Seberang Perai: Stories from Across the Sea is about the hitherland across the sea from Penang Island. The narrative on Penang has been predominantly on the island, and this book seeks to present the lesser-known half of this northwestern state in Peninsular Malaysia.
The colloquial Hokkien term for the mainland, koay kang, means to cross the river. In the old days, people from Penang Island would land at Perai and cross the Perai river to get to Butterworth and the mainland beyond that.
Thus the mainland was seen as the land across the Perai River, which is what Seberang Perai also means in Malay.
We are telling the Seberang Perai story through its people, the everyman and everywoman whose lives are anchored to this land. Through individual accounts and images, we potray the people’s journeys, experiences and aspirations.
Their lives may be different from each other’s and may even be remote for some, but the theme are universal – making a living, transcending the mundane, seeking meaning, strengthening communities, hoping for a brighter future. Though localised in Seberang Perai, these are the stories that will resonate with Malaysians everywhere.
Change is perennial and threads through the narrative. Collectively, the stories depict Seberang Perai’s history and heritage, developments and progress, and its future directions and aspirations.
Word has it that Seberang Perai is on the brink of transformation, that its days on the margins are numbered. The second bridge link – the Sultan Muadzam Shah Bridge which opened in 2014 – is set to accelerate growth on the mainland and lead to more synergy between the state’s two halves.
There are exciting days ahead, which will mark the continuation of the Penang story. It is the people that have laid Seberang Perai’s solid foundation of infrastructure and industry, of resourcefulness and resilience. They are rooted in tradition but not unyielding to change…they are primed to forge ahead.
This book is a tribute to the people of Seberang Perai.
SEBERANG PERAI UTARA
Heritage & history
1. BUTTERWORTH
• Will Bagan bustle once more?
• The port town
• Ferry crossings
• Built on tin
• Eating noodles together.
• At the cinema
• The songkok maker
• 30sen lok lok
• The Royal Australian Air Force
2. KEPALA BATAS
• Grassroots leader
• Building bird cages
• Tradesmen’s tale
• Seeking spirituality
• Laying a strong foundation
3. PENAGA
• Remembering a rich past
• Hall of whispers
• Golden dreams
• Flying high
4. TASEK GELUGOR
• In his father’s footsteps
• Future farmer
SEBERANG PERAI TENGAH
• Grit & grind
1. PERAI
• Era of industrialisation
• Working the shifts
• Pioneering spirit
• The fresh graduate
• She works hard for the money
• No end to learning
2. BUKIT MINYAK
• Instant noodle success
3. BUKIT TENGAH
• Food with finesse
4. JURU
• Auto City’s green dreams
5. BUKIT MERTAJAM
• Rise of the market town
• Around the temple
• When hungry ghosts roam free
• Clogs still for sale
• The business of bamboo
• Selling claypots
6. SEBERANG JAYA
• Winning strokes
7. PERMATANG NIBONG
• Green warriors
SEBERANG PERAI SELATAN
• Reinventing the heartland
1. BATU KAWAN
• The sacred land
• Ah Yan’s seafood specials
2. BUKIT TAMBUN
• The country spa
3. NIBONG TEBAL
• New dawn for an old brand
• Nuts over candy
• The Gujerati businessman
• Teochew delicacies
• New king in town
4. SUNGAI BAKAP
• Kee’s legacy
• Longest serving barbers
• Valdor’s valiant
• Close to home
• Delightful dumplings
5. SUNGAI UDANG
• Prosperity from the sea
• Oldest provision shop
