Bayan Lepas

Bayan Lepas is a suburb of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located near the southeastern tip of Penang Island, 15 km (9.3 mi) south of the city centre, it is home to the Penang International Airport, the third busiest airport in Malaysia, as well as one of the oldest free industrial zones in the country.

Bayan Lepas
Suburb of George Town
Other transcription(s)
 • Jawiبيان لڤس‎
 • Chinese峇六拜
 • HokkienBâ La̍k-pài (Tâi-lô)
 • Tamilபயான் லெபாஸ்
Payāṉ lepās (Transliteration)
Bayan Lepas is located in George Town, Penang
Bayan Lepas
Bayan Lepas
Location within    George Town in    Penang
Coordinates: 5°17′N 100°16′E
Country Malaysia
State Penang
DistrictSouthwest Penang Island
City George Town
Government
 • Local governmentPenang Island City Council
 • Mayor of Penang IslandRajendran P. Anthony
 • Bayan Lepas State AssemblymanAzrul Mahathir Aziz (Amanah)
 • Balik Pulau Member of ParliamentMuhammad Bakhtiar Wan Chik (PKR)
Area
 • Total151.7 km2 (58.59 sq mi)
Elevation
4 m (13.1 ft)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total122,654
Time zoneUTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postal code
11900
Area code(s)+6046
Websitewww.mbpp.gov.my

Established sometime in the 19th century, Bayan Lepas had been an agricultural village, with rice production as its mainstay. The British built what is now the Penang International Airport in 1935, but it was only in the 1970s when Bayan Lepas witnessed widescale transformation with the creation of the eponymous free industrial zone.

Today, electronics manufacturing and logistics have replaced agriculture as the major economic sectors at Bayan Lepas, while residential and commercial developments have also picked up apace, including Queensbay Mall, the largest shopping mall in George Town.

History
The 'old town' of Bayan Lepas is situated at the southeastern tip of Penang Island.
Newer residential properties were built in Bayan Lepas following the opening of the Free Industrial Zone in the 1970s.

Bayan Lepas was believed to have been named after a wealthy Sumatran family who founded the town in the late 19th century.[1] The folklore goes that upon coming ashore, their parakeet escaped, and was given the name Bayan Lepas, which meant 'escaped parakeet' in Malay.[2] Bayan Lepas could also be named after Raja Bayan or Nakhoda Bayan, a prince from the kingdom of Minangkabau, Sumatra. Raja Bayan settled in Penang in the 1700s when he was appointed the headman of Penang by the Sultan of Kedah.[3]

The "old town" Bayan Lepas is located at the intersection of Jalan Bayan Lepas and Jalan Dato Ismail Hashim, to the west of the Penang International Airport.[4]

The British also built a fortification at nearby Batu Maung to defend Penang Island and the RAF Butterworth Air Base on the mainland against amphibious invasion.[5] However, the fort was abandoned after the advancing Imperial Japanese Army during World War II.

Until the 1970s, Bayan Lepas was a relatively rural village, with rice farming being the main economic activity. As a result, the town was nicknamed the "rice bowl" of Penang.

Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone, known as the Silicon Valley of the East

In 1972, the then Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Chong Eu, opened the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone (Bayan Lepas FIZ) to alleviate an economic crisis and rising unemployment in Penang at the time.[1][6] This brought significant transformation to Bayan Lepas as well, by accelerating residential and commercial developments at the area up to this day.

Economy

Manufacturing

Known as the Silicon Valley of the East, the Bayan Lepas FIZ is the nucleus of Malaysia's electronics manufacturing industry.[7] Home to hundreds of multinational companies, the FIZ played an instrumental role in Penang's economic diversification, as well as Bayan Lepas's transformation into an industrial centre.

In 2021 alone, the Bayan Lepas FIZ received almost RM71 billion of investments, about 93% of Penang's total investments that year.[8] An estimated RM295,173 million worth of exports also passed through the Penang International Airport throughout 2021, the largest among all entry and exit points in Malaysia.[8][9] Owing to the high trade volumes at Bayan Lepas, logistics has become a crucial supporting industry, with several logistics providers such as DHL, Schenker AG and Expeditors International opening branches within the area.

Queensbay Mall, the largest shopping mall in George Town

Retail

Queensbay Mall, the largest shopping mall by area in George Town, is one of the major retail destinations in the city. With a gross built-up area of 2,500,000 sq ft (230,000 m2), the mall contains more than 400 shops, including international brands such as Borders, Gap and Harvey Norman, as well as a cinema and various other entertainment options.

Snake Temple

Tourism

The Snake Temple is said to be the only Chinese temple in the world to be inhabited by snakes. Built in the 1850s, it has attracted species of pit vipers, which are believed to be rendered harmless by the incense. The temple is also a focal point of the annual Chinese New Year celebrations, during which a flame-watching ceremony is held to predict the fortunes of the following 12 months.[10][11]

Transportation
The Penang International Airport is one of the busiest airports in Malaysia, with frequent connections to major Asian cities.

Air
Main article: Penang International Airport

The Penang International Airport in Bayan Lepas is one of the busiest airports in Malaysia and serves as the major airport within the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. The airport's proximity to the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone allows for ease of exports, handling an estimated RM295,173 million worth of exports in 2021 alone.[12][13]

A stretch of the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway near Queensbay Mall, facing northwards

Land

Bayan Lepas is connected to the city centre via the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, and to Balik Pulau via Federal Route 6. Jalan Bayan Lepas, the main thoroughfare within the suburb, also forms part of the latter road.

Rapid Penang bus routes 302, 308, 401 and 401E include stops within Bayan Lepas proper, while the Penang International Airport is served by routes 102, 306, 401, 401E and AT.[14][15][16][17][18][19] These routes link Bayan Lepas to various destinations on Penang Island, including the city centre, Balik Pulau and Teluk Kumbar. Aside from these routes, Rapid Penang operates an additional three cross-strait shuttle bus routes - BEST A, BEST B and BEST C - between the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone and Seberang Perai on the mainland; the three routes mainly cater to industrial workers who reside on the mainland.[20][21][22][23]

In 2017, LinkBike, a local public bicycle sharing service, launched its southernmost station at Queensbay Mall. This, along with the Summerton station nearby, provides bikers with an alternative mode of transportation between Bayan Lepas and the city centre.[24][25]

Education

There are 12 primary schools, five high schools and an international school within Bayan Lepas.

Primary schools

  • SRK Batu Maung[26]
  • SRK Bayan Baru[27]
  • SRK Bayan Lepas[28]
  • SRK Bayan Lepas 2[29]
  • SRK Mutiara Perdana[30]
  • SRK Permatang Damar Laut[31]
  • SRK Sungai Ara[32]
  • SRJK (C) Chong Cheng[33]
  • SRJK (C) Chung Shan[34]
  • SRJK (C) Wen Khai[35]
  • SRJK (T) Bayan Lepas[36]
  • SRJK (T) Sungai Ara[37]

High schools

International school

  • Straits International School[43]

In addition, the Penang Skills Development Centre (PSDC), an institute established by the Penang state government for tertiary-level industrial skills courses, is situated within the Bayan Lepas Free Industrial Zone.[44]

References
  1. "From padi fields to industrial zone - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  2. wcw. "Transformation of Bayan Lepas into free trade area does not diminish its attractions | Wong Chun Wai". Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  3. Raymond, Boon (11 February 2010). "Penang, Penang lang(槟城人) lah......: Bayan Lepas(峇六拜)". Penang, Penang lang(槟城人) lah...... Retrieved 15 April 2023.
  4. "Bayan Lepas Market". Penang Trails. 2 November 2016. Archived from the original on 5 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  5. "Penang War Museum - Bayan Lepas Attractions". penang.ws. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  6. Yeow, Teck Chai. "The Development of Free Industrial Zones–The Malaysian Experience" (PDF). World Bank. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 November 2020. Retrieved 2 March 2018.
  7. Che Leh, Fauziah (2016). "Trends and policy implications of the location selection of electric and electronic firms in Malaysia: A case study of the Penang and Kulim High-Tech Parks" (PDF). Malaysian Journal of Society and Space. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. 12 (7): 119–132. ISSN 2180-2491. Archived from the original (PDF) on 1 July 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2022.
  8. "My Local Stats Barat Daya Pulau Pinang 2021". Department of Statistics Malaysia.
  9. "External Trade Cont. – StatsDW Portal". Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  10. "First four months look good, snake temple deity says - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2 November 2016.
  11. "Chinese New Year in Penang is a Long, Long Party". About.com Travel. Archived from the original on 30 December 2016. Retrieved 31 December 2016.
  12. "My Local Stats Barat Daya Pulau Pinang 2021". Department of Statistics Malaysia.
  13. "External Trade Cont. – StatsDW Portal". Retrieved 13 October 2023.
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  15. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  16. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  17. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 30 June 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  18. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  19. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 March 2017. Retrieved 4 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  21. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2016. Retrieved 4 February 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  23. "Best step forward for public transport". Best step forward for public transport. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  24. "LinkBike is now available at Queensbay Mall - Queensbay Mall". Queensbay Mall. 19 May 2017. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  25. "Link Bike". www.linkbike.my. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  26. "SK BATU MAUNG - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  27. "Sekolah Kebangsaan Bayan Baru". Sekolah Kebangsaan Bayan Baru. Archived from the original on 27 November 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  28. "SK BAYAN LEPAS - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  29. "SK BAYAN LEPAS 2 - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  30. "SK MUTIARA PERDANA - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  31. "SK PERMATANG DAMAR LAUT - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  32. "SK SUNGAI ARA - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  33. "SJKC CHONG CHENG". sisedupg.my. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  34. "Home". SJK(C)Chung Shan. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  35. "SJK(C) WEN KHAI - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  36. "SJK(T) BAYAN LEPAS - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  37. "SJK(T) SUNGAI ARA - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  38. "SMK BATU MAUNG - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  39. "SEKOLAH MENENGAH KEBANGSAAN BAYAN LEPAS - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  40. "SMK RAJA TUN UDA - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  41. "SMK SUNGAI ARA - PULAU PINANG - Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  42. "Johnson Lee's RM1mil gift to old school - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  43. Bhd, Tradsure Com Sdn. "Our Penang Campus | Straits International School Penang". sisgroup.edu.my. Archived from the original on 1 January 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
  44. bossmeow. "PSDC | Penang Skills Development Centre". www.psdc.org.my. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Bayan Lepas.
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