Seberang Perai: Difference between revisions

Seberang Perai

Province Wellesley
Seberang Perai Province Wellesley
City
	City of Seberang Perai; Bandaraya Seberang Perai
Other transcription(s)
• Mandarin	威省 (Simplified); 威省 (Traditional); Wēishěng (Pinyin)
• Tamil	செபராங் பிறை; Ceparāṅ Piṟai (Transliteration)
• Thai	เซอเบอรังเปอไร; Soeboerangpoerai (RTGS)
	Skyline of Butterworth Penang Sentral Port of Penang Batu Kawan township Perai Free Industrial Zone Sunway Carnival Mall Bukit Mertajam Hill
	Flag Seal
	Seberang Perai Seberang Perai Seberang Perai
	Coordinates: 5°24′29.95″N 100°22′10.37″E / 5.4083194°N 100.3695472°E
Country	Malaysia
State	Penang
Districts	North, Central and South
Mukims	Butterworth and 56 subdistricts
Founded	June 1800
Establishment of local governments	1913
Municipality	15 December 1976
Incorporated (city)	16 September 2019
Government
• Type	City council
• Body	Seberang Perai City Council
• Mayor	Azhar Arshad
• City Secretary	Hj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid
Area
• City	748 km2 (289 sq mi)
Population (2020)
• City	946,092
• Rank	3rd in Malaysia; 1st in Penang
• Density	1,264.8/km2 (3,276/sq mi)
Demographics
• Ethnic groups	49.3% Bumiputera 49.0% Malay; 0.3% indigenous groups from Sabah and Sarawak; ; 32.9% Chinese; 9.6% Indian; 0.4% Other ethnicities; 7.7% Non-citizens;
Time zone	UTC+8 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	Not observed
Postal code	12xxx–14xxx
Area code(s)	+604-3, +604-5
Website	www.mbsp.gov.my

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

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

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

Etymology

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

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

History

Historical affiliations

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

Early history

Seberang Perai bears evidence of human habitation during the Neolithic era. The site of Guar Kepah, located on the southern banks of the Muda River, is home to human remains found in shell middens that indicate the settlement of the area in that period.^[21]^[22] Guar Kepah remains the only known example of coastal adaptation among Neolithic humans in Malaysia.^[21]

Seberang Perai was once a part of the Bujang Valley civilisation.^[23] The Mahanavika Buddhagupta plaque and the Cherok Tok Kun megalith, found at Bukit Mertajam, both indicate significant Hindu influence at the area between the 5th and 6th centuries.^[23]^[24]

British rule

British acquisition and expansion of Penang (in yellow) occurred between 1786 and 1874, when the final alterations to Penang's boundaries was enacted.^[25]^[26]^[27]^[28]

In 1786, Francis Light acquired Penang Island from Kedah in exchange of British military protection.^[29] However, when Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah of Kedah attempted to retake the island by force in response to the EIC's reneging on military protection, British forces launched a preemptive assault on Perai. The Kedahan forces were routed and the Sultan was forced to sue for peace.^[7]^[30]

In 1800, the EIC annexed a strip of the mainland from Kedah for a sum of 4,000 Spanish dollars.^[2]^[7]^[31] This acquisition, negotiated by George Caunter on behalf of Lieutenant-Governor George Leith, gave the EIC permanent sovereignty over both Penang Island and the newly-acquired territory, which was named Province Wellesley after Governor-General of India Richard Wellesley.^[32] The Perai River became the international border between British and Kedah territories.^[20]

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

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

World War II

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

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

Post-independence

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

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

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

Geography

Butterworth

Gedung I.

Aman I.

Port

Mertajam
Hill

class=notpageimage|

Locations of the city centre and suburbs in Seberang Perai

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

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

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

Governance and politics

Local government

Above: Flag of the Seberang Perai City Council
Below: Menara Bandaraya, the headquarters of the city government, was completed in 2006, replacing the previous administrative offices at Butterworth.^[53]^[54]^[55]

Throughout the 19th century, Province Wellesley was administered from George Town without any local governance structure in place.^[8] This changed in 1913 when the Municipal Ordinance came into effect, mandating the establishment of local governments in Province Wellesley.^[2]^[8]^[56] Three local governments were created, namely the town boards for Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, and the Province Wellesley Rural Board which administered the rest of the territory.^[2]

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

One of the two city governments in Penang, MBSP is led by a mayor, assisted by a secretary and 24 councillors who perform oversight responsibilities over 18 departments.^[57] The Penang state government appoints the mayor and councillors, with the councillors serving under an extendable one-year term.^[58] Local government elections, which had been in place from 1961, were suspended following the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and have not been reinstated since.^[59]^[60] The mayor of Seberang Perai since 2022 is Azhar Arshad.^[61]

MBSP's current urban planning strategy is outlined in the Seberang Perai Local Plan 2030, first published in 2021.^[49]^[62] In 2023, MBSP projected its estimated revenue at RM314.6 million and an estimated expenditure of RM357.13 million, which included allocations for infrastructure, economic growth, heritage conservation and community engagement.^[63]

The city council's headquarters is Menara Bandaraya, located near Bukit Mertajam.^[53] Administrative offices were relocated to the building in 2006 from the previous headquarters at Butterworth.^[53]^[55]^[54] However, upon completion, Menara Bandaraya was mired in controversy. MBSP's reserves shrank by RM230 million between 2000 and 2007, allegedly due in part to the financing of the new headquarters.^[64]^[65] Cost overruns forced the developer, with links to the then-ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, to scale down construction to the present-day building.^[55]^[65] In total, the city government spent nearly RM85 million on the building.^[65]

State and national representation

Seberang Perai is represented by seven Members of Parliament and 21 state constituencies.^[66] Prior to 2023, state elections had been conducted simultaneously with nationwide general elections every five years. As of 2023^[update], ethnic Malays formed the majority in 11 of the 21 state constituencies, especially in the city's north.^[66] On the other hand, non-Malays were largely clustered in urban constituencies such as at Butterworth, Perai, Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan, as well as much of the coastal areas in the south. In the 2023 state election, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance retained 12 of Seberang Perai's constituencies, whereas the far-right Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc won nine Malay-majority seats across swathes of the north and southeast.^[66]

Parliamentary constituencies^[66]

State constituencies^[66]

Judiciary

Seberang Perai has a judicial system that consists of the magistrate and sessions courts. Each of the city's three districts is served by these courts. The north district cases are under the jurisdiction of the Butterworth Magistrates Court, while the central district cases are presided over by the Bukit Mertajam Magistrates Court.^[67] The south district cases are handled by the Jawi Magistrates Court. The Royal Malaysia Police is responsible for law enforcement within Seberang Perai, establishing a total of 20 police stations throughout the city as of 2022^[update].^[68]^[69]^[70]

Demographics

Historical population
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]^[71]^[72]^[73]^[74]^[75]^[76]^[77]^[78]

Ethnicities of Seberang Perai in 2020^[5]
Ethnicities / Nationality			Percentage
Malays			49.0%
Other Bumiputeras			0.3%
Chinese			32.9%
Indians			9.6%
Others			0.4%
Non-Malaysians			7.7%

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

Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" to George Town, Seberang Perai's population grew rapidly due to the spillover of development from George Town.^[9] Between 1975 and 1990, suburban sprawl became more pronounced within the northern and central districts of the city.^[79] By 1991, Seberang Perai's population outstripped that of Penang Island for the first time in the state's history.^β

Ethnicities

As of 2020^[update], ethnic Malays accounted for 49% of Seberang Perai's population and was the majority ethnic group in the northern part of the city.^[5] The Chinese constituted a significant proportion of the city's population at nearly 33%, followed by the Indians at almost 10%. During the British colonial era, agriculture had promoted significant immigration from China and India, resulting in non-Malays forming the majority within the central and southern districts of the city.^[7]^[8]^[5]

Economy

Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" to George Town, Seberang Perai has undergone significant transformation in the decades following Malaya's independence.^[10]^[80]^[81] The Penang state government has been actively promoting a policy of balanced development between the two cities, and Seberang Perai has been positioned as the "future of Penang".^[82]^[83] With the heavy industrialisation of the agricultural hinterland of Penang, the city has been designated as a "growth centre" within the George Town Conurbation.^[8]^[10] Nine of Penang's industrial clusters are located in the city, which has emerged as a significant recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the seventh largest exporter in Malaysia.^[84]^[85] The development of newer townships has also driven economic diversification, with a growing services sector concentrated around retail and tourism.^[86]^[87]^[88]

Manufacturing

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

Seberang Perai is now home to nine of Penang's industrial clusters – namely at Mak Mandin, Perai, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Minyak, Simpang Ampat and Batu Kawan.^[84]^[93] The availability of industrial land has attracted several local and multinational companies (MNCs), such as Mattel, Flex, Sanmina, JinkoSolar, Honeywell and Lam Research.^[94]^[95]^[96] In 2022, Seberang Perai received investments worth nearly RM10.9 billion, which accounted for 79% of Penang's total inbound investments that year.^[97] Within the same year, RM65.7 billion worth of exports passed through the Port of Penang, making Seberang Perai the seventh largest exporter among Malaysian cities.^[85]

Services

The development of newer townships, namely Seberang Jaya and Batu Kawan, has given rise to a thriving retail sector, attracting major players such as Sunway Group and IKEA, respectively.^[86]^[99] In 2016, Design Village, Penang's first premium outlet mall, was launched, further enhancing Batu Kawan as a retail destination.^[86]^[98]

The Penang state government has undertaken initiatives to promote agritourism and ecotourism in Seberang Perai.^[100] 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.^[101]

Seberang Perai has historically been the logistical hub of Penang, serving as a termini for rail and ferry services. The relocation of the Port of Penang to the city in 1974 facilitated the development of new container services.^[45]^[102] In 2022, the seaport handled close to 1.32 million TEUs of cargo, the third highest in Malaysia.^[97]^[103] The logistical role of Seberang Perai is further complemented by the Penang Sentral, a transit-oriented development (TOD) at Butterworth that integrates land logistical and commercial components.^[16]

Agriculture

Known as the "rice bowl" of Penang, Seberang Perai has a long history of agriculture.^[8]^[104] During British rule, spice, sugar and rubber were some of the major produces in the territory. Post-independence, the focus has shifted to rice, palm oil and coconut cultivation.^[10] As of 2017^[update], agriculture made up nearly 44% of Seberang Perai's land use.^[49] The city had approximately 12,472 acres (5,047 ha) of paddy fields as of 2008^[update], mainly located in the north.^[10]^[105] 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.^[106]

Transport

Since the latter half of the 20th century, several infrastructural projects have been completed in Seberang Perai, boosting the city's connectivity with Penang Island, as well as the rest of Peninsular Malaysia. Seberang Perai is connected to Penang Island via a ferry service, the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge, the latter of which is the longest bridge in Southeast Asia. The feasibility of more cross-strait links are being explored at the time of writing.^[107]

Malaysia's North–South Expressway, part of Asian Highway 2, runs through Seberang Perai, as is Penang's sole section of inter-state rail track operated by the Malayan Railway.

Land

The North-South Expressway is the main highway that runs across the more developed western Peninsular Malaysia; the expressway forms part of Asian Highway 2, as it is connected to Thailand's Phet Kasem Road at its northern end and the Singapore Causeway at its southern end. This expressway runs through Seberang Perai, thus connecting major areas, such as Butterworth, Seberang Jaya, Perai, Juru, Batu Kawan and Nibong Tebal, with other cities and towns along western Peninsular Malaysia, southern Thailand and Singapore.

Other major roads and expressways within Seberang Perai include the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) and the Butterworth–Seberang Jaya Toll Road. The BORR was constructed in the 2000s to alleviate traffic congestion along the North–South Expressway, providing drivers from Butterworth with an alternative route to Perai to the south. The Prai River Bridge was also built for this purpose, traversing the Perai River that separates Butterworth and Perai. In addition, the BORR is linked to the Butterworth–Seberang Jaya Toll Road, which was completed in 2007.

Aside from roads and expressways, rail transportation has historically played a vital role in Seberang Perai's economy. The first railway tracks were laid in the 1900s, connecting the area with the rest of Malaya for the first time, and facilitating the transportation of agricultural and mining commodities for export via the Port of Penang.^[108]^[109] Today, about 34.9 km (21.7 mi) of rail track stretches within Seberang Perai as part of the Malayan Railway's West Coast Route. Out of the six train stations in Seberang Perai, the two major stations are in Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, with the former offering services by both the Malayan Railway and the State Railway of Thailand; the Butterworth rail station is also one of the major stops of the Eastern and Oriental Express between Bangkok and Singapore. Domestically, the Malayan Railway runs the inter-state Electric Train Service along much of its West Coast Route, allowing train commuters from Penang to travel to Kuala Lumpur in as little as four hours.^[110]

The two bridges that connect Seberang Perai with Penang Island are the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge. The Penang Bridge links Perai and Gelugor, a southern suburb of Penang's capital city, George Town, and was completed in 1985. At the time of its opening, the bridge was the longest in Southeast Asia. In 2013, it was superseded by the 24 km (15 mi)-long Second Penang Bridge to the south, which runs between Batu Kawan and Batu Maung near the southeastern tip of Penang Island.

A major transportation hub, Penang Sentral, is being constructed in Butterworth, and the first phase of the project, which consists of an inter-city bus terminal, is slated for completion in 2017.^[111] Penang Sentral is strategically located next to the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal and the Butterworth rail station. Overall, there are eight phases of the Penang Sentral project, which aims to integrate all bus, rail and ferry services under a single mixed complex that will also incorporate commercial, residential and retail elements, akin to Kuala Lumpur Sentral.^[112]

Public transportation

The ground public transportation needs within Seberang Perai are currently being met by Rapid Penang, the primary public transit bus brand in Penang. At the time of writing, Rapid Penang operates 19 public transit routes within Seberang Perai, three cross-strait BEST shuttle bus services towards Penang Island, and four interstate routes towards neighbouring Kedah and Perak.^[113] Most public transit bus routes originate and terminate in Butterworth, linking it with other towns such as Perai, Bukit Mertajam, Nibong Tebal and Simpang Ampat, while other routes operate specifically within each of the three districts of Seberang Perai.

Other than Rapid Penang, the only other public transit bus operator is Cityliner, which handles a handful of routes within Seberang Perai as well.^[114]

Sea

Currently the most vital harbour within northern Malaysia and one of the largest in the country, the Port of Penang now operates the following facilities around Butterworth.^[115]

North Butterworth Container Terminal
Butterworth Wharves
Prai Wharves
Vegetable oil tanker pier
Bagan Dalam Dockyard
Prai Bulk Cargo Terminal

The Port of Penang handled more than 1.44 million TEU of cargo in 2010, becoming the third largest cargo volume amongst seaports in Malaysia.^[116] The Port's strategic location enabled it to serve not just northern Malaysia, but also southern Thailand.

Rapid Ferry, which links Butterworth and George Town, has been managed by Prasarana Malaysia since 2017.^[117] This cross-strait shuttle ferry service commenced operations in 1894, making it the oldest surviving ferry service in Malaysia.^[118] At present, six ferries ply the Penang Strait between the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal in Butterworth and George Town daily.^[119]

Shopping

AEON BiG Bukit Minyak
AEON BiG Seberang Jaya
AEON Mall Bukit Mertajam
Aspen Vision City
Billion Kota Permai
Billion Seberang Jaya
Design Village Outlet Mall
Econsave Butterworth
Econsave Chain Ferry
Econsave Jawi
IKEA Batu Kawan, Penang
Lotus's Bagan Ajam
Lotus's Bukit Mertajam
Lotus's Kepala Batas
Lotus's Seberang Perai
Megamal Pinang, Prai
Mydin Bukit Mertajam
Mydin Kepala Batas
Pearl City Mall
Sunshine Kepala Batas
Summit Bukit Mertajam Plaza
Sunway Carnival Mall

Healthcare

Public hospitals

Seberang Jaya Hospital (main)
Bukit Mertajam Hospital
Sungai Bakap Hospital
Kepala Batas Hospital
Pusat Perubatan Universiti Sains Malaysia Bertam (PPUSMB) [Formerly known as AMDI]

Private hospitals

Sports

Batu Kawan Stadium^[120]
Jalan Betek Sports and Recreation Complex^[121]
Seberang Jaya Sony Sports and Recreation Complex^[122]
Bertam MBSP Sports and Recreation Complex^[123]
Penang Golf Resort

Education

There are several higher learning institutions located in Seberang Perai but the most prominent are Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus located in Nibong Tebal; Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) with branches in Penang and Bertam; and Politeknik Seberang Perai (PSP). Both are situated in the town of Permatang Pauh.

International relations

As of 2023^[update], four countries have appointed honorary consuls within the city. This list is based on information from the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, unless otherwise cited.^[124]

Sister and friendship cities

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

Sister cities

Fremantle, Australia^[125]

Friendship cities

Gwangju, South Korea^[126]

Notable people

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

Wong Pow Nee (1911 – 2002), first Chief Minister of Penang^[127]
Mohamed Salleh Ismael (1917 – 1973), first ethnic Malay Inspector-General of Police^[128]
Abdul Hamid Mohamad (born 1942), former Chief Justice of Malaysia^[129]
Anwar Ibrahim (born 1947), tenth (and incumbent) Prime Minister of Malaysia^[18]
Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak (born 1949), incumbent Governor of Penang^[130]
Mohamad Sabu (born 1954), incumbent president of Amanah and Member of Parliament for Kota Raja^[131]
Steven Sim Chee Keong (born 1982), incumbent Minister of Human Resources and Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam^[132]
Cheam June Wei (born 1997), Malaysian badminton player^[133]
Goh Jin Wei (born 2000), Malaysian badminton player^[133]

Notes

^α Singapore's land mass is approximately 734 km² (283 sq mi).^[134]

^β In 1991, Seberang Perai had a population of 545,688, larger than that of Penang Island which recorded a population of 518,478.^[76]

References

^ ^a ^b "Mukim > Bandar Butterworth". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Leng, Hin-Seak (May 1969). "Political leadership in a plural society: Penang in the 1960's" (PDF). Australian National University.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "History". Seberang Perai City Council. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Management group". Seberang Perai City Council. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Key Findings of Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020" (pdf) (in Malay and English). Department of Statistics, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-2000-85-3.
^ ^a ^b Edmund Lee (20 May 2019). "New era of development for Seberang Perai with 'city status' recognition". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 5 February 2024.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Ooi, Keat Gin (2015). "Disparate Identities: Penang from a Historical Perspective, 1780–1941" (PDF). Kajian Malaysia. 33 (Supp. 2): 27–52. ISSN 0127-4082. Retrieved 7 March 2023.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ Chan, Wai Yeap. "The History of Bukit Mertajam (1800-1957): From Agrarian Town to Central Hub of Northern Malaya". Penang Institute – via Academia.edu.
^ ^a ^b ^c Hasni, Rosmiyati (2015). "Predicting Seberang Perai housing land pattern in 2017" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Samat, Narimah (22 July 2013). "Urban Expansion and its Impact on Local Communities: A Case Study of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia". Universiti Sains Malaysia. ISSN 0128-7702 – via ResearchGate.
^ "Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 21 February 2023.
^ ^a ^b Athukorala, Prema-chandra. "Growing with Global Production Sharing: The Tale of Penang Export Hub, Malaysia" (PDF). Australian National University.
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^ ^a ^b "Penang bridges". Institution of Civil Engineers. Retrieved 17 December 2023.
^ Kharas, Homi (2010). "Cities, people & the economy: A study on positioning Penang" (PDF). World Bank. Khazanah Nasional. ISBN 978-983-44193-3-2.
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^ ^a ^b Allers, Charles (2014). Anwar Ibrahim: Evolution of a Muslim Democrat. Monsoon Books. ISBN 9789814423724.
^ ^a ^b Ivy Soon (2016). Seberang Perai: Stories from Across the Sea. Star Media Group. ISBN 9789839512571.
^ ^a ^b Opalyn Mok (21 July 2017). "Bringing life back to the river that Perai is named after". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 January 2024.
^ ^a ^b Shahidan, Shaiful (2 July 2018). "Tapak Guar Kepah: Bukti perkuburan masyarakat Neolitik di dalam timbunan cangkerang laut" [Guar Kepah: Evidence of Neolithic Burial in Shell Mound]. Universiti Sains Malaysia (in Malay). 11 (2).
^ Opalyn Mok (10 May 2019). "5,000-year-old 'Penang Woman' on display at archeological site in Guar Kepah". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2 February 2024.
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External links

Seberang Perai City Council

[2020_population-1] "Mukim > Bandar Butterworth". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[:22-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l Leng, Hin-Seak (May 1969). "Political leadership in a plural society: Penang in the 1960's" (PDF). Australian National University.

[:26-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f "History". Seberang Perai City Council. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[mayor-4] "Management group". Seberang Perai City Council. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[2020KF-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h "Key Findings of Population and Housing Census of Malaysia 2020" (pdf) (in Malay and English). Department of Statistics, Malaysia. ISBN 978-967-2000-85-3.

[:32-6] Edmund Lee (20 May 2019). "New era of development for Seberang Perai with 'city status' recognition". Buletin Mutiara. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[Ooi-2015-7] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Ooi, Keat Gin (2015). "Disparate Identities: Penang from a Historical Perspective, 1780–1941" (PDF). Kajian Malaysia. 33 (Supp. 2): 27–52. ISSN 0127-4082. Retrieved 7 March 2023.

[:25-8] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ Chan, Wai Yeap. "The History of Bukit Mertajam (1800-1957): From Agrarian Town to Central Hub of Northern Malaya". Penang Institute – via Academia.edu.

[:7-9] Hasni, Rosmiyati (2015). "Predicting Seberang Perai housing land pattern in 2017" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.

[:27-10] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h Samat, Narimah (22 July 2013). "Urban Expansion and its Impact on Local Communities: A Case Study of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia". Universiti Sains Malaysia. ISSN 0128-7702 – via ResearchGate.

[:222-11] "Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022" (PDF). Ministry of Transport. 21 February 2023.

[:73-12] Athukorala, Prema-chandra. "Growing with Global Production Sharing: The Tale of Penang Export Hub, Malaysia" (PDF). Australian National University.

[13] Liew, Jia Teng (18 November 2021). "Cover Story: Why companies are flocking to Batu Kawan Industrial Park". The Edge. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[:29-14] "Penang bridges". Institution of Civil Engineers. Retrieved 17 December 2023.

[15] Kharas, Homi (2010). "Cities, people & the economy: A study on positioning Penang" (PDF). World Bank. Khazanah Nasional. ISBN 978-983-44193-3-2.

[:1-16] Joshua Woo Sze Zeng (9 July 2020). "Exploring a transit-oriented development (TOD) Framework for Penang's urban growth" (PDF). Penang Institute (7).

[:31-17] "Seberang Perai gains city status". Malay Mail. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[:20-18] Allers, Charles (2014). Anwar Ibrahim: Evolution of a Muslim Democrat. Monsoon Books. ISBN 9789814423724.

[:21-19] Ivy Soon (2016). Seberang Perai: Stories from Across the Sea. Star Media Group. ISBN 9789839512571.

[:0-20] Opalyn Mok (21 July 2017). "Bringing life back to the river that Perai is named after". Malay Mail. Retrieved 14 January 2024.

[:2-21] Shahidan, Shaiful (2 July 2018). "Tapak Guar Kepah: Bukti perkuburan masyarakat Neolitik di dalam timbunan cangkerang laut" [Guar Kepah: Evidence of Neolithic Burial in Shell Mound]. Universiti Sains Malaysia (in Malay). 11 (2).

[22] Opalyn Mok (10 May 2019). "5,000-year-old 'Penang Woman' on display at archeological site in Guar Kepah". Malay Mail. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[:3-23] Sarjit Singh, Meljev Singh Sidhu (2018). "Building materials and structural foundations in the Bujang Valley and comparisons with four regional settlements" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.

[24] Murphy, Stephen (2017). "Revisiting the Bujang Valley: A Southeast Asian entrepôt complex on the maritime trade route" (PDF). Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society: 2.

[nas.gov.sg-25] Hill, Ronald David (23 November 1839). "Plan Of Prince Of Wales Island And Province Wellesley". National Archives of Singapore. Ms copy by Poon Puay Kee. Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.

[ReferenceA-26] Moniot, Jules Michael (1860). "Map of Prince of Wales Island, or Pulo Penang and Province Wellesley including a Careful Survey of the South Channel". National Archives of Singapore. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.

[ReferenceB-27] Stanford, Edward (1870). "Map Of Prince Of Wales Island And Province Wellesley, Straits Settlements". National Archives of Singapore. Revised by Major J.F.A.McNair. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 10 January 2024.

[28] Allen, J. De V.; Stockwell, A. J.; Wright, L. R. (1981). "Documents Archive - Pangkor Engagement of 1874". Empire in Asia. Annotated by Aloysius Ng. National University of Singapore. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2023.

[:03-29] Samuel Wee, Tien Wang (1992). "British strategic interests in the Straits of Malacca 1786-1819" (PDF). Simon Fraser University.

[:28-30] Jenkins, Gwynn (2008). Contested Space: Cultural Heritage and Identity Reconstructions: Conservation Strategies Within a Developing Asian City. LIT Verlag Münster. ISBN 978-3-8258-1366-6.

[:282-31] Jenkins, Gwynn (2008). Contested Space: Cultural Heritage and Identity Reconstructions: Conservation Strategies Within a Developing Asian City. LIT Verlag Münster. ISBN 978-3-8258-1366-6.

[32] Marcus Langdon (2013). Penang: The Fourth Presidency of India. 1805-1830. Volume One: Ships, Men and Mansions. Areca Books. pp. 219, 222.

[:30-33] Zhao, Long (2 December 2018). "The townscape evolution of historic port settlement of George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia" (PDF). University of Putra Malaysia. 11.

[34] Mior Hamzah, Mior Ahmad Noor. "Hubungan Melayu-Siam: Melihat kepada persoalan sempadan di Kedah" (PDF). Universiti Utara Malaysia (in Malay): 42.

[35] Ahmat, Sharom. "Kedah-Siam relations, 1821-1905" (PDF). Siam Society.

[36] Aloysius Ng. "Documents Archive - Pangkor Engagement of 1874". National University of Singapore. Archived from the original on 25 November 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2023.

[37] "RAF Station Butterworth Malaya (1939-1957)" (PDF). Air Force Association - New South Wales.

[38] Farrell, Brian (2008). "Malayan Campaign 1941-42: Lessons for One SAF" (PDF). Ministry of Defence (Singapore). Government of Singapore.

[:24-39] Barber, Andrew (2010). Penang At War : A History of Penang During and Between the First and Second World Wars 1914–1945. AB&B.

[:37-40] "Plan to split rural board". Singapore Standard. 20 October 1953. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[41] "Town Councils planned". Singapore Free Press. 10 December 1952. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[:38-42] "Ranchangan gabongan majlis2 tempatan". Berita Harian (in Malay). 19 April 1960. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[:39-43] "Province gets new district council". The Straits Budget. 19 April 1961. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[44] Chin, Yee Whah (July 2006). "Penang Small and Medium Enterprises: Struggle, Accommodation and Challenges" (PDF). Universiti Sains Malaysia.

[Jou-2014-45] Sue-Ching Jou, Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao, Natacha Aveline-Dubach (2014). Globalization and New Intra-Urban Dynamics in Asian Cities. Taipei: National Taiwan University. ISBN 9789863500216.

[46] "Hot on Singapore's heels". The Business Times. 3 July 1992. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[47] Tern Chern, Lo (19 October 2022). "Rise of Batu Kawan". The Star. Retrieved 2 February 2024.

[:34-48] Abd. Rahman, Abdul Hadi (September 2000). "Coastal Sedimentation and Recent Coastline Changes Along the Seberang Perai Coast, Pulau Pinang" (PDF). University of Malaya.

[:4-49] "Draf Rancangan Tempatan Seberang Perai 2030" (PDF). Seberang Perai City Council (in Malay).

[50] Lopez, Leslie (9 April 2021). "Murky politics as two Malaysian states - Penang and Kedah - clash over water". The Straits Times. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[:35-51] Mohd Yunus, Zubir (16 October 2016). "Kerian menjadi titik sempadan Perak, Kedah, Pulau Pinang". Berita Harian (in Malay). Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[52] Dermawan, Audrey (29 May 2022). "The sad state of Penang rivers". New Straits Times. Retrieved 5 February 2024.

[mpsp20061-53] Yaacob, Zainulfaqar (25 September 2019). "Kompleks pentadbiran MBSP kini dinamakan 'Menara Bandaraya'". Buletin Mutiara (in Malay). Retrieved 8 February 2024.

[mpsp20062-54] Goh, Ban Lee (25 February 2019). "Butterworth set to soar". The Sun. Retrieved 8 February 2024.

[mpsp20063-55] Yeng, Ai Chun (22 November 2008). "Former MPSP building up for sale". The Star. Retrieved 8 February 2024.

[56] "First batch of commissioners appointed: Singapore bodies to be consulted". The Straits Budget. 5 June 1913. p. 12. Retrieved 8 February 2024.

[57] "Struktur Pentadbiran". Seberang Perai City Council (in Malay). 4 October 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2024.

[58] "Background". Penang Island City Council. Retrieved 30 December 2023.

[59] "Alliance sweeps in". The Straits Budget. 31 May 1961. p. 9. Retrieved 8 February 2024.

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 '''Seberang Perai''' is a [[List of cities in Malaysia|city]] in the [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|Malaysian state]] of [[Penang]]. Located on the [[Malay Peninsula]] and separated from [[Penang Island]] by the [[Penang Strait]], it shares borders with [[Kedah]] to the north and east, and [[Perak]] to the south. The city spans an area of {{Convert|748|km2|abbr=on}} and had a population of 946,092 {{As of|2020|lc=y}}, making it [[List of cities and towns in Malaysia by population#Within defined boundaries|Malaysia's third largest city]] after [[Kuala Lumpur]] and [[Kajang]].{{my10|2020kf}}<ref name=":32">{{Cite news |last=Edmund Lee |date=20 May 2019 |title=New era of development for Seberang Perai with ‘city status’ recognition |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/new-era-of-development-for-seberang-perai-with-city-status-recognition/ |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}</ref>
-Originally a part of [[Kedah Sultanate|Kedah]], the territory containing the present-day city was ceded to the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] in 1800. It was named '''Province Wellesley''' and has been administered as part of Penang ever since.<ref name=":22" /><ref name="Ooi-2015" /> The territory became a centre for [[Cash crop|cash crop agriculture]], while the development of new towns such as [[Butterworth, Seberang Perai|Butterworth]] and [[Bukit Mertajam]] followed with the advent of roads and railways towards the end of the 19th century.<ref name="Ooi-2015" /><ref name=":25" />
+Originally a part of [[Kedah Sultanate|Kedah]], the territory containing the city was ceded to the [[East India Company|British East India Company]] in 1800. It was named '''Province Wellesley''' and has been administered as part of Penang ever since.<ref name=":22" /><ref name="Ooi-2015" /> The territory became a centre for [[Cash crop|cash crop agriculture]], while the development of new towns such as [[Butterworth, Seberang Perai|Butterworth]] and [[Bukit Mertajam]] followed with the advent of roads and railways towards the end of the 19th century.<ref name="Ooi-2015" /><ref name=":25" />
-After Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai benefitted from the development spillover from [[George Town, Penang|George Town]].<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":27" /> The [[Port of Penang]], the third busiest seaport in the country, was relocated to the municipality in 1974, bolstering its burgeoning industrial-based economy that has attracted numerous [[Multinational corporation|multinational companies]].<ref name=":222">{{Cite journal |date=21 Feb 2023 |title=Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022 |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/my/Statistik%20Maritim/2022%204%20-%20SUKU%20IV%202022/JADUAL%203.5%20JUMLAH%20KONTENA%20YANG%20DIKENDALIKAN%20MENGIKUT%20PELABUHAN,%20MALAYSIA,%20Q4%202022.pdf |journal=[[Ministry of Transport (Malaysia)|Ministry of Transport]]}}</ref><ref name=":73" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Liew |first=Jia Teng |date=18 Nov 2021 |title=Cover Story: Why companies are flocking to Batu Kawan Industrial Park |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/cover-story-why-companies-are-flocking-batu-kawan-industrial-park |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Edge (Malaysia)|The Edge]]}}</ref> Two road bridges were constructed to physically connect Seberang Perai with George Town, complementing an [[Penang ferry service|existing ferry service]] between the two cities.<ref name=":29" /> [[Penang Sentral]], a new [[transit-oriented development]], has strengthened Seberang Perai's role as the logistics hub of northwestern Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kharas |first=Homi |date=2010 |title=Cities, people & the economy: A study on positioning Penang |url=https://www.thinkcity.com.my/positioningpenang/files/PositioningPenang_LORES_.pdf |journal=[[World Bank]] |publisher=[[Khazanah Nasional]] |isbn=978-983-44193-3-2}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=[[Joshua Woo Sze Zeng]] |date=9 Jul 2020 |title=Exploring a transit-oriented development (TOD) Framework for Penang’s urban growth |url=https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Exploring-Transit-Oriented-Development-Framework-for-Penang.pdf |journal=Penang Institute |issue=7}}</ref> Following decades of rapid urbanisation and infrastructural developments, Seberang Perai was conferred city status in 2019.<ref name=":27" /><ref name=":31" />
+After Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai benefitted from the development spillover from [[George Town, Penang|George Town]].<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":27" /> The [[Port of Penang]], the third busiest seaport in the country, was relocated to the municipality in 1974, bolstering its burgeoning industrial-based economy that has attracted numerous [[Multinational corporation|multinational companies]].<ref name=":222">{{Cite journal |date=21 Feb 2023 |title=Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022 |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/my/Statistik%20Maritim/2022%204%20-%20SUKU%20IV%202022/JADUAL%203.5%20JUMLAH%20KONTENA%20YANG%20DIKENDALIKAN%20MENGIKUT%20PELABUHAN,%20MALAYSIA,%20Q4%202022.pdf |journal=[[Ministry of Transport (Malaysia)|Ministry of Transport]]}}</ref><ref name=":73" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Liew |first=Jia Teng |date=18 Nov 2021 |title=Cover Story: Why companies are flocking to Batu Kawan Industrial Park |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/cover-story-why-companies-are-flocking-batu-kawan-industrial-park |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Edge (Malaysia)|The Edge]]}}</ref> Two road bridges were constructed to physically connect Seberang Perai with George Town, complementing an [[Penang ferry service|existing ferry service]] between the two cities.<ref name=":29" /> [[Penang Sentral]], a new [[transit-oriented development]], has strengthened Seberang Perai's role as the logistics hub of northwestern Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Kharas |first=Homi |date=2010 |title=Cities, people & the economy: A study on positioning Penang |url=https://www.thinkcity.com.my/positioningpenang/files/PositioningPenang_LORES_.pdf |journal=[[World Bank]] |publisher=[[Khazanah Nasional]] |isbn=978-983-44193-3-2}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |last=[[Joshua Woo Sze Zeng]] |date=9 Jul 2020 |title=Exploring a transit-oriented development (TOD) Framework for Penang’s urban growth |url=https://penanginstitute.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Exploring-Transit-Oriented-Development-Framework-for-Penang.pdf |journal=Penang Institute |issue=7}}</ref> Following decades of rapid urbanisation and infrastructural developments, Seberang Perai was conferred city status in 2019.<ref name=":27" /><ref name=":31" />
 == Etymology ==
@@ Line 155: / Line 155: @@
 Seberang Perai spans the entire mainland portion of Penang. With a total land mass of {{Convert|747.8|km2|abbr=on}}, Seberang Perai is slightly larger than [[Singapore]].{{ref|Alpha|α}}<ref name=":32" /> The terrain of the city is mostly flat and alluvial, except for the hilly region along its eastern border with Kedah.<ref name=":34">{{Cite journal |last=Abd. Rahman |first=Abdul Hadi |date=Sep 2000 |title=Coastal Sedimentation and Recent Coastline Changes Along the Seberang Perai Coast, Pulau Pinang |url=https://gsmpubl.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/agc2000_24.pdf |journal=[[University of Malaya]]}}</ref> Standing at a height of {{Convert|1787|ft|abbr=on}}, Bukit Mertajam Hill is the tallest point within Seberang Perai. The city's coast is divided into a northern sandy shoreline and a muddy, mangrove-covered southern coastline. The southern coast is geographically sheltered by [[Penang Island]], while the northern shoreline is more exposed to the forces of the [[Strait of Malacca|Malacca Strait]].<ref name=":34" />
-Seberang Perai's jurisdiction also includes two offshore islets {{Ndash}} [[Aman Island|Aman]] and [[Gedung Island|Gedung]] islands.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Draf Rancangan Tempatan Seberang Perai 2030 |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/images/draft_rancangan/drtsp-2030.pdf |journal=[[Seberang Perai City Council]] |language=MS}}</ref> These islets feature mudflats that connect with the mainland due to sedimentation that occurred during the construction of the [[Penang Bridge]].<ref name=":34" />
+Seberang Perai's jurisdiction also includes two offshore islets {{Ndash}} [[Aman Island|Aman]] and [[Gedung Island|Gedung]] islands.<ref name=":4">{{Cite journal |title=Draf Rancangan Tempatan Seberang Perai 2030 |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/images/draft_rancangan/drtsp-2030.pdf |journal=[[Seberang Perai City Council]] |language=MS}}</ref> These islets feature mudflats that connect with the mainland due to sedimentation that occurred during the construction of the [[Penang Bridge]].<ref name=":34" />
 The city is demarcated by the [[Muda River]] to the north, which serves as the border between Seberang Perai and [[Kedah]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lopez |first=Leslie |date=9 Apr 2021 |title=Murky politics as two Malaysian states - Penang and Kedah - clash over water |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/murky-politics-as-two-malaysian-states-penang-and-kedah-clash-over-water |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Straits Times]]}}</ref> To the south, the [[tripoint]] between Seberang Perai, Kedah and Perak lies within the [[Kerian River]].<ref name=":35">{{Cite news |last=Mohd Yunus |first=Zubir |date=16 Oct 2016 |title=Kerian menjadi titik sempadan Perak, Kedah, Pulau Pinang |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/bhplus-old/2016/10/202554/kerian-menjadi-titik-sempadan-perak-kedah-pulau-pinang |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[BH (newspaper)|Berita Harian]] |language=ms}}</ref> Several riverine systems flow through the city, including [[Perai River|Perai]], Juru, Jejawi and Tengah rivers.<ref name=":34" /> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Dermawan |first=Audrey |date=29 May 2022 |title=The sad state of Penang rivers |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/800375/sad-state-penang-rivers |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref>
@@ Line 176: / Line 176: @@
 Throughout the 19th century, Province Wellesley was administered from [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] without any local governance structure in place.<ref name=":25" /> This changed in 1913 when the Municipal Ordinance came into effect, mandating the establishment of local governments in Province Wellesley.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":25" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=5 Jun 1913 |title=First batch of commissioners appointed: Singapore bodies to be consulted |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19130605-1.2.53?qt=province,%20wellesley,%20rural,%20board&q=Province%20Wellesley%20rural%20board |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=The Straits Budget |page=12}}</ref> Three local governments were created, namely the town boards for [[Butterworth, Seberang Perai|Butterworth]] and [[Bukit Mertajam]], and the Province Wellesley Rural Board which administered the rest of the territory.<ref name=":22" />
-The present-day [[Seberang Perai City Council]] (MBSP) was formed following several reorganisations throughout the 20th century. In 1953, the Province Wellesley Rural Board was split into three rural district councils for the [[North Seberang Perai District|Northern]], [[Central Seberang Perai District|Central]] and [[South Seberang Perai District|Southern]] districts.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":37" /> After Malaya's independence, the local governments were gradually amalgamated by the then [[Alliance Party (Malaysia)|Alliance]]-controlled [[Government of Penang|state government]]. The Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipal governments were [[Merger (politics)|merged]] with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively, in 1961.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":39" /> The three remaining district councils were consolidated into a single municipality in 1974.<ref name=":26" /> As a municipality, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status in 1976 and city status in 2019.<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":31" />
+The [[Seberang Perai City Council]] (MBSP) was formed following several reorganisations throughout the 20th century. In 1953, the Province Wellesley Rural Board was split into three rural district councils for the [[North Seberang Perai District|Northern]], [[Central Seberang Perai District|Central]] and [[South Seberang Perai District|Southern]] districts.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":37" /> After Malaya's independence, the local governments were gradually amalgamated by the then [[Alliance Party (Malaysia)|Alliance]]-controlled [[Government of Penang|state government]]. The Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipal governments were [[Merger (politics)|merged]] with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively, in 1961.<ref name=":22" /><ref name=":39" /> The three remaining district councils were consolidated into a single municipality in 1974.<ref name=":26" /> As a municipality, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status in 1976 and city status in 2019.<ref name=":26" /><ref name=":31" />
-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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Oct 2021 |title=Struktur Pentadbiran |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/index.php/ms/mengenai-mpsp/maklumat-am/carta-organisasi |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |website=[[Seberang Perai City Council]] |language=MS}}</ref> The Penang state government appoints the mayor and councillors, with the councillors serving under an extendable one-year term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Background |url=https://www.mbpp.gov.my/en/corporate/background |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=[[Penang Island City Council]]}}</ref> Local government elections, which had been in place from 1961, were suspended following the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]] and have not been reinstated since.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 1961 |title=Alliance sweeps in |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19610531-1.2.35?qt=election,%20province,%20wellesley&q=election%20province%20wellesley |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=The Straits Budget |pages=9}}</ref><ref name=":36">{{Cite web |last=Abdullah |first=Saifuddin |title=George Town: Malaysia's First Local Democracy |url=https://penanginstitute.org/happenings/in-the-mass-media/913-george-town-malaysia-s-first-local-democracy/ |access-date=19 December 2023 |website=Penang Institute}}</ref> The current mayor of Seberang Perai since 2022 is Azhar Arshad.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 Dec 2021 |title=Deputy state secretary takes over as Seberang Perai mayor |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/12/31/deputy-state-secretary-takes-over-as-seberang-perai-mayor/ |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=[[Free Malaysia Today]]}}</ref>
+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.<ref>{{Cite web |date=4 Oct 2021 |title=Struktur Pentadbiran |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/index.php/ms/mengenai-mpsp/maklumat-am/carta-organisasi |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |website=[[Seberang Perai City Council]] |language=MS}}</ref> The Penang state government appoints the mayor and councillors, with the councillors serving under an extendable one-year term.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Background |url=https://www.mbpp.gov.my/en/corporate/background |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=[[Penang Island City Council]]}}</ref> Local government elections, which had been in place from 1961, were suspended following the [[Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation]] and have not been reinstated since.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 May 1961 |title=Alliance sweeps in |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19610531-1.2.35?qt=election,%20province,%20wellesley&q=election%20province%20wellesley |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=The Straits Budget |pages=9}}</ref><ref name=":36">{{Cite web |last=Abdullah |first=Saifuddin |title=George Town: Malaysia's First Local Democracy |url=https://penanginstitute.org/happenings/in-the-mass-media/913-george-town-malaysia-s-first-local-democracy/ |access-date=19 December 2023 |website=Penang Institute}}</ref> The mayor of Seberang Perai since 2022 is Azhar Arshad.<ref>{{Cite news |date=31 Dec 2021 |title=Deputy state secretary takes over as Seberang Perai mayor |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/12/31/deputy-state-secretary-takes-over-as-seberang-perai-mayor/ |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=[[Free Malaysia Today]]}}</ref>
-MBSP's current [[urban planning]] strategy is outlined in the ''Seberang Perai Local Plan 2030'', first published in 2021.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=9 Jul 2021 |title=Impressive feedback for proposed 2030 Seberang Perai planning blueprint |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/impressive-feedback-for-proposed-2030-seberang-perai-planning-blueprint/ |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}</ref> In 2023, MBSP projected its estimated revenue at RM314.6 million and an estimated expenditure of RM357.13 million, which included allocations for infrastructure, economic growth, heritage conservation and community engagement.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 October 2022 |title=MBSP Budget Focuses on Building Green and Clean City |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/10/05/mbsp-budget-focuses-on-building-green-and-clean-city |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref>
+MBSP's current [[urban planning]] strategy is outlined in the ''Seberang Perai Local Plan 2030'', first published in 2021.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=9 Jul 2021 |title=Impressive feedback for proposed 2030 Seberang Perai planning blueprint |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/impressive-feedback-for-proposed-2030-seberang-perai-planning-blueprint/ |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}</ref> In 2023, MBSP projected its estimated revenue at RM314.6 million and an estimated expenditure of RM357.13 million, which included allocations for infrastructure, economic growth, heritage conservation and community engagement.<ref>{{Cite news |date=5 October 2022 |title=MBSP Budget Focuses on Building Green and Clean City |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/10/05/mbsp-budget-focuses-on-building-green-and-clean-city |access-date=30 December 2023 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref>
-The city council's headquarters is Menara Bandaraya, located near Bukit Mertajam.<ref name="mpsp20061" /> Administrative offices were relocated to the building in 2006 from the previous headquarters at Butterworth.<ref name="mpsp20061" /><ref name="mpsp20063" /><ref name="mpsp20062" /> However, upon completion, Menara Bandaraya was mired in controversy. MBSP's reserves shrank by RM230 million between 2000 and 2007.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Caroline |first=Jim |date=Jan 2015 |title=Good governance and government sector performance at Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai |url=https://etd.uum.edu.my/4612/1/s811041.pdf |journal=[[Universiti Utara Malaysia]]}}</ref> Cost overruns forced the developer, with links to the then-ruling [[Barisan Nasional]] coalition, to scale down construction to the present-day building.<ref name="mpsp20063" /><ref name=":40">{{Cite news |date=3 Dec 2008 |title=Developer ready to face probe |url=https://www.audit.gov.my/images/media/Liputan_Media/NST/2008/NST%2029.11.2008-5.12.2008.pdf |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref> In total, the city government spent nearly RM85 million on the building.<ref name=":40" />
+The city council's headquarters is Menara Bandaraya, located near Bukit Mertajam.<ref name="mpsp20061" /> Administrative offices were relocated to the building in 2006 from the previous headquarters at Butterworth.<ref name="mpsp20061" /><ref name="mpsp20063" /><ref name="mpsp20062" /> However, upon completion, Menara Bandaraya was mired in controversy. MBSP's reserves shrank by RM230 million between 2000 and 2007, allegedly due in part to the financing of the new headquarters.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Caroline |first=Jim |date=Jan 2015 |title=Good governance and government sector performance at Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai |url=https://etd.uum.edu.my/4612/1/s811041.pdf |journal=[[Universiti Utara Malaysia]]}}</ref><ref name=":40" /> Cost overruns forced the developer, with links to the then-ruling [[Barisan Nasional]] coalition, to scale down construction to the present-day building.<ref name="mpsp20063" /><ref name=":40">{{Cite news |date=3 Dec 2008 |title=Developer ready to face probe |url=https://www.audit.gov.my/images/media/Liputan_Media/NST/2008/NST%2029.11.2008-5.12.2008.pdf |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref> In total, the city government spent nearly RM85 million on the building.<ref name=":40" />
 === State and national representation ===
@@ Line 228: / Line 228: @@
 {{Historical populations|9=1921|10=130341|11=1931|12=141388|13=1947|14=183616|15=1957|16=233234|17=1970|18=343010|19=1980|20=432982|21=1991|22=545688|23=2000|24=655711|25=2010|26=818197|27=2020|28=946092|shading=off|source={{my10|2020kf}}<ref>{{Cite journal |last=A. Vlieland |first=C. |date=1932 |title=British Malaya: A report on the 1931 census and on certain problems of vital statistics |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae5b |journal=[[Straits Settlements]] |pages=129 |via=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=V. Del Tufo |first=M. |title=Malaya: A report on the 1947 census of population |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae5a |journal=[[Federation of Malaya]] |pages=136 |via=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=11 Jul 1959 |title=1957 population census report no. 3: State of Penang |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae22 |journal=Department of Statistics, Federation of Malaya |location=[[Kuala Lumpur]] |pages=4-6 |via=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chander |first=R. |title=1970 population and housing census of Malaysia |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5cbbea4ee72b5b1a3e3e5930 |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |location=[[Kuala Lumpur]] |pages=53-54}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Khoo |first=Teik Huat |date=Jun 1984 |title=1980 population and housing census of Malaysia: Population report for administrative districts |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae0c |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |location=[[Kuala Lumpur]] |pages=123-129}}</ref><ref name=census1991>{{Cite journal |last=Khoo |first=Soo Gim |date=Feb 1995 |title=Population and housing census of Malaysia 1991: General report of the population census |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aadf4 |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |location=[[Kuala Lumpur]] |volume=2 |pages=25 |issn=1394-3642}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Abdul Rahman |first=Shaari |date=Sep 2004 |title=Population and housing census of Malaysia 2000: Census atlas |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae10 |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |location=[[Putrajaya]] |pages=79 |issn=1394-6250}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=May 2012 |title=Population and housing census of Malaysia: Population profile by parliament and state legislative assembly areas 2010 |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae2e |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |location=[[Putrajaya]] |pages=17-19}}</ref>|align=left}}{{Bar box|title=Ethnicities of Seberang Perai in 2020{{my10|2020kf}}|left1=Ethnicities / Nationality|right1=Percentage|float=left|bars={{Bar percent|[[Malaysian Malays|Malays]]|Green|49.0}}{{Bar percent|[[Bumiputera (Malaysia)|Other Bumiputeras]]|Teal|0.3}}{{Bar percent|[[Penangite Chinese|Chinese]]|Red|32.9}}{{Bar percent|[[Malaysians of Indian descent in Penang|Indians]]|Orange|9.6}} {{Bar percent|Others|DarkGray|0.4}}{{Bar percent|Non-Malaysians|Purple|7.7}}}}According to the 2020 Malaysian census, Seberang Perai had a population of 946,092 within its jurisdiction of {{convert|748|km2|abbr=on}}, giving it a population density of {{convert|1264.8|/km2|abbr=on}}.{{my10|2020kf}} This also makes Seberang Perai the [[List of cities and towns in Malaysia by population#Within defined boundaries|third largest city by population in Malaysia]] after [[Kuala Lumpur]] and [[Kajang]]. Seberang Perai is also the most populous settlement within the [[Greater Penang Conurbation|George Town Conurbation]], containing over 54.3% of Penang's population. The city centre of [[Butterworth, Seberang Perai|Butterworth]] recorded a population of 80,378, or approximately 8.5% of the total population of Seberang Perai.<ref name="2020 population">{{cite web |title=Mukim > Bandar Butterworth |url=https://tableau.dosm.gov.my/t/BPPD-BahagianperangkaanpendudukdanDemografi/views/MyCenDashEnglish/MUKIM?%3Adisplay_count=n&%3Aembed=y&%3AisGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&%3Aorigin=viz_share_link&%3AshowAppBanner=false&%3AshowVizHome=n |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |website=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]]}}</ref>
-Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" to George Town, Seberang Perai's population grew rapidly due to the spillover of development from [[George Town, Penang|George Town]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Hasni |first=Rosmiyati |date=2015 |title=Predicting Seberang Perai housing land pattern in 2017 |url=http://eprints.usm.my/35129/1/PPIK30.pdf |journal=[[Universiti Sains Malaysia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rena Lim |date=10 Nov 2018 |title=Mainland holds Penang’s future |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/11/10/mainland-holds-penangs-future-state-government-keen-on-seeing-more-industrial-growth-in-seberang-pra |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Ban Lee |date=7 Oct 2019 |title=Seberang Perai comes of age |url=https://thesun.my/opinion_news/seberang-perai-comes-of-age-JB1452487 |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]]}}</ref> Between 1975 and 1990, suburban sprawl became more pronounced within the [[North Seberang Perai District|northern]] and [[Central Seberang Perai District|central]] districts of the city.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=City scan Penang, Malaysia: City resilience program |url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/303601599804400672/pdf/City-Scan-Penang-Malaysia-City-Resilience-Program.pdf |journal=[[World Bank]]}}</ref> By 1991, Seberang Perai's population outstripped that of [[Penang Island]] for the first time in the state's history.{{ref|Beta|β}}
+Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" to George Town, Seberang Perai's population grew rapidly due to the spillover of development from [[George Town, Penang|George Town]].<ref name=":7">{{Cite journal |last=Hasni |first=Rosmiyati |date=2015 |title=Predicting Seberang Perai housing land pattern in 2017 |url=http://eprints.usm.my/35129/1/PPIK30.pdf |journal=[[Universiti Sains Malaysia]]}}</ref> Between 1975 and 1990, suburban sprawl became more pronounced within the [[North Seberang Perai District|northern]] and [[Central Seberang Perai District|central]] districts of the city.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=City scan Penang, Malaysia: City resilience program |url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/303601599804400672/pdf/City-Scan-Penang-Malaysia-City-Resilience-Program.pdf |journal=[[World Bank]]}}</ref> By 1991, Seberang Perai's population outstripped that of [[Penang Island]] for the first time in the state's history.{{ref|Beta|β}}
 === Ethnicities ===
@@ Line 234: / Line 234: @@
 ==Economy==
+Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" to [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], Seberang Perai has undergone significant transformation in the decades following [[Federation of Malaya|Malaya]]'s independence.<ref name=":27" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rena Lim |date=10 Nov 2018 |title=Mainland holds Penang’s future |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/11/10/mainland-holds-penangs-future-state-government-keen-on-seeing-more-industrial-growth-in-seberang-pra |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Star (Malaysia)|The Star]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Ban Lee |date=7 Oct 2019 |title=Seberang Perai comes of age |url=https://thesun.my/opinion_news/seberang-perai-comes-of-age-JB1452487 |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]]}}</ref> The [[Government of Penang|Penang state government]] has been actively promoting a policy of balanced development between the two cities, and Seberang Perai has been positioned as the "future of Penang".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Susan Loone |date=29 Aug 2018 |title=Penang CM rolls out vision, says state's future is in Seberang Prai |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/440871 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[Malaysiakini]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=4 May 2023 |title=Penang govt intensifies efforts for balanced development in Seberang Perai and Penang island |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-govt-intensifies-efforts-for-balanced-development-in-seberang-perai-and-penang-island/ |access-date=10 Feb 2023 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}</ref> With the heavy industrialisation of the agricultural hinterland of Penang, the city has been designated as a "growth centre" within the [[Greater Penang Conurbation|George Town Conurbation]].<ref name=":25" /><ref name=":27" /> Nine of Penang's industrial clusters are located in the city, which has emerged as a significant recipient of [[foreign direct investment]] (FDI) and the [[List of Malaysian states and municipalities by exports#Exports by city and municipality|seventh largest exporter in Malaysia]].<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=28 Jun 2021 |title=No more industrial land in Seberang Perai, says exco man |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/06/28/no-more-industrial-land-in-seberang-perai-says-exco-man/ |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[Free Malaysia Today]]}}</ref><ref name=":06">{{Cite journal |date=July 2023 |title=Final External Trade Statistics 2023 |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |pages=89 |issn=2180-1827}}</ref> The development of newer townships has also driven [[Economic diversity|economic diversification]], with a growing services sector concentrated around retail and tourism.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web |last=Filmer |first=Andrea |date=Mar 2019 |title=Batu Kawan Rising |url=https://penangmonthly.com/article/15488/batu-kawan-rising-1 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |website=Penang Monthly |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=20 May 2022 |title=Batu Kawan becomes hotspot for new retail |url=https://www.thevibes.com/index.php/articles/business/61280/batu-kawan-becomes-hotspot-for-new-retail |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=The Vibes}}</ref><ref name=":232">{{Cite journal |date=May 2021 |title=Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021–2030 |url=https://gtwhi.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Penang-Tourism-Master-Plan-2021-2030-Report.pdf |journal=[[Government of Penang|Penang state government]] |isbn=9789671966105}}</ref>
-While the economy of Seberang Perai has traditionally been driven by agriculture, since the mid-20th century, the city has become heavily industrialised.<ref name=":82">{{Cite web|url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=2578&name=penangs_mainland_seberang_perai_by_the_numbers|title=Penang's mainland – Seberang Perai by the numbers|website=Penang’s mainland – Seberang Perai by the numbers|access-date=2017-05-02}}</ref> The first industrial estate was established in [[Mak Mandin]], near Butterworth, in the 1950s under the leadership of the then [[List of Chief Ministers of Penang|Chief Minister of Penang]], [[Wong Pow Nee]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Chin |first=Christina |title=The 'Father of Penang' - Nation {{!}} The Star Online |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2015/01/18/the-father-of-penang-penangs-first-chief-minister-tan-sri-wong-pow-nee-kickstarted-the-states-indust/ |access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref><ref name=":13">{{Cite journal|last=Wan Fairuz Wan Chik|first=S. Selvadurai, A. C. Er|date=2013|title=History of Industrial Development Strategies in Penang since Independence: A Study of the SMEs|url=http://www.ccsenet.org/journal/index.php/ass/article/viewFile/27013/16497|journal=[[National University of Malaysia|Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=6842&name=the_first_and_forgotten_chief_minister_of_penang|title=The first and forgotten Chief Minister of Penang|website=The first and forgotten Chief Minister of Penang|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref> The relocation of the [[Port of Penang]] to Butterworth in 1974 and the completion of several expressways have also boosted the growth of manufacturing as one of the economic mainstays of Seberang Perai, by facilitating the ease of transportation of goods and services.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=The Mainland Awakens |url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=1325&name=the_mainland_awakens |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=The Mainland Awakens, Seberang Perai, Bagan Market, Icon City, Auto City, BFF, Think City, Bukit Mertajam, Batu Kawan}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite web|url=http://www.penangport.com.my/Services/Container-Services|title=Container Services|website=Port of Penang}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite book|title=Globalization and New Intra-Urban Dynamics in Asian Cities|last=Natacha Aveline-Dubach|first=Sue-Ching Jou, Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao|publisher=Taiwan Resource Center for Chinese Studies|year=2014|isbn=9789863500216|location=[[Taiwan]]}}</ref>
-The resulting rapid urbanisation of Seberang Perai has fueled the city's housing market; in particular, the [[Central Seberang Perai District|Central District]] has benefited the most in terms of newly built housing units due to its greater industrial activity and the location of the [[Penang Bridge]]'s terminus within the said [[Districts of Malaysia|district]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=2794&name=the_housing_market_in_penang_today|title=The housing market in Penang today|website=The housing market in Penang today|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref>
-In recent years, [[Batu Kawan]], within the [[South Seberang Perai District|Southern District]], has witnessed massive transformation, with an industrial park, an international technology hub and several other mixed-development projects being planned for the town.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |title=Penang developers plan mega projects - Business News {{!}} The Star Online |url=http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2017/03/11/penang-developers-plan-mega-projects/ |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=www.thestar.com.my}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/smebiz/news/2017/05/10/companys-initiative-to-help-with-savings-on-energy-cost/|title=Company's initiative to help with savings on energy cost - SMEBiz News {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thesundaily.my/news/1066547|title=Penang signs with Temasek to set up RM11.3b SSO hub|website=www.thesundaily.my|language=en|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref>
 === Manufacturing ===
+The first industrial estates in Penang were established in the 1960s at [[Mak Mandin]] and [[Perai]] during the tenure of the state's first [[Chief Minister of Penang|Chief Minister]] [[Wong Pow Nee]].<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Chin |first=Yee Whah |date=Jul 2006 |title=Penang Small and Medium Enterprises: Struggle, Accommodation and Challenges |url=https://journalarticle.ukm.my/4294/2/akademika65%5B02%5D.pdf |journal=[[Universiti Sains Malaysia]]}}</ref> However, these early efforts at industrialisation were limited to [[Import substitution industrialization|import substitution]].<ref name=":732">{{Cite journal |last=Athukorala |first=Prema-chandra |title=Growing with Global Production Sharing: The Tale of Penang Export Hub, Malaysia |url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/gep/documents/conferences/2012/malaysia-conference/prema-chandra-athukorala.pdf |journal=[[Australian National University]]}}</ref> After the revocation of George Town's free port status and the fall of the [[Alliance Party (Malaysia)|Alliance]]-led state government in [[1969 Malaysian general election|1969]], newly-elected Chief Minister [[Lim Chong Eu]] sought to restructure Penang's economy.<ref name=":732" /><ref name="Ooi-2009">{{Cite web |last=Ooi |first=Kee Beng |date=December 2009 |title=Tun Lim Chong Eu: The Past is Not Passé |url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=7680&name=tun_lim_chong_eu_the_past_is_not_pass |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808051103/https://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=7680&name=tun_lim_chong_eu_the_past_is_not_pass |archive-date=8 August 2020 |access-date=2017-11-30 |website=Penang Monthly}}</ref> The Nathan Report of 1970, produced by [[Robert R. Nathan|Robert R. Nathan Associates]], proposed an export-led growth strategy and the strengthening of linkages with the global economy.<ref name=":732" /> In 1980, the [[Perai Free Industrial Zone]] was created with the aim of becoming a significant manufacturing hub for bulk items, taking advantage of its proximity to the [[Port of Penang]] and the [[KTM West Coast railway line|railway line that connects it to the rest of western Peninsular Malaysia]].<ref name=":732" /><ref name="Nijkamp">{{Cite book |last=Peter Nijkamp |first=Amitrajeet A. Batabyal |title=Regional Growth and Sustainable Development in Asia |publisher=Springer |year=2016 |isbn=9783319275895}}</ref>
-The main industrial zones within Seberang Perai are located in [[Mak Mandin]], [[Perai]], [[Bukit Mertajam]] and [[Nibong Tebal]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=P 01. A brief history of Prai |url=http://butterworthguide.com.my/index.php/prai-discover-secrets-of-a-town-s-forgotten-heyday/51-a-brief-history-of-prai |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=butterworthguide.com.my |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=The rise of mainland Penang |url=http://www.thesundaily.my/node/163761 |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=www.thesundaily.my |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":13" /> There has been a higher concentration of manufacturing activities within the [[Central Seberang Perai District|Central District]], which encompasses [[Perai]] and [[Bukit Mertajam]], making it the most industrialised district within Seberang Perai.
+Seberang Perai is now home to nine of Penang's industrial clusters {{Ndash}} namely at Mak Mandin, Perai, [[Seberang Jaya]], [[Bukit Tengah]], [[Bukit Minyak]], [[Simpang Ampat, Seberang Perai|Simpang Ampat]] and [[Batu Kawan]].<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Christopher Tan |date=3 Apr 2021 |title=Penang strives to drive industry forward |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-strives-to-drive-industry-forward/ |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}</ref> The availability of industrial land has attracted several local and [[Multinational corporation|multinational companies]] (MNCs), such as [[Mattel]], [[Flex (company)|Flex]], [[Sanmina Corporation|Sanmina]], [[JinkoSolar]], [[Honeywell]] and [[Lam Research]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=3 Jul 1992 |title=Hot on Singapore's heels |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19920703-1.2.30.3?qt=province,%20wellesley,%20seberang,%20perai&q=province%20wellesley%20seberang%20perai |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Business Times (Singapore)|The Business Times]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Manufacturing Companies In Perai, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |url=https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-information.manufacturing.my.pulau_pinang.perai.html |access-date=31 Jan 2024 |website=[[Dun & Bradstreet]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rafee |first=Hannah |date=20 Mar 2020 |title=Steady climb in Penang industrial segment |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/steady-climb-penang-industrial-segment |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Edge (Malaysia)|The Edge]]}}</ref> In 2022, Seberang Perai received investments worth nearly RM10.9 billion, which accounted for 79% of Penang's total inbound investments that year.<ref name="Stats-Malaysia-2018">{{Cite journal |date=August 2023 |title=Laporan Sosioekonomi Negeri Pulau Pinang 2022 |url= |journal=[[Department of Statistics Malaysia]] |issn=2600-9854}}</ref> Within the same year, RM65.7 billion worth of exports passed through the Port of Penang, making Seberang Perai the [[List of Malaysian states and municipalities by exports#Exports by city and municipality|seventh largest exporter among Malaysian cities]].<ref name=":06" />
-In particular, several multinational corporations and Malaysian manufacturing giants, including [[Honeywell Aerospace]], [[Sony]], [[Mattel]], [[Pensonic Group|Pensonic]], [[Chevron Corporation|Chevron]] and Malayawata Steel are based in [[Perai]], due to its proximity to the [[Port of Penang]].<ref name=":1" /> Smaller industries, such as foodstuff and textiles, are concentrated in inland areas like [[Mak Mandin]] and [[Nibong Tebal]], while [[Bukit Tengah]] near [[Bukit Mertajam]] has a significant engineering industry that includes international names like [[Blaupunkt]] and [[Schlumberger]].
+=== Services ===
-The [[Batu Kawan]] Industrial Park is another upcoming manufacturing zone, attracting multinational companies such as VAT, [[Bose Corporation]], [[Boston Scientific]] and [[Robert Bosch GmbH]].<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=7119&name=penang_economic_outlook|title=Penang Economic Outlook|website=Penang Economic Outlook|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref>
+[[File:Design Village, Batu Kawan, Penang.jpg|left|thumb|Opened in 2016, [[Design Village]] at [[Batu Kawan]] houses 150 stores within a {{Convert|400000|sqft|abbr=on|adj=on}} [[Floor area|net lettable area]].<ref name=":9">{{Cite news |last=Dermawan |first=Audrey |date=24 Aug 2017 |title=Design Village Penang aims to draw in some 2.5 million visitors this year |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2017/08/272123/design-village-penang-aims-draw-some-25-million-visitors-year |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref>]]The development of newer townships, namely [[Seberang Jaya]] and [[Batu Kawan]], has given rise to a thriving retail sector, attracting major players such as [[Sunway Group]] and [[IKEA]], respectively.<ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 Mar 2019 |title=Higher FY20, FY21 profits seen for Sunway REIT |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/higher-fy20-fy21-profits-seen-sunway-reit |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Edge (Malaysia)|The Edge]]}}</ref> In 2016, [[Design Village]], Penang's first premium outlet mall, was launched, further enhancing Batu Kawan as a retail destination.<ref name=":6" /><ref name=":9" />
+The Penang state government has undertaken initiatives to promote [[agritourism]] and [[ecotourism]] in Seberang Perai.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vimal |first=Kevin |date=11 Apr 2022 |title=Seberang Perai set to become the next big thing in tourism |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/seberang-perai-set-to-become-the-next-big-thing-in-tourism/ |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}</ref> 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.<ref name=":233">{{Cite journal |title=Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021-2030 |url=https://gtwhi.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Penang-Tourism-Master-Plan-2021-2030-Report.pdf |journal=[[Government of Penang|Penang state government]] |isbn=9789671966105}}</ref>
-=== [[Entrepôt|Entrepôt trade]] ===
-{{Main|Port of Penang}}
-{{wide image|Penang Port.jpg|800px|View of the [[Port of Penang]] and [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] in the background.|align-cap=center}}The [[Port of Penang]] was relocated from [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] to [[Butterworth, Seberang Perai|Butterworth]] in 1974, in order to expand its container and cargo services.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":14" /><ref name=":15" /> To date, the [[Port of Penang]] operates six cargo and container terminals around Butterworth.<ref name=":33"/> This has led to the manufacturing boom in Seberang Perai, as the [[Port of Penang]] has facilitated the ease of export from the factories in [[Perai]].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":5" />
+Seberang Perai has historically been the logistical hub of Penang, serving as a termini for rail and [[Penang ferry service|ferry]] services. The relocation of the [[Port of Penang]] to the city in 1974 facilitated the development of new container services.<ref name="Jou-2014" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Yusof |first=Ayisy |date=8 Feb 2021 |title=Penang Port's NBCT gazetted as a free commercial zone |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021/02/664209/penang-ports-nbct-gazetted-free-commercial-zone |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[New Straits Times]]}}</ref> In 2022, the seaport handled close to 1.32 million [[Twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEUs]] of cargo, the third highest in Malaysia.<ref name="Stats-Malaysia-2018" /><ref name=":223">{{Cite journal |date=21 Feb 2023 |title=Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022 |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/my/Statistik%20Maritim/2022%204%20-%20SUKU%20IV%202022/JADUAL%203.5%20JUMLAH%20KONTENA%20YANG%20DIKENDALIKAN%20MENGIKUT%20PELABUHAN,%20MALAYSIA,%20Q4%202022.pdf |journal=[[Ministry of Transport (Malaysia)|Ministry of Transport]]}}</ref> The logistical role of Seberang Perai is further complemented by the [[Penang Sentral]], a [[transit-oriented development]] (TOD) at [[Butterworth, Seberang Perai|Butterworth]] that integrates land logistical and commercial components.<ref name=":1" />
-The [[Port of Penang]] handled more than 1.44 million [[Twenty-foot equivalent unit|TEUs]] of cargo in 2016, making it the third busiest seaport in [[Malaysia]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/stacking-mmc%E2%80%99s-ports-against-westports|title=Stacking up MMC's ports against Westports|date=2017-05-02|work=The Edge Markets|access-date=2017-12-21}}</ref> The [[Port of Penang|Port]]'s strategic location allowed it to service not just northern [[Malaysia]], but also southern [[Thailand]].
 === Agriculture ===
+Known as the "rice bowl" of Penang, Seberang Perai has a long history of agriculture.<ref name=":25" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Stephanie Kee |first= |date=Jan 2018 |title=Penang – A Rice Bowl State under Threat? |url=https://penangmonthly.com/article/9947/penang-a-rice-bowl-state-under-threat-1 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |website=Penang Monthly |language=en}}</ref> During British rule, spice, sugar and rubber were some of the major produces in the territory. Post-independence, the focus has shifted to rice, palm oil and coconut cultivation.<ref name=":27" /> {{As of|2017}}, agriculture made up nearly 44% of Seberang Perai's land use.<ref name=":4" /> The city had approximately {{Convert|12472|acre|abbr=on}} of paddy fields {{As of|2008|lc=y}}, mainly located in the [[North Seberang Perai District|north]].<ref name=":27" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=23 Feb 2017 |title=Spurring the local economy in Seberang Perai through agro-industry |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2017/02/23/spurring-the-local-economy-in-seberang-perai-through-agro-industry/1321439 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[Malay Mail]]}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news |date=22 Nov 2023 |title=Penang's average rice production highest in country for six straight years |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/penang-s-average-rice-production-highest-in-country-for-six-straight-years-NP11782483 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=[[The Sun (Malaysia)|The Sun]]}}</ref>
-In terms of land usage, agriculture remains the dominant economic sector in Seberang Perai, with about {{Convert|12000|hectare|abbr=on}} of land being utilised for agricultural purposes in both the [[North Seberang Perai District|Northern]] and [[South Seberang Perai District|Southern]] [[Districts of Malaysia|districts]].<ref name=":82" /> Seberang Perai has historically served as an agricultural rice bowl for [[Penang]], as the inherent lack of land on [[Penang Island]] necessitated the choice of the mainland for plantations and paddy fields.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=Penang Heritage Trust |url=http://www.pht.org.my/penang-story-colloquium-the-seberang-perai-story/ |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=www.pht.org.my |language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=2014-11-14 |title=The untold Seberang Perai story - anilnetto.com |url=http://anilnetto.com/society/malaysian-history/seberang-perai-story/ |access-date=2017-05-01 |work=anilnetto.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> In addition, [[Bukit Mertajam]] was once well known as a production centre for [[Natural rubber|rubber]], [[clove]]s and [[nutmeg]]s.<ref name=":5" />
-However, within the State of [[Penang]], the agricultural sector has been declining. This sector has contributed a mere 2.2% of [[Penang]]'s [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] {{As of|2014|lc=y}}, while only 2.7% of [[Penang]]'s workforce was employed in agriculture-related occupations in the fourth quarter of that year.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=2016 Budget and Economic Outlook|url=http://penanginstitute.org/v3/files/research_papers/The-2016-Budget-and-Economic-Outlook.pdf|journal=Penang Institute}}</ref>
-=== Services ===
-Seberang Perai has also witnessed a growing services sector; while the city is not as well known as [[Penang Island]] as a tourist destination of choice, it does have a developing retail scene. Eco-tourism is another sub-sector that has been recently promoted within Seberang Perai, taking advantage of the mangrove forests.<ref name=":12">{{Cite news |date=2015-12-14 |title=Penang seeks to charm eco-travellers to Seberang Perai with natural assets |url=http://www.themalaymailonline.com/malaysia/article/penang-seeks-to-charm-eco-travellers-to-seberang-perai-with-natural-assets |access-date=2017-05-01}}</ref>
-More recently, [[Batu Kawan]] has emerged as a potential growth centre for technological services and the [[Outsourcing|shared services outsourcing]] sub-sector, with the Penang International Technology Park in the works.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":82" /><ref name=":16" />
-[[File:Design Village, Batu Kawan, Penang.jpg|left|thumb|[[Design Village]] in [[Batu Kawan]], the biggest [[Outlet store|outlet mall]] in [[Malaysia]]]]
-==== Retail ====
-At the time of writing, among the major shopping malls within Seberang Perai are Megamal Pinang in [[Perai]], [[Sunway Carnival Mall]] in [[Seberang Jaya]] and The Summit Bukit Mertajam Plaza in [[Bukit Mertajam]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.timeout.com/penang/shops/the-summit-bukit-mertajam|title=The Summit Bukit Mertajam|work=Time Out Penang|access-date=2017-05-10|language=en}}</ref> {{As of|2017}}, another shopping mall, GEM Mall in Butterworth, is under construction; it has been touted as the largest shopping mall in northern [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/02/01/builder-throws-grand-cny-open-house-for-guests/|title=Builder throws grand CNY open house for guests - Community {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref>
-In 2016, [[Design Village]], [[Malaysia]]'s largest [[Outlet store|outlet mall]], was opened in [[Batu Kawan]], offering various international fashion and accessory brands such as [[Gap Inc.|Gap]], [[Pierre Cardin]], [[Padini]], [[Adidas]] and [[Levi Strauss & Co.|Levi's]].<ref name=":19">{{Cite web|url=https://www.penang.gov.my/en/dmedia/359636-the-launching-of-design-village-penang|title=Portal Rasmi Kerajaan Negeri Pulau Pinang - The Launching of Design Village Penang|last=Zabidi|first=Nor Diana|website=www.penang.gov.my|language=en-gb|access-date=2017-04-11}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.star2.com/culture/design/2017/05/12/design-village-penang/|title=The Design Village set to excite shoppers - Star2.com|date=2017-05-12|work=Star2.com|access-date=2017-05-14|language=en-US}}</ref> Spanning a total area of {{Convert|37161|m2|abbr=on}}, [[Design Village]] is also the first [[Outlet store|outlet mall]] in northern [[Malaysia]].
-Another famous component of Seberang Perai's retail sub-sector is Juru's Auto-City. An entertainment and retail precinct in Juru, it not only contains several automobile showrooms, but also a varied assortment of retail outlets, eateries and other services. Some of the international names at Juru Auto-City include [[Audi]], [[Ferrari]], [[Fiat Automobiles|Fiat]], [[Porsche]], [[Nando's]], [[Starbucks]], [[Secret Recipe (restaurant)|Secret Recipe]] and [[Subway (restaurant)|Subway]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.autocity.com.my/about|title=events - auto-city|website=www.autocity.com.my|access-date=2017-05-10}}</ref>
-In 2016, [[IKEA]], the world's largest furniture retailer, announced that it will open a store in [[Batu Kawan]] by 2018, making it the first [[IKEA]] outlet in northern [[Malaysia]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2016/03/15/ikea-confirms-penang-outlet-will-open-in-2018/|title=IKEA confirms Penang outlet will open in 2018 - Business News {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2017-05-14}}</ref>
 ==Transport==
@@ Line 288: / Line 266: @@
 [[File:Cmglee Penang second bridge aerial.jpg|thumb|310x310px|The [[Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge|Second Penang Bridge]] (as seen from [[Penang Island]] in this picture) is currently the longest bridge in [[Southeast Asia]].]]
 Aside from roads and expressways, rail transportation has historically played a vital role in Seberang Perai's economy. The first railway tracks were laid in the 1900s, connecting the area with the rest of [[British Malaya|Malaya]] for the first time, and facilitating the transportation of agricultural and mining commodities for export via the [[Port of Penang]].<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |title=The history of Bukit Mertajam Part I – From agrarian village to economic hub |url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=2856&name=the_history_of_bukit_mertajam_part_i_from_agrarian_village_to_economic_hub |access-date=2017-05-01 |website=The history of Bukit Mertajam Part I – From agrarian village to economic hub}}</ref><ref name=":18">{{Cite book |last=Khoo |first=Salma Nasution |title=Kinta Valley: Pioneering Malaysia's Modern Development |publisher=Areca Books |year=2005 |isbn=9789834211301 |location=[[Penang]]}}</ref> Today, about {{convert|34.9|km|abbr=on}} of rail track stretches within Seberang Perai as part of the [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu|Malayan Railway]]'s [[KTM West Coast Line|West Coast Route]]. Out of the six train stations in Seberang Perai, the two major stations are in [[Butterworth railway station|Butterworth]] and [[Bukit Mertajam railway station|Bukit Mertajam]], with the former offering services by both the [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu|Malayan Railway]] and the [[State Railway of Thailand]]; the [[Butterworth railway station|Butterworth rail station]] is also one of the major stops of the [[Eastern and Oriental Express]] between [[Bangkok]] and [[Singapore]]. Domestically, the [[Keretapi Tanah Melayu|Malayan Railway]] runs the [[Inter-city rail|inter-state]] [[KTM ETS|Electric Train Service]] along much of its [[KTM West Coast Line|West Coast Route]], allowing train commuters from [[Penang]] to travel to [[Kuala Lumpur]] in as little as four hours.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=ETS Butterworth-KL-Gemas Timetable|url=http://www.ktmb.com.my/ktmb/uploads/files/train%20schedule/ETS%20Gemas%20-%20Butterworth%20-%20Gemas%20(01%20Feb%202017)%20v2_0(1).pdf|journal=Malayan Railway}}</ref>
-[[File:Butterworth ferry terminal, Seberang Perai.jpg|left|thumb|[[Penang Sentral]] was designed to integrate bus, rail and ferry services, located in close proximity to both the [[Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal]] and the [[Butterworth railway station]].]]
+[[File:Penang Sentral, Butterworth 20231224 075704.jpg|left|thumb|[[Penang Sentral]] was designed to integrate bus, rail and ferry services, located in close proximity to both the [[Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal]] and the [[Butterworth railway station]].]]
 The two bridges that connect Seberang Perai with [[Penang Island]] are the [[Penang Bridge]] and the [[Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge|Second Penang Bridge]]. The [[Penang Bridge]] links [[Perai]] and [[Gelugor]], a southern suburb of [[Penang]]'s capital city, [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], and was completed in 1985. At the time of its opening, the bridge was the longest in [[Southeast Asia]]. In 2013, it was superseded by the {{convert|24|km|abbr=on}}-long [[Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge|Second Penang Bridge]] to the south, which runs between [[Batu Kawan]] and [[Batu Maung]] near the southeastern tip of [[Penang Island]].
@@ Line 308: / Line 286: @@
 * [[Bagan Dalam]] Dockyard
 * [[Perai|Prai]] Bulk Cargo Terminal
-The [[Port of Penang]] handled more than 1.44 million TEU of cargo in 2010, becoming the third largest cargo volume amongst seaports in [[Malaysia]].<ref name=":8" /> The Port's strategic location enabled it to serve not just northern [[Malaysia]], but also southern [[Thailand]].
+The [[Port of Penang]] handled more than 1.44 million TEU of cargo in 2010, becoming the third largest cargo volume amongst seaports in [[Malaysia]].<ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=2017-05-02 |title=Stacking up MMC's ports against Westports |url=https://www.theedgemarkets.com/article/stacking-mmc%E2%80%99s-ports-against-westports |access-date=2017-12-21 |work=The Edge Markets}}</ref> The Port's strategic location enabled it to serve not just northern [[Malaysia]], but also southern [[Thailand]].
 [[Rapid Ferry]], which links Butterworth and [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], has been managed by [[Prasarana Malaysia]] since 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2017/06/12/prasarana-to-take-over-penangs-ferry-service-for-token-sum-of-rm1/|title=Prasarana to take over Penang's ferry service for token sum of RM1 - Nation {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2017-09-22}}</ref> This cross-strait shuttle ferry service commenced operations in 1894, making it the oldest surviving ferry service in [[Malaysia]].<ref name=":110">{{Cite book |last=Cheah |first=Jin Seng |title=Penang: 500 Early Postcards |publisher=Editions Didier Millet |year=2013 |isbn=9789671061718}}</ref> At present, six ferries ply the [[Penang Strait]] between the [[Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal]] in Butterworth and [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] daily.<ref name=":02">{{Cite web|url=http://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/08/07/penang-attractions-painted-on-two-ferries/|title=Penang attractions painted on two ferries - Metro News {{!}} The Star Online|website=www.thestar.com.my|access-date=2017-09-22}}</ref>
@@ Line 357: / Line 335: @@
 ==Education==
 There are several higher learning institutions located in Seberang Perai but the most prominent are [[Engineering Campus|Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus]] located in Nibong Tebal; [[Universiti Teknologi MARA]] (UiTM) with branches in [[Penang]] and [[Bertam]]; and [[Politeknik Seberang Perai]] (PSP). Both are situated in the town of [[Permatang Pauh]].
-==Tourism==
-{{Essay-like|section|date=December 2023}}
-Penang Bird Park in [[Seberang Jaya]] boasts a collection of over 300 species of birds with enormous walk-in aviaries and is the first and largest bird park of its kind in Malaysia. Popular among bird enthusiasts, the park was built in a garden landscaping concept with natural ponds and a vast collection of flora and several other wildlife including [[Chevrotain|mousedeer]], giant alaipaima fish, phytons and monitor lizards.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.penangbirdpark.com.my/ | title= Penang Bird Park}}</ref>
-A popular recreational park among locals and outsiders alike, the Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest in [[Cherok Tok Kun]], [[Bukit Mertajam]] is a tropical rain forest reserve sprawls over 37 hectares of hilly terrain including the Mertajam hill. The forest contains indigenous rain forest trees that could be over a hundred years old such as the Meranti Seraya (''Shorea curtisii'') and Meranti Rambai Daun (''Shorea acuminate''). For the adventurous hikers, there are numerous jungle trail branching out towards the peak and also accessible by jeep and cycling. Other activities include picnicking, swimming by the waterfall and camping.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://northern.malaysianaturalheritage.com/?p=176 | title= Bukit Mertajam Recreational Forest}}</ref>
-A small village of [[Mengkuang Titi]] provides homestay programmes for foreign tourists which is the opportunity to live with the local [[Ethnic Malays|Malay]] family while experiencing Malay culture and the laid-back lifestyle of rural living. Among the activities during the programme were fruit picking in the orchard, visiting a handicraft centre, Mengkuang-mat-weaving demonstration, a trip cottage industry factories (Malaysian Muffins), bedak sejuk (traditional beauty powder made from rice flour) and soy bean products), visiting the Mengkuang Dam vicinity and the Air Itam Dalam mangrove reserve, a cultural performance, a stroll through a rubber plantation and an oil palm plantation.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.go2homestay.com/homestay-mengkuang-titi/ | title= Homestay Mengkuang TitiToday is 30 March 2012}}</ref>
-[[Bukit Tambun]], a small tranquil fishing village located in the [[South Seberang Perai]] district, remains a seafood heaven for local and foreign tourists alike. It consists of seafood restaurants dotting along the river mouth with the dining area hovering over the water, serving local delicacies which are fresh daily catch from the sea.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://rasamalaysia.com/seafood-fest-bukit-tambun-penang/ | title= Seafood Fest, Bukit Tambun, Penang| date= 28 February 2007}}</ref>
-[[Pulau Aman]] is an island off-coast of [[Bukit Tambun]] located at the south-east of [[Penang island]]. It consists of a quaint Malay fishing village. The island is accessible to the public via ferry boat from the Batu Musang jetty in [[Batu Kawan]]. There is an old well, Telaga Emas (Golden Well) located right next to the sea.<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.asiaexplorers.com/malaysia/pulau_aman.htm | title= Pulau Aman}}</ref>
-One of the highlights in the town of [[Nibong Tebal]] include the [[firefly]] watching along the river of Sungai Krian. This can be done late in the evening by boat as visitors can have the opportunity to enjoy the dazzling display of fireflies in the [[Mangrove|mangrove swamp]].<ref>{{cite web | url= http://www.visit-malaysia.com/penang-tours/fireflies-tour.htm | title= Penang Fireflies Tour}}</ref>
-In fact one of the major events in Seberang Perai is the St. Anne's Novena and Feast which is held end of July annually at the [[St. Anne's Church, Bukit Mertajam]] which attract nearly over 100,000 pilgrims from all over the country and as far as neighbouring countries such as the Philippines, Russia, Singapore and Australia.{{citation needed|date=March 2018}}
-Recently, the North Seberang Perai Local Plan 2020 Draft have developed several heritage trails, namely the Archeo-Tourism Trail, Heritage Trail and Beach Recreation Trail. The Archeo-Tourism Trail would cover an old fort at [[Kota Kuala Muda]], an archaeology complex in Sungai Emas, the Langkasuka ruins in Kota Aur, an early archaeology site in Guar Kepah, a candi (temple) in [[Permatang Pasir]], the Merdeka Bridge-cum-fort in Bumbung Lima and a border cornerstone in Ekor Kucing. Besides that, The Heritage Trail would commence from the Butterworth railway station through the Sultan Abdul Halim ferry terminal, a traditional blacksmith shop in Permatang Benuan, the Capal Jago chapal maker's shop in Kepala Batas and terminates at the whispering market in the Kuala Muda fishing village. Aside from that, the Beach Recreation Trail would cover the Pantai Bersih beach, Bagan Ajam beach, Pantai Teluk Molek (Robina Park) beach, Teluk Air Tawar recreation park, Kuala Bekah beach, Pantai Penaga, Sungai Muda sanctuary park, Pantai Kamloon recreation park, Bertam Vision Park, Padang Cempedak recreation park and Air Hitam Dalam recreation park.<ref name="mainland boom">{{cite web |url= http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=%2F2012%2F3%2F28%2Fnorth%2F10998426&sec=North | title = mainland boom }}</ref>
-Furthermore, the Central Seberang Perai Local Plan 2020 draft would include the upgrade of the Penang Bird Park, the [[Seberang Jaya]] Expo, proposals of rural homestay project in Sama Gagah, Pematang Pasir and [[Penanti|Kubang Semang]], promoting education-based tourism with MICE facilities in Prai and eco-tourism in [[Mengkuang Dam]] and [[Cherok Tok Kun]].<ref name="mainland boom"/>
 ==International relations==
 {{As of|2023}}, four countries have appointed honorary consuls within the city. This list is based on information from the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Malaysia)|Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs]], unless otherwise cited.<ref name="Okt">{{Cite journal |date=Nov 2023 |title=Diplomatic and consular list November 2023 |url=https://www.kln.gov.my/documents/8390448/8439172/Diplomatic+and+Consular+List/609dd90b-5710-4de9-9764-0c7adf145caa |journal=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Malaysia)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia]]}}</ref>