HISTORY

Sungai Petani, affectionately called SP by the local, was a sleepy town in early 1900s. Its name was derived from the river Sungai Petani, a tributary of the Sungai Merbok. The river runs through the heart of the town.

Until early 1900s, it was used as an important transportation route for people and goods to and from Penang island, the key trading post of the British East India Company. As in the 19th century, the British, based in Kalkota India, was only interested in developing their three settlements ie. Penang, Melaka and Singapura. Major infrastructures such as tarmac roads, railways and a pier were built in 1920s. SP became the collection center for goods such as rubber, rice and construction used woods for export to Penang. Boats transporting goods to Panang brought back important tools (esp. rubber tree tapping cutters), fertilisers, textiles, bicycles, newspapers, cigarettes, liquors etc from Penang. Many pioneer trading companies are still in business today.

SP was only transformed from a humble trading center to a prosperous industrial center from 1980s when Malaysia was under the strong leadership of Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. The opening of the North-South highway (PLUS) with two interchanges in SP certainly boosted the fast-pace industrial developments.

The main activities of the state administration was carried out at the state capital, Alor Setar, where the Sultan and the royal families lived.

*****

Kedah Darul Aman is one of the oldest states in Malaysia. Historical sites such as the candis of Lembah Bujang has been an invaluable asset to the modern Malaysia.

The long road Kedah has walked through in the past, starting from the early day as a prosperous center of trade located on the great trade route between Far East and Middle East...

Century / Year Government   Period of Time Sultan of Kedah
(Names of 2nd-17th Sultan not listed)
5th Hindu-Buddist Era   1160-1179 Muzaffar Shah I (First Sultan)
7th & 8th Sriwijaya empire (Sumatra)   1773-1798 Abdullah Makarram Shah
9th Siam empire (Thai)   1798-1803 Ziauddin Mukkaram Shah
15th Melaka Empire   1803-1843 Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah
17th Portuguese   1843-1854 Zainal Rashid al Muazzam Shah I
18th British   1854-1879 Ahmad Tajuddin Mukkaram Shah
19th & 20th Siam empire   1879-1881 Zainal Rashid Shah II
Mid-20th British Malaya   1881-1943 Abdul Hamid Halim Shah
1948 Federation of Malaya   1943-1958 Badlishah
1957 Malaya Government   Since 1958 Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah
(27th Sultan)

These tables served as quick reference for tourists. Any inaccuracy would be unintended and regreted.
Your feedback on any of our error would be much appreciated.

- home - economy - people - languages - city maps - relax - happenings - photo -
- trade links - what's new - making - about us - members - free resources - feedback - disclaimer -