Paya Terubong is a suburb of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located nearly 7 km (4.3 mi) southwest of the city centre, it is nestled within the central valleys of Penang Island and south of Air Itam. Originally an agricultural village, rapid development in the last decades of the 20th century has transformed the area into a residential suburb.

Paya Terubong
Suburb of George Town
Other transcription(s)
 • Mandarin垄尾 (Simplified)
壟尾 (Traditional)
Lǒng wěi (Pinyin)
 • HokkienLóng-bué (Tâi-lô)
Map
Paya Terubong is located in Central George Town, Penang
Paya Terubong
Paya Terubong
Location within    George Town in    Penang
Coordinates: 5°22′22″N 100°16′47″E / 5.37278°N 100.27972°E / 5.37278; 100.27972
Country Malaysia
State Penang
City George Town
Government
 • Local governmentPenang Island City Council
 • Mayor of Penang IslandRajendran P. Anthony
 • Paya Terubong State AssemblymanWong Hon Wai (DAP)
 • Bukit Gelugor Member of ParliamentRamkarpal Singh (DAP)
Area
 • Total32.7 km2 (12.6 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total226,712
 • Density6,900/km2 (18,000/sq mi)
Demographics
 • Ethnic groups
Time zoneUTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postal code
11060
Websitewww.mbpp.gov.my

Etymology edit

Paya Terubong was named after a species of grass known in Malay as terubong. Its scientific name is Cyrtococcum oxyphyllum.[2]

History edit

 
Residential projects now dot Paya Terubong's landscape, a far cry from its agricultural past.

Similar to Air Itam to the north, Paya Terubong was where agricultural farms were established, providing fresh produce to be traded in markets elsewhere in George Town. In the past, Paya Terubong Road was merely a hill path.

The area was developed in the 1980s with the construction of residential high-rises to alleviate land scarcity in the city. New townships such as Farlim were created, leading to an increase in population.

Geography edit

The subdivision of Paya Terubong covers an area of 32.7 km2 (12.6 sq mi), forming a corridor that stretches from the central valleys of Penang Island to Jerejak Island off the eastern coast. It encompasses a varied topography and includes several neighbourhoods, namely Farlim, Bukit Jambul, Sungai Dua, Batu Uban and parts of Sungai Nibong.[3]

Demographics edit

Ethnicities within Paya Terubong in 2020[1]
Ethnicities / Nationality Percentage
Chinese
56.2%
Malays
23.0%
Other Bumiputeras
0.7%
Indians
9.4%
Others
1.0%
Non-Malaysians
9.6%

As of 2020, Paya Terubong was home to a population of 226,712, making it the most populated subdivision within the city of George Town.[1] The suburb had a population density of 6,933/km2 (17,960/sq mi). Ethnic Chinese constituted over 56% of Paya Terubong's population, while Malays formed another 23%. Non-citizens comprised almost 10% of the population, followed by Indians at over 9%.

Transportation edit

 
The Jalan Bukit Kukus Paired Road is the tallest expressway in Malaysia, linking Paya Terubong with Bukit Jambul to the south.

Paya Terubong Road remains the main thoroughfare within the suburb. The road connects with Ayer Itam Road to the north and stretches towards the neighbourhood of Relau near the southern end of the central valleys. As Paya Terubong Road is the sole road which links the north and south of Penang Island through the central valleys, heavy traffic congestion occurs on a frequent basis.[2][4] In 2022, part of the Jalan Bukit Kukus Paired Road was opened for use, intended to alleviate congestion between Paya Terubong and other suburbs to the south.

Rapid Penang buses 13, 201, 202, 306 and 502 serve the residents of the suburb, by connecting Paya Terubong with the city centre and various other destinations, such as Ayer Itam, the Penang International Airport, Queensbay Mall and Balik Pulau.[5][6][7][8][9]

Retail edit

Paya Terubong is served by a handful of neighbourhood retail centres, such as Bukit Jambul Complex and All Seasons Place. The six-storey Bukit Jambul Complex at Bukit Jambul was opened in 1997, while All Seasons Place at Farlim was touted as the first strip mall in Penang upon its launch in 2012.[10][11][12]

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 "Rising with the times But there's much traffic congestion, lament residents – Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  3. ^ "ArcGIS Web Application". pegis.penang.gov.my. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  4. ^ "'Lebuh raya' Paya Terubong dijangka siap 2019 – ADUN | Buletin Mutiara". www.buletinmutiara.com. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  5. ^ "Route 13". Archived from the original on 2016-07-22. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  6. ^ "Route 201". Archived from the original on 2016-07-02. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  7. ^ "Route 202". Archived from the original on 2016-07-02. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  8. ^ "Route 306". Archived from the original on 2016-07-02. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  9. ^ "Route 502". Archived from the original on 2016-07-02. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  10. ^ "Kompleks Bukit Jambul". Time Out Penang. 2014-01-07. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  11. ^ "Mall in the making for Air Itam". The Star. Retrieved 2024-03-06.
  12. ^ YEOH, WINNIE. "A place for all seasons". The Star. Retrieved 2024-03-06.