Seberang Perai Province Wellesley | |
|---|---|
| City of Seberang Perai Bandaraya Seberang Perai | |
 Flag _Logo.png){kind=logo} Seal | |
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  Seberang Perai  Seberang Perai  Seberang Perai | |
| Coordinates:5°24′29.95″N100°22′10.37″E / 5.4083194°N 100.3695472°E /5.4083194; 100.3695472 | |
| Country |  Malaysia |
| State |  Penang |
| Districts | North,Central andSouth |
| Mukims[1] | Butterworth and 57 subdistricts |
| Founded[2] | 1800 |
| Establishment of local governments[2] | 1913 |
| Municipality[3] | 15 December 1976 |
| Incorporated (city)[3] | 16 September 2019 |
| Government | |
| • Type | City council |
| • Body | Seberang Perai City Council |
| • Mayor[4] | Hj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid |
| • City Secretary[4] | Mohd Ibrahim Md Nor |
| Area | |
• City | 748 km2 (289 sq mi) |
| Population (2020)[5] | |
• City | 946,092 |
| • Rank | 3rd in Malaysia 1st in Penang |
| • Density | 1,264.8/km2 (3,276/sq mi) |
| Demographics(2020) | |
| • Ethnic groups |
|
| GDP(2020)[6] | |
| • Total | $10.836 billion |
| • Per capita | $11,453 |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | Not observed |
| Postal code | 12xxx–14xxx |
| Area code(s) | +604-3, +604-5 |
| Website | www |
Seberang Perai is acity in theMalaysian state ofPenang. Located on theMalay Peninsula and separated fromPenang Island by thePenang Strait, it shares borders withKedah to the north and east andPerak to the south. The city spans an area of 748 km2 (289 sq mi) and had a population of 946,092 as of 2020[update], making it thethird largest city in Malaysia.[5][7]
Originally a part ofKedah, the territory containing the city was ceded to theBritish East India Company in 1800. It was namedProvince Wellesley and has been administered as part of Penang ever since.[2][8] The territory became a centre forcash crop agriculture, while the development of new towns such asButterworth andBukit Mertajam followed with the advent of roads and railways towards the end of the 19th century.[8][9]
After Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai benefitted from the development spillover fromGeorge Town.[10][11] ThePort of Penang, the third busiest seaport in the country, was relocated to the municipality in 1974, bolstering its industrial-based economy that has attracted numerousmultinational companies.[12][13][14] Two road bridges were constructed to physically connect Seberang Perai with George Town, complementing anexisting ferry service between the two cities.[15]Penang Sentral, a newtransit-oriented development, has strengthened Seberang Perai's role as the logistics hub of northwestern Malaysia.[16][17] Following decades of rapid urbanisation and infrastructural developments, Seberang Perai was conferred city status in 2019.[11][18]
Seberang Perai was originally named Province Wellesley afterRichard Wellesley, who was theGovernor-General of India when the territory was acquired by theBritish East India Company (EIC) in 1800.[19] The term "Seberang Perai" is believed to have emerged from a local expression used to refer to the northern banks of thePerai River.[20] After the acquisition of Province Wellesley, the river became the boundary between British-held territory to the south andKedah to the north.Seberang means "the other side" inMalay.[21] The Thai wordplāi (Thai:ปลาย), meaning "the end", referred to the southern limits of Kedah, which were formed by the river.[22]
TheHokkiens referred to the northern banks of the river askoay kang (過江,过江,POJ: kòe-kang), which means "across the river". At the time, passengers fromGeorge Town would land atPerai and cross the river to get toButterworth and the hinterland beyond. The termkoay kang coincides with the Malay name Seberang Perai.[20]
British East India Company 1800–1858
British Raj 1858–1867
Straits Settlements 1826–1941; 1945–1946
Empire of Japan 1941–1945
Malayan Union 1946–1948
Federation of Malaya 1948–1963
Malaysia 1963–present
Seberang Perai bears evidence of human habitation during theNeolithic era. The site of Guar Kepah, located on the southern banks of theMuda River, is home to human remains found inshell middens that indicate the settlement of the area in that period.[23][24] Guar Kepah remains the only known example of coastal adaptation among Neolithic humans in Malaysia.[23]
Seberang Perai was once a part of theBujang Valley civilisation.[25] TheMahanavika Buddhagupta plaque and theCherok Tok Kunmegalith, found atBukit Mertajam, both indicate significantHindu influence at the area between the 5th and 6th centuries.[25][26]
In 1786,Francis Light acquiredPenang Island fromKedah in exchange for British military protection.[31] However, whenSultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah of Kedah attempted to retake the island by force in response to the EIC's reneging on military protection, British forces launched a preemptive assault onPerai. The Kedahan forces were routed and the Sultan was forced tosue for peace.[8][32]
In 1800, the EIC annexed a strip of the mainland from Kedah for a sum of 4,000Spanish dollars.[2][8][32] This acquisition, negotiated byGeorge Caunter on behalf ofLieutenant-Governor George Leith, gave the EIC permanent sovereignty over both Penang Island and the newly acquired territory, which was named Province Wellesley afterGovernor-General of IndiaRichard Wellesley.[33] ThePerai River became the international border between British and Kedah territories.[22]
The EIC had sought to turn the island into an agricultural outpost.[9] The annexation of Province Wellesley allowed for the expansion of thecash crop industry from the island to the mainland. This led to the harvesting of spices and sugar, which attracted migrants fromChina,India,Myanmar and theMiddle East, as well as Malay refugees from Kedah fleeing theSiamese conquest of their homeland.[8][9][34] In 1831, the EIC expanded Province Wellesley northwards, moving the international border between British and Siamese territories from the Perai River to theMuda River.[35] The territory's boundaries were further extended in 1868 and in thePangkor Treaty of 1874, effectively enlarging the British-held territory from the Muda River in the north to theKerian River in the south.[36][37]
The development of roads and railways in the early 20th century promoted the growth of Province Wellesley's rubber industry.[9]Malaya's new rail lines, which ran from the Siamese border to the north toSingapore to the south, cut through Province Wellesley, allowing thePort of Penang to become a major tin exporter. This led to the emergence of new towns, such asButterworth andBukit Mertajam, as logistics hubs. The Municipal Ordinance of 1913 resulted in the creation of three local governments within Province Wellesley – the Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam town boards, and the Province Wellesley Rural Board.[2][9] The creation of local governments further accelerated infrastructural developments within the territory.[9]
RAF Butterworth was opened just a few months prior to the outbreak ofhostilities between Britain and Japan in December 1941.[38] As Japanese troops landed inKota Bharu andSongkhla, Allied squadrons defending northern Malaya were decimated and had to retreat to RAF Butterworth by 8 December.[39] The air base was subsequently attacked by Japanese bombers the following day. TheRoyal Air Force abandoned it on 15 December, and Penang fell to the Japanese four days later.[40]
During theJapanese occupation, Province Wellesley, likeGeorge Town, underwent significant social upheaval. Civilians suffered harsh treatment from the Japanese, who attempted to enforce order, while living conditions worsened along with the economic situation.[9] Rice farmers in Province Wellesley were encouraged to increase their yields, but the rice supply deficit proved too great to overcome.[40] Despite the establishment of "pioneer farms" in the territory by Japanese administrators in 1944, food shortages persisted until the end of the war whenBritish forces liberated Penang. Following the war's end,British authorities swiftly undertook action to restore order in Province Wellesley, which was plagued by elements of theChinese underworld andcommunist infiltrations.[9][40]
In 1953, the British reorganised the local governments within the territory.[2][9] Five local governments – one each for the municipalities of Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, and three rural district councils – were instituted.[2][41][42] AfterMalaya gained independence in 1957, the rulingAlliance coalition moved to amalgamate the local governments within Seberang Perai.[43] In 1961, the Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipalities were consolidated with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively.[2][44] The three remaining local governments were subsequentlymerged into a single municipality in 1974.[3] Two years later, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status and the local government was renamed the Seberang Perai Municipal Council.[3]
In the early 1960s, thePenang state government began industrialising Seberang Perai through the establishment of the firstindustrial estates atMak Mandin andPerai.[45] In 1974, the Port of Penang was relocated fromGeorge Town to the municipality, and in 1980, the adjacentPerai Free Industrial Zone was created to take advantage of the available maritime and rail infrastructure.[13][46] These were accompanied by a significant increase in the municipality's population, which was largely due to the spillover of development from George Town.[10][11]
Decades of economic growth and the availability of industrial land have led to substantial investments in infrastructure, including the completions of thePenang Bridge and theSecond Penang Bridge that connect the municipality with George Town.[11][15][47] The industrial sector has also spurred the development of newer townships within the municipality, such asSeberang Jaya andBatu Kawan.[48] Seberang Perai was granted city status in 2019.[18]
Seberang Perai spans the entire mainland portion of Penang. With a total land mass of 747.8 km2 (288.7 sq mi), Seberang Perai is slightly larger thanSingapore.α[7] The terrain of the city is mostly flat andalluvial, except for the hilly region that lays along its eastern border with Kedah.[49] Standing at a height of 1,787 ft (545 m), Mertajam Hill is the tallest point within Seberang Perai. The city's coast is divided into a northern sandy shoreline and a muddy, mangrove-covered southern coastline. The southern coast is geographically sheltered byPenang Island, while the northern shoreline is more exposed to theMalacca Strait.[49]
Seberang Perai's jurisdiction also includes two offshore islets –Aman andGedung islands.[50] These islets feature mudflats that connect with the mainland due to sedimentation that occurred during the construction of thePenang Bridge.[49]
The city is demarcated by theMuda River to the north, which serves as the border between Seberang Perai andKedah.[51] To the south, thetripoint between Seberang Perai, Kedah and Perak lies within theKerian River.[52] Several riverine systems flow through the city, includingPerai, Juru, Jejawi and Tengah rivers.[49] River pollution caused by industrial waste has been a persistent issue for decades, with the Juru, Jawi and Perai rivers classified as having average water quality (Class III) by Malaysia's Department of Environment since 2016.[53]
| Climate data for Butterworth (RMAF Butterworth Air Base) (2007–2020 normals, extremes 2015–2022) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °C (°F) | 35.9 (96.6) | 37.0 (98.6) | 36.6 (97.9) | 35.0 (95.0) | 34.0 (93.2) | 34.8 (94.6) | 34.4 (93.9) | 34.0 (93.2) | 34.0 (93.2) | 34.3 (93.7) | 33.9 (93.0) | 36.4 (97.5) | 37.0 (98.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 31.6 (88.9) | 32.1 (89.8) | 32.2 (90.0) | 31.9 (89.4) | 31.8 (89.2) | 31.8 (89.2) | 31.5 (88.7) | 31.9 (89.4) | 31.3 (88.3) | 31.1 (88.0) | 30.9 (87.6) | 31.5 (88.7) | 31.6 (88.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | 27.8 (82.0) | 28.1 (82.6) | 28.4 (83.1) | 28.6 (83.5) | 28.7 (83.7) | 28.6 (83.5) | 28.2 (82.8) | 28.1 (82.6) | 27.7 (81.9) | 27.7 (81.9) | 27.7 (81.9) | 27.7 (81.9) | 28.1 (82.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 24.0 (75.2) | 24.1 (75.4) | 24.8 (76.6) | 25.3 (77.5) | 25.5 (77.9) | 25.4 (77.7) | 24.9 (76.8) | 24.7 (76.5) | 24.6 (76.3) | 24.6 (76.3) | 24.7 (76.5) | 24.5 (76.1) | 24.8 (76.6) |
| Record low °C (°F) | 22.3 (72.1) | 19.8 (67.6) | 21.6 (70.9) | 22.7 (72.9) | 23.3 (73.9) | 22.5 (72.5) | 22.2 (72.0) | 22.1 (71.8) | 22.0 (71.6) | 22.7 (72.9) | 22.8 (73.0) | 21.6 (70.9) | 19.8 (67.6) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 96.3 (3.79) | 83.6 (3.29) | 100.7 (3.96) | 183.7 (7.23) | 261.0 (10.28) | 148.9 (5.86) | 185.9 (7.32) | 126.3 (4.97) | 293.4 (11.55) | 291.9 (11.49) | 266.3 (10.48) | 112.9 (4.44) | 2,150.9 (84.66) |
| Average precipitation days | 7.6 | 6.0 | 7.1 | 13.4 | 14.9 | 10.0 | 11.1 | 12.6 | 16.0 | 17.3 | 13.9 | 10.3 | 140.2 |
| Source 1: IEM[54] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Meteomanz (precipitation 2016–2022)[55] | |||||||||||||
_(cropped).jpg)
Throughout the 19th century, Province Wellesley was administered fromGeorge Town without any local governance structure in place.[9] This changed in 1913 when the Municipal Ordinance came into effect, mandating the establishment of local governments in Province Wellesley.[2][9][59] Three local governments were created, namely the town boards forButterworth andBukit Mertajam, and the Province Wellesley Rural Board, which administered the rest of the territory.[2]
TheSeberang Perai City Council (MBSP) was formed following several reorganisations throughout the 20th century. In 1953, the Province Wellesley Rural Board was split into three rural district councils for theNorthern,Central andSouthern districts.[2][41] After Malaya's independence, the local governments were gradually amalgamated by the thenAlliance-controlledstate government. The Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipal governments weremerged with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively, in 1961.[2][44] The three remaining district councils were consolidated into a single municipality in 1974.[3] As a municipality, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status in 1976 and city status in 2019.[3][18]
One of the two city governments in Penang, MBSP is led by a mayor, assisted by a secretary and 24 councillors who perform oversight responsibilities over 18 departments.[60] The Penang state government appoints the mayor and councillors, with the councillors serving under an extendable one-year term.[61] Local government elections were put in place in 1961, but were suspended due to theIndonesia–Malaysia confrontation and have not been reinstated since.[62][63] As of June 2024[update], the mayor of Seberang Perai is Hj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.[64] TheCity Tower, located atBukit Tengah, serves as the city council's headquarters.[56]
MBSP's currenturban planning strategy is outlined in theSeberang Perai Local Plan 2030, first published in 2021.[50][65] In 2025, MBSP projected its estimated revenue at RM367.3 million and an estimated expenditure of RM416.1 million, which included allocations for environment, public safety and infrastructure.[66]β
Seberang Perai is represented byseven Members of Parliament and21 state constituencies.[67] Prior to 2023, state elections had been conducted simultaneously withnationwide general elections every five years. As of 2023[update],ethnic Malays formed the majority in 11 of the 21 state constituencies, especially in thecity's north.[67] On the other hand, non-Malays were largely clustered in urban constituencies such as atButterworth,Perai,Bukit Mertajam andBatu Kawan, as well as many of the coastal areas in thesouth. In the2023 state election, thePakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance retained 12 of Seberang Perai's constituencies, whereas thefar-rightPerikatan Nasional opposition bloc won nine Malay-majority seats across swathes of the north and southeast.[67]
Parliamentary constituencies[67]
State constituencies[67]
Seberang Perai has a judicial system that consists of the magistrate and sessions courts. Each of the city's three districts is served by these courts. Thenorth district cases are under the jurisdiction of the Butterworth Magistrates Court, while thecentral district cases are presided over by the Bukit Mertajam Magistrates Court.[68] Thesouth district cases are handled by the Jawi Magistrates Court. TheRoyal Malaysia Police is responsible for law enforcement within Seberang Perai, maintaining a total of 20 police stations throughout the city as of 2022[update].[69][70][71]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1921 | 130,341 | — |
| 1931 | 141,388 | +8.5% |
| 1947 | 183,616 | +29.9% |
| 1957 | 233,234 | +27.0% |
| 1970 | 343,010 | +47.1% |
| 1980 | 432,982 | +26.2% |
| 1991 | 545,688 | +26.0% |
| 2000 | 655,711 | +20.2% |
| 2010 | 818,197 | +24.8% |
| 2020 | 946,092 | +15.6% |
| Source:[5][72][73][74][75][76][77][78][79] | ||
| Ethnicities / Nationality | Percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Malays | 49.0% | |||
| Other Bumiputeras | 0.3% | |||
| Chinese | 32.9% | |||
| Indians | 9.6% | |||
| Others | 0.4% | |||
| Non-Malaysians | 7.7% | |||
According to the 2020 Malaysian census, Seberang Perai had a population of 946,092 within its jurisdiction of 748 km2 (289 sq mi), giving it a population density of 1,264.8/km2 (3,276/sq mi).[5] This also makes Seberang Perai thethird largest city by population in Malaysia afterKuala Lumpur andKajang. Seberang Perai is also the most populous settlement within theGeorge Town Conurbation, containing over 54.3% of Penang's population. The city centre ofButterworth recorded a population of 80,378, or approximately 8.5% of the total population of Seberang Perai.[1]
In the decades following Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai's population grew rapidly due to the spillover of development fromGeorge Town.[10] Between 1975 and 1990, suburban sprawl became more pronounced within thenorthern andcentral districts of the city.[80] By 1991, Seberang Perai's population outstripped that ofPenang Island for the first time in the state's history.γ
As of 2020[update],Malays accounted for 49% of Seberang Perai's population and were the majority ethnic group in thenorthern part of the city.[5]Ethnic Chinese constituted a significant proportion of the city's population at nearly 33%, followed by theIndians at almost 10%. During the British colonial era, agriculture promoted significant immigration from China and India, resulting in sizable non-Malay populations within thecentral andsouthern districts of the city.[8][9][5] In particular, Chinese comprised the majority at areas such as Butterworth,Bukit Mertajam andNibong Tebal.[1]
Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" toGeorge Town, Seberang Perai has undergone significant transformation in the decades following Malaya's independence.[11][81][82] ThePenang state government has been actively promoting a policy of balanced development between the two cities, and Seberang Perai has been positioned as the "future of Penang".[83][84] In 2021, "Penang Bay", an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development, urban regeneration and creative economy betweendowntown George Town andButterworth, was officially announced.[85]
With significant industrialisation since the 1970s, the city has been designated a "growth centre" within theGeorge Town Conurbation.[9][11] Nine of Penang's industrial clusters are located in the city, which has emerged as a significant recipient offoreign direct investment (FDI) and theseventh largest exporter in Malaysia.[86][87] The development of newer townships has also driveneconomic diversification, with a growing services sector concentrated around retail and tourism.[88][89][90]
In 2020, Seberang Perai'sGDP was worth RM45.149 billion (US$10.836 billion), accounting for about 46.5% of Penang's total GDP. The economy of Seberang Perai is primarily driven by the services and manufacturing sectors, which together contributed nearly 93% of the city's GDP that year.[6]
The first industrial estates in Penang were established in the 1960s atMak Mandin andPerai during the tenure of the state's firstChief MinisterWong Pow Nee.[92] However, these early efforts at industrialisation were limited toimport substitution.[93] After the revocation of George Town's free port status and the fall of theAlliance-led state government in1969, newly elected Chief MinisterLim Chong Eu sought to restructure Penang's economy.[93][94] The Nathan Report of 1970, produced byRobert R. Nathan Associates, proposed an export-led growth strategy and the strengthening of linkages with the global economy.[93] In 1980, thePerai Free Industrial Zone was created with the aim of becoming a significant manufacturing hub for bulk items, taking advantage of its proximity to thePort of Penang and therailway line that connects it to the rest of western Peninsular Malaysia.[93][95]
Seberang Perai is now home to nine of Penang's industrial clusters – namely at Mak Mandin, Perai,Seberang Jaya,Bukit Tengah,Bukit Minyak,Simpang Ampat andBatu Kawan.[86][96] The availability of industrial land has attracted several local andmultinational companies (MNCs), such asMattel,Flex,Sanmina,JinkoSolar,Honeywell andLam Research.[47][97][98] In 2022, Seberang Perai received investments worth nearly RM10.9 billion, which accounted for 79% of Penang's total inbound investments that year.[99] Within the same year, RM65.7 billion worth of exports passed through the Port of Penang, making Seberang Perai theseventh largest exporter among Malaysian cities.[87]
The development of newer townships, namelySeberang Jaya andBatu Kawan, has given rise to a thriving retail sector, attracting major players such asSunway Group andIKEA, respectively.[88][101] In 2016,Design Village, Penang's first premiumoutlet mall, was launched, further enhancing Batu Kawan as a retail destination.[88][100]
The Penang state government has undertaken initiatives to promoteagritourism andecotourism in Seberang Perai.[102] The Penang Tourism Master Plan, formulated in 2021, identified the city's agricultural sector, as well as natural features like mangroves, mudflats and waterways, as having untapped tourism potential.[103]
Seberang Perai has historically been the logistical hub of Penang, serving as a termini for rail andferry services. The relocation of thePort of Penang to the city in 1974 facilitated the development of new container services.[46][104] In 2022, the seaport handled close to 1.32 millionTEUs of cargo, the third highest in Malaysia.[99][105] The logistical role of Seberang Perai is further complemented byPenang Sentral, atransit-oriented development (TOD) atButterworth.[17]
Known as the "rice bowl" of Penang, Seberang Perai has a long history of agriculture.[9][106] During British rule, spice, sugar and rubber were some of the major crops in the territory. Post-independence, the focus has shifted to rice, palm oil and coconut cultivation.[11] As of 2017[update], agriculture made up nearly 44% of Seberang Perai's land use.[50] The city had approximately 12,472 acres (5,047 ha) of paddy fields as of 2008[update], mainly located in thenorth.[11][107] Despite limited land availability, Penang has consistently recorded the highest average rice yield in Malaysia since 2018, with a total yield of RM190.8 million in 2022.[108]
Seberang Perai's ethnic diversity has given rise to a variety of cultural celebrations throughout the year.Chinese New Year is celebrated at Chinese-majority areas such asButterworth, where public events and decorated streets are a common sight during the annual festivities.[110] TheMinor Basilica of St. Anne atBukit Mertajam plays host to the annualNovena feast, which draws thousands of pilgrims from abroad.[111] The 'Street of Harmony' atSeberang Jaya has nine places of worship, each representing a different faith, and is a tribute to religious diversity within the township.[112]
As part ofurban renewal efforts, several locations at Butterworth have been adorned withstreet art.[113][114] Additionally, container art pieces showcasing the identities of Penang's local communities have also been installed at Butterworth andBatu Kawan.[109] In recent years, Seberang Perai has emerged as a venue for newly introduced events that celebrate the city's culture and nascent arts scene, such as the Butterworth Fringe Festival and the Penang International Paddy Festival.[115][116]
The 40,000-seaterPenang State Stadium atBatu Kawan is the main stadium of Penang.[117] Constructed in 2000 for theSukma Games held that year, the multi-purpose stadium has aFIFA-certified football field, and also hostsmotorsports events and concerts.[117][118] In addition to the stadium, newer sports facilities have been planned in areas likeNibong Tebal andSeberang Jaya.[119][120]
In the late 19th century, Islamic education, taught in huts calledpondoks inMalay, was common in the rural areas of Province Wellesley.[121] Thesepondoks served as the precursors to themadrasa system and modern religious schools that are still prevalent across the city.
As of 2022[update], Seberang Perai is home to a total of 159 primary schools and 79 secondary schools, in addition to one international school located in thecity's south.[69][70][71] In 2001,Universiti Sains Malaysia relocated itsengineering campus toNibong Tebal, and it is now one of the two public universities in the city, the other being aUniversiti Teknologi MARA campus atPermatang Pauh.[122] Several private institutions have also been established throughout the city, including atBatu Kawan, where local colleges have formed partnerships with foreign universities such asUniversity of Wollongong andUniversity of Plymouth.[122][123][124] Following the success of the Penang Digital Library inGeorge Town, thePenang state government has initiated the construction of similar digital libraries atButterworth andBukit Mertajam.[125][126]
Healthcare in Penang is provided by atwo-tier system consisting of public and private hospitals. TheMalaysian Ministry of Health administers four public hospitals in Seberang Perai – namely atKepala Batas,Seberang Jaya,Bukit Mertajam and Sungai Bakap.[128][129] In addition, six private hospitals are scattered throughout the city.[128]
In recent years, private hospitals such as Bagan Specialist Centre,Sunway Medical Centre and KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital have contributed significantly in making Penang the top destination formedical tourism in Malaysia.[130][131] TheSeberang Perai City Council has also installed threeautomated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the city as of 2023[update] as part of a state-wide initiative to enhance survival rates ofcardiac arrest cases.[132][133]
Seberang Perai is connected toGeorge Town by two road bridges. The 13.5 km (8.4 mi)Penang Bridge connects the suburb ofPerai withGelugor in the island city.[15] Opened in 2014, theSecond Penang Bridge spans 24 km (15 mi) betweenBatu Kawan andBatu Maung on the island.[134] TheNorth-South Expressway, a 966 km-long (600 mi) expressway along westernPeninsular Malaysia, passes through the length of the city.[135] Othertoll routes within the city include theButterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) and theButterworth-Kulim Expressway.[136] As of 2023[update], Seberang Perai's road system, excluding toll routes, measured 5,215.7 km (3,240.9 mi) in length. This included 84.8 km (52.7 mi) offederal roads, 2,958.9 km (1,838.6 mi) ofstate roads and 2,171.9 km (1,349.6 mi) of municipal roads.[137]
TheKeretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM)West Coast Line also runs through Seberang Perai, with theButterworth railway station serving as the main terminal of northwestern Malaysia.[138] Apart from the regular KTM services, Butterworth is one of the main stops of theEastern and Oriental Express service betweenBangkok andSingapore.[139]
Opened in 2018,Penang Sentral is atransit-oriented development (TOD) located adjacent to the Butterworth railway station and theSultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal.[16][17][140] It serves as an integrated hub for bus, rail and ferry services.[140]
Rapid Penang is the primary public transport operator in Seberang Perai, with a total of 14public bus routes within the city, along with two cross-strait routes connecting the city and George Town, as well as five interstate routes that run to southernKedah and northernPerak.[141] In recent years, thePenang state government has proposed the introduction ofurban rail across the state as part of thePenang Transport Master Plan.[142] The plan includes the cross-straitMutiara LRT line linking the city with George Town, and a monorail line betweenButterworth andBukit Mertajam.[143][144]
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In 1974, thePort of Penang was relocated fromGeorge Town to Seberang Perai in order to facilitate new container services.[13][46][145] The seaport now consists of seven terminals and berths located acrossButterworth andPerai, including the North Butterworth Container Port (NBCT) which has been designated aFree Commercial Zone (FCZ) since 2021.[104][145] It serves as a crucial export hub for northwestern Malaysia andsouthern Thailand.[145] The Port of Penang is the third busiest in Malaysia, handling nearly 1.32 millionTEUs and RM65.7 billion worth of exports in 2022.[87][99][105]
Prior to the completion of thePenang Bridge in 1985, thePenang ferry service was the only transportation link between the city and George Town.[146] Since 2023, three ferries have been operating daily between both cities across thePenang Strait.[147] The introduction of newer ferries that year significantly improved service frequencies to 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak hours.[148]
In 1968, theAsian Development Bank approved a loan of US$7.2 million for Penang to extract water from theMuda River, which forms the boundary between Seberang Perai andKedah.[149] The Muda River Water Scheme was inaugurated in 1973 by the thenPrime Minister of Malaysia,Abdul Razak Hussein, which also included Kedah's assurance to Penang of the latter's riparian rights to retrieve water from the river.[150] Since then, Seberang Perai has been heavily dependent on the river as its main source of water. Raw water is channeled from the river to a water treatment facility atSungai Dua before being distributed to the rest of the city.[151] ThePenang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is also responsible for overseeing the six reservoirs in the city, including theMengkuang Dam, the largest dam in the state with a capacity of 86.4 billion litres.[152][153][154]
Electricity in Seberang Perai is supplied byTenaga Nasional (TNB), the national power company. The city's electrical infrastructure is powered by twocombined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants atPerai.[155] As part of ongoing efforts to minimise energy consumption, TNB and theSeberang Perai City Council planned to replace 77,359 street lights in the city withLED street lighting by 2023.[156]
In 2020, Penang became the first Malaysian state to require the installation offibre-optic communication infrastructure for all development projects.[157] 2023 marked the implementation of5G technology in Seberang Perai, with the installation of the supporting spectrum infrastructure at 235 sites across the city.[158]
As of 2023[update], four countries have appointed honorary consuls within the city.[159]
Seberang Perai is alsotwinned with the following sister and friendship cities.
Sister cities
Friendship cities
Seberang Perai was the birthplace of prominent Malaysian public officials and personalities, including:
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