Official name	Alor Setar
Nickname	AS, Bandaraya Bertamadun
Website	http://www.mbas.gov.my/
Pushpin map	Malaysia peninsula
Pushpin label position	right
Pushpin map caption	Location in the Peninsula Malaysia
Pushpin map1	Malaysia
Pushpin label position1	right
Pushpin map caption1	Location in Malaysia
Coordinates region	MY
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name	Malaysia
Subdivision name1	Kedah
Established title	Establishment
Established date	1735 |established_title2 Granted city status
Established date2	2003
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Dato’ Haji Khazali bin Haji Din
Area total km2	160
Area district km2	666
Population as of	2009
Population total	300,000
Population metro	0.6 million
Population density km2	1358.55
Population blank1 title	Demonym
Population blank1	Alor Setarian
Timezone	MST
Utc offset	+8
Timezone dst	Not observed
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	05xxx
Latns	N
Coordinates	6°7′″N100°22′″N
Longew	E
Blank name	International dialling code prefix
Blank info	+6047 (landline only)
Footnotes	}}

Alor Setar, known as Alor Star between 2004 and 2008, is the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia, and Kota Setar District's Administrative Centre. It is also a distribution center for manufacturing and agricultural products such as paddy, and the royal seat of the Kedah state since the establishment of this city. The city, which has an urban population of approximately more than 300,000, is one of the region’s oldest cities.

It is located 93 kilometers north of Butterworth, Penang and 45 km south of the Thai border.

It is also the birthplace of two Prime Ministers, YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia's first Prime Minister, and Tun Dr. Mahathir bin Mohamad, Malaysia's fourth Prime Minister. Alor Setar was granted city status on 21 December 2003.

History

Alor Setar was founded in 1735 by Kedah’s 19th Ruler, Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Mu’azzam Shah and is the state’s eighth administrative centre since the establishment of the Kedah Sultanate in 1136. The earlier administrative centres were located in Kota Bukit Meriam, Kota Sungai Emas, Kota Siputeh, Kota Naga, Kota Sena, Kota Indera Kayangan and Kota Bukit Pinang.

"Alor" or more correctly, "alur" is Malay for a groove, furrow or main stream of a channel. In Tamil "alur" means drain. "Setar" is a tree with small, sour fruit (Bouea macrophylla) also known as either "kundang" or "remia" in Malay. The uniqueness of these fruits is that when you split the seed, each part is purple in colour.

The city had been sacked twice when Kedah was attacked by the Bugis in 1770 and the Siamese in 1821.

Significant events held here included the handing back of Perlis and Setul (now Satun) to Kedah by the Siamese in May 1897 (both provinces were separated from Kedah since 1821) and a 90-day festival from June to September 1904 to celebrate the wedding of the five children of Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah.

Alor Setar had been officially granted as a city – the ninth in Malaysia, on 21 December 2003, during which the spelling of its name was officially changed to Alor Star from the prior Alor Setar. The proclamation ceremony to declare the Kedah capital a city was held at Dataran Tunku, Alor Setar. Among those present at the historic ceremony were the Kedah's Sultan Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and his consort Che' Puan Haminah Hamidun, the Raja Muda of Kedah and Raja Puan Muda (Heir Apparent of Kedah State and his consort), members of the Kedah royalty, parliament members and state exco members. The ceremony was also witnessed by civilians and tourists. The name was returned back to Alor Setar on January 15, 2009.

Climate

Alor Setar features a tropical monsoon climate under the Köppen climate classification. Alor Setar has a very lengthy wet season. In fact, only February can be considered a true dry season month in the city. As is common in several regions with this climate, precipitation is seen even during the short dry season. Temperatures are relatively consistent throughout the course of the year, with average high temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius and average low temperatures around 23 degrees Celsius. Alor Setar sees on average roughly 2400 mm of precipitation per year.

Politics

List of Kota Setar district representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat)

List of Kota Setar district representatives in the State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri)

Places of Interest

Balai Besar (Grand Audience Hall)

Initially the function of the building was as the Balai Rong Seri or Balai Penghadapan (audience hall), that was situated at the back area of the Kota Setar Palace complex (Istana Kota Setar). The original building was built in 1735 by HRH Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Shah, the 19th Sultan of Kedah). The pillars, roofs and floors were made of wood.

This building was destroyed due to attacks by the Bugis armada (1770) and Siamese (1821). During the reign of HRH Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, the 26th Sultan of Kedah), this building was refurbished (1896) spearheaded by Muhammad bin Lebai Tambi, an architect with the Public Works Department of Kedah State for the wedding ceremony of His Royal Highness's five princes and princesses (1904).Besides the wedding ceremony, the Balai Besar was used for installation ceremonies, official ceremonies, State Council Conferences since 1905 until 1973.

Two Kedah Sultans were officially installed at the Balai Besar: HRH Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Halim Shah II, the 22nd Sultan of Kedah) in 1805 and HRH Sultan Abdul Halim on 20 February 1959.

Balai Nobat

This 18 metre-tall and 5 metre-wide three-tiered octagonal tower sole purpose is to keep all the royal musical instruments including the serunai (wooden flute), nafiri, gendang (drum) and gong, which is known as nobat. This nine-piece musical set is composed of three drums, a gong, two flutes, two instruments called the cheng-cheng, and a trumpet-like instrument called the Nafiri, which produces the haunting strains of nobat music. The skills to play nobat music and these instruments are passed down from father to son, and the person who is incharged to play these instruments called Orang Nobat. Nobat are played for specific ceremonies such as royal installations, deaths and other official ceremonies.

Upon the official opening of the Alor Setar town in 1735 by HRH Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Shah, the 19th Sultan of Kedah), a number of early buildings had been completed including the Kota Setar Palace, the Balai Besar, the Balai Nobat and the State Mosque. The original design of the Balai Nobat could not be ascertained but certainly it was built using wood.

During the reign of HRH Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah, the 25th Sultan of Kedah), the new Balai Nobat consisting of five-story building was built. The building was totally built of wood with zinc roofing. During the reign of the HRH Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah, the 26th Sultan of Kedah), a new building was built using concrete and metal. The architecture is the same as the previous wooden building. The height was three-story and the dome at its apex represents the Islamic element such as those found on mosques. This new building was built in 1906.

Kota Kuala Kedah (Kuala Kedah Fort)

Kota Kuala Kedah is the remains of a fort, which for centuries protected the Kuala Kedah Kingdom from naval attacks, on the bank of the Sungai Kedah (Kedah River).

Also known as Kota Kuala Bahang, the fort was originally constructed to provide protection against the Portuguese invaders. However, the fort had to stand againse attacks from the Achenese from Sumatra and the Bugis as well. The fort was rebuilt in 1771 and was completed nine years later.

Museums and Galleries

Muzium Negeri (State Museum) As a state museum, it houses a large collection of Kedah's historical, culture, and royal heritages. The collection includes early Chinese porcelain, artefacts from the archaeological excavations in Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley) and a fabulous pokok bunga emas or 'gold tree' produced as a tribute to the Thais.

The museum is also a research centre on Kedah's civilisation. Before the present premise was built in 1936, the museum - officially opened by the then Kedah Mentri Besar Tan Sri Tunku Ismail Tunku Yahya (Tunku indera Setia), on February 3, 1957 - was located in the Balai Besar (Grand Hall).

Pusat Sains Negara(National Science Center) Located at Gunung Keriang next to Alor Setar Aquatic Centre and Paddy Museum, the center is the first science center built in northern Malaysia region.

Muzium Padi (Paddy Museum) The museum is the first paddy museum in Malaysia, and the fourth to be opened in the world after Japan, Germany and the Philippines.

The museum showcases the paddy cultivation process in Malaysia and displays tools and equipment which are used in the trade over the years. Through beautiful murals, the art work of 60 artists from North Korea, the history of paddy cultivation in Malaysia is revealed.

Balai Seni Negeri (State Art Gallery) The Kedah State Art Gallery was set up with the objective of fostering interest in and an appreciation of art in the state. Its collection includes paintings, photographs, musical instruments and handicrafts.

This building was the earliest modern government office that was built in the town of Alor Setar. Its construction was spearheaded by Muhammad bin Lebai Tambi, an architect from the Kedah State Public Works Department. The construction of the building began on 21 January 1893, and he was also responsible for the restoration of the Balai Besar building.

Galeria Sultan Abdul Halim This building formerly was the Alor Setar High Court, before it was moved to Kompleks Mahkamah Alor Setar in Suka Menanti. This building is located at the junction of Jalan Putera, adjacent to the Balai Nobat. Initially, this building was the place for the existing Balai Seni. This building was built on Rabiulawal 1341 Hijrah equivalent to November 1922.

Pekan Rabu (Wednesday Market)

Pekan Rabu is located near the government offices in Alor Setar. Although the name literally means “Wednesday Market”, this market is open all week long, and sells a variety of items from tidbits to beautiful handicraft.

This is a popular spot amongst tourists and locals and is a source of pride for Kedahans. Even former Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Bin Mohamad was once a trader at Pekan Rabu.

Muzium Diraja Kedah (Royal Kedah Museum)

This building which originated from the Kota Setar Palace is a wooden building that was built by HRH Sultan Muhammad Jiwa Zainal Adilin Muazzam Shah, the 19th Sultan of Kedah), who was the founder of Alor Setar town in 1735. This building had undergone demolitions several times due to attacks by the Bugis (1770) and Siamese (1821).

The concrete building was completed during the reign of HRH Sultan Ahmad Tajuddin Mukarram Shah). His Royal Highness had once stayed in this palace with his queen, Wan Hajar Wan Ismail who was also known as "Mak Wan Besar". Therefore, this palace is also known as the "Mak Wan Besar Palace".

YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra was also born adjacent to this palace (the Pagoda building, which no longer exist today) on 8 February 1903 and once grew up in this palace while his father the late HRH Sultan Abdul Hamid and his mother Mak Che Manjalara resided there.

This palace is also renowned as the "Pelamin Palace" when the space of the palace was extended to as a pavilion and additional rooms when HRH Sultan Abdul Hamid Halim Shah wanted to marry off his five princes and princesses. This grand wedding ceremony lasted for three months in 1904. After 1941, this palace was used as a school and an office for several organizations including the office for the St. John Ambulance and the Scout movements. On 25 July 1983, this palace was declared the "Kedah Royal Museum".

Menara Alor Setar (Alor Setar Tower)

Located in the heart of Alor Setar, this tower, standing at 165.5 metres tall is a prominent and modern landmark that signifies the rapid development in the state of Kedah. It functions as both a telecommunications tower and a tourist attraction. The Tower's platform allows visitors to enjoy a view, that stretches from Gunung Jerai (formerly known as Kedah Peak) to the Strait of Malacca. From the tower, you will see vast expanses of paddy fields which lies outside of Alor Setar - an amazing view especially during harvest time.

Wan Mat Saman Canal

Wan Mat Saman Aqueduct is the longest aqueduct in Malaysia. It connects Kedah River in Alor Setar to Gurun at the south. This aqueduct was made so that farmers can enables Kedah to boost its rice production and through it, enables Kedah to earn the nick "Malaysia's rice bowl"

Tun Dr. Mahathir's Birthplace

Rumah Kelahiran Mahathir which provides an insight into the younger days of the fourth Prime Minister of Malaysia, from his school days to his success as a doctor. He was born in Alor Star on Dec 20, 1925 at No 18 Lorong Kilang Ais, off Jalan Pegawai. His home has seen been designated a historical building and was restored by the National Archives in 1992.

Rumah Merdeka (Tunku Abdul Rahman Memorial)

Tunku Abdul Rahman was the first Prime Minister of Malaysia. This house view Tunku's collection and memorial.Now it was restored and owned by National Archives as a historical building

Kedah Royal Mausoleum

The Kedah royal mausoleum is located in Langgar near the city.

Istana Anak Bukit (Anak Bukit Palace)

Istana Anak Bukit is the birthplace of Tuanku Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah, the current Sultan of Kedah. The palace served as the Sultan's royal palace. Sungai Anak Bukit which is situated behind the royal palace, flows through Alor Setar and is connected by Sungai Kedah (Kedah River) which flows until Kuala Kedah.

Places of worship

Wat Nikrodharam is a significant Buddhist shrine in the city. It is located at Jalan Teluk Wan Jah, just next to the city's primary roundabout. Its architecture reflects strong Thai elements with minor Chinese motifs. It is also a sanctuary and an oasis in the city centre with trees and shades providing spiritual shelter to Buddhists from the city and abroad. Both Theravada and Mahayana Buddhist traditions are cherished here.

Masjid Zahir (Zahir State Mosque) was built in 1912, a contributory effort of YTM Tunku Mahmud Ibni Almarhum Sultan Tajuddin Mukarram Shah. The site of this mosque before it was built was the cemetery of the Kedah warriors who had died while defending Kedah from Siamese (1821). The architecture of the mosque was inspired by the Azizi Mosque in Langkat town, north Sumatera. This mosque is enhanced with five prime large domes symbolizing the five Islamic principles.Its official launching ceremony was held on Friday, 15 October 1915 by the late HRH Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah. Tunku Mahmud read the Friday sermon while HRH Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah led the Friday prayer. At the back of the Zahir Mosque, is the Syariah Court building complex and the Centre for Basic Education for Children.

The Zahir Mosque occupies a site of approximately . Its center hall (Prayer Hall) measures 62 x and surrounded by verandahs of wide with 4 mezzanine areas of each has a dome. The main dome is located at the north-east of the mosque building.

St. Michael's Church is a Roman Catholic church located at Jalan Langgar near Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid.

Demographics

Kedahan Malay made up the majority in Alor Setar, followed by Chinese, India, and Thai. Other Malays include Pattani Malays.

Education

HIGHER EDUCATION

Kolej Universiti Insaniah Malaysia (KUIN, formerly known as Kolej Insaniah or INSANIAH) is located in Mergong.

Albukhary International University (AIU) will be the newest private institution of higher learning in this city and located in the Albukhary Complex.

Other institutions of higher learning in Alor Setar include Kolej Poly-Tech MARA Alor Setar, also locate in Mergong which is owned by Majlis Amanah Rakyat or MARA.Alor Setar is served by many primary and secondary schools.Kolej Tentera Udara (Royal Air Force College) also located in Kepala Batas, Alor Setar.

Notable secondary schools include: # Kolej Sultan Abdul Hamid # Sekolah Menengah St. Nicholas Convent # Keat Hwa Secondary School # Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sultanah Asma

TECHNICAL SCHOOL # Sekolah Menengah Teknik Alor Setar

VOCATIONAL SCHOOL # Sekolah Menengah Vokasional Jalan Stadium

SPECIALIST SCHOOL # Sekolah Pendidikan Khas Alor Setar

Healthcare

The government hospital, Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah is located in Jalan Langgar. The hospital was officially opened in the year 2007 and is one of the most higly equipped hospital in Malaysia with a Total Hospital Information System. It can accommodate up to 300 beds at a time.

Shopping Malls

Souq Al-Bukhary Souq Al-Bukhary is one of the most recently built malls in Alor Setar, Kedah. Souq Al-Bukhary employs Islamic motifs in its design with elements borrowed from Mughal as well as Moorish architectural styles. Souq Al-Bukhary consists of a three-story air conditioned mall with Giant Hypermarket.

Alor Star Mall The mall is located near North-South Expressway South Alor Setar EXIT. It is one of the newest malls in Alor Setar, in which the anchor tenant is Pacific Store.

Star Parade Star Parade is the major shopping complex in Alor Setar. It has Malaysia's very own Pacific Departmental Store.

City Plaza Alor Setar Sitting together with Holiday Villa Hotel, the complex offers entertainment, shopping and food. It has restaurants, bowling alleys, arcade center, Cineplex and shops that sell clothes, shoes, mobile phones and souvenirs.

Other malls in Alor Setar were included Tesco Mergong, and Billion. There are also incoming malls such as AEON Alor Star City in Starcity, second Tesco in Stargate and Souq Aman (Plaza Tunku Yaakob redevelopment).

Sports

Alor Setar have many sport facilities that are open to public. The facilities includes Stadium Darulaman which is located in Jalan Stadium and Lebuhraya Darul Aman. It is currently used mostly for football matches and is the official stadium for Malaysian Super League's club Kedah FA and Malaysian Premier League's club Kuala Muda NAZA FC.. The stadium was built in 1967 and has a capacity of 32,387 seats after the expansion in 1997. It was one of the venues for the 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship. It

Other facilities are Stadium Sultan Abdul Halim, Pusat Akuatik Alor Setar, Kompleks Belia & Sukan.

Kedah hosted the Sukma Games in 2006.

Transportation

The capital of Kedah is approachable from all parts of the Peninsular Malaysia by all transport means.

By Road

The North-South Expressway, which starts from Bukit Kayu Hitam (Malaysia-Thai border town) until Singapore, has made it easy for any traveller to drive up to Kedah. Roads are accessible from and to major towns and cities in Peninsula Malaysia. It is a 5–7 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur and 1.5 hour drive from Butterworth via North-South Expressway. From major towns, such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, air-conditioned express buses are also available.

Travellers can drive to Alor Setar by car from south and north via North-South Expressway, from east coast via East-West Expressway(Lebuhraya Timur Barat). Towns such as Butterworth and Kangar etc., can also be accessed from Alor Setar. Car rental services are available, which their offices can be found at airport, train station or in the city.

Bus

Most of bus companies in Peninsular Malaysia provide air-conditioned express bus services. Tickets can be bought at bus terminals or ticket offices. All buses that arrive in Alor Setar stop at Shahab Perdana Terminal Bus, Alor Setar. Those who wish to travel to other towns, including Thailand, can catch their bus at this terminal. Local bus services are also available. They serve almost all towns in Kedah.

By Rail

Train services are provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB). The train services are between Kuala Lumpur and Alor Setar, Butterworth and Alor Setar, Padang Besar and Alor Setar, Hat Yai and Alor Setar, and, Singapore and Alor Setar. Alor Setar Railway station is located near to the CBD.(Will moved to Anak Bukit International Railway Station when the electrical twin rail (Ipoh, Perak to Padang Besar, Perlis) project finished.) Tickets can be obtained from train station or online booking.

There is also an international express train service to Bangkok, Thailand, operated by State Railway of Thailand.

By Air

The newly-built state-of-the-art Sultan Abdul Halim Airport (Alor Setar Airport, IATA: AOR) is located at Kepala Batas, 15 km north from city. It serves mostly domestic flights. Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and AirAsia fly daily to and from Alor Setar and Kuala Lumpur.

By Sea

Passenger ferry services to and from Langkawi to Kuah Ferry Service are provided at Jeti Kuala Kedah, Alor Setar. The jetty is located 25 km west from city. Travellers can take bus or taxi from city to the jetty.

Notable People from Alor Setar

Singer: Coco, Yunalis Zarai, Shanon Shah

Actors: Bront Palarae, Angelica Lee

Sports: Dato' Paduka Ahmad Basri Akil, Mohd Helmi Eliza Elias, Mohd Khyril Muhymeen Zambri, Tan Boon Heong

Politics: Tunku Abdul Rahman, Tun Mahathir bin Mohamad, Daim Zainuddin, Dato' Fadzil Noor, Dato' Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail

Judges: Tan Sri Zaki Tun Azmi, Tun Ahmad Fairuz Abdul Halim, Tun Mohamed Azmi Mohamed, Tun Syed Sheh Hassan Barakbah

Writers and Arts: Dato' Abdullah Hussain, Dato' Shahnon Ahmad

Business: Tan Sri Syed Mokhtar Al-Bukhary

Developments

According to the Ninth Malaysia Plan, by the year 2010, Bandar Muadzam Shah in Anak Bukit will become the new Administrative Centre after Alor Setar city. Currently, Bandar Muadzam Shah (Anak Bukit) is going through major development of infrastructures. This includes the new Anak Bukit police station, new National Registration Department(Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara) of Kedah and also new state government buildings.The new railway station (Anak Bukit International Rail Station) will also be built here when the electrified twin railway project is completed.

References

Category:Populated places in Kedah Category:State capitals in Malaysia Alor Setar, Kedah

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