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.[1]
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
Jelutong was named after the Jelutong tree, known scientifically as Dyera costulata.[2] It was believed that this species of trees was once abundant around the area now known as Jelutong.
Apartments such as these now occupy much of Jelutong's landscape.
History
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.[1]
In the mid-19th century, the then forested area was first cleared for agricultural purposes.[1] 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.[1][3]
The growing population in Jelutong led to rampant crime and thugs roaming the streets.[1] It was only in the 1980s with a rise in the standards of living and urbanisation that Jelutong's criminal notoriety was eradicated.
Historically, Jelutong Road serves as the main thoroughfare within the suburb, allowing motorists from the city centre to head south towards Bayan Lepas.[1] 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.[1][4][5]
Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Jelutong, a national high school situated at Taman Jelutong.[9]
A total of six primary schools and one high school are located within Jelutong. The primary schools include three Chinese-medium schools and one Tamil-medium school.
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.[16][17]
Below are the major city suburbs, neighbourhoods, ethnic enclaves and islets within Northeast Penang Island, where George Town, the capital city of the State of Penang, is located.
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Malaysia
Penang
George Town
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