Alor Setar

Coordinates: 06°07′06″N 100°22′10″E / 6.11833°N 100.36944°E / 6.11833; 100.36944
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat, see Alor Setar (federal constituency).

Alor Setar
Loqstaq
Hanyu Pinyin)
 • Tamilஅலோர் சேதார்
Alōr Cētār (Transliteration)
 • Thaiอาโลร์เซอตาร์, เมืองไทร Mueang Sai[1]
From top, left to right: City skyline, Alor Setar Tower, Balai Nobat (Nobat Towerhttps://capitalscholarships.com/albukhary-international-university-scholarship-2024-intake-100/ ), the Anak Bukit Palace, Kedah State Art Gallery, Pekan Rabu, Zahir Mosque, Kuala Kedah
Marina
UTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postal code
05xxx
International dialling code prefix+6047 (landline only)
Websitembas.gov.my

Alor Setar (

Kedah, Malaysia.[3] 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. It is home to the third-tallest telecommunication tower in Malaysia, the Alor Setar Tower.[4]

Its location along the main travel corridor from Malaysia to Thailand has long made it a major transportation hub in the northern

Sadao and 106 km (66 mi) from Hat Yai
.

The city was originally founded as Kota Setar in 1785. Owing to the long status as the capital of Kedah, Alor Setar is regarded as one of the core cultural centres for the [[Kedahan Malayhttps://capitalscholarships.com/albukhary-international-university-scholarship-2024-intake-100/[5] ]]s. It is also among the key pioneer in the Malayan transportation history, the railway station is commissioned in 1915 followed by its airport in 1929.

Alor Setar is home to the Central State Administration Centre and is the administrative centre of Kota Setar District. At present, the city covers a land area of 666 km2 (257 sq mi), which is occupied by more than 400,000 inhabitants (as per the 2020 census). At the local-government level, Alor Setar is administered by the Alor Setar City Council.[6]

It is the birthplace of two pivotal

Mahathir bin Mohamad, the country's longest-serving prime minister of 24 years (in office from 1981 to 2003, from 2018 to 2020).[7][8]

Etymology

The name came from the combination of two Malay words: Alor ("small stream") and Setar (Bouea macrophylla Griff.; known as the marian plum, gandaria, or plum mango), a tree which is related to mango.[9]

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.[10]

History

Origin

The Kedah Royal Museum. Completed in 1735, it was formerly functioned as the official residence for several sultans of Kedah. The current building is dated from the 19th century.

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.[11] 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.[12]

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 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, a type of tree that can be found in the area.[13]

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 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.[13]

During the coronation ceremony of Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II of Kedah 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 before returning to Kota Setar.[13]

Recovery and growth

The Balai Besar of Kedah

In October 1883, James F. Agustin, an Englishmen arrived in Kuala Sungai Kedah (now known as Kuala Kedah) 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.[14]

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

Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, lasting for 3 months and the cost estimated to be 3 million Ringgit.[15]

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.[13]

The exterior view of the Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery. Built in 1922, the building formerly operated as the High Court of Kedah before relocating to the new Alor Setar Courts Complex in 2005.

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.[13]

The town joined the

UMNO General Assembly which lay the draft for the foundation of the present-day Constitution of Malaysia
.

The coronation ceremony of Abdul Halim of Kedah, 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.[13]

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.[16]

The town celebrated its 250th birthday in 1985.[17] 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

Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah, his consort Che' Puan Haminah Hamidun, the heir apparent, other royalty and politicians.[18]

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.

The classic and modern architectural landmarks of Alor Setar: the Alor Setar Clock Tower (far left), Alor Setar Tower (left), Balai Nobat and Istana Kota Tengah Gate (middle left), Balai Besar (right) and Kedah Royal Museum entrance (far right)

Governance

class=notpageimage|
Locations of Alor Setar and its immediate suburbs

Alor Setar is being represented by three Members of Parliament and nine State Legislative Assembly.

Parliamentary Constituencies State Constituencies
P.008 Pokok Sena N.09 Bukit Lada, N.4 Pantai Damai, N.10 Bukit Pinang, N.11 Derga
P.009 Alor Setar N.12 Suka Menanti, N.13 Kota Darul Aman, N.14 Alor Mengkudu
P.010 Kuala Kedah N.15 Anak Bukit, N.16 Kubang Rotan, N.17 Pengkalan Kundor

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 are both based in Wisma Darul Aman.[19][20] The official residence of Sultan of Kedah, is located in Anak Bukit.

Local government

Alor Setar has been governed by a town council form of government since 1905 following the establishment of Alor Star Sanitary Board.[21] 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, the highest peak in Alor Setar

Alor Setar is located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia, at the edge of the

Kota Setar
district includes Alor Setar, and borders the districts of Kubang Pasu, Pokok Sena and Pendang.

The city encompasses an area of 666 km2 (257 sq mi), including the neighbouring district of

geodes of calcite crystals.[24]

Climate

Alor Setar features a tropical monsoon climate (Am) under the Köppen climate classification. Alor Setar has a very lengthy wet season. 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 2,300 mm (91 in) of annual precipitation.[citation needed]

Climate data for Alor Setar (2016–2023)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 32.6
(90.7) 		34.0
(93.2) 		35.2
(95.4) 		34.1
(93.4) 		33.2
(91.8) 		32.3
(90.1) 		32.1
(89.8) 		31.9
(89.4) 		31.7
(89.1) 		31.9
(89.4) 		31.8
(89.2) 		31.7
(89.1) 		32.7
(90.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 23.4
(74.1) 		23.2
(73.8) 		23.8
(74.8) 		24.9
(76.8) 		25.1
(77.2) 		24.8
(76.6) 		24.6
(76.3) 		24.4
(75.9) 		24.1
(75.4) 		24.3
(75.7) 		24.2
(75.6) 		23.8
(74.8) 		24.2
(75.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 80.7
(3.18) 		52.3
(2.06) 		97.4
(3.83) 		190.3
(7.49) 		285.6
(11.24) 		145.6
(5.73) 		219.1
(8.63) 		265.8
(10.46) 		276.0
(10.87) 		304.5
(11.99) 		233.3
(9.19) 		104.7
(4.12) 		2,255.3
(88.79)
Average precipitation days 6.5 3.9 7.0 13.0 16.8 11.5 13.1 14.1 17.2 18.4 14.8 9.4 145.7
Source: Meteomanz[25]

Demographics

Masjid Zahir, the state mosque of Kedah, it is considered as among the main heritage and religious monument in Alor Setar

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
where people is being referred to "Orang".

Ethnicity and religion

The following is based on Department of Statistics Malaysia 2010 census.[2]

Ethnic composition of Alor Setar (
2010)[26]
Ethnicities / Nationality Percentage
Malay
 
 73.3%
Chinese
 
 21.9%
Indian
 
 2.3%
Other
Bumiputras
 
 0.1%
Others
 
 0.3%
Non-Malaysians
 
 1.8%

The city of Alor Setar recorded a population of 357,176, according to 2010 census data.

Indians (mostly Tamils) 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

The temple gate of Wat Nikrodharam during the Wesak Day celebration, the entrance is written in Thai script. The Buddhist community in the city are mainly of Chinese and Siamese descent.
See also: Kedah Malay

The dominant Malay dialect spoken is the Kedah-Northern Malay dialect and functioned as the lingua franca.[28] However, standard Malay (sometimes Johor-Riau Malay dialect), English and Manglish (the latter being a localised vernacular version of English) are still widely understood in the city.

The

Teochew
and other Chinese dialects.

Other languages spoken in Alor Setar includes Tamil, among the Alor Setar Indian population and Southern Thai by the Kedah-Siamese community.[citation needed]

Religion

A majority of the population adhered to the Islamic faith, which correlates to the strong

Al-Masjid an-Nabawi, Medina; Qaytbay Mosque, Cairo and Imam al-Bukhari Complex, Samarkand.[31] There is also a gallery located together with the mosque.[32] The Muslim life in Alor Setar is centered on the 69 mosques and a large numbers of suraus located around the city.[33]

Nine Emperor
(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, Christianity and Sikhism. 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

kampung house with an observation tower, located in a paddy field
in Kuala Kedah, the outskirts of Alor Setar

Alor Setar is one of the important commercial and industrial centres in Kedah, alongside

Kulim
. There are many international and national-level commercial banks established their branches in the city, together with a few insurance companies.

tertiary sector.[35]
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.[36]

List of tallest buildings in Kedah

Alor Setar is the city with the most skyscrapers in Kedah. The following are some of the tallest buildings within the state of Kedah.

Rank Image Name Height

(m)

Floors Location City Status Completion
1 Vivre Residence 157.7 38 Simpang Kuala Alor Setar Proposed 2026
2 Assana Serviced Suites 152.3 39 Kedawang Langkawi Under construction 2025
3 Menara MBAS 106.1 26 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 1994
4 IPK Kedah Tower 101.2 12 Jalan Stadium Alor Setar Completed 2011
5 SADA Headquarters Tower 97.6 15 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 2016
6 G Residence Alor Setar 92.5 25 Jalan Stadium Alor Setar Topped-out 2024
7 Amansuri Residences Tower B 92.4 24 Kampung Lubok Peringgi Alor Setar Completed 2016
8 Amansuri Residences Tower A 78.4 23 Kampung Lubok Peringgi Alor Setar Completed 2016
9 D'aman Residence A 75.5 21 Lebuhraya Darul Aman Alor Setar Topped-out 2024
10 D'aman Residence B 73.3 20 Lebuhraya Darul Aman Alor Setar Under construction 2025
10 D'aman Residence C 73.3 20 Lebuhraya Darul Aman Alor Setar Under construction 2025
12 PPR Kota Setar Tower A 70.2 21 Simpang Kuala Alor Setar Completed 2018
12 PPR Kota Setar Tower B 70.2 21 Simpang Kuala Alor Setar Completed 2018
14 Grand Alora Hotel 69.5 18 Mergong Alor Setar Completed 2010
15 Wisma PKNK 60.6 12 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 1965
16 Wisma Peladang 50.5 10 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 1990
17 Bina Darulaman Berhad Tower 49.1 12 Kampung Lubok Peringgi Alor Setar Completed 2001
18 Aman Central Mall 48 7 Jalan Tambang Badak Alor Setar Completed 2016
19 Alor Ria @ Sentosa Tower 47.3 12 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 1970
20 Wisma BJM 46.6 8 Lebuhraya Darul Aman Alor Setar Completed 2012
21 Wisma PERKESO Alor Setar 45.8 7 Lebuhraya Darul Aman Alor Setar Completed 2010
22 Bank Muamalat Alor Setar 40.1 8 Lebuhraya Darul Aman Alor Setar Completed 2005
23 Wisma JKR Negeri Kedah 30 13 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 1990
24 Wisma Persekutuan Alor Setar 29 11 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 1990
25 Menara UMNO 28.8 10 Pusat Bandar Alor Setar Completed 1993

Transportation

The capital of Kedah is well connected to all parts of Peninsular Malaysia by all transport modes.

Medina

Land

The North–South Expressway, which extends from Bukit Kayu Hitam (Malaysia–Thai border town) to Singapore, has made it easy to drive to Kedah. It is a 6–7-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and a 1.5-hour drive from Penang via expressway. Songkhla province in Thailand is also about a 1-hour drive from Alor Setar via Padang Besar–Sadao Highway.

Alor Setar is approached from the east coast via

Butterworth and Kangar
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.[37] Those who wish to travel to other towns, including Thailand, can board their bus at this terminal. Local bus services are also available, serving almost all towns in Kedah.

Rail

Alor Setar Railway Station

Train services are provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) through their ETS services.[38] Train are available between Alor Setar and Kuala Lumpur, Butterworth, Padang Besar, and Gemas. The city' two railway stations are Alor Setar railway station and Anak Bukit railway station. Tickets can be obtained from the train station or online booking.

Air

Built in 1929, the

Jeddah for the Hajj pilgrims.[40]

Sea

Passenger ferry services to and from Langkawi to Kuah Ferry Service are provided at Jeti Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar.[41] The jetty is located 15 km (9.3 mi) west of the city. Travellers can take bus, taxi or e-hailing from the city centre to the jetty.

Other utilities

Wisma Persekutuan located in Anak Bukit, Alor Setar

Administration

According to the

Administrative Centre after Alor Setar city.[42] Bandar Muadzam Shah (Anak Bukit) 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
buildings.

Anak Bukit railway station was established in 2015, to enhance the connectivity between the administrative centre to the Peninsula Malaysia's rail network.

The new Syariah Court building

Courts of law and legal enforcement

The Alor Setar Court Complex located in Jalan Suka Menanti.[43] 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.[44]

The Kedah Police Contingent Headquarters is located in Jalan Stadium.[45] 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.

Stadium Darul Aman, the home stadium for Kedah Darul Aman F.C.

Sports venue

There are several large sports venue in the city. The largest of which would be the Darul Aman Stadium, opened in 1962 it can accommodate 30,000 seating capacity.[46] The stadium also has hosted the 2006 Sukma Games. It was one of the venues for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Other major sports venues in the city includes Sultan Abdul Halim Stadium, Kedah Aquatic Centre, Muadzam Shah Complex and MBAS Swimming Pool Complex.[citation needed]

Parks and recreation

Spectators enjoying musical fountain performance in Taman Jubli Emas

There are several public parks maintained by the city council. Among the best known

traditional Malay Houses (Rumah Seri Banai and Rumah Tok Su) in the Heritage Village (Kampung Warisan).[47]
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 monument constructed for Golden jubilee 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 events are usually held; Taman Rekreasi Medan Peremba and Taman Rekreasi Medan Merdeka.[48]

Healthcare

See also: List of hospitals in Malaysia

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.[49] As one of the important and major medical facilities in the northern Kedah, Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital also served as the tertiary referral hospital for twelve public health clinic in the Kota Setar/Pendang district, eight government hospitals and eleven private hospitals.

Education

Kedah State Library at Jalan Kolam Air.
See also: List of schools in Kedah

There are many government schools available in the city, which are managed by Kota Setar District Education Office (Pejabat Pendidikan Daerah Kota Setar).

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)[51] and Albukhary International University (AIU), which offers scholarship to international students.[52] Other colleges and universities located in Alor Setar includes Kolej Poly-Tech MARA,[53] Royal Air Force College,[54] Universiti Tun Abdul Razak, Mara Industrial Institute,[55] Medical Assistant College and Alor Setar Nursing College.

Alor Setar is home to Kedah State Library (Malay: Perpustakaan Negeri Kedah), the main public library of the State of Kedah and the headquarters of the Kedah Public Library Corporation (Malay: Perbadanan Perpustakaan Awam Kedah, abbreviated as PPAK).[56]

Historical & Cultural sites

traditional Kedahan Malay houses
in Kampung Warisan (Heritage Village) located in Taman Jubli Perak, Alor Setar.
The Kacapuri Gate, completed in 1780, the historical entrance to Kota Kuala Kedah (Kuala Kedah Fort)
  • Kota Kuala Kedah - Kota Kuala Kedah (a.k.a. Kota Kuala Bahang) is the remains of a fort on the bank of the Kedah River (Sungai Kedah), which for centuries protected the
    Bugis. The fort was rebuilt in 1771–1780.[59] A museum and a lighthouse are also located inside the fort complex.[60]
  • Wan Mat Saman Canal - Wan Mat Saman Aqueduct is the longest aqueduct in Malaysia. It connects Kedah River 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.[47]
  • Pekan Cina & Pekan Melayu - lit. "Chinatown" and "Malaytown".[61] 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.[62] As Che Sepachendera is from Siam, 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.[63]

Museums and Galleries

Completed in 1997, the Alor Setar Tower stands as the third tallest tower in Malaysia
  • Kedah State Museum (Malay: Muzium Negeri Kedah) 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.[64]
  • National Science Centre Northern Region Branch (Malay: Pusat Sains Negara Cawangan Wilayah Utara, abbreviated as PSNCWU) 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.[65]
  • Paddy Museum (Malay: Muzium Padi) is the first paddy museum in Malaysia, and the fourth in the world after Japan, Germany and the Philippines.[66][67] 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.
  • Kedah State Art Gallery (Malay: Balai Seni Negeri Kedah) 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.[68]
  • Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah Gallery (Malay: Galeri Sultan Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah) 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.[69]
  • Kedah Royal Museum (
    Scout movements. On 25 July 1983, the palace was declared the Kedah Royal Museum.[70]
  • Alor Setar Tower (Malay: Menara Alor Setar) - Located in the heart of Alor Setar, this 165.5-metre-tall (543 ft) tower is a prominent modern landmark that signifies the rapid development in Kedah. It serves as a telecommunications tower and tourist attraction, offering a panoramic view of the city and surroundings.[71]
  • Mahathir Birth House (Malay: Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir) - The birthplace of Tun Dr Mahathir, the fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, has been designated as a historic building. Located at No. 18 Lorong Kilang Ais, off Jalan Pegawai, it was restored by the National Archives in 1992.[72][73]
  • Independence House (Malay: Rumah Merdeka) is a designated historic building which houses the collection and memorial of Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. It is owned by the national archives.[74]

Notable people from Alor Setar

Arts

Sports

Government and politics

  • Politicians:
    • Tunku Abdul Rahman, first Prime Minister of Malaysia, 1957–70
    • Tun
      Mahathir bin Mohamad
      , fourth and seventh Prime Minister of Malaysia, 1981-2003 and 2018–20
    • Tun Daim Zainuddin, Finance Minister 1984-91
    • Dato'
      PAS
      President 1989–2002,

Businessmen

  • Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary

References

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External links

Preceded by
Kulim 		Capital of Kedah
(1901-present) 		Succeeded by
present
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alor_Setar&oldid=1219244062"