Relau
Relau is a suburb of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. It is located 9.9 km (6.2 mi) southwest of the city centre, between Paya Terubong to the north, Bayan Lepas to the east and Balik Pulau to the west.
Relau | |
|---|---|
Suburb of George Town | |
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Mandarin | 湖內 Hú nèi (Pinyin) |
| • Hokkien | Ôo-lāi (Tâi-lô) |
| • Tamil | ரெலாவ் |
Relau | |
| Coordinates: 5°20′46.9932″N 100°16′21.2052″E / 5.346387000°N 100.272557000°E | |
| Country | Malaysia |
| State | Penang |
| City | George Town |
| Government | |
| • Local government | Penang Island City Council |
| • Mayor of Penang Island | Rajendran P. Anthony |
| • Paya Terubong State Assemblyman | Wong Hon Wai (DAP) |
| • Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament | Ramkarpal Singh (DAP) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 11.5 km2 (4.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2020)[1] | |
| • Total | 18,755 |
| • Density | 1,600/km2 (4,200/sq mi) |
| Demographics | |
| • Ethnic groups | |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | Not observed |
| Postal code | 11900 |
| Website | mbpp |
Etymology edit
Relau is believed to be named after charcoal kilns (Malay: relau) that had been built within the area.[2]
History edit
One of the major landmarks in Relau is the abandoned Chung Thye Phin Villa, which was formerly the summer residence of Chung Thye Phin, a local tycoon.[3] Chung, the fourth son of Chung Keng Quee, served as the last Chinese Kapitan of Perak. and by the time of his death in 1935 was said to be the wealthiest man on Penang Island.[4]
For much of its history, Relau was an agricultural area, until its eventual development into a housing estate in the 1980s.[2]
Demographics edit
As of 2020[update], the subdivision of Bukit Relau was home to a population of 18,755.[1] Ethnic Chinese constituted nearly 57% of the area's population, while Malays formed another 34%. Indians comprised close to 6% of the suburb's population.
Transportation edit
Paya Terubong Road, which links Relau with the Paya Terubong suburb to the north and the town of Balik Pulau to the west, serves as the main thoroughfare within the neighbourhood.[5]
Rapid Penang bus routes 301 and 306 include stops within Relau, thus connecting the neighbourhood with the city centre, Queensbay Mall, and the Air Itam and Paya Terubong suburbs.[6][7]
Education edit
There are two primary schools and an international school within the neighbourhood of Relau.
Primary schools
International school
Sports edit
The Relau City Sports Complex, launched in 2017, is the first GBI-certified sports complex in Penang.[11] The 8,785 m2 (94,560 sq ft) sports complex is equipped with swimming and diving pools, badminton courts, a gymnasium and a dry gym, as well as bicycle parking bays.
Opened in 2003, the Relau Metropolitan Park is the second largest recreational park within Penang Island.[12] Managed by the Penang Island City Council, the park was launched to cater to residents within the southern part of the island, as there had been a lack of recreational amenities within the area in the past.[13]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "MyCensus 2020: Mukim/Town/Pekan". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Putrajaya: 174–175. February 2024. ISBN 9789672537069.
- ^ a b "EdgeProp.my". www.edgeprop.my. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
- ^ "Penang Heritage Trust". www.pht.org.my. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ The Straits Times, 31 March 1935, Page 1, National Library of Singapore microfilm reel NL2360
- ^ "Jalan Paya Terubong under purview of Federal Govt". www.thesundaily.my. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
- ^ Route maps rapidpg.com.my [dead link]
- ^ Route maps rapidpg.com.my [dead link]
- ^ "SK SERI RELAU – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2018-01-06.
- ^ "SJK (C) MIN SIN 槟城明新学校". SJK (C) MIN SIN 槟城明新学校. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
- ^ "Fairview Penang". Fairview International School. Retrieved 2018-02-04.
- ^ "Boosting the talent pool – Metro News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
- ^ "Taman Awam Metropolitan Relau". Time Out Penang. Retrieved 2018-01-06.
- ^ "Park with lots to offer – Metro News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2018-01-06.