Alor Setar (
Jawi: الور ستار,
Kedahan: ''Loqstaq'') is the state capital of
Kedah
Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area ...
,
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
. It is the second-largest city in the state after
Sungai Petani and one of the most-important cities on the west coast of
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia ( ms, Semenanjung Malaysia; Jawi: سمننجڠ مليسيا), or the States of Malaya ( ms, Negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu; Jawi: نڬري-نڬري تانه ملايو), also known as West Malaysia or the Malaysian Peninsula, ...
. It is home to the third-tallest telecommunication tower in
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
, the
Alor Setar Tower.
Its location along the main travel corridor from Malaysia to Thailand has long made it a major transportation hub in the northern
Malay Peninsula
The Malay Peninsula (Malay: ''Semenanjung Tanah Melayu'') is a peninsula in Mainland Southeast Asia. The landmass runs approximately north–south, and at its terminus, it is the southernmost point of the Asian continental mainland. The area ...
. Alor Setar sits along the country's longest expressway, located from Kuala Lumpur and north of
George Town,
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
. From Thailand, the city is easily accessible via the
Padang Besar–Sadao Highway, it is from
Sadao and from
Hat Yai
Hat Yai ( th, หาดใหญ่, , also Haad Yai or Had Yai) is a city in southern Thailand near the Malaysian border. It is south of Bangkok, and has a population of 156,802 (2019) in the city itself and an urban population of about 400,00 ...
.
The city was originally founded as Kota Setar in 1785. Owing to the long status as the
capital
Capital may refer to:
Common uses
* Capital city, a municipality of primary status
** List of national capital cities
* Capital letter, an upper-case letter Economics and social sciences
* Capital (economics), the durable produced goods used f ...
of Kedah, Alor Setar is regarded as one of the core cultural centres for the
Kedahan Malay
Kedahan Malays (Malay: ''Melayu Kedah'', Jawi: ملايو ﻗﺪﺡ) or commonly known as Orang Utara ('Northerners'), is a sub-group of Malays who are native to northern Malaysia (in the states Kedah, Penang and Perlis as well northernmost pa ...
s. It is also among the key pioneer in the
Malayan transportation history, the
railway station
Rail transport (also known as train transport) is a means of transport that transfers passengers and goods on wheeled vehicles running on rails, which are incorporated in tracks. In contrast to road transport, where the vehicles run on a pre ...
is commissioned in 1915 followed by its
airport
An airport is an aerodrome with extended facilities, mostly for commercial air transport. Airports usually consists of a landing area, which comprises an aerially accessible open space including at least one operationally active surface ...
in 1929.
Alor Setar is home to the Central State Administration Centre and is the
administrative centre
An administrative center is a seat of regional administration or local government, or a county town, or the place where the central administration of a commune is located.
In countries with French as administrative language (such as Belgium, Lu ...
of
Kota Setar District
The Kota Setar District is a district in Kedah, Malaysia where the state capital Alor Star is situated.http://apps.water.gov.my/jpskomuniti/dokumen/DEEP_KOTA%20SETAR_APRIL2011.pdf
Name
The name ''Kota Setar'' came from the setar or ‘Stak’ tr ...
. At present, the city covers a land area of , which is occupied by more than 300,000 inhabitants (as per the 2010 census). At the local-government level, Alor Setar is administered by the Alor Setar City Council.
It is the birthplace of two pivotal
prime ministers of Malaysia
The prime minister of Malaysia ( ms, Perdana Menteri Malaysia; ms, ڤردان منتري مليسيا, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset) is the head of government of Malaysia. The prime minister directs the executive branch of the feder ...
; namely
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ( ms, تونكو عبد الرحمن ڤوترا الحاج ابن سلطان عبد الحميد حليم شاه, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 8 Febru ...
, the founding father of the nation (in office from 1957 to 1970) and
Mahathir bin Mohamad
Mahathir bin Mohamad ( ms, محاضير بن محمد, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; ; born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, author, and physician who served as the 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the office ...
, the country's longest-serving prime minister of 24 years (in office from 1981 to 2003, from 2018 to 2020).
Etymology
The name came from the combination of two
Malay
Malay may refer to:
Languages
* Malay language or Bahasa Melayu, a major Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore
** History of the Malay language, the Malay language from the 4th to the 14th century
** Indonesi ...
words: ''Alor'' ("small stream") and ''Setar'' (''
Bouea macrophylla
''Bouea macrophylla'', commonly known as gandaria or plum mango or mango plum in English, is a species of flowering plant native to Southeast Asia. The tree belongs to the family Anacardiaceae which also includes mango and cashew.
Description
...
'' Griff.; known as the marian plum, gandaria, or plum mango), a tree which is related to
mango
A mango is an edible stone fruit produced by the tropical tree ''Mangifera indica''. It is believed to have originated in the region between northwestern Myanmar, Bangladesh, and northeastern India. ''M. indica'' has been cultivated in South a ...
.
The city's name was changed to ''Alor Star'' during a 21 December 2003 ceremony proclaiming it a city. The city's previous name was restored on 15 January 2009.
History
Origin
![Muzium Diraja Kedah (11270861454)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/74/Muzium_Diraja_Kedah_%2811270861454%29.jpg)
Alor Setar was established on 31 December 1735 by Kedah's 19th Ruler,
Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin II and was the state's eighth administrative centre since the establishment of the Kedah Sultanate in 1136. The earlier administrative centres were located in Kota Bukit Meriam, Kota Sungai Emas, Kota Siputeh, Kota Naga, Kota Sena, Kota Indera Kayangan and Kota Bukit Pinang.
The pre-existing settlement was originally a small village. However, the sultan found the area to be in a strategic location, he was drawn to the area as it was covered in a lush greenery and a center between the two estuaries of
Kedah River
The Kedah River ( ms, Sungai Kedah) is a river in Kedah, Malaysia. The river passes through Alor Setar and empties into the Straits of Malacca at Kuala Kedah. Its volume is about 3695 km³.
See also
* List of rivers of Malaysia
This is a ...
converged. Upon the agreement with fellow Kedahan ministers, they agreed to institute a new town known as "Kota Setar" (the "Town of Setar"). The name was derived from
Bouea macrophylla
''Bouea macrophylla'', commonly known as gandaria or plum mango or mango plum in English, is a species of flowering plant native to Southeast Asia. The tree belongs to the family Anacardiaceae which also includes mango and cashew.
Description
...
, a type of tree that can be found in the area.
Period of turbulence
A new administration institution was constructed in the settlement, with the sultan resided in Istana Kota Setar. However, the capital suffered a major attack when the
Bugis
The Bugis people (pronounced ), also known as Buginese, are an ethnicity—the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi (the others being Makassar and Toraja), in the south-western province of Sulawe ...
armanda led by Raja Haji managed to destroy both the Istana Kota Setar (Royal Palace) and Balai Besar (Grand Hall) in 1770. In 1771, the British represented by Francis Light and Sultan Abdullah Mukaram Shah entered an agreement to halt the Bugis influence in Kedah.
During the coronation ceremony of
Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II of Kedah
Paduka Sri Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II ibni al-Marhum Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah (died 3 January 1845) was the 22nd Sultan of Kedah. His reign was from 1803 to 1821 and 1842 to 1845.
He was appointed as Heir Apparent (''Uparaja'') by ...
on 17 March 1805, Siamese forces managed to
occupy the capital. The sultan was forced to retreat to Penang and later Malacca. The settlement was put on a standstill for 20 years. He was restored to the crown in 1842 and the capital was temporary relocated to
Kota Kuala Muda
Kota Kuala Muda is a small town in Kedah state, Malaysia. Near the town is Pantai Merdeka (Merdeka Beach). Kota Kuala Muda is also one of the sub-districts ( mukims) of Kuala Muda District
The Kuala Muda District is a district in Kedah, Malay ...
before returning to Kota Setar.
Recovery and growth
![Alor Setar (29100830826)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9d/Alor_Setar_%2829100830826%29.jpg)
In October 1883, James F. Agustin, an Englishmen arrived in Kuala Sungai Kedah (now known as
Kuala Kedah
Kuala Kedah is a mukim and parliamentary constituency in Kota Setar District, Kedah, Malaysia. It is a fishing port, located at the mouth of the Kedah River, and serves as a terminus for ferries to the tourist island of Langkawi. It is home to a ...
) about 10 km from the capital. He and a few other English explorers embarked their journey towards inland areas of Kedah where he met several Malay settlement on the riverbanks of the Kedah river.
Upon his arrival in Kampung Kota Setar, he befriended several local Malays and they invited him to the sultan's palatial residence. Agustin remarked on the beauty of the palatial architecture and its landscape covered with the stalk trees. He was well received by the sultan and both parties exchanged goods between one another.
The visit by Agustin spurred a growth for a more active and direct
trade relations between the area and outside commercial powerhouse. The city attracted various cosmopolitan trading activities from the British, Indian, Chinese together with other local and regional merchants. The town prospered from a small settlement into a bustling town designated to accommodate further population growth, commerce and administration. The British especially, was quite drawn to the potential of Kota Setar (as it was then known).
Gradually, Kota Setar thrived and further evolved into a commercial, transportation and communication hub of Kedah. The name was then changed from Kota Setar into Alor Setar, a reflection of its geographical features located in a small stream (known as "Alor" in Malay) which was frequented by the Malay traders from the neighbouring states. However, the name Kota Setar was retained as sub-district under Alor Setar.
19th and 20th century
Other significant events during the turn of the 20th century includes the reunification of
Perlis
Perlis, ( Northern Malay: ''Peghelih''), also known by its honorific title Perlis Indera Kayangan, is the smallest state in Malaysia by area and population. Located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it borders the Thai provinces o ...
and
Setul
Setul, officially the Kingdom of Setul Mambang Segara ( ms, Kerajaan Setul Mambang Segara; Jawi: ; ; ) was a traditional Malay kingdom founded in the northern coast of the Malay Peninsula. The state was established in 1808 in wake of the par ...
(now
Satun
Satun (, , ms, Setul) is a town (''thesaban mueang'') in southern Thailand, capital of the Satun Province. It covers the whole ''tambon'' Phiman of Mueang Satun. Satun lies 985 km south of Bangkok. As of 2005 it has a population of 21,498 ...
) to Kedah by the Siamese in May 1897 (both provinces had been separated from
Kedah
Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area ...
in 1821) held in Balai Besar. The event was attended by the Crown Prince of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Aziz as a representative of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah. In 1904, the city witnessed the grand wedding of the five children of
Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, lasting for 3 months and the cost estimated to be 3 million Ringgit.
On 25 July 1905, the Legislative Council of Kedah (Majlis Mesyuarat Negeri) was formed in Alor Setar, with the Crown Prince, Tuanku Abdul Aziz held as its president. Following the
Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 on 7 July 1909, the transfer of power from the Siamese to British administration was held on 15 July 1909 Balai Besar.
Alor Setar fell to the
Japanese occupation on 13 December 1945 and was
annexed to the Siamese until 1946. The handover ceremony from Siamese to the British was held in Padang Court, Alor Setar 18 October 1946.
The town joined the
protest against Malayan Union during the post-war period. The mass protest was attended by 10,000 against the
British backed-proposal. It was led by
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ( ms, تونكو عبد الرحمن ڤوترا الحاج ابن سلطان عبد الحميد حليم شاه, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 8 Febru ...
together with key leaders from
UMNO
The United Malays National Organisation (Malay: ; Jawi: ; abbreviated UMNO () or less commonly PEKEMBAR), is a nationalist right-wing political party in Malaysia. As the oldest continuous national political party within Malaysia (since its in ...
.
The town also witnessed the 4th
UMNO
The United Malays National Organisation (Malay: ; Jawi: ; abbreviated UMNO () or less commonly PEKEMBAR), is a nationalist right-wing political party in Malaysia. As the oldest continuous national political party within Malaysia (since its in ...
General Assembly which lay the draft for the foundation of the present-day
Constitution of Malaysia
The Federal Constitution of Malaysia ( ms, Perlembagaan
Persekutuan Malaysia) which was promulgated on 16 September 1963, is the supreme law of Malaysia and contains a total of 183 articles. It is a written legal document which was preceded ...
.
The coronation ceremony of
Abdul Halim of Kedah
Abdul (also transliterated as Abdal, Abdel, Abdil, Abdol, Abdool, or Abdoul; ar, عبد ال, ) is the most frequent transliteration of the combination of the Arabic word '' Abd'' (, meaning "Servant") and the definite prefix '' al / el'' (, mea ...
, the 28th Sultan of Kedah was held in Balai Besar on 20 February 1959. The city celebrates the
silver jubilee of Sultan Abdul Halim in 1983.
The change of status of Alor Setar throughout the 20th century was also closely parallel by the rise of its urban development, demographic and population growth. The council was upgraded to Kota Setar Municipal Council on 1 February 1978, which traced its origin to Kota Setar District Council on 1 March 1976, Alor Star Municipal Board in 1958 and Alor Star Sanitary Board in 1905.
The town celebrated its 250th birthday in 1985. A proposal to upgrade the town into a city status was propossed by the
Malaysian Ministry of Housing and Local Government in 2000.
21st century
Alor Setar was proclaimed a city – the ninth in
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
– on 21 December 2003. A ceremony was held at Dataran Tunku, Alor Setar, attended by the Kedah's Sultan
Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, his consort Che' Puan Haminah Hamidun, the heir apparent, other royalty and politicians.
During the ceremony, the city was formally renamed as "Alor Star", the third time the city has changed its name, from Kota Setar to Alor Setar and Alor Star. On 15 January 2009, the historical spelling "Alor Setar" was returned to be its official designation.
Tallest buildings
Under construction buildings
Proposed buildings
Governance
Alor Setar is being represented by three
Members of Parliament
A member of parliament (MP) is the representative in parliament of the people who live in their electoral district. In many countries with bicameral parliaments, this term refers only to members of the lower house since upper house members of ...
and nine
State Legislative Assembly.
State government
As the state capital, Alor Setar holds a pivotal role on maintaining the political and economic interest of Kedah. The city is the seat of the local government where all of the state ministries and agencies are primarily located. The Office of the Chief Minister and the
Kedah State Legislative Assembly
The Kedah State Legislative Assembly ( ms, Dewan Undangan Negeri Kedah) is the state legislature of the Malaysian state of Kedah. It is a unicameral institution, consisting of a total of 36 lawmakers representing single-member constituencies thro ...
are both based in Wisma Darul Aman. The official residence of Sultan of Kedah, is located in
Anak Bukit
Anak Bukit (Jawi:انق بوكيت) is a mukim and the royal town of Kedah, Malaysia, located in Kota Setar District
Royal Town
It is known as the royal town of Kedah because the Sultan of Kedah's royal palace and official residence, '' ...
.
Local government
Alor Setar has been governed by a town council form of government since 1905 following the establishment of Alor Star Sanitary Board. By 2013, it was elevated to be a city status by the Ministry of Housing and Local Government and being administered as
Majlis Bandaraya Alor Setar. The current Mayor of Alor Setar is Mohd Zohdi Saad.
Geography
![Mount Keriang Cave](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d4/Mount_Keriang_Cave.jpg)
Alor Setar is located in the north-western part of Peninsular Malaysia, at the edge of the
Malacca Strait
The Strait of Malacca is a narrow stretch of water, 500 mi (800 km) long and from 40 to 155 mi (65–250 km) wide, between the Malay Peninsula (Peninsular Malaysia) to the northeast and the Indonesian island of Sumatra to the southwest, conne ...
which separates
Malaysia
Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...
from
Indonesia
Indonesia, officially the Republic of Indonesia, is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania between the Indian and Pacific oceans. It consists of over 17,000 islands, including Sumatra, Java, Sulawesi, and parts of Borneo and New Guine ...
. The
Kota Setar
The Kota Setar District is a district in Kedah, Malaysia where the state capital Alor Star is situated.http://apps.water.gov.my/jpskomuniti/dokumen/DEEP_KOTA%20SETAR_APRIL2011.pdf
Name
The name ''Kota Setar'' came from the setar or ‘Stak’ ...
district includes Alor Setar, and borders the districts of Kubang Pasu, Pokok Sena and Pendang.
The city encompasses an area of , including the neighbouring district of
Pokok Sena which falls under the jurisdiction of the
Alor Setar City Council. Alor Setar is surrounded by important river systems such as the Kedah River, River Langgar, Tajar River, Anak Bukit River, Alor Malai and Alor Merah. Alor Setar's tallest peak, Mount Keriang (Gunung Keriang) is 217.9m (715f) high. There is also a network of limestone cave located within the mountain.
Climate
Alor Setar features a
tropical monsoon climate
An area of tropical monsoon climate (occasionally known as a sub-equatorial, tropical wet climate or a tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate) is a tropical climate sub-type that corresponds to the Köppen climate classification category ...
(Am) under the Köppen climate classification. Alor Setar has a very lengthy
wet season
The wet season (sometimes called the Rainy season) is the time of year when most of a region's average annual rainfall occurs. It is the time of year where the majority of a country's or region's annual precipitation occurs. Generally, the sea ...
. As is common in several regions with this climate, precipitation is seen even during the short dry season. Temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the course of the year, with average high temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius and average low temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius. Alor Setar has an average of annual precipitation.
Demographics
![Masjid Zahir IjoyIshak](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b7/Masjid_Zahir_IjoyIshak.jpg)
There is no well-known nor formal adjective or demonyms for the people from Alor Setar. A casual way to address a person from the city is "Orang Alor Setar"; the term derived from
Malay
Malay may refer to:
Languages
* Malay language or Bahasa Melayu, a major Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore
** History of the Malay language, the Malay language from the 4th to the 14th century
** Indonesi ...
where people is being referred to "Orang".
Ethnicity and religion
The following is based on Department of Statistics Malaysia 2010 census.
The city of Alor Setar recorded a population of 357,176, according to 2010 census data. The 2010 Malaysian census reported that ethnic
Malays formed the majority of the city with 262,027 (73.3%), predominantly of
Kedahan Malay
Kedahan Malays (Malay: ''Melayu Kedah'', Jawi: ملايو ﻗﺪﺡ) or commonly known as Orang Utara ('Northerners'), is a sub-group of Malays who are native to northern Malaysia (in the states Kedah, Penang and Perlis as well northernmost pa ...
origin, with smaller numbers of Malays from other territories. The Alor Setar-Chinese forming 78,542 (21.9%). The local Chinese community are mainly
Hokkien
The Hokkien () variety of Chinese is a Southern Min language native to and originating from the Minnan region, where it is widely spoken in the south-eastern part of Fujian in southeastern mainland China. It is one of the national languages in ...
-speaking together with other Chinese-dialect minorities. Other visible communities includes
Indian
Indian or Indians may refer to:
Peoples South Asia
* Indian people, people of Indian nationality, or people who have an Indian ancestor
** Non-resident Indian, a citizen of India who has temporarily emigrated to another country
* South Asia ...
s (mostly
Tamils
The Tamil people, also known as Tamilar ( ta, தமிழர், Tamiḻar, translit-std=ISO, in the singular or ta, தமிழர்கள், Tamiḻarkaḷ, translit-std=ISO, label=none, in the plural), or simply Tamils (), are a Drav ...
) with 8,298 (2.3%) and other Bumiputeras with 610 (0.1%), as well as other ethnicities (mainly
Siamese) with 1,253 (0.3%). The Non-Malaysian constitute 6,446 (1.8%) of the local population.
Languages
![Wesak Day at Alor Setar (17149100543)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/80/Wesak_Day_at_Alor_Setar_%2817149100543%29.jpg)
The dominant Malay dialect spoken is the
Kedah-Northern Malay dialect and functioned as the
lingua franca
A lingua franca (; ; for plurals see ), also known as a bridge language, common language, trade language, auxiliary language, vehicular language, or link language, is a language systematically used to make communication possible between groups ...
. However, standard
Malay
Malay may refer to:
Languages
* Malay language or Bahasa Melayu, a major Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore
** History of the Malay language, the Malay language from the 4th to the 14th century
** Indonesi ...
(sometimes Johor-Riau Malay dialect),
English
English usually refers to:
* English language
* English people
English may also refer to:
Peoples, culture, and language
* ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England
** English national ide ...
and
Manglish
Manglish is an informal form of Malaysian English with features of an English-based creole principally used in Malaysia. It is heavily influenced by the dominant languages of the country, Malay, Chinese languages, and Tamil. It is not an o ...
(the latter being a localised vernacular version of English) are still widely understood in the city.
The
Han Chinese
The Han Chinese () or Han people (), are an East Asian ethnic group native to China. They constitute the world's largest ethnic group, making up about 18% of the global population and consisting of various subgroups speaking distinctive va ...
, the second largest community in Alor Setar are primarily
Hokkien
The Hokkien () variety of Chinese is a Southern Min language native to and originating from the Minnan region, where it is widely spoken in the south-eastern part of Fujian in southeastern mainland China. It is one of the national languages in ...
-speaking. However, significant
Mandarin
Mandarin or The Mandarin may refer to:
Language
* Mandarin Chinese, branch of Chinese originally spoken in northern parts of the country
** Standard Chinese or Modern Standard Mandarin, the official language of China
** Taiwanese Mandarin, Stand ...
and
Cantonese
Cantonese ( zh, t=廣東話, s=广东话, first=t, cy=Gwóngdūng wá) is a language within the Chinese (Sinitic) branch of the Sino-Tibetan languages originating from the city of Guangzhou (historically known as Canton) and its surrounding are ...
are also well known amongst the local Chinese. Additionally, there are also pockets of
Hakka
The Hakka (), sometimes also referred to as Hakka Han, or Hakka Chinese, or Hakkas are a Han Chinese subgroup whose ancestral homes are chiefly in the Hakka-speaking provincial areas of Guangdong, Fujian, Jiangxi, Guangxi, Sichuan, Hunan, Zhej ...
,
Teochew and other Chinese dialects.
Other languages spoken in Alor Setar includes
Tamil
Tamil may refer to:
* Tamils, an ethnic group native to India and some other parts of Asia
**Sri Lankan Tamils, Tamil people native to Sri Lanka also called ilankai tamils
**Tamil Malaysians, Tamil people native to Malaysia
* Tamil language, nativ ...
, among the Alor Setar Indian population and
Southern Thai
Southern Thailand, Southern Siam or Tambralinga is a southernmost cultural region of Thailand, separated from Central Thailand region by the Kra Isthmus.
Geography
Southern Thailand is on the Malay Peninsula, with an area of around , bounded t ...
by the
Kedah-Siamese community.
Religion
A majority of the population adhered to the Islamic faith, which correlates to the strong
Malay/Muslim ethnoreligious identity. This is signified with the city's two main mosque - Masjid Zahir and Masjid Al Bukhary.
Zahir Mosque
The Zahir Mosque ( ms, Masjid Zahir) is a mosque in Alor Setar, Kota Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, and the state mosque of the state of Kedah. The Zahir Mosque is one of the grandest and oldest mosques in Malaysia, having been built in 1912. The Z ...
is the state mosque of Kedah and enjoys a royal history and patronage. Built in 1912, its official opening ceremony was held on 15 October 1915 by the late
Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah. The architecture of the mosque was inspired by the Azizi Mosque, the state mosque of
Langkat Sultanate
The Sultanate of Langkat () was a Malay Muslim state located in modern Langkat Regency, North Sumatra. It predates Islam in the region, but no historical records before the 17th century survive. It prospered with the opening of rubber planta ...
in Sumatera. Other major mosque in the city includes Masjid Al Bukhary, completed in 1999, its design draws inspiration from a fusion in the
Islamic World
The terms Muslim world and Islamic world commonly refer to the Islamic community, which is also known as the Ummah. This consists of all those who adhere to the religious beliefs and laws of Islam or to societies in which Islam is practiced. In ...
, especially from
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi
Al-Masjid an-Nabawi (), known in English as the Prophet's Mosque, is a mosque built by the Islamic prophet Muhammad in the city of Medina in the Al Madinah Province of Saudi Arabia. It was the second mosque built by Muhammad in Medina, after Qub ...
,
Medina
Medina,, ', "the radiant city"; or , ', (), "the city" officially Al Madinah Al Munawwarah (, , Turkish: Medine-i Münevvere) and also commonly simplified as Madīnah or Madinah (, ), is the Holiest sites in Islam, second-holiest city in Islam, ...
;
Qaytbay Mosque,
Cairo
Cairo ( ; ar, القاهرة, al-Qāhirah, ) is the capital of Egypt and its largest city, home to 10 million people. It is also part of the largest urban agglomeration in Africa, the Arab world and the Middle East: The Greater Cairo metro ...
and
Imam al-Bukhari Complex,
Samarkand
fa, سمرقند
, native_name_lang =
, settlement_type = City
, image_skyline =
, image_caption = Clockwise from the top:Registan square, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, view inside Shah-i-Zinda, ...
. There is also a gallery located together with the mosque. The Muslim life in Alor Setar is centered on the 69 mosques and a large numbers of
surau
A surau is an Islamic assembly building in some regions of Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula used for worship and religious instruction. Generally smaller physical structures, its ritual functions are similar to a mosque, allow men and women, an ...
s located around the city.
Buddhism
Buddhism ( , ), also known as Buddha Dharma and Dharmavinaya (), is an Indian religion or philosophical tradition based on teachings attributed to the Buddha. It originated in northern India as a -movement in the 5th century BCE, and gra ...
also have a large number of followers in the city, mainly amongst the ethnic Chinese and Siamese communities. Among the main Buddhist shrine located in the city includes Wat Nikrodharam. Its architecture reflects strong Thai elements with minor Chinese motifs. It offers a quiet oasis in the city centre. Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions are observed here. While the Tou Mu Kung Temple (Chinese: 斗母宫), is a Taoist temple situated on Jalan Gangsa. Worshipping the Empress Registrar of Birth or Dou Mu (斗母) and
Nine Emperor
The Nine Emperor Gods Festival ( zh, 九皇爺誕; ms, Perayaan Sembilan Maharaja Dewa; th, เทศกาลกินเจ) or Vegetarian Festival or Jay Festival is a nine-day Taoist celebration beginning on the eve of the ninth lunar month ...
(九皇大帝/九皇大帝) deities, the temple has both Taoist and Buddhist influences.
In addition to Islam and Buddhism, other religions and faiths are also practiced in the city, including
Hinduism
Hinduism () is an Indian religion or '' dharma'', a religious and universal order or way of life by which followers abide. As a religion, it is the world's third-largest, with over 1.2–1.35 billion followers, or 15–16% of the global p ...
,
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
and
Sikhism
Sikhism (), also known as Sikhi ( pa, ਸਿੱਖੀ ', , from pa, ਸਿੱਖ, lit=disciple', 'seeker', or 'learner, translit=Sikh, label=none),''Sikhism'' (commonly known as ''Sikhī'') originated from the word ''Sikh'', which comes fro ...
. There are many house of worship constructed to accommodate the religious observance of these communities. For Hindus, one of the main temples that can be visited is Sri Maha Mariamman Devasthanam Hindu Temple, located in Jalan Bakar Bata. For Christian adherents, almost all churches located in the city are from various Protestant churches such as Alor Setar Baptist Church located in Jalan Mahdali, just behind Alor Setar Tower and Alor Setar (Chinese & Tamil) Methodist Church located in Lebuhraya Darulaman. In addition, Church of St. Michael, located in Jalan Langgar is the only Roman Catholic Church that exist within the city. While for Sikh adherents, Gurdwara Sahib Alor Setar is the only worship place for Sikhs that can be founded in the same road, not far from the Church of St. Michael.
Economy
![Storm at Kuala Kedah (16594497856)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/33/Storm_at_Kuala_Kedah_%2816594497856%29.jpg)
Alor Setar is one of the important commercial and industrial centres in Kedah, alongside
Sungai Petani and
Kulim
The Kulim District is a district and town in the state of Kedah, Malaysia. It is located on the southeast of Kedah, bordering Penang. The town of Kulim, a mere east of Penang's capital city, George Town, also forms part of Greater Penang, Ma ...
. There are many international and national-level commercial banks established their branches in the city, together with a few insurance companies.
Agricultural industry
Agriculture or farming is the practice of cultivating plants and livestock. Agriculture was the key development in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that enabled people to ...
, especially
rice production
Rice is the seed of the grass species ''Oryza sativa'' (Asian rice) or less commonly ''Oryza glaberrima'' (African rice). The name wild rice is usually used for species of the genera ''Zizania'' and '' Porteresia'', both wild and domesticated, ...
was traditionally the economic core of the community. However, by the 21st century the local economy is also equally driven by various forms of
primary-based industry and
tertiary sector
The tertiary sector of the economy, generally known as the service sector, is the third of the three economic sectors in the three-sector model (also known as the economic cycle). The others are the primary sector (raw materials) and the second ...
. Other significant economic activities in Alor Setar includes manufacturing, commerce and retail, hospitality and tourism, financial services, food processing and fishery.
The main industrial areas located in Alor Setar includes Mergong Barrage, Mergong 1 & 2, Tandop, Kristial Light Industrial Park and 2010 Industrial Park.
Transportation
The capital of
Kedah
Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area ...
is well connected to all parts of
Peninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia ( ms, Semenanjung Malaysia; Jawi: سمننجڠ مليسيا), or the States of Malaya ( ms, Negeri-negeri Tanah Melayu; Jawi: نڬري-نڬري تانه ملايو), also known as West Malaysia or the Malaysian Peninsula, ...
by all transport modes.
Land
The
North–South Expressway, which extends from
Bukit Kayu Hitam
Bukit Kayu Hitam is a small town in Kubang Pasu District, Kedah, Malaysia. It is situated near the Malaysia–Thailand border and the main and busiest road border crossing between Malaysia and Thailand is located here. On the Thai side of the bo ...
(Malaysia–Thai border town) to Singapore, has made it easy to drive to Kedah. It is a 6–7-hour drive from
Kuala Lumpur
, anthem = '' Maju dan Sejahtera''
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia
, pushpin_map_caption =
, coordinates =
, su ...
and 1.5-hour drive from
Penang
Penang ( ms, Pulau Pinang, is a Malaysian state located on the northwest coast of Peninsular Malaysia, by the Malacca Strait. It has two parts: Penang Island, where the capital city, George Town, is located, and Seberang Perai on the Malay ...
via expressway. Additionally,
Songkhla province in Thailand is also about in an hour reach from Alor Setar via
Padang Besar–Sadao Highway.
Alor Setar is approached from the east coast via
East–West Highway (Lebuhraya Timur Barat). Towns such as
Butterworth Butterworth may refer to:
Places
* Butterworth (ancient township), a former township centred on Milnrow, in the then Parish of Rochdale, England, United Kingdom
* Butterworth, Eastern Cape, now also known as Gcuwa, a town located in South Africa
...
and
Kangar
Kangar ( Northern Malay: ''Kangaq''; Jawi: كڠار) is the state capital and the largest town in Perlis, Malaysia. It has a population of 48,898 and an area of 2,619.4 ha. It is located next to the Thailand border, in the northernmost point ...
etc., can also be accessed from Alor Setar. Car rental services are available.
Bus
Most of bus companies in Peninsular Malaysia provide air-conditioned express bus services. Tickets can be bought at bus terminals or ticket offices. All buses that arrive in Alor Setar stop at Shahab Perdana Terminal Bus. Those who wish to travel to other towns, including
Thailand
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 million. The country is bo ...
, can board their bus at this terminal. Local bus services are also available, serving almost all towns in
Kedah
Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area ...
.
Rail
![Alor Setar Railway Station](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/ad/Alor_Setar_Railway_Station.jpg)
Train services are provided by
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad
Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) (Jawi: كريتاڤي تانه ملايو برحد) or Malayan Railways Limited is the main rail operator in Peninsular Malaysia. The railway system dates back to the British colonial era, when it was firs ...
(KTMB) through their
ETS
ETS or ets may refer to:
Climate change, environment and economy
* Emissions trading scheme
** European Union Emission Trading Scheme
Organisations
* European Thermoelectric Society
* Evangelical Theological Society
Education
* École de techno ...
services. Train are available between Alor Setar and Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Padang Besar, and Gemas. The city' two railway stations are
Alor Setar railway station
The Alor Setar railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at and named after the state capital city of Alor Setar, Kedah. The station is served by the KTM ETS service as well as the KTM Komuter Northern Sector.
The old, single-platfo ...
and
Anak Bukit railway station
The Anak Bukit railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at and named after the suburb of Anak Bukit, Alor Setar, Kedah.
This station is nearby the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, within 5 to 8 minutes by taxi. This station is also close ...
. Tickets can be obtained from the train station or online booking.
Air
Built in 1929, the
Sultan Abdul Halim Airport
Sultan Abdul Halim Airport is an airport in Kepala Batas, Kedah, Malaysia. It serves the city of Alor Setar and state of Perlis due to the state's small geographical size (but international as well as cross-sea flights to the Northern Peninsular ...
(Alor Setar Airport,
IATA
The International Air Transport Association (IATA ) is a trade association of the world's airlines founded in 1945. IATA has been described as a cartel since, in addition to setting technical standards for airlines, IATA also organized tariff ...
code: AOR) is the second oldest airport in Malaysia. It is located at Kepala Batas, north of the city. It caters almost exclusively on domestic routes.
Malaysia Airlines
Malaysia Airlines Berhad (MAB; ms, Penerbangan Malaysia Berhad), formerly known as Malaysian Airline System (MAS; ), and branded as Malaysia Airlines, is the flag carrier airline of Malaysia and a member of the Oneworld airline alliance. (The ...
,
Firefly
The Lampyridae are a family of elateroid beetles with more than 2,000 described species, many of which are light-emitting. They are soft-bodied beetles commonly called fireflies, lightning bugs, or glowworms for their conspicuous production ...
,
Malindo Air
Batik Air Malaysia (formerly known as Malindo Air) is a Malaysian full service carrier, an associate carrier of Indonesian Lion Air Group, with headquarters in Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia. The original name Malindo signifies a cooperative ...
, and
AirAsia
Capital A Berhad, () operating as AirAsia (stylized as ''airasia'') is a Malaysian multinational low-cost airline headquartered near Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is the largest airline in Malaysia by fleet size and destinations. AirAsia operate ...
provides multiple daily connections to and from Alor Setar and
Kuala Lumpur
, anthem = '' Maju dan Sejahtera''
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, pushpin_map = Malaysia#Southeast Asia#Asia
, pushpin_map_caption =
, coordinates =
, su ...
; the airport also served flights connecting Alor Setar to
Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru (), colloquially referred to as JB, is the capital city of the state of Johor, Malaysia. It is located at the southern end of Peninsular Malaysia,along the north bank of the Straits of Johor, opposite of the city-state Singapore. T ...
four times per-week from 1 October 2018. Since 9 September 2013, Malaysian Airline System connects Alor Setar with a seasonal international direct flights to
Madinah
Medina,, ', "the radiant city"; or , ', (), "the city" officially Al Madinah Al Munawwarah (, , Turkish: Medine-i Münevvere) and also commonly simplified as Madīnah or Madinah (, ), is the Holiest sites in Islam, second-holiest city in Islam, ...
and
Jeddah
Jeddah ( ), also spelled Jedda, Jiddah or Jidda ( ; ar, , Jidda, ), is a city in the Hejaz region of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) and the country's commercial center. Established in the 6th century BC as a fishing village, Jeddah's pro ...
for the
Hajj
The Hajj (; ar, حَجّ '; sometimes also spelled Hadj, Hadji or Haj in English) is an annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, Saudi Arabia, the holiest city for Muslims. Hajj is a mandatory religious duty for Muslims that must be carried ...
pilgrims.
Sea
Passenger ferry services to and from
Langkawi
Langkawi, officially known by its sobriquet Langkawi, the Jewel of Kedah ( ms, Langkawi Permata Kedah ), is a duty-free island and an archipelago of 99 islands (plus five small islands visible only at low tide in the Strait of Malacca) locate ...
to Kuah Ferry Service are provided at Jeti Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar. The jetty is located west of the city. Travellers can take bus, taxi or
e-hailing from the city centre to the jetty.
Other utilities
Administration
According to the
Ninth Malaysia Plan
The Ninth Malaysian Plan ( ms, Rancangan Malaysia ke-9), abbreviated as '9MP', is a comprehensive blueprint prepared by the Economic Planning Unit (EPU) of the Prime Minister's Department and the Finance Ministry of Malaysia with approval by the ...
, by the year 2010, Bandar Muadzam Shah in
Anak Bukit
Anak Bukit (Jawi:انق بوكيت) is a mukim and the royal town of Kedah, Malaysia, located in Kota Setar District
Royal Town
It is known as the royal town of Kedah because the Sultan of Kedah's royal palace and official residence, '' ...
will become the new
Administrative Centre
An administrative center is a seat of regional administration or local government, or a county town, or the place where the central administration of a commune is located.
In countries with French as administrative language (such as Belgium, Lu ...
after Alor Setar city. Bandar Muadzam Shah (
Anak Bukit
Anak Bukit (Jawi:انق بوكيت) is a mukim and the royal town of Kedah, Malaysia, located in Kota Setar District
Royal Town
It is known as the royal town of Kedah because the Sultan of Kedah's royal palace and official residence, '' ...
) is going through major infrastructure development, including the new Anak Bukit police station, new National Registration Department (Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara) of Kedah and also new
state government
A state government is the government that controls a subdivision of a country in a federal form of government, which shares political power with the federal or national government. A state government may have some level of political autonomy, or ...
buildings.
A new railway station (
Anak Bukit railway station
The Anak Bukit railway station is a Malaysian railway station located at and named after the suburb of Anak Bukit, Alor Setar, Kedah.
This station is nearby the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport, within 5 to 8 minutes by taxi. This station is also close ...
) was completed in 2015, to enhance the connectivity between the administrative centre to the Peninsula Malaysia's rail network.
Courts of law and legal enforcement
The Alor Setar Court Complex located in Jalan Suka Menanti. The complex houses High Court, Magistrates' court and the Sessions Court. For the Islamic family matters, the cases are mainly heard in
Syariah Court in Bandar Muadzam Shah.
The Kedah Police Contingent Headquarters is located in Jalan Stadium. While the Kota Setar district headquarters in Jalan Raja. There are also several police stations located in Kuala Kedah, Anak Bukit, Kepala Batas and Alor Jaggus.
Sports venue
There are several large sports venue in the city. The largest of which would be the
Darul Aman Stadium
The Darul Aman Stadium ( ms, Stadium Darul Aman) is a multi-purpose all-seater stadium in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. It is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium was opened officially by the Sultan of Kedah in 1962 during M ...
, opened in 1962 it can accommodate 30,000
seating capacity
Seating capacity is the number of people who can be seated in a specific space, in terms of both the physical space available, and limitations set by law. Seating capacity can be used in the description of anything ranging from an automobile that ...
. The stadium also has hosted the
2006 Sukma Games
The 2006 Sukma Games, officially known as the 11th Sukma Games was a Malaysian multi-sport event held in Kedah from 28 May to 4 June 2006. Negeri Sembilan weightlifter Zulkifli Che Rose and Negeri Sembilan swimmer Lew Yih Wey were announced as ...
. It was one of the venues for the
1997 FIFA World Youth Championship
The 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship, known as the 1997 FIFA/Coca-Cola World Youth Championship for sponsorship purposes, was the 11th staging of the FIFA World Youth Championship. It was held from 16 June to 5 July 1997 in Malaysia. It was th ...
.
Other major sports venues in the city includes Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium, Kedah Aquatic Centre, Muadzam Shah Complex and MBAS Swimming Pool Complex.
Parks and recreation
![Music Fountain at Taman Jubli Emas (17767965545)](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/14/Music_Fountain_at_Taman_Jubli_Emas_%2817767965545%29.jpg)
There are several public parks maintained by the city council. Among the best known
urban park
An urban park or metropolitan park, also known as a municipal park (North America) or a public park, public open space, or municipal gardens ( UK), is a park in cities and other incorporated places that offer recreation and green space to resi ...
in Alor Setar is the Taman Jubli Perak (Silver Jubilee Park). The park contains two restored century old
traditional Malay Houses (Rumah Seri Banai and Rumah Tok Su) in the Heritage Village (Kampung Warisan).
The Heritage Village is located beside the Warrior Square (Dataran Pahlawan).
Other parks located in the city includes Taman Jubli Emas, known for its
Tengkolok
''Tengkolok'', also known as ''Tanjak'', ''Destar'' (Minangkabau: ''Deta''; Kelantan-Pattani: Semutar) is a traditional Malay or Indonesian and male headgear. It is made from long songket cloth folded and tied in a particular style (''solek'' ...
monument constructed for
Golden jubilee
A golden jubilee marks a 50th anniversary. It variously is applied to people, events, and nations.
Bangladesh
In Bangladesh, golden jubilee refers the 50th anniversary year of the separation from Pakistan and is called in Bengali ''"সু ...
celebration of
Sultan Abdul Halim named the Jubli Emas Monumental Tower in 2008; Dataran Tanjung Chali (Cape Chali Square) with Rumah Api Tanjung Cahli (Cape Chali Lighthouse); Taman Persisiran Sungai Kedah, where the annual
water sports
Water (chemical formula ) is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's hydrosphere and the fluids of all known living organisms (in which it acts as a s ...
events are usually held; Taman Rekreasi Medan Peremba and Taman Rekreasi Medan Merdeka.
Healthcare
The city is served by one public hospital, two private hospitals, three 1Malaysia clinics together with many public health and other type of health clinics.
Inaugurated in 2007, replacing the old Alor Setar Hospital, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital is the largest and the main medical centre in the state, equipped with 1040 beds. As one of the important and major medical facilities in the northern Kedah, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital also served as the
tertiary referral hospital
A tertiary referral hospital (also called a tertiary hospital, tertiary referral center, tertiary care center, or tertiary center) is a hospital that provides tertiary care, which is a level of health care obtained from specialists in a large hos ...
for twelve public health clinic in the Kota Setar/Pendang district, eight government hospitals and eleven private hospitals.
Education
There are many government schools available in the city, which are managed by (Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kota Setar) Kota Setar District Education Office. Among the well established schools in the city includes Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultanah Asma, Jalan Langgar,
Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid
Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid ( en, Sultan Abdul Hamid College; abbreviated SAHC; also known as Maktab Sultan Abdul Hamid) located in Alor Setar, Kedah, is one of Malaysia's oldest and most prestigious schools. Founded in 1908 as Government English S ...
,
Keat Hwa Secondary School
Keat Hwa Secondary School () is a cluster Chinese high school in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia which provides quality secondary education.
It was founded in 1911, making it one of the oldest schools in Malaysia. It has an area of . Keat H ...
and
Sekolah Menengah Teknik Alor Setar.
Alor Setar is home to several institute of higher learning. The city is the main campus for two universities,
Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah International Islamic University (UniSHAMS) and Albukhary International University (AIU). Other colleges and universities located in Alor Setar includes Kolej Poly-Tech MARA, Royal Air Force College,
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak
Universiti Tun Abdul Razak (UNIRAZAK) is a premier private university in Kuala Lumpur. The university was established on 18 December 1997 and is one of the earliest private universities in Malaysia, widely known as Kuala Lumpur's Premier Schoo ...
, Mara Industrial Institute, Medical Assistant College and Alor Setar Nursing College.
Places of Interest
Historical & Cultural sites
![Rumah Tok Su](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ef/Rumah_Tok_Su.jpg)
* Balai Besar -Initially the function of the building was as the Balai Rong Seri or Balai Penghadapan (grand audience hall), that was situated at the back of the Kota Setar Palace complex (Istana Kota Setar). The original building was built in 1735 by
Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin II, the 19th Sultan of
Kedah
Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area ...
. The pillars, roofs and floors were made of wood. Two Kedah sultans were officially installed at the Balai Besar:
Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II
Paduka Sri Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II ibni al-Marhum Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah (died 3 January 1845) was the 22nd Sultan of Kedah. His reign was from 1803 to 1821 and 1842 to 1845.
He was appointed as Heir Apparent (''Uparaja'') by t ...
in 1805, and
Sultan Abdul Halim in 1959.
* Balai Nobat - This three-tiered octagonal tower's sole purpose is to house the royal musical instruments including the ''serunai'' (wooden flute), ''nafiri'', ''gendang'' (drum) and ''
nobat
''Nobat'' is a Gujarati language daily newspaper published in Jamnagar, Gujarat, India
India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by area, the second-most populous ...
'' (gong). The original Balai Nobat, constructed of wood, was among the early buildings already completed when Alor Setar town was officially founded in 1735. It has been rebuilt twice, most recently in 1906 in concrete and metal with a dome representing the Islamic element.
* Istana Anak Bukit - Anak Bukit is the birthplace and royal palace of Sultan
Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah and of the current ruler,
Sultan Sallehuddin. Sungai Anak Bukit which is situated behind the royal palace, flows through Alor Setar and is connected by the Kedah River to Kuala Kedah. Since 2008, it has been used in royal ceremonies, replacing the old Balai Besar, and is the very palace were Sultan Sallehuddin was officially enthroned and installed.
*
Kedah Royal Mausoleum
Kedah Royal Mausoleum or Langgar Royal Mausoleum ( ms, Makam Diraja Langgar) is a Kedah royal burial grounds. It is located in Langgar, Kota Setar District, Kedah, Malaysia.
List of graves Sultan graves
* Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Mu'adz ...
-The Kedah royal mausoleum is located in Langgar, near the city centre.
![Pintu Kacapuri](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f6/Pintu_Kacapuri.jpg)
* Kota Kuala Kedah - Kota Kuala Kedah ( Kota Kuala Bahang) is the remains of a fort on the bank of the Kedah River (Sungai Kedah), which for centuries protected the
Kuala Kedah
Kuala Kedah is a mukim and parliamentary constituency in Kota Setar District, Kedah, Malaysia. It is a fishing port, located at the mouth of the Kedah River, and serves as a terminus for ferries to the tourist island of Langkawi. It is home to a ...
Kingdom from naval attacks. The fort was originally constructed to provide protection against the Portuguese, and also stood against attacks from the
Achenese from Sumatra and the
Bugis
The Bugis people (pronounced ), also known as Buginese, are an ethnicity—the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi (the others being Makassar and Toraja), in the south-western province of Sulawe ...
. The fort was rebuilt in 1771–1780. A museum and a lighthouse are also located inside the fort complex.
*
Wan Mat Saman Canal - Wan Mat Saman Aqueduct is the longest aqueduct in Malaysia. It connects
Kedah River
The Kedah River ( ms, Sungai Kedah) is a river in Kedah, Malaysia. The river passes through Alor Setar and empties into the Straits of Malacca at Kuala Kedah. Its volume is about 3695 km³.
See also
* List of rivers of Malaysia
This is a ...
in Alor Setar to Gurun at the south, and was built to boost the state's rice production.
*
Pekan Rabu - Pekan Rabu is located near the city's government offices. Although the name literally means "Wednesday Market", this market is open all week long. It sells a variety of handicrafts and is a popular spot for tourists and locals.
* Rumah Tok Su & Rumah Sri Banai - Two restored classical Kedahan Malay houses, located in the Heritage Village (Perkampungan Warisan), Taman Jubli Perak.
* Pekan Cina & Pekan Melayu - lit. "Chinatown" and "Malaytown". The old town of Alor Setar where presevered old shophouses are still in use.
* Istana Sepachendera - The Sepachendera Palace, a palace constructed for Che Sepachendera in 1882, Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah's first consort. As Che Sepachendera is from
Siam
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 mi ...
, visible elements of
Siamese architecture style was incorporated throughout the building. The palace ground is currently abandoned, however there are plans to restore the complex into a museum.
Museums and Galleries
![Menara Alor Setar by Jensen Ng](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0f/Menara_Alor_Setar_by_Jensen_Ng.JPG)
* Muzium Negeri - The state museum, Muzium Negeri houses a large collection of Kedah's historical, cultural, and royal heritage. The collection includes early Chinese porcelain, artefacts from the archaeological excavations in Bujang Valley, and a pokok bunga emas or 'gold tree' produced as a tribute to the Thais. The museum is also a research centre which specialises on Kedah's cultural history. Before the present premises were built in 1936, parts of the museum's collection were on display at the Balai Besar. The museum was officially opened on 3 February 1957.
* Pusat Sains Negara Cawangan Wilayah Utara (PSNCWU) - National Science Centre (Northern Region) is located at Gunung Keriang next to the Alor Setar Aquatic Centre and Paddy Museum. It is the first science centre built in northern Malaysia.
* Muzium Padi - The Muzium Padi is the first paddy museum in Malaysia, and the fourth in the world after Japan, Germany and the Philippines. The museum showcases the rice cultivation process in Malaysia and the tools and equipment used. Murals feature the work of 60 artists from North Korea.
*
Balai Seni Negeri - The Kedah State Art Gallery was set up with the objective of fostering interest in and an appreciation of art in the state. Its collection includes paintings, photographs, musical instruments and handicrafts.
*
Galeria Sultan Abdul Halim - The Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery building originally housed the Alor Setar High Court, before it was moved to Kompleks Mahkamah Alor Setar in Suka Menanti. This building is located at the junction of Jalan Putera, adjacent to the Balai Nobat.
* Muzium Diraja Kedah - The Kedah Royal Museum had originally been part of the Kota Setar palace. It was rebuilt after attacks by the
Bugis
The Bugis people (pronounced ), also known as Buginese, are an ethnicity—the most numerous of the three major linguistic and ethnic groups of South Sulawesi (the others being Makassar and Toraja), in the south-western province of Sulawe ...
(1770) and
Siam
Thailand ( ), historically known as Siam () and officially the Kingdom of Thailand, is a country in Southeast Asia, located at the centre of the Mainland Southeast Asia, Indochinese Peninsula, spanning , with a population of almost 70 mi ...
ese (1821). The current concrete building was completed during the reign of
Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah
Paduka Sri Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah ibni Almarhum Sultan Zainal Rashid Al-Mu'adzam Shah I (1852 – 22 June 1879) was the 24th Sultan of Kedah. He reigned from 1854 to 1879 and it was during this period that the new Balai Nobat consisti ...
, who once stayed in this palace with his queen. This palace is also known as the "Pelamin Palace" after it was extended to include a pavilion and additional rooms, when
Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah arranged marriages for his five children. The grand wedding ceremony lasted for three months in 1904. After 1941, the palace was used as a school and an office for several organisations including the office for the St. John Ambulance and the
Scout movements. On 25 July 1983, the palace was declared the Kedah Royal Museum.
*
Menara Alor Setar
Alor Setar Tower, also known as Kedah Tower is a 4-story, 165.5-meter-tall telecommunication tower in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, It is Malaysia's third tallest tower and the tallest tower in the city & the state, also the second tallest stru ...
- Located in the heart of Alor Setar, this tower is a prominent modern landmark that signifies the rapid development in
Kedah
Kedah (), also known by its honorific Darul Aman (Islam), Aman and historically as Queda, is a States and federal territories of Malaysia, state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area ...
. It serves as a telecommunications tower and tourist attraction, offering a panoramic view of the city and surroundings.
* Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir - The birthplace of Tun Dr
Mahathir, the fourth and seventh
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The prime minister of Malaysia ( ms, Perdana Menteri Malaysia; ms, ڤردان منتري مليسيا, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset) is the head of government of Malaysia. The prime minister directs the executive branch of the fede ...
, has been designated as a historic building. Located at 18 Lorong Kilang Ais, off Jalan Pegawai, it was restored by the National Archives in 1992.
* Rumah Merdeka - Independence House is a designated historic building which houses the collection and memorial of
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ( ms, تونكو عبد الرحمن ڤوترا الحاج ابن سلطان عبد الحميد حليم شاه, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 8 Febru ...
, the first
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The prime minister of Malaysia ( ms, Perdana Menteri Malaysia; ms, ڤردان منتري مليسيا, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset) is the head of government of Malaysia. The prime minister directs the executive branch of the fede ...
. It is owned by the national archives.
Notable people from Alor Setar
Arts
* Singers:
Yunalis Zarai,
Shanon Shah
Shanon Shah (born 14 August 1978 in Alor Star, Kedah), is a singer-songwriter, playwright and academic from Malaysia. He released two albums ''Dilanda Cinta'' (2005) and ''Suara Yang Ku Dengar'' (2010) on the InterGlobal Music Malaysia independe ...
* Actors:
Azean Irdawaty,
Bront Palarae
Nasrul Suhaimin bin Saifuddin (born 27 September 1978), known professionally as Bront Palarae, is a Malaysian actor, screenwriter, film director and producer.
Early life and education
Palarae was born in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia. In 2005, ...
,
Angelica Lee
Lee Sinje (; born 23 January 1976) is a Malaysian film actress and pop singer. She started her career in singing and later moved on to acting in Taiwan and Hong Kong and Malaysia. Lee starred in '' The Eye'', the hit Asian horror film by the ...
,
Farid Kamil
Farid Kamil bin Zahari (born 5 May 1981) is a Malaysian actor, director and screenplay writer. He is a well-known male model turned actor who has made a big reputation of himself as one of Malaysia's most famous actors since Rosyam Nor in the ...
,
Rozita Che Wan
Rozita binti Abu Bakar (born March 9, 1971), better known by her stage name Rozita Che Wan or Che Ta, is an actress, a former stewardess also former beauty queen who had won Miss Malaysia Intercontinental 1992 and a publisher in Malaysia. She is ...
,
Jit Murad
* Writers and Arts: Dato'
Abdullah Hussain, Dato'
Shahnon Ahmad
Dato' Haji Shahnon bin Ahmad (January 13, 1933 – December 26, 2017) was a Malaysian writer, a National Laureate, and a Member of Parliament. He was awarded with the National Literary Award in 1982. He was also a Professor Emeritus at Unive ...
Sports
* Badminton:
Tan Boon Heong
Tan Boon Heong (, born 18 September 1987) is a former World No.1 Malaysian professional badminton player in the men's doubles event.
Career
2004-2006
Tan was previously paired with Hoon Thien How, with whom he won the World Junior Champi ...
,
Lee Zii Jia
Lee Zii Jia (, born 29 March 1998) is a Malaysian badminton player. He was the men's singles gold medalist at the 2019 Southeast Asian Games and won his first BWF Super 1000 title at the 2021 All England Open. Lee is the reigning men's singles ...
* Football:
Mohd Helmi Eliza Elias
Mohamad Helmi Eliza bin Elias (born 20 January 1983) is a Malaysian footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Malaysia Super League club Sri Pahang.
Club career
He was a product of Kedah's youth system and started in the junior, Kedah FA Pre ...
,
Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri
* Team manager: Dato' Paduka
Ahmad Basri Akil
Dato' Paduka Haji Ahmad Basri bin Mohd Akil (25 April 1939 – 15 July 2008) was the former team manager for Kedah FA and for the Malaysia national football team.
Biography
Born in Alor Setar, he had 8 children and 11 grandchildren. He mana ...
Government and politics
* Politicians:
**
Tunku Abdul Rahman
Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah ( ms, تونكو عبد الرحمن ڤوترا الحاج ابن سلطان عبد الحميد حليم شاه, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 8 Febru ...
, first Prime Minister of Malaysia, 1957–70
** Tun
Mahathir bin Mohamad
Mahathir bin Mohamad ( ms, محاضير بن محمد, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; ; born 10 July 1925) is a Malaysian politician, author, and physician who served as the 4th and 7th Prime Minister of Malaysia. He held the office ...
, fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, 1981-2003 and 2018–20
** Tun
Daim Zainuddin
Malay titles#Tun, Tun Dr. Abdul Daim bin Zainuddin (Jawi alphabet, Jawi: عبدالدائم بن زين الدين; born 29 April 1938 in Alor Setar, Kedah) is a Malaysian politician, businessman and former Minister of Finance (Malaysia), Fi ...
, Finance Minister 1984-91
** Dato'
Fadzil Noor
Dato' Ustaz Haji Fadzil bin Muhammad Noor ( ms, فاضل بن محمد نور, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; 13 March 1937 – 23 June 2002) was a Malaysian politician and religious teacher. He was the president of Pan-Malaysian Is ...
,
PAS President 1989–2002,
* Judiciary:
** Tan Sri
Zaki Tun Azmi
Tun Zaki bin Tun Azmi ( ms, زكي بن عزمي, label= Jawi, script=arab, italic=unset; born 12 September 1945) is a Malaysian barrister who served as the sixth Chief Justice of Malaysia. He was appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong (King ...
** Tun
Ahmad Fairuz Abdul Halim
** Tun
Mohamed Azmi Mohamed
Tun Azmi bin Mohamed was the former Lord President of the Federal Court. His son, Zaki Azmi was the sixth Chief Justice of Malaysia.
Honours Honours of Malaysia
* :
** Commander of the Order of the Defender of the Realm
The Most Esteemed Ord ...
** Tun
Syed Sheh Hassan Barakbah
Businessmen
*
Tan Sri
The Malay language has a complex system of styles, titles and honorifics which are used extensively in Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the southern Philippines.
Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore and several provinces in Indonesia regul ...
Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary
References
External links
*
Towns and Cities in Malaysia
{{Authority control
Populated places in Kedah
Alor Setar, Kedah
Populated places established in 1735
1735 establishments in Asia