PULAU PINANG : BUKIT MERTAJAM (2012)

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

13 JULY 2024

BUKIT MERTAJAM, PULAU PINANG

NOVEMBER 2012

Bukit Mertajam is a suburb of Seberang Perai in the Malaysian state of Penang. Founded in 19th century, Bukit Mertajam also evolved into a transportation hub.

The name Bukit Mertajam comes from "Mertajam"-  Erioglossum rubiginosum, a tree species with white flowers found on the hill. 

Bukit Mertajam was once part of the Hindu-Buddhist Bujang Valley civilization. The Cherok Tokun Relics, a massive megalith with ancient Sanskrit/Pali inscriptions discovered in 1845, prove that the area was inhabited as early as the 5th century.

I had the opportunity to set foot in Bukit Mertajam in 2012 during the Heart Week program at AEON Seberang Perai City from 23-28 November 2012.

Travel distance from our office in Kuala Lumpur to Bukit Mertajam is 339 km and it takes 3 hours 33 minutes drive.

AEON SEBERANG PERAI CITY

BUKIT MERTAJAM, PULAU PINANG

23-28 NOVEMBER 2012

Seberang Prai Heart Week 2012 took place from 23 - 28 November 2012 at AEON Seberang Prai City. During the 6 days of this program, a total of 461 people underwent a Health Screening Test and 86 underwent an Electrocardiogram test.

AEON Seberang Prai City Shopping Center is located on Jalan Perda Timur off Jalan Permatang Batu in Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam, Penang. It was opened on 22 August 2008. This 6-storey building is divided into 3 floors for parking and another 3 floors for business centers.

2012 was a transition year for the brand. It was during this period that the "JUSCO" name was officially phased out across Malaysia and replaced with "AEON." If you visited the Heartweek event that year, you likely saw the mall in the middle of this rebranding exercise, with the iconic magenta "AEON" logo replacing the old blue and orange "JUSCO" signs.

*** Latest information AEON Seberang City Shopping Complex was closed in 2014 and moved to AEON Mall Bukit Mertajam. This complex has been taken over by Perda City Mall.

Had the chance to meet two of my old friends when I was in the Navy, namely Jalil and Kamsani. We are from the same intake which is intake 139/80 who underwent recruit training at the Naval Base in Lumut, Perak from January to June 1980.

Throughout the program we stayed at Sri Indar Hotel located in Jalan Sungai Rambai, Bukit Mertajam, Penang.

 

Back in 2012, Sri Indar Hotel was one of the most prominent mid-range hotels in Bandar Perda area. It was highly popular for government officials, business travelers and families because of its proximity to the MPSP (now MBSP) HQ and the courts. 

The hotel is now (2026) listed as OYO 510 Sri Indar Hotel. 

A written account of my trip to Bukit Mertajam, Penang in April 2012 - a perfect for a trip. 

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

13 July 2024 : 7 Muharram 1446H: 2.07 p.m

PULAU PINANG : BALIK PULAU, GELUGOR & PENANG BRIDGE

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

13 JULY 2024

KG TITI TERAS

BALIK PULAU,PULAU PINANG

15 APRIL 2012

Yayasan Jantung Malaysia has been invited to participate in the "Karnival Sehat Sepanjang Hayat" (Healthy Lifetime Carnival) in conjunction with World Health Day 2012, which will be held at Masjid An Nur, Kg. Titi Teras, Balik Pulau, Penang.

A total of 100 people underwent the Health Screening test, which was conducted throughout the day.

Balik Pulau is a suburb of George Town in Pulau Pinang, located 12.7 km southwest of the city centre,it lies near the southwestern corner of Penang Island and is also the administrative seat of the island's southwest district. 

The journey from our office in Kuala Lumpur to Balik Pulau, Penang is 366 km and the journey takes 4 hours 31 minutes.

HEALTH SCREENING PROGRAM

KG TITI TERAS

BALIK PULAU, PULAU PINANG

15 APRIL 2012

Titi Teras is the name of the small village in Balik Pulau. It is located off Jalan Sungai Pinang, between Air Putih and Air Kongsi. Roughly 3 km from the Balik Pulau town centre. 

The name Titi Teras translates to "Hardwood Small Bridge." Traditionally, a titi is a small footbridge, and teras refers to the hard, durable core of a tree (hardwood), suggesting the village was once known for a sturdy wooden bridge that served as a local landmark.

GELUGOR, PULAU PINANG

Gelugor is a town in Georgetown, Penang. The city is named after a type of tamarind tree called "Asam Gelugor". Lies along the eastern seaboard of Penang Island, between Jelutong and Sungai Dua, and nearly 5 km south of the city centre. 

We stayed at Anggerik Lodging located on Jalan Hilir Pemancar, Gelugor about 28 km from Kg.Titi Teras throughout the Health Screening Program. 

It is 20-minute drive from Queensbay Shopping Mall, Penang is a 30-minutes drive away,E-Gate and LOTUS are accessible within walking distance away.  

Anggerik Lodging located at 351, Jalan Hilir Pemancar, Gelugor. This lodge has been a staple for budget travelers and families visiting Universiti Sains Malaysia for decades. 

While in Gelugor, I had the opportunity to meet with old friends who both served in the Navy with me, namely Osman Desa and Mohd Najib. Osman Desa served with me at KD Ganas based in Woodlands, Singapore in 1981, while Mohd Najib served with me at KD Sri Rejang in Sibu Sarawak in 1983/84.

OSMAN DESA AND MOHD NAJIB

OSMAN DESA

PENANG BRIDGE

PULAU PINANG

15 APRIL 2012

My first experience through the Penang Bridge on April 15, 2012.The Penang Bridge is a 13.5 km dual carriageway toll bridge and control- access highway in the state of Penang in Malaysia. The bridge connects Perai on the mainland site of the state with Gelugor on the island, crossing the Penang Strait. 

The bridge was inaugurated on 14 September 1985, officially opened the Penang Bridge by 4th Prime Minister Dato' Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad on 3 August 1985. 

Discover Balik Pulau, Pulau Pinang, a hidden gem in Penang that offers a unique and authentic travel experience. Balik Pulau is famous for its agriculture and fishery activities. 

Take your time there and enjoy the picturesque scene of the vast stretches of paddy fields. 

But of course, there is a lot more than just sightseeing in Balik Pulau in Penang, Malaysia!

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

13 July 2024 > 7 Muharram 1446H: 12.27 p.m