Page 30 - The Guide To Malaysia 9th Edition

26 INTRODUCTION TO THE STATES OF MALAYSIA
Malaysia Maps
Pulau Pinang
(Island of the Betel Nut)
(EXCO or state cabinet) acts as the executive, headed
by the Ketua Menteri (Chief Minister, usually leader
of the majority party or coalition). A professional Civil Service (under the State Secretary) administers and implements policy.
Major Economic Activities
The highly developed Labuan manufacturing industry
consists of high-tech electronics, pharmaceuticals
and plastics, among others.
Tourism is also important,
with Penang known as the
“Pearl of the Orient” for its
natural beauty, historical
Main Industrial Areas
Penang Development Corporation has developed Bayan Lepas Industrial Zone (BLIZ), Batu Kawan Industrial Park, Bukit Minyak Industrial Park containing the Halal Integrated Park, Penang Science Park near Permatang Tinggi, and the Penang Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC) Cybercity
in Bayan Baru. It boasts over 140 multinationals including AMD, Intel, Dell, Sony, Motorola, Toshiba, Kingston, Western Digital, Seagate, Altera, Agilent, Renesas, Osram, Clarion, Plexus, Bosch, and B. Braun, amongst others.
PENANG
State Capital: George Town
State Website: penang. gov.my
HOW TO GET THERE By Air: Penang International Airport.
By Road: The North- South Expressway from Kedah in the North connects mainland Penang to Johor in the South. The Penang Bridge connects mainland Penang to the island.
By Rail: Malaysian Railway (KTM) Intercity North South Line station is in Butterworth on the mainland, also used by Thai Railways services to Bangkok.
By Sea: Penang Port is the
main cargo and passenger terminal. Car and passenger ferry terminals for services between island and mainland are located in George Town and Butterworth.
remaining under British rule until it gained independence by joining the Federation
of Malaya in 1957 and later Malaysia in 1963.
State Government
The Head of State is the
Yang di-Pertua Negeri
(Governor), currently Tun Dato’ Seri Utama Ahmad Fuzi bin Haji Abdul Razak (2021 - present), who is appointed by the Yang di- Pertuan Agong. The State Legislative Assembly is the elected legislature. The State Executive Council
Population: 1.77 million
Area: 1,049.07sq km comprising Pulau Pinang island (301.26sq km) and the Seberang Perai mainland
(747.8sq km)
Historical Background
Penang Island was leased by the Sultan of Kedah to Captain Francis Light in 1771 in exchange for protection against the Burmese and Siamese. In 1800, the Sultan leased to Lieutenant- Governor Sir George Leith an adjoining strip of land
on the adjacent mainland known as Province Wellesley (now Seberang Perai).
Penang formed part of the British Straits Settlements, together with Melaka and Singapore, and became
a major trading port,
charm and UNESCO World Heritage Site status (held jointly with Melaka). Agriculture also plays an important role with rice, palm oil and rubber grown mostly on the mainland.
SARAWAK