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Jelutong, Penang

Coordinates: 5°23′25.7″N 100°18′46.9″E / 5.390472°N 100.313028°E / 5.390472; 100.313028
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about a suburb of George Town. For the federal constituency represented in the Malaysian Parliament, see Jelutong (federal constituency). For other uses, see Jelutong (disambiguation).
Jelutong
Suburb of George Town
Other transcription(s)
 • Mandarin日落洞
Rì luò dòng (Pinyin)
 • HokkienJi̍t-lo̍h-tōng (Tâi-lô)
 • Tamilஜெலுத்தோங்
Map
Jelutong is located in Central George Town, Penang
Jelutong
Jelutong
Location within    George Town in    Penang
Coordinates: 5°23′25.7″N 100°18′46.9″E / 5.390472°N 100.313028°E / 5.390472; 100.313028
Country Malaysia
State Penang
City George Town
Government
 • Local governmentPenang Island City Council
 • Mayor of Penang IslandRajendran P. Anthony
 • Sungai Pinang State AssemblymanLim Siew Khim (DAP)
 • Jelutong Member of ParliamentRSN Rayer (DAP)
Area
 • Total
4.4 km2 (1.7 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
63,507
 • Density14,000/km2 (37,000/sq mi)
Demographics
[1]
 • Ethnic groups
Time zoneUTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postal code
11600
Websitembpp.gov.my

Jelutong is a suburb of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located 3.2 km (2.0 mi) south of the city centre, Jelutong has been inhabited since as early as the late 18th century, when traders from Aceh and India settled around the area.[2]

It was once notorious as a turf for gangsters and triads until the 1980s, when urbanisation transformed the area into a residential suburb of George Town.

Etymology

[edit]

Jelutong was named after the Jelutong tree, known scientifically as Dyera costulata.[3] It was believed that this species of trees was once abundant around the area now known as Jelutong.

History

[edit]
Apartments such as these now occupy much of Jelutong's landscape.

Jelutong was already inhabited before the arrival of Captain Francis Light in 1786. Merchants from Aceh and India established resting places and villages along the mouth of Pinang River.[2]

In the mid-19th century, the then forested area was first cleared for agricultural purposes.[2] Factories were set up much later in Jelutong, as the urban population spilled southward from the city centre. In spite of industrialisation, some fishing communities continued to exist up until recently and charcoal makers still make a living from the mangrove swamps along the coast.[2][4]

The growing population in Jelutong led to rampant crime and thugs roaming the streets.[2] It was only in the 1980s with a rise in the standards of living and urbanisation that Jelutong's criminal notoriety was eradicated.

It was in the Jelutong parliamentary constituency where Karpal Singh, a prominent Malaysian lawyer, first entered the national political scene. The Democratic Action Party politician held the seat for over 20 years until 1999, earning him the nickname the 'Tiger of Jelutong'.

Geography

[edit]
Map
About OpenStreetMaps
Maps: terms of use
1km
0.6miles
Skyview
Residence
11
Grace
Residence
10
Udini
Square
9
Sunshine Jelutong
8
e-Gate
7
6
Lotus's Jelutong
5
RECSAM
4
Lam Wah Ee Hospital
3
Batu Lanchang
Bukit Dumbar
2
Market
1
Map of Jelutong.
Click link at the top right corner to zoom in.
1
Jelutong Market
2
Bukit Dumbar
3
Batu Lanchang
4
Lam Wah Ee Hospital
5
RECSAM
6
Lotus's Jelutong
7
e-Gate
8
Sunshine Jelutong
9
Udini Square
10
Grace Residence
11
Skyview Residence

Demographics

[edit]
Ethnicities within Jelutong in 2020[1]
Ethnicities / Nationality Percentage
Chinese
 
 70.0%
Malays
 
 18.2%
Other Bumiputeras
 
 0.4%
Indians
 
 8.0%
Others
 
 0.9%
Non-Malaysians
 
 2.5%

As of 2020, Jelutong was home to a population of 63,507.[1] With a population density of 14,433/km2 (37,380/sq mi), the suburb was the most densely populated area in the city of George Town. Ethnic Chinese constituted 70% of Jelutong's population, followed by Malays at 18% and Indians at 8%.

Transportation

[edit]
Jelutong Road

Historically, Jelutong Road serves as the main thoroughfare within the suburb, allowing motorists from the city centre to head south towards Bayan Lepas.[2] In recent years, the completion of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway has considerably reduced the daily traffic congestion along Jelutong Road, as motorists now use the coastal expressway to commute between the city centre and Bayan Lepas, bypassing Jelutong Road entirely.[2][5][6]

Rapid Penang buses 11, 12, 301, 302, 303 and 401 serve the residents of the suburb, by connecting Jelutong with the city centre and other destinations to the south, including Bukit Jambul, Bayan Baru, Bayan Lepas, Batu Maung and Balik Pulau.[7][8][9]

Education

[edit]
SMK Jelutong, a national high school at Taman Jelutong.[10]

A total of four primary schools and one high school are located within Jelutong. The suburb is also home to the headquarters of RECSAM, an educational institute affiliated with the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization.[11]

Primary schools

  • SJK (C) Jelutong[12]
  • SJK (C) Phei Shin
  • SK Jelutong[13]
  • SK Jelutong Barat[14]

High school

  • SMK Jelutong

Sports

[edit]

The Nicol David International Squash Centre, located at Dumbar Hill, was previously known as the Bukit Dumbar Sports Centre. It was here where Nicol David, a top international squash player, was first trained at a young age.[15][16]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d "MyCensus 2020: Mukim/Town/Pekan". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Putrajaya: 174–175. February 2024. ISBN 9789672537069.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Jelutong: Home to a thriving coastal village | Wong Chun Wai". wongchunwai.com. 7 September 2013. Retrieved 2016-11-04.
  3. ^ "Forest Research Institute Malaysia".
  4. ^ Salma Nasution, Khoo (2007). Streets of George Town, Penang. Penang: Areca Books. ISBN 9789839886009.
  5. ^ "Project enters final lap - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  6. ^ Chern, Lo Tern. "New road linking Jalan Jelutong and expressway opens - Community | The Star Online". Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  7. ^ Route map rapidpg.com
  8. ^ Route map rapidpg.com
  9. ^ Route map rapidpg.com
  10. ^ "SMK JELUTONG - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  11. ^ "SEAMEO Regional Centre for Education in Science and Mathematics (SEAMEO RECSAM)" (PDF). RECSAM.
  12. ^ "SJK(C) JELUTONG - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  13. ^ "SK JELUTONG - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  14. ^ "SK JELUTONG BARAT - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  15. ^ "A place to share their passion for squash - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
  16. ^ "24 Questions with Dato' Nicol David on her hometown Penang". Archived from the original on 2018-09-29. Retrieved 2017-05-16.
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