit has different meanings dependent on context and the term is not synonymous in Food preparation and Biology. The Coconut Palm ( Cocos nucifera) is a member of the Family Arecaceae (palm family The term " vegetable " generally means the edible parts of Plants The definition of the word is traditional rather than Scientific, however Livestock is the term used to refer (singularly or plurally to a Domesticated Animal intentionally reared in an agricultural setting to produce such as Food Poultry is the category of Domesticated Birds which some humans keep for the purpose of collecting their eggs, or kill for their Meat and/or Pigs, also called hogs or' swine', are Ungulates which have been domesticated as sources of food leather and similar products since ancient times For the fishing industry and the practice of fishing see Fishing. Aquaculture is the farming of freshwater and saltwater organisms including Molluscs Crustaceans and aquatic plants Floriculture, or flower farming, is a discipline of Horticulture concerned with the cultivation of flowering and Ornamental plants for gardens and

Owing to limited land size and the highly industrialised nature of Penang's economy, agriculture is given little emphasis. In fact, agriculture is the only sector to record negative growth in the state, contributing only 1. 3% to the state GDP in 2000. 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. The share of Penang's paddy area to the national paddy area accounts for only 4. 9%

Banking

View of Beach Street with the HSBC building at 1 Downing Street

Penang was the centre of banking of Malaysia at a time when Kuala Lumpur was still a small outpost. The oldest bank in Malaysia, Standard Chartered Bank (then the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China) opened its doors in 1875. Standard Chartered Bank (, is a British Bank headquartered in London with operations in more than seventy countries The Chartered Bank of India Australia and China (or simply The Chartered Bank) was a bank founded in London in 1851/1853 by Year 1875 ( MDCCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, now known as HSBC, opened its first branch in Penang in 1885. The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation Limited ( based in Hong Kong, is a wholly owned Subsidiary and the founding member of the HSBC group HSBC Holdings plc ( (,,,) is a Public limited company incorporated in England and Wales, headquartered in London. Year 1885 ( MDCCCLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The Dutch-based ABN AMRO Bank opened its first office in Penang in 1888 to cater to the financial requirements of the early European traders. ABN AMRO is a Dutch bank currently owned by RFS Holdings BV, a consortium of Royal Bank of Scotland Group, Fortis Bank Nederland, and Banco Santander Year 1888 ( MDCCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Most of the older banks still maintain their local headquarters on Beach Street, the old commercial centre of George Town.

Today, Penang remains a banking hub with branches of Citibank, United Overseas Bank, and Bank Negara Malaysia (the Malaysian central bank) together with local banks such as Public Bank, Maybank, Ambank and CIMB Bank. Citibank is a major international Bank, founded in 1812 as the City Bank of New York, later First National City Bank of New York. United Overseas Bank Limited ( Simplified Chinese: 大华银行有限公司 Pinyin: Dàhuá Yínháng Yǒuxìan Gōngsī abbreviated as UOB (Simplified Bank Negara Malaysia or BNM is the Malaysian Central bank. Its headquarters is located in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia and Public Bank Berhad ( is a Bank based in Malaysia.The Public Bank Group's business ended the financial year 2005 on a high note with RM111 Maybank ( a trade name for Malayan Banking Berhad is the largest Bank and financial group in Malaysia, with significant personal banking operations CIMB Group ( is Malaysia’s second largest financial services provider which is listed on Bursa Malaysia through Bumiputra-Commerce Holdings Berhad (BCHB

Food

Main article: Penang cuisine

A hawker stall selling rojak, a fruit dish in shrimp and chilli paste

Hawker food centre at Gurney Drive. Penang cuisine is the cuisine of the multicultural society of Penang Malaysia.

Penang island is a paradise for food lovers who come from all over Malaysia and even Singapore to sample the island's unique cuisine, earning Penang the nickname of the food capital of Malaysia. For the biogeographical region see Malesia Malaysia (məˈleɪʒə or /məˈleɪziə/ is a country that consists of thirteen states and Singapore Penang was recognised as having the Best Street Food in Asia by TIME magazine in 2004, citing that nowhere else can such great tasting food be so cheap. Time (trademarked in capitals as TIME) is a weekly American Newsmagazine, similar to Newsweek and "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Penang's cuisine reflects the Chinese, Nyonya, Malay and Indian ethnic mix of Malaysia, but is also strongly influenced by the cuisine of Thailand to the north. Chinese cuisine ( Traditional Chinese: 中國菜 Simplified Chinese: 中国菜 originated from the various regions of China and has become widespread in Peranakan, Baba-Nyonya ( Hokkien: Bā-bā Niû-liá) and Straits Chinese (zh-Hant 土生華人 named after the Straits Settlements Malays (Melayu are an Ethnic group of Austronesian peoples predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast A non-resident Indian (NRI is an Indian citizen who has migrated to another country a person of Indian origin who is born outside India or a person of The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Its especially famous "hawker food", sold and eaten roadside, strongly features noodles and fresh seafood. Great places to savour Penang's food are Gurney Drive, Pulau Tikus, New Lane, Swatow Lane, Penang Road and Chulia Street. Local Chinese restaurants serve excellent fare too. American fast food outlets and coffee joints are readily found throughout the state. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Fast food is the term given to food that can be prepared and served very quickly A coffeehouse ( French / Portuguese: café; Spanish: cafetería; Italian: caffè Japanese, Korean, Italian and Western food are also popular.

Shopping

Queensbay Mall, Bayan Lepas

Penang also has modern shopping complexes located within the state. Among of them are:

• Queensbay Mall, is Penang's largest, longest and most packed shopping centre. Queensbay Mall is a Shopping mall situated in Penang, Malaysia. It spans 2. 5 million sq. feet along the beach facing Penang Bridge and Pulau Jerejak. The Penang Bridge ( Jambatan Pulau Pinang in Malay) is a dual-carriageway Toll bridge that connects Gelugor on the island of Jerejak, or Pulau Jerejak (Jerejak Island is a 362 hectare Island located off the southeastern tip of Penang, Malaysia, a short ferry ride It houses Penang's first Jusco departmental store, an 8-screen cinema managed by Golden Screen Cinemas and other retail shops. is the Acronym for Japan United Stores Company, a chain of "ceneral merchandise stores" (or Hypermarket) and the largest of its type in Japan Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC is the largest chain of cinemas in Malaysia.
• Gurney Plaza, Penang's first lifestyle-oriented shopping mall. Gurney Plaza, touted as Penang 's premier lifestyle mall is a Shopping mall located at the famed Gurney Drive Promenade in George Opened in 2001, it is located at Gurney Drive. Gurney Drive ( Persiaran Gurney) is a popular seafront Promenade in George Town, It houses retail shops and also the Northern Region's largest cinema, managed by Golden Screen Cinemas. Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC is the largest chain of cinemas in Malaysia. The cinema consists of 12 theatres and a Malaysia's first 80-seater Premiere Class theatre.
• Komtar, Penang's first shopping mall opened in 1989. KOMTAR (Malay Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak) or more accurately KOMTAR Tower (Menara KOMTAR in Malay is Penang 's tallest building and the sixth tallest building in Malaysia It is still opened to the public.
• Sunway Carnival Mall, it is located at Seberang Jaya. Sunway Carnival Mall is a Shopping mall located at the center of the Seberang Jaya area which is located beside the Sunway Hotel Seberang Jaya. It is the first shopping mall in Malaysia to have an IT information provided. It also houses a cinema and retail shops.

Arts and Culture

Main article: Culture of Penang

Architecture

Main article: Architecture of Penang

A colonial-era house with a Straits-Chinese art deco eclectic architecture

Tourism

Tanjung Bunga

Penang's historic architecture is centred mainly in George Town. This article is about the culture of the Malaysian state of Penang. The architecture of Penang reflects the 171 years of British presence in the Malaysian state of Penang, coalescing with local Chinese, Its rows of 100 year-old shophouses and colonial villas give George Town its distinctive atmosphere. Penang was the venue for several blockbuster movies, such as Anna and the King and the French film Indochine. Anna and the King is a 1999 motion picture loosely based on the story of Anna Leonowens, who was an English schoolteacher in Siam now Thailand Indochine is an 1992 Academy Award winning French film that tells the story of a young Indochinese woman named Camille

The best way to capture Penang’s mixed heritage is to stroll around town. The aged buildings are noted for their faded colours and crumbling walls. Old houses have columns or multi-coloured Peranakan tiles. The Aceh Mosque is the oldest house of worship in the city. The smell of incense drifts in the air amidst gold settings of Burmese, Thai and Chinese temples. The Khoo Kongsi is a traditional form of Chinese art with its delicately carved wooden panels. The Khoo Kongsi (邱公司 is a large Chinese clanhouse with elaborate and highly ornamented architecture a mark of the dominant presence of the Chinese in Other long-time occupants include elderly Chinese shopkeepers, colourful Indian food stalls and trishaws with their drivers. The cycle rickshaw, being a small-scale local means of transport is also known by a variety of other names such as rickshaw, pedicab, bugbug, cyclo

Education

Main article: Education in Penang

Infrastructure

Healthcare

Healthcare in Penang is provided by public as well as private hospitals. This articles concerns the educational institutions of Penang. The healthcare system in Penang is widely perceived to be good, and the public healthcare system first established by the colonial authorities was supplemented by healthcare provided by local Chinese charities, and Christian missionaries such as Roman Catholic and Seventh-day Adventist missionary groups. The Seventh-day Adventist (abbreviated " Adventist " Church is a Christian denomination which is distinguished mainly by its observance Hospices are also increasingly becoming the choice for long-term and terminal care.

In addition to public hospitals are numerous smaller community clinics. The Gleneagles Medical Centre is the first private hospital in Penang, Malaysia. The Penang Adventist Hospital is a Christian not-for-profit medical institution in Penang, Malaysia. Private hospitals supplement the system with better facilities and equipments. These hospitals cater not only to the local population but also to people from other states and health tourists from neighbouring countries. Patients from the Indonesian city of Medan across the Straits regularly visit these hospitals for quality treatment, and because the cost is less than in places like Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Kuala Lumpur (ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər Malay /kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ/ and locally /kwɑləlʊmpɔ/ or even /kɔlɔmpɔ/ or often abbreviated as K Singapore Penang is, therefore, actively promoting health tourism.

Transportation

Main article: Transportation in Penang

Getting to Penang both from within and outside Malaysia is easy as Penang is well-connected by road, rail, sea and air.

Bridge, roads and highways

The 13. 5 km long Penang Bridge

Penang Island is connected to the mainland by the 13. 5-kilometre Penang Bridge (completed in 1985), one of the longest bridges in Asia. The Penang Bridge ( Jambatan Pulau Pinang in Malay) is a dual-carriageway Toll bridge that connects Gelugor on the island of Year 1985 ( MCMLXXXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays 1985 Gregorian calendar) This is a list of the world's Bridges longer than 2 km (6562 ft sorted by their full length above land or water Due to heavy traffic, the bridge is currently being broadened into 3 lanes from the current two. On March 31, 2006, the Malaysian government announced a second bridge project, tentatively named the Penang Second Bridge, to be built under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Penang Second Bridge is a new bridge under construction in Penang, Malaysia. Ninth Malaysian Plan (Rancangan Malaysia ke-9 abbreviated as '9MP' is a comprehensive blueprint prepared by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU of the Prime Minister's Department and the Penang Bridge was built by Hyundai. Hyundai refers to a group of companies and related organizations founded by Chung Ju-yung in South Korea.

Penang on the side of Province Wellesley is connected to the North-South Expressway (Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan), the 966-km long expressway which traverses the western part of Peninsular Malaysia linking major cities and towns. The North-South Expressway (NSE (Lebuhraya Utara-Selatan 南北大道 வடக்கு - தெற்கு நெடுஞ்சாலை is the longest expressway in Malaysia An expressway is a Divided highway for high-speed traffic with at least partial Control of access. The expressway also incorporates the Penang Bridge.

The controversial Penang Outer Ring Road (PORR) is now under way. Penang Outer Ring Road or PORR is a planned expressway in George Town, Penang, Malaysia. The idea of the project is to cut travelling time on the eastern part of the island. Concerned citizens voiced protests over the designated route which will cut across quiet residential areas and also cause some environmental damage. Another expressway, the Jelutong Expressway has reduced travelling time from the Penang Bridge to the city centre by half. Jelutong Expressway, JEWay, Federal route, or ( Lebuhraya Jelutong in Malay is an extension of Penang Bridge which connects George

The Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) is a 14-km tolled expressway that serves primarily Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam to ameliorate the upsurge in vehicular traffic due to intense urban and industrial development. Butterworth Outer Ring Road or BORR is an expressway in Butterworth Penang, Malaysia. Butterworth is a surname and may refer to Bob Butterworth, former Florida attorney general Brad Butterworth (born 1959 yachtsman Bukit Mertajam is a town in Central Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia.

Public transport

Buses and taxis in George Town

Penang boasted an efficient public transport network right up to the 1970s. Electric trams, trolleybuses and double deckers used to ply the streets of Penang. A tram, tramcar, trolley, trolley car, or streetcar is a railborne vehicle, of lighter weight and construction than a Train The Penang Hill Railway, a funicular railway to the top of Penang Hill, was an engineering feat of sorts when it was completed in 1923, and is still in use today. The Penang Hill Railway is a two section funicular railway which climbs Penang Hill from Air Itam, near George Town on the island of A funicular, also known as a funicular railway, incline, inclined railway, inclined plane, or cliff railway, is a type of self-contained Penang Hill is a Hill resort comprising a group of peaks the major hill system of Penang, Malaysia.

The Penang bus services today are generally unsystematic and do not have a reputation of reliability. Therefore, the usage of public transportation is still low, exacerbating the traffic jams in the city during rush hours. The city council has, however, provided free shuttle bus services for short intra-city travel to lessen the congestion, with mixed success. In April 2006, the local authorities announced a revamp of the public bus service to bring about a more reliable and efficient network without any visible progress. On February 20, 2007, the government announced that Rapid KL will operate the public bus service in Penang under the new entity called Rapid Penang which is formed for this purpose. Events 1472 - Orkney and Shetland are left by Norway to Scotland, due to a Dowry payment Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. RapidKL, short for Rangkaian Pengangkutan Integrasi Deras Sdn Bhd is a government-owned Company which was formed in 2004 as part of the restructuring of the public Rapid Penang, an abbreviation for Rapid Penang Sendirian Berhad, is a government-owned company set up to operate bus services in Penang state in Malaysia The services started on 31 July 2007 with 150 buses covering 38 routes on the island and mainland.

There are two main bus terminals for express buses which travel out of the state. One is located at the ferry terminal in Province Wellesley, and a newer one at Sungai Nibong on the island.

Taxis in Penang have not conformed to the meter system as exhorted by the federal authorities, citing unprofitability. A new ruling implemented on August 1, 2006 makes it compulsory for taxis to use the meter system. Events 30 BC - Octavian (later known as Augustus enters Alexandria, Egypt, bringing it under the control of the Roman Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Although taxi drivers have been repeatedly warned by the state government and the Commercial Vehicle Licensing Board (CVLB), the meter system is still not adhered to by taxi drivers in Penang.

A quaint mode of transportation, the three-wheeled trishaw, still operates in certain parts of George Town. The cycle rickshaw, being a small-scale local means of transport is also known by a variety of other names such as rickshaw, pedicab, bugbug, cyclo However, with the advent of modern transportation, the trishaw has increasingly become a mere tourist attraction.

Rail and monorail
Penang has 34. 9 km of rail track within its border. ^[1] Butterworth is serviced by the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) or Malayan Railway West Coast line which runs from Padang Besar on the Malaysia-Thailand Border in Perlis to Singapore. Butterworth is a surname and may refer to Bob Butterworth, former Florida attorney general Brad Butterworth (born 1959 yachtsman Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad ( KTMB) or Malayan Railways Limited is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The Malaysia-Thailand border consist of both a land boundary across the Malay Peninsula and maritime boundaries in the Straits of Malacca and the Gulf of This article is about the Malaysian state For the computer scientist see Alan Perlis. Singapore Senandung Langkawi is the daily night express running from Kuala Lumpur to Haadyai via Butterworth. Kuala Lumpur (ˈkwɑːləlʊmˈpʊər Malay /kwɑlɑlʊmpʊ/ and locally /kwɑləlʊmpɔ/ or even /kɔlɔmpɔ/ or often abbreviated as K Hat Yai (หาดใหญ่ also Haad Yai / Had Yai) is a city in southern Thailand near the boundary to Malaysia. Butterworth is a surname and may refer to Bob Butterworth, former Florida attorney general Brad Butterworth (born 1959 yachtsman

Penang has had a monorail under consideration since 1999. The Penang Monorail project was finally approved on March 31, 2006 under the Ninth Malaysia Plan. The Penang Monorail is a proposed monorail line to be constructed under the Ninth Malaysia Plan and Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER Events 307 - After divorcing his wife Minervina, Constantine marries Fausta, the daughter of the retired Roman Emperor Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Ninth Malaysian Plan (Rancangan Malaysia ke-9 abbreviated as '9MP' is a comprehensive blueprint prepared by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU of the Prime Minister's Department and the On August 2, 2006, the federal government has decided to build the monorail transit system in the city of George Town. Events 338 BC - A Macedonian army led by Philip II defeated the combined forces of Athens and Thebes in the Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang in Malaysia. This monorail line will connect Tanjung Tokong in the north with Bayan Lepas in the south, Air Itam in the west and Weld Quay in the east.

Airport
AirAsia flies daily to Penang from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok with other services to Sarawak and Sabah. AirAsia Berhad ( is a low-cost airline based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. A subsidiary of MAS, Firefly, has established six routes within Malaysia and two to Thailand with Penang as its hub using Fokker 50 aircraft. Other airlines operating to Penang are Singapore Airlines, MAS, together with Indonesian airlines Lion Air and Mandala [from November 2007].

Penang International Airport (PEN) is located in Bayan Lepas in the south of the island, and international flights are available to Hong Kong, Singapore, Medan, Taipei, Bangkok, Riau and Guangzhou. Penang International Airport, previously known as Bayan Lepas International Airport, is situated in the Bayan Lepas area of Penang, Malaysia Hong Kong ( officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, is a territory located on China 's south coast on the Pearl River Delta, and borders Singapore Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. Taipei ( Taiwanese Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Tâi-pak-chhī Jhuyin Fuhao: ㄊㄞˊ ㄅㄟˇ ㄕˋ Hakka: Thòi-pet-sṳ has been the capital of Bangkok, known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon (krūŋtʰêːp máhǎːnákʰɔn) or Krung Thep ( for short is the Capital, largest Riau is a province of Indonesia, located in the center of Sumatra Island along the Strait of Malacca. Guangzhou ( Jyutping: Gwong²zau¹; Yale: Gwóngjàu) is the Capital and a Sub-provincial city The airport serves as the northern gateway to Malaysia.

In 2006, the airport handled 3. 1 million passengers, both domestic and international, and 22. 22 million metric tonne of cargo in 2005 from within and outside the country[5]. The airport is the hub of Firefly, a low-cost carrier wholly owned by Malaysia Airlines. Firefly is a low cost airline and a full subsidiary of Malaysia Airlines. Malaysia Airlines (MAS ( Malay:Syarikat Penerbangan Malaysia Chinese:马来西亚航空公司) is the Flag carrier of Malaysia.

Ferry and seaports

Penang at dawn

A Penang ferry docking at the Butterworth jetty

Cross-channel ferry services, provided by the Penang Ferry Service, connect George Town and Butterworth, and were the only link between the island and the mainland until the bridge was built in 1985. See also Merchant ship A ferry is a form of transport usually a Boat or Ship, used to carry (or ferry) passengers and Penang Ferry Service is the oldest ferry service in Malaysia. High-speed ferries to the resort island of Langkawi, Kedah in the north as well as to Medan are also available daily. Langkawi, officially known as Langkawi the Jewel of Kedah ( Malay: Langkawi Permata Kedah) is an Archipelago of 99 islands (an extra 5 temporary Kedah ( Jawi: قدح pop 1778188 is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia.

The Port of Penang is operated by the Penang Port Commission. There are four terminals, one on Penang island (Swettenham Pier) and three on the mainland, namely North Butterworth Container Terminal (NBCT), Butterworth Deep Water Wharves (BDWW), and Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal (PBCT). Malaysia being the 13th largest exporting nation, the Port of Penang plays a leading role in the nation's shipping industry, linking Penang to more than 200 ports worldwide. Swettenham Pier also accommodates cruise ships. A cruise ship or cruise liner is a Passenger ship used for pleasure voyages where the voyage itself and the ship's amenities are part of the experience

Utilities

Water supply which comes under the state jurisdiction, is wholly managed by the state-owned but autonomous PBA Holdings Bhd whose sole subsidiary is the Perbadanan Bekalan Air Pulau Pinang Sdn Bhd (PBAPP). Water supply is the process of self-provision or provision by third parties of water of various qualities to different users This public limited company provides reliable, round-the-clock drinking water to 100% of the urban areas and 99. A Public Limited Company ( PLC, plc or plc or p l c is a type of Limited company in the United Kingdom or the Republic of Ireland which is 5% of the rural areas throughout the state. Penang was cited by the World Development Movement as a case study in successful public water scheme. The World Development Movement is a membership organisation in the United Kingdom which campaigns on issues of global justice and development in the Global South PBA's water rates are also one of the lowest in the world [6]. Penang's water supply is sourced from the Air Itam Dam, Mengkuang Dam, Teluk Bahang Dam, Bukit Panchor Dam, Berapit Dam, Cherok Tok Kun Dam, Waterfall Reservoir, Guillemard Reservoir, and also from neighbouring Kedah state. Kedah ( Jawi: قدح pop 1778188 is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia.

Penang was among the first states in Malaya to be electrified in 1905 upon the completion of the first hydroelectric scheme. British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula that were colonized by the British from the 18th and the 19th until the 20th century Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Hydroelectricity is electricity generated by Hydropower, ie the production of power through use of the gravitational force of falling water At present, electricity for industrial and domestic consumption is provided by the national electricity utility company, Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB). Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) is the largest electricity utility company in Malaysia and also the largest power company in Southeast Asia with RM65 billion worth

Telekom Malaysia Berhad is the landline telephone service provider as well as the main Internet service provider in the state. Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) is the largest telecommunication company in Malaysia and also Southeast Asia 's second-largest telecommunication company An Internet service provider ( ISP, also called Internet access provider or IAP) is a company which primarily offers their customers access to the Internet Penang also has excellent cell phone coverage. Broadband internet is also widely available.

Garbage collection and disposal is managed by the respective local authorities. The main landfill is the modern Pulau Burung landfill near Nibong Tebal. For other uses see Water treatment and Land reclamation. A landfill, also known as a dump (and historically as Nibong Tebal 高淵 is a Town under parliamentary constituency P047

Sewage treatment in Penang is managed by the national sewerage company, Indah Water Konsortium. Sewage treatment, or domestic wastewater treatment, is the process of removing Contaminants from Wastewater, both Runoff ( Effluents Prior to systematic sewerage piping and treatment, waste water was haphazardly disposed, mostly in the sea, causing environmental pollution. Distinguish from Wastwater (a lake in the Lake District in northwest England It is not uncommon to see washing water from roadside pushcart stalls simply released into the open drainage system. Litter floating in drains and canals is not an uncommon sight.

Sister Cities

• Adelaide, Australia (1973)
• Xiamen, China (1991)
• Medan, Indonesia
• Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)

Penang is one of the hotbeds of social activism in the country. Adelaide is the capital and most populous city of the Australian state of South Australia, and is the fifth largest city in Australia with a For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Medan is the capital of the province of North Sumatra, Indonesia. The Republic of Indonesia ( (Republik Indonesia is a Country in Southeast Asia. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Japan topics. Anwar Fazal, who is one of the world's leading social advocate, together with several individuals founded the Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) in 1969. Anwar Fazal (b 15 July 1941 in Sungei Bayor, Selama, Malaysia) is a grassroots environmental activist The country's most vocal and active consumer protection group, CAP strives to protect the interests of consumers and is a vociferous critic of both the government and private enterprises. It publishes the Utusan Konsumer, Utusan Pengguna, Utusan Cina, Utusan Tamil, Majalah Pengguna Kanak-kanak. Anwar Fazal is also known as the "Father of the Malaysian NGO Movement" and "Ralph Nader of the East".

The World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action WABA is an organization based in Penang whose objectives are to protect, promote and support breastfeeding globally. In particular, their objectives are to re-establish and maintain a global breastfeeding culture, to eliminate all obstacles to breastfeeding, to promote more regional and national level co-operation, and to advocate for breastfeeding in development, women, environment and human rights programmes.

The Penang Heritage Trust is an NGO whose objective is to promote the conservation of Penang's heritage, and to foster cultural education about the history and heritage of Penang. PHT works to enlist the historic enclave of George Town as a World Heritage Site. A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a site (such as a Forest, Mountain, Lake, Desert, Monument, Building, complex The organisation had played an important role in saving many heritage buildings in Penang from the encroachment of development.

The Women's Centre for Change Penang (WCC) is a non-profit organisation which supports women and children in crisis.

Friends of the Penang Botanic Gardens Society is a voluntary organisation dedicated to supporting the botanic, horticultural, educational and recreational objectives of the Penang Botanic Gardens.

Crime

Crime is on the rise in Penang, sparking concern among Penangites. A case in point was the daring RM 50 million heist of computer parts at the Batu Maung Free Commercial Zone on 21 November 2006, the nation's biggest robbery to date [7]. Events 164 BC - Judas Maccabaeus, son of Mattathias of the Hasmonean family restores the Temple in Jerusalem. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The prevalence of petty crimes like snatch thefts is equally disconcerting.

Sports

Tanjung City Marina

The state has good sporting facilities which provide good training grounds for aspiring sportsmen. The two major stadia are the City Stadium in George Town and the Batu Kawan Stadium in Southern Province Wellesley. The Penang International Sports Arena (PISA) in Relau has an indoor stadium and an aquatics centre. Relau is a town located just before Sungai Ara, Penang, Malaysia.

Penang has 4 golf courses, namely the 18-hole Bukit Jambul Country Club (on the island), the 36-hole Bukit Jawi Golf Resort, the 18-hole Penang Golf Resort and the 18-hole Kristal Golf Resort.

The Penang Turf Club, established in 1864, is Malaysia's oldest horse racing and equestrian centre. Penang Turf Club is a major horse racing course in Penang, Malaysia. Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description The turf club is to be relocated to a new site now under construction in Province Wellesley.

Eminent sports clubs in Penang include the Bukit Mertajam Country Club, Penang Club, Chinese Recreation Club (CRC), Penang Sports Club, Penang Rifle Club, Penang Polo Club, Penang Swimming Club, Chinese Swimming Club, Penang Squash Centre and a World class marina, the Tanjung City Marina which can accommodate up to 140 yachts and boats of various sizes, along the historic Weld Quay, to attract seafarers from around the world.

The exciting sport of paintball had landed in Penang and there are many paintball fields which you can choose from. The state had witness a few paintball competitions within this year with more to come.

Penang also hosts the annual Starwalk and the Penang Bridge Run and Marathon.

The world famous international dragon boat festival is held in Penang annually since 1979 around the fifth day of the fifth moon of the lunar calendar . Penang International Dragon Boat Festival (PIDBF) which lead the development of the sports has also won the right to hold the World Club Crew Championship 2008 at Teluk bahang Dam in August . NOrmally , the state will hold two races in a year , the Penang International Dragon Boat Festival in the month of June and Penang Pesta Dragon Boat race around early December .

Penang also has the only Chingay Procession in the world currently which were started about 100 years ago with 1st parade in 1919 in Penang . It is held in celebration with the birthdays of the Chinese deities or the procession of the Goddess of Mercy (Guanyin)which was to worship and enjoy the deity. The procession can be seen yearly on the night of the Christmas Day or during Chinese festivals such as new year or any big scale events in Penang .

Penang's Firsts

Fort Cornwallis in George Town, British outpost

St. George's Church, first Anglican church in Southeast Asia

The Standard Chartered Bank building at 2 Beach Street

• Penang became the first British outpost in the then Malaya and South East Asia in 1786. Year 1786 ( MDCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
• The country's first newspaper made its appearance in Penang in 1805 - the Prince of Wales Island Gazette. This was followed by the Penang Gazette, first published in 1837. [8]
• The Royal Malaysian Police was established when King George III awarded Penang a 'Charter of Justice’ in 1807 to form the police force and the Court of Justice. Year 1807 ( MDCCCVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
• Penang Free School founded by Rev. Penang Free School is a Secondary school located on Jalan Masjid Negeri (previously Green Lane) George Town, Penang, Malaysia Sparke Hutchings in 1816, is the first and oldest English School in South East Asia. Year 1816 ( MDCCCXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year
• St George's Anglican Church on Farquhar Street, established in 1816, is the oldest Anglican Church in South East Asia and the only building from Penang that was declared one of the 50 National Treasures by the Malaysian Government. Year 1816 ( MDCCCXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year
• The Sekolah Kebangsaan Gelugor in Penang founded in 1826 is the first Malay school to be established in Malaysia. [9]
• Convent Light Street or the Convent of the Holy Infant Jesus, a girls' school established by a French Sisters' Mission in 1852, is the oldest girls' school in South East Asia. Year 1852 ( MDCCCLII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year
• Chung Hwa Confucian School founded by Cheong Fatt Tze in 1904, was one of the oldest formal Chinese Schools established in South-east Asia as a result of influence by the educational reforms in China in early 1900s. Chung Hwa Confucian School (Chinese: 孔圣庙中华学校 was founded in 1904 in Penang, Malaysia. Cheong Fatt Tze ( Chinese: 張弼士 Pinyin: Zhāng Bìshì (1840-1916 was a Hakka born in 1840 in Dabu, Guangdong Province Year 1904 ( MCMIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year starting on Mandarin is the school’s medium of instruction.
• The Municipal Council of Penang Island (Majlis Perbandaran Pulau Pinang), is the successor of the Municipal Council of George Town, which was established in 1857 as Malaysia's first local authority. Click here for Indian Rebellion of 1857 Year 1857 ( MDCCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the
• The Penang Turf Club, established in 1864, is Malaysia's oldest horse racing and equestrian centre. Penang Turf Club is a major horse racing course in Penang, Malaysia. Year 1864 ( MDCCCLXIV) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year This article is about the sport For other uses see Horserace (drinking game or Horse race (politics. For the Roman class see Equestrian (Roman Equestrianism refers to the skill of riding or driving Horses This broad description
• Standard Chartered Bank, the oldest bank in Malaysia, opened its doors in 1875. Standard Chartered Bank (, is a British Bank headquartered in London with operations in more than seventy countries Year 1875 ( MDCCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common
• In 1905 Penang completed its first hydroelectric scheme. Year 1905 ( MCMV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting
• in 1906 Penang's first electric tramway made its appearance. Year 1906 ( MCMVI) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting
• Malaysia's oldest Chinese newspaper still in circulation today, Kwong Wah Yit Poh or Kwong Wah Daily (光华日报) was founded on 20 December 1910 by Dr. Kwong Wah Yit Poh or Kwong Wah Daily (Chinese: 光华日报 is a Malaysian Chinese daily that was founded in 20 December, 1910 Events 69 - Vespasian, formerly a general under Nero, enters Rome to claim the title of Emperor. Year 1910 ( MCMX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year starting Sun Yat-Sen in Penang. Sun Yat-sen ( November 12, 1866 &ndash March 12, 1925) was a Chinese Revolutionary and political leader often
• The Penang Players Music and Drama Society, the oldest English amateur theatre group in Malaysia, was founded in the early 1950s by a group of expatriates residing in Penang.
• On 1 January 1957, George Town became a city by a royal charter granted by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, becoming the first town in the Federation of Malaya to become a city. New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC Year 1957 ( MCMLVII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1957 Gregorian calendar) George Town is the capital city of the state of Penang in Malaysia. For the ship see RMS Queen Elizabeth 2 Elizabeth II (Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Context States headed by Elizabeth II
• Penang's water rates/tariffs are amongst the lowest in Malaysia (the other being Kelantan). Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu.
• Covering 738 km², the Seberang Perai Municipal Council (Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai) is the largest local authority in Malaysia.
• The 2,562-hectare Penang National Park in Teluk Bahang gazetted in 2003 is the world’s smallest national park. [10]

Famous Penangites

• Ah Niu, artist, popular across Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and China. Ah Niu is the nickname of Tan Kheng Seong ( Simplified Chinese:陈庆祥 was born on August 31, 1976 in Penang, Malaysia
• Anwar Fazal, who Mother Earth News called in 1983 "probably the most influential figure in the worldwide consumer movement". Anwar Fazal (b 15 July 1941 in Sungei Bayor, Selama, Malaysia) is a grassroots environmental activist [11]
• Anwar Ibrahim, the ex-deputy prime minister during Tun Dr Mahathir's administration, whose hometown is Cherok Tok Kun. Dato' Seri Anwar bin Ibrahim (born 10 August 1947) is a Malaysian politician who served as Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister from 1993 to 1998 Tun Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad (ma'ħɑðiɽ bin mʊħɑmmæd̚ (recorded as born on 20 December 1925 was the fourth Prime Minister of Cherok Tok Kun is a small village in Province Wellesley, Penang, Malaysia. He is currently the Parti KeADILan Rakyat (PKR) adviser and its de facto leader. The People's Justice Party ( Malay: Parti Keadilan Rakyat, often known simply as Keadilan is a Centrist Political party in Malaysia
• Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, Malaysia's fifth Prime Minister, is from Kepala Batas, Penang. Dato' Seri Abdullah Hj Ahmad Badawi (born 26 November 1939 is a Malaysian politician who has served as Prime Minister since 2003 Kepala redirects here Kepala is also a Malay translation of the word " Head "
• Jill Bennett, actress. Jill Bennett may refer to Jill Bennett (British actress (1931 - 1990 Jill Bennett (American actress (1975 -)
• Eddy Choong, the four-time All England champion [12] and other badminton legends such as Johnny Heah, Ooi Teik Hock, Lim Say Hup, Teh Kew San, Tan Aik Huang , Tan Aik Mong and Ong Ewe Hock . Eddy Choong Ewe Beng (born 1930 in Penang) is a retired male Badminton player from Malaysia. The All England Open Badminton Championships, or simply All England, is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious Badminton tournaments
• Jimmy Choo, the famous shoe designer. Dato' Jimmy Choo OBE, born Jimmy Choo Yeang Keat (周仰杰 iuis a London -based luxury fashion designer best known for his hand-made women's
• Nicol David, the current international women's squash champion. WISPA Titles (31 All Results for Nicol David in WISPA World's Tour tournament WISPA Tour Finals (Runner-Up WISPA Titlist Leader (currently She is currently ranked No. 1 in the world (April 2007).
• P.Ramlee, Malaysia's legendary actor/singer/director. Tan Sri Dr P Ramlee PSM AMN ( 22 March 1929 &ndash 29 May 1973) was a Malaysian film Actor,
• Lee Chong Wei, currently ranked No. win special olympic games2007shanghai ' Lee Chong Wei' (Datuk Lee Chong Wei DSPN ( Simplified Chinese: 李宗伟 (born October 21, 1982) is a professional 2 badminton player in the world. (February 24, 2008)
• Lillian Too, feng shui consultant and best-selling author of feng shui books. Lillian Too (born 1946 in Penang) is a best-selling Author, television personality and Feng Shui practitioner from Malaysia. Feng shui ( ˈfəŋˌʃueɪ fehng-shway in English is an ancient Chinese system of Aesthetics believed to utilize the Laws of both heaven (astronomy and earth (geography
• Alleycats, Popular Malaysian band formed in the 1960s comprising the late Loganathan Arumugam (vocals), David Arumugam (vocals), Tan Chin Hock (drums), Shunmugam Arumugam (lead guitar), Chester Anthony Passerella (saxophone), Khoo Fook Sin and Greenville (keyboards) and Frank Ong (bass). The Alleycats is a Malaysian band which was formed in 1969, and gained popularity in the late 1970s.
• Tan Sri Dato' Loh Boon Siew, a tycoon famous for his Boon Siew Honda. Tan Sri Dato' Loh Boon Siew 1915-1995 (Chinese 駱文秀 also known as “Mr Honda” was a Penangite Tycoon and the first sole distributor of Honda
• Dr. Wu Lien Teh (1879 - 1960), world-renowned Plague Fighter and pioneer in the modernization of China's public health system. Dr Wu Lien-teh (伍连德 Wu Liande Gnoh Lean Tuck 1879-21 January 1960 was a Malayan-born Chinese and graduate of Emmanuel College Cambridge
• John H. Whyte, the political scientist, was born in Penang.
• Yong Mun Sen(1896-1962),Penang pioneer artist, Father of Malaysian Painting

Quotes

As one lands on Penang one is impressed even before reaching the shore by the blaze of colour in the costumes of the crowds which throng the jetty.

– Isabella Bird, 19th century English traveller and writer. Isabella Lucy Bird ( October 15, 1831 &ndash October 7, 1904) was a nineteenth-century English traveller and writer

References in popular culture

• Penang was the shooting location for a number of movies, most notably:

1. Indochine (France - 1992) featuring Catherine Deneuve and Vincent Perez. Indochine is an 1992 Academy Award winning French film that tells the story of a young Indochinese woman named Camille Catherine Deneuve (French katʁin dəˈnœv born October 22 1943 is a two-time Cesar Award -winning BAFTA Award -nominated and Academy Award -nominated Vincent Pérez (born 10 June 1962) is a Swiss actor from Lausanne, Switzerland.
2. Beyond Rangoon (USA/UK - 1995). Beyond Rangoon is a 1995 Drama film directed by John Boorman about Laura Bowman (played by Patricia Arquette) an
3. Paradise Road (USA/Australia - 1997) starring Glenn Close and Frances McDormand. Paradise Road is a 1997 Film which tells the story of a group of women who are imprisoned in Sumatra during World War II. Glenn Close (born March 19, 1947) is an American Singer and Actress of stage and screen, perhaps best known Frances Louise McDormand (born June 23, 1957) is an Academy Award -winning American Film, stage, and television
4. Anna and the King (USA - 1999) featuring Jodie Foster and Chow Yun-Fat. Anna and the King is a 1999 motion picture loosely based on the story of Anna Leonowens, who was an English schoolteacher in Siam now Thailand Alicia Christian "Jodie" Foster (born November 19 1962 is a two-time Academy Award, BAFTA, and Golden Globe -award winning American Chow Yun-Fat SBS ( born May 18, 1955) is a Chinese Actor. He is one of the most famous actors in Asia and a
5. The Touch (Hong Kong, 2002) featuring Michelle Yeoh. The Touch is a 2002 Hong Kong Action-adventure / Martial arts film directed by Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon cinematographer Dato' Michelle Yeoh Choo-Kheng ( Cantonese (Yale romanization yèuhng jí kìhng born August 6, 1962) is a BAFTA Award-nominated
6. Lust, Caution (Taiwan, 2007) directed by Ang Lee. Lust Caution ( is a 2007 Chinese Espionage thriller film directed by Taiwanese director Ang Lee, based Ang Lee ( (born October 23, 1954) is an Academy Award -winning Film director from Taiwan.
7. Sun Yat-sen biography film Road to Dawn (China, 2007) featuring Winston Chao and Angelica Lee

• Penang was featured in or alluded to in novels such as:

1. The Penang Pirate by John Conroy Hutcheson. Sun Yat-sen ( November 12, 1866 &ndash March 12, 1925) was a Chinese Revolutionary and political leader often Road to Dawn ( is an 2007 Chinese Historical film directed by Hong Kong filmmaker Derek Chiu. Winston Chao Wen-Hsuan ( (born 9 June 1960) is an actor from Taiwan known for his roles in The Wedding Banquet, ''Red Rose Angelica Lee Sin-Jie ( Chinese: 李心潔 Hakka Pinyin Lee Sin Chet Pinyin: Lǐ Xīnjié is a Malaysian- Taiwanese film Actress and John Conroy Hutcheson (1840- 1897 was a British Author of Novels and Short stories about life aboard Ships at sea
2. The Man Who Could Work Miracles by H. G. Wells [13]. Herbert George Wells (21 September 1866 &ndash 13 August 1946 He was an outspoken socialist and a pacifist, his later works becoming increasingly political
3. The Phantom Ship by Frederick Marryat [14]. Captain Frederick Marryat ( July 10, 1792 &ndash August 9, 1848) was an English Novelist a contemporary and acquaintance
4. The Crab That Played with the Sea by Rudyard Kipling [15]. Joseph Rudyard Kipling (30 December 1865 – 18 January 1936 was an English Author and poet
5. Threshold of Hell by Albert J. Rupp, a crew member of the USS Grenadier SS210 submarine who were captured by Japanese in April 1941 along with 75 others, recounted in the book the dark days when he was interned at Convent Light Street in Penang.

State song

The lyrics of the state anthem are as follows:

Selamat Tuhan kurniakan
Selamat Pulau Pinang
Negeriku yang mulia
Kutaat dan setia
Aman dan bahagia
Majulah jayalah
Negeriku yang ku cinta
Bersatu dan bersama
Untuk negeri kita

In English:

May God grant safety
Safety to Penang
My noble state
I am loyal and faithful
Peaceful and happy
Be progressive, be successful
My state which I love
United and together
For our state

Trivia

• Penang was voted as one of the best cities in Asia by Asiaweek. Asiaweek, the English edition was a News magazine focusing on Asia, published weekly by Asiaweek Limited a subsidiary of Time Inc It was ranked 6th in 1998 and 9th in 2000. Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar.
• Penang ranked as the 10th most liveable city in Asia in 2007, according to an international survey involving 255 cities in Asia by Employment Conditions Abroad Limited (ECA International). Back in 2002, it was placed 12th. A city is judged based on its weather, air quality, infrastructure, health services, housing, security and politics.
• Many early settlers succumbed to malaria, earning Penang the unenviable epithet of "the White Man's Grave".
• Penang is the name of a popular themed restaurant/bar located on Second avenue and 83rd Street in Manhattan. Manhattan Island, in New York Harbor, is much the largest part of the Borough of Manhattan, one of the Five Boroughs which form the City of New York

See also

• Architecture of Penang
• British Malaya
• Eponyms of the Place and Street Names of Penang
• Postal Orders of Penang
• Battle of Penang

References

1. ^ Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang

• The Penang Tourism Action Council. The architecture of Penang reflects the 171 years of British presence in the Malaysian state of Penang, coalescing with local Chinese, British Malaya loosely described a set of states on the Malay Peninsula that were colonized by the British from the 18th and the 19th until the 20th century The street names of George Town, reflect the multicultural heritage of the city the capital of a former British settlement of Penang, now part The Battle of Penang occurred on 28 October 1914, during World War I. The "Light" Years and Beyond. Retrieved Jul. 26, 2005.

• Joshua Eliot & Jane Bickersteth: Malaysia Handbook, 4th edition, Footprint Handbooks Ltd, 2002

• Khoo Salma Nasution: More Than Merchants: A History of the German-speaking Community in Penang, 1800s-1940s, Areca Books, 2006

External links

• Penang Talk
• Penang Page
• Penang State Government
• Penang Heritage Trust
• Official Penang Tourism Website
• Penang travel guide from Wikitravel
• Penang economic data and reports by Socio-Economic & Environmental Research Institute (SERI