TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE : SUNGAI PETANI, KEDAH

BY HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

28/2/2024 : 1.36 PM

Sungai Petani is a town in the Kuala Muda District, Kedah. It is the largest city in Kedah, located about 55 km from Alor Setar, Kedah, and 33 km from Georgetown, Penang.

The first time I set foot in Sungai Petani was in 2014 while working with The Heart Foundation of Malaysia. I was part of the awareness team running the health screening program at Central Square Sungai Petani from March 26–30, 2014.

The next health screening program in Sungai Petani was on February 15, 2017, at MSU College, Sg. Petani.

1. 2014 - CENTRAL SQUARE, SUNGAI PETANI, KEDAH

2.   2017 - PERLIS INDERA KAYANGAN / MSU COLLEGE SG PETANI

The travel distance from D'Vista Hotel to Central Square Sg. Petani is only 500 meters; it is a short walking distance.

The Central Square was completed in 1997 and is the most established shopping centre in Sungai Petani. It is considered one of the most recognisable landmarks in the area.

We stayed at the D'Vista Hotel, located at Jalan Kg. Baru, Sungai Petani, just a short walk from Central Square Sg. Petani. 

The travel distance from our HQ office at Jalan Semarak, Kuala Lumpur, to D'Vista Hotel Sg Petani is 378 km, with a travel time of 4 hours and 7 minutes.

The travel distance from D'Vista Hotel to MSU College Sg. Petani is only 500 meters; it takes only a 7-minute drive.

MSU College Sungai Petani is an urban campus that offers the best of both worlds for those who want access to the city but don't necessarily want to live in a big city.

Refers:

MSU College Sungai Petani

SUNGAI PETANI

Among the top attractions to visit in Sungai Petani are the Amanjaya Mall, Pantai Merdeka, Kompleks Pelancongan Jeti Semeling, Merbok, Sungai Petani Clock Tower, and Central Square.

The restaurant where I often have my lunch during the health screening program in Central Square in 2014.

The Amanjaya Mall is the newest and largest mall in Sungai Petani. It is a good place to find goods and enjoy good food. It has more activities than Central Square.

The iconic Clock Tower was built in 1936 as a gift to commemorate the reign of His Majesty King George V by entrepreneur and philanthropist Lim Lean Teng. The Clock Tower has been an icon for Sungai Petani ever since.

Sungai Petani Police Station is located on the east side of Jalan Ibrahim, at the junction with Jalan Pengkalan. There is no indication of when the building was erected, but if the style is contemporary to similar buildings in Penang, then it would be around 1890 or so.

Sungai Petani Prison was established in 1920 by the British and known as 'Sungai Petani Local Prison'. It was placed under the administration of Alor Star Prison until 1987. It was declared a prison training center for young prisoners until 1993.

The HSBC Building is located at Jalan Ibrahim, between Jalan Bank and Jalan Padang. The building was built in 1929 in Mogul style, similar to the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station.

Pantai Merdeka is a beautiful beach located at the river mouth of Sungai Merbok, approximately 30 km from Sungai Petani. It is highly popular and tends to be crowded on weekends and public holidays. Visitors have the option to charter boat trips to Tanjung Dawai from the jetty. Additionally, there is a concrete World War II pillbox believed to have been constructed by the British in the 1940s for the purpose of defending the coastline against Japanese landings.

MY MEMORIES AT SUNGAI PETANI...

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

29/2/2024 : 10.09 pm

TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE: KULIM, KEDAH

BY HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

27/2/2024 : 8.11 AM

Kulim is an ever-developing district where Kulim Hi-Tech Park, the first high technology industrial park in Malaysia, was established in 1996. The name Kulim is derived from the Kulim tree. Kulim is the third-largest town in Kedah after Alor Setar and Sungai Petani.

My first time setting foot in Kulim, Kedah was in 2013 while working with the Heart Foundation of Malaysia. I was involved in the Health Screening Program at SMJK Chio Min, Kulim, Kedah on December 29, 2013.

The travel distance from Kuala Lumpur to Kulim, Kedah, is 366 km, with a travel time of 4 hours and 43 minutes. 

SMJK CHIO MIN, KULIM, KEDAH

SMJK Chio Min was established in 1957 as a continuation of Chio Min Primary School, which was founded on May 10, 1918. In 1942, Chio Min School was forced to close due to the Japanese invasion, but it reopened in 1945.

29/12/2013 : SMJK CHIO MIN, KULIM, KEDAH

KULIM INN

Throughout the health program we have stayed at the Kulim Inn located on Jalan Bukit Awi, Kulim, Kedah. This budget hotel is 3 km from Taman Burung Kulim. Kulim Inn is the oldest inn in the town of Kulim. It used to be known as Rumah Rehat Kulim and was quite popular among the elite in Kulim once upon a time. It is now under the administration of the Kulim Municipal Council.

A MEMORY OF KULIM KEDAH

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

27 February 2024 : 8.52 pm

TAKE A WALK DOWN MEMORY LANE : ALOR SETAR KEDAH

By Hj Zulheimy Maamor

21/2/2024

Alor Setar, the state capital of Kedah, is the largest city in Kedah. It features historical and cultural attractions, many of which are within walking distance of each other. Alor Setar is also the birthplace of two former Prime Ministers of Malaysia, Tunku Abdul Rahman, the 1st Prime Minister, and Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the 4th (1981-2003) and the 7th (2018-2020) Prime Minister of Malaysia.

MEMORIES OF PLACES I HAVE VISITED IN ALOR SETAR

MASJID ZAHIR

Kedah's State Mosque, built in 1912, is one of the oldest mosques in Malaysia. Occupying a land area of 11,558 sq m, the mosque is located right in the heart of the city. Masjid Zahir is noted for its Moorish architecture and five magnificent domes, which represent the five pillars of Islam.

Jumaat prayer at Masjid Zahir on 6 July 2012.

BIG CLOCK TOWER

Known locally as Bangunan Jam Besar (Big Clock Building), it is located adjacent to the Balai Nobat and Zahir Mosque. Built in 1912, it is used to announce prayer times throughout the day. 

BALAI NOBAT

Located 300 meters from Zahir Mosque, the Nobat Hall is a striking tower with an onion-shaped dome. Balai Nobat is a repository of the instruments of the Royal Orchestra. Comprising traditional drums, gongs, trumpets, and flutes, these instruments are only played at ceremonial occasions such as inaugurations, weddings, and funerals of the royal family.

MENARA ALOR SETAR

Standing proudly at 265.5 m, the Alor Setar Tower is one of the tallest telecommunications towers in the world and the second tallest in Malaysia. A prominent landmark in Alor Setar, this state-of-the-art tower is a fitting symbol of Kedah's rapid development. It is equipped with an observation deck and a revolving restaurant that offers scenic views of the city. The tower was built in 1994 and completed in 1996. It was opened on August 14, 1997, by Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who was the Prime Minister of Malaysia at the time.

 

PEKAN RABU (WEDNESDAY MARKET)

A not-to-be-missed shopping destination for visitors to Alor Setar, Malaysia. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia's 4th and 7th Prime Minister, was once a trader here in his younger days. Located in the middle of the city, this multi-storey business complex comprises about 350 stalls offering a wide range of products, including farm produce, apparel, traditional handicrafts, and local delicacies.

RUMAH MERDEKA

Located at Jalan Putra, Alor Setar, Kedah, this historical building was once the residence of Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra. Maintained by the National Archives, Rumah Merdeka (Independence House) has witnessed many important events in the nation's history. The house presents a unique perspective of Tunku's life as premier through an assortment of personal effects and audio-visual aids.

TUN DR MAHATHIR'S BIRTHPLACE

The birthplace of Malaysia's 4th and 7th Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, is located at Taman Persisiran Tanjung Chali, Alor Setar. The house was built in 1900 and was designated a historical building by the National Archives in 1992.

GUNUNG KERIANG

Located just 12 km east of Alor Setar, Gunung Keriang is a 250 million-year-old limestone hill surrounded by scenic paddy fields. Its namesake recreational park is a great place for jungle trekking, camping, and caving.

DARUL AMAN STADIUM

A multi-purpose all-seater stadium in Alor Setar, it is currently used mostly for football matches. The stadium was officially opened by the Sultan of Kedah in 1962 during Malaya's 1-0 victory against South Korea. It had a capacity of 24,644 seats after the 1997 expansion. It was one of the venues for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. It is the official stadium for Malaysian Super League club Kedah Darul Aman FC.

STAR PARADE ALOR SETAR

JALAN TELUK WANJAH, ALOR SETAR

While working with The Heart Foundation of Malaysia, we have often conducted a health screening program at the Alor Star Parade, starting in 2012 and continuing until 2018.

2012- STAR PARADE ALOR SETAR

SEK.MEN.SIN MIN PERSENDIRIAN

ALOR SETAR, KEDAH

24 JUNE 2014

This school is a Chinese private school registered under the Malaysian Ministry of Education.
The Heart Foundation of Malaysia conducted a health screening program at this school on June 24, 2014. A total of 129 students, including teachers and staff, underwent the Heart Disease Health Screening test, which was conducted from 9.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m..
This program is a collaboration between the Lions Club of Alor Setar and the Simpang Kuala Mother and Child Health Clinic, Alor Setar, Kedah.

2014: SEK.MEN. SIN MIN (PERSENDIRIAN), ALOR SETAR, KEDAH

HOTEL SERI MALAYSIA

ALOR SETAR, KEDAH

Travel Distance KL to Alor Setar : 439 km (4 hr 34 min)

Alor Setar offers the widest range of accommodation options in Kedah, from backpacker inns to luxury hotels. Beyond the city, homestays are available in many traditional Malay villages for those who prefer to stay in a rural setting.

Located at Jalan Stadium, Alor Setar City Centre is a perfect starting point from which to explore Alor Setar. My colleagues and I stayed at this hotel throughout our Health Screening Program at Star Parade Alor Setar.

Alor Setar is a gateway to Kedah, easily accessible by land, air, or rail. It is connected to other states in Malaysia via the North-South Expressway (NSE). The top attractions to visit in Alor Setar are the Aman Centre, Zahir Mosque, Kedah Paddy Museum, Pekan Rabu Complex, and Alor Setar Tower, among others.

Discover Alor Setar Kedah with Timothy

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

21 February 2024 > 11 Syaaban 1445H: 1.31 pm