Sungai Petani

2025-10-20T10:43:08Z

115.134.181.132: /* Notable people */

{{For|the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat|Sungai Petani (federal constituency)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Sungai Petani
| settlement_type = [[List of capitals in Malaysia#District capitals|District capital]]
| other_name =
| image_skyline = Jalan Pengkalan intersection, Sungai Petani (221001).jpg
| image_caption = Jalan Ibrahim (part of [[Malaysia Federal Route 1|Federal Route 1]]), downtown Sungai Petani
| image_flag =
| image_seal = Sungai Petani City Council (logo).PNG
| blank_emblem_type =
| blank_emblem_size =
| nickname = SP
| image_map = {{maplink|frame=yes|plain=yes|type=shape|stroke-width=2|stroke-color=#000000|zoom=10|frame-latitude=5.6436|frame-longitude=100.4894}}
| map_caption = Location in Sungai Petani in Kedah
| pushpin_map = Malaysia Kedah#Malaysia#Southeast Asia
| pushpin_mapsize = 275px
| pushpin_map_caption = {{Legend inline|#800000|outline=black}} '''Sungai Petani''' in {{Legend inline|#FEFEEF|outline=black}} '''[[Malaysia]]'''
| coordinates = {{coord|5|39|N|100|30|E|region:MY|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = {{flag|Malaysia}}
| subdivision_type1 = [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|State]]
| subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Kedah}}
| subdivision_type2 = [[Districts of Malaysia|District]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Kuala Muda District]]
| established_title = Establishment of the local government
| established_date = 1905
| established_title1 = Establishment of the council
| established_date1 = 1949
| established_title2 = Establishment of the town board
| established_date2 = 1953
| established_title3 = Establishment of the local government district council
| established_date3 = 1975
| established_title4 = Establishment of the district council
| established_date4 = 1 February 1978
| established_title5 = Municipality status
| established_date5 = 2 July 1994
| government_type = [[Local government in Malaysia|Local government]]
| governing_body = [[Sungai Petani Municipal Council]]
| leader_title = President
| leader_name = Dato' Haji Muhamad Arof bin Darus
| area_magnitude =
| area_total_km2 =
| population_total = 544,851
| population_as_of = 2020
| population_footnotes = <ref>{{cite web |title=Banci Penduduk dan Perumahan 2020, Malaysia |url=https://tableau.dosm.gov.my/t/mbls/views/1202/0_mainpage?:display_count=n&:embed=y&:isGuestRedirectFromVizportal=y&:origin=viz_share_link&:showAppBanner=false&:showVizHome=n |access-date=15 May 2022}}</ref>
| population_density_km2 = auto
| timezone = [[Malaysian Standard Time|MST]]
| utc_offset = +8
| timezone_DST = Not observed
| postal_code_type = [[Postal codes in Malaysia|Postcode]]
| postal_code = 08xxx
| blank_name = [[Telephone numbers in Malaysia|Area code(s)]]
| blank_info = 04-4xxxxxxx
| blank1_name = [[Vehicle registration plates of Malaysia|Vehicle registration]]
| blank1_info = K
| website = {{URL|https://pbt.kedah.gov.my/index.php/majlis-perbandaran-sungai-petani/}}
| footnotes =
}}

'''Sungai Petani''' ([[abbr.]] '''Sg. Petani''' or '''SP''') is a town in [[Kuala Muda District]], [[Kedah]], [[Malaysia]]. The population of the municipal area of Sungai Petani is larger than Kedah's state capital, [[Alor Setar]]. It is located about 55 km south of Alor Setar, and 33 km northeast of [[George Town, Penang|George Town]], the capital city of the neighbouring state of [[Penang]].<ref name="stats">{{cite web|url=http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/population/03ringkasan_kawasan_PBT_Jadual1.pdf|title=Key Summary Statistics For Local Authority Areas, Malaysia 2010|publisher=Department of Statistics, Malaysia|accessdate=19 April 2012|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205090002/http://www.statistics.gov.my/portal/download_Population/files/population/03ringkasan_kawasan_PBT_Jadual1.pdf|archivedate=5 February 2015}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
The name of the municipality is taken from the name of a river, which is ''Sungai Petani'' (Petani River), a tributary of Merbok River. The word ''Petani'' might be related to the province of [[Pattani province|Pattani]] in [[Thailand]]. The word is said to derive from a Sanskrit word 'pathini', meaning "virgin nymph"; Pathini was the name of a daughter of [[Merong Mahawangsa]], founder of the preceding [[Langkasuka|Langkasuka Empire]]. When Kedah was known under the name of Langkasuka, traders always travelled between Merbok Valley and Pattani, and the eastern parts of [[Peninsular Malaysia]] through land routes. Thus it is not impossible that the word 'Petani' is borrowed from the name of the princess.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sejarahmalaysia.pnm.my/portalBM/detail.php?ttl_id=41&spesifik_id=145&section=sm03 |title={ms} Sejarah Malaysia - Asal Usul nama Sungai Petani |publisher=Sejarahmalaysia.pnm.my |access-date=2012-08-24 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130603132142/http://sejarahmalaysia.pnm.my/portalBM/detail.php?ttl_id=41&spesifik_id=145&section=sm03 |archive-date=2013-06-03 }}</ref> "Petani" also means farmer in [[Malay language|Malay]], but it is unlikely that this is the origin of the city name as there are no sources pointing it to be the case.

==Transportation==
[[File:Sungai Petani Railway Station platform (221001).jpg|thumb|[[Sungai Petani railway station]] platform]]
[[Sungai Petani railway station]] is served by rail services such as [[KTM ETS]], a [[higher-speed rail]] service connecting major cities in Malaysia.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2018/11/433801/ktmb-offers-discounts-ets-commuters-until-dec-31-plans-extend-promotional|title=KTMB offers discounts to ETS commuters until Dec 31; plans to extend promotional period | New Straits Times|date=November 23, 2018|website=NST Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bharian.com.my/berita/nasional/2015/07/67322/ets-kl-padang-besar-berhenti-di-15-stesen|title=ETS KL-Padang Besar berhenti di 15 stesen|date=July 11, 2015|website=Berita Harian}}</ref> The station is also one of the stops for [[KTM Komuter Northern Sector]], a local commuter-rail service under [[KTM Komuter]] that connects major town in [[Penang]], [[Kedah]], and [[Perlis]].<ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/2017/03/225639/modern-train-ride-past|title=Modern train ride into the past | New Straits Times|first=Alan Teh Leam|last=Seng|date=March 30, 2017|website=NST Online}}</ref>

Long-distance services are also available at Ukir Square. Besides being a bus terminal, this multi-purpose building also houses the [[Urban Transformation Centre]] or UTC that provides the community a centralised location for main government agencies, public amenities and services of private sectors.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.easybook.com/en-my/bus/terminal/sungai-petani-bus-terminal|title=Sungai Petani Express Bus Terminal | EasyBook®(MY)|website=www.easybook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.busonlineticket.com/terminal/sungai-petani-bus-station|title=Sungai Petani Bus Station | Online Bus Ticket | BusOnlineTicket.com|website=www.busonlineticket.com}}</ref> While the local bus services are situated at Jalan Petri, the main operators including Tanjung Mewah Holiday Sdn Bhd (inner city), Red Omnibus (Route 2 from Alor Setar) and MARA Liner (to Sik and Kuala Ketil).

The nearest airport is the [[Penang International Airport]] on [[Penang]] Island. Another alternative airport is the [[Sultan Abdul Halim Airport]], [[Alor Star]] (the state capital of Kedah).{{citation needed|date=April 2024}}

Sungai Petani is also served by the [[North–South Expressway (Malaysia)|North-South Expressway]], which connects the town to major cities along Malaysia's West Coast. Additionally, the town is accessible via the KTM ETS railway network, enhancing connectivity to other parts of the country.<ref name="jkr-inventori">{{cite book |author= |title=Inventori Rangkaian Jalan Utama Persekutuan Semenanjung Malaysia |location=[[Kuala Lumpur]] |publisher=[[Malaysian Ministry of Works]] |pages=58–64 |date=2009 |isbn=978-983-44278-2-5 }}</ref><ref name="plus1">{{cite web|url = http://plus.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=182&lang=en|title = Our Expressways: North–South Expressway (NSE)|author = |publisher = [[PLUS Expressways|PLUS Malaysia Berhad]]|access-date = 19 September 2015|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20150926202116/http://plus.com.my/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67&Itemid=182&lang=en|archive-date = 26 September 2015|url-status = dead}}</ref>

==Service and Amenities==
===Healthcare===
Sungai Petani has various health amenities. [[Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital]], a US$150-million hospital, is a public government hospital opened in 2007 that was built to replace a smaller hospital. The Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital was handed over by the [[Malaysian Public Works Department|Public Works Department]] to the [[Ministry of Health (Malaysia)|Ministry of Health]] on 23 July 2006. It has 498 beds and provides secondary and tertiary specialist services<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hsah.moh.gov.my/index.php/about-us/latar-belakang|title=Latar Belakang|website=hsah.moh.gov.my}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kkr.gov.my/ms/node/3424|title=Lagi masalah menimpa Hospital Sultan Abdul Halim. | Kementerian Kerja}}</ref> There are also other various private medical facilities. They are Pantai Hospital Laguna Merbok<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pantai.com.my/laguna-merbok | title=Pantai Hospital Laguna Merbok | Pantai Hospital Laguna Merbok }}</ref> (formerly known as Amanjaya Specialist Centre), Pantai Hospital Sungai Petani,<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.pantai.com.my/sungai-petani | title=Home | Pantai Hospital Sungai Petani | Malaysia }}</ref> and Metro Specialist Hospital.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hospitalmetro.com/|title=Metro Specialist Hospital | Home|website=www.hospitalmetro.com}}</ref>

===Shopping===
Sungai Petani has many malls, shopping centers and cinema. Amanjaya Mall, Central Square, Village Mall, River Front are modern shopping and entertainment complex and malls in the city.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thestar.com.my/lifestyle/living/2021/12/30/heart-and-soul-a-valentine-to-my-hometown-cinemas|title=Heart and Soul: A valentine to my hometown cinemas|website=The Star}}</ref> There are also a few retailer chain and hypermarket outlets such as [[Lotus's]] Sungai Petani, Lotus's Sungai Petani South and Lotus's Bandar Puteri Jaya.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tesco.com.my/html/store_locator_details.aspx?ID=364&PID=1562&DetID=430&ULID=364,1562,430|title=Lotus Sungai Petani|website=www.tesco.com.my}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tesco.com.my/html/store_locator_details.aspx?ID=364&PID=1562&DetID=429&ULID=364,1562,429|title=Lotus Sungai Petani Selatan|website=www.tesco.com.my}}</ref>

==Places of worship==
Muslims can visit Masjid Sultan Muzaffar Shah.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://masjid.islam.gov.my/index.php?data=aW5mby1tYXNqaWQucGhw&id=3912&jenis=04&nama=+&negeri=02&daerah=0204|title=Portal Masjid v1.0|website=masjid.islam.gov.my}}</ref>
For Christians, some churches located in the city are Church of Christ the King (founded in 1925) and True Jesus Church.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pgdiocese.org/church-of-christ-the-king|title=Church of Christ the King|website=Diocese of Penang}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://tjc.org.my/location-sungai-petani/|title=Location – Sungai Petani – 真耶穌教會馬來西亞總會|website=tjc.org.my}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pbt.kedah.gov.my/index.php/gereja-mpsp/|title=Gereja – Portal PBT Kedah|website=pbt.kedah.gov.my}}</ref> For Hindu adherents, one of the temples that can be visited is Sri Subramaniya Swami Devasthanam Temple that celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2019/01/452716/devotees-throng-hindu-temples-ahead-thaipusam-tomorrow|title=Devotees throng Hindu temples ahead of Thaipusam tomorrow | New Straits Times|date=January 20, 2019|website=NST Online}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://pbt.kedah.gov.my/index.php/kuil-mpsp/|title=Kuil – Portal PBT Kedah|website=pbt.kedah.gov.my}}</ref>

==Education==
===Primary and Secondary===
Kuala Muda Yan District Education Office administers the primary and secondary education of two districts, Kuala Muda (where Sungai Petani is located) and [[Yan District|Yan]]. Sungai Petani hosts a large number of reputable schools such as the [[SMK Ibrahim|Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Ibrahim]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/483989|title=Sekolah Ibrahim Sg Petani rai kegemilangan 100 tahun penubuhan|date=July 16, 2019|website=Malaysiakini}}</ref> which was established in 1919 and [[SMS Sultan Mohamad Jiwa|Sekolah Menengah Sains Sultan Mohamad Jiwa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.utusan.com.my/terkini/2021/06/sms-sultan-mohamad-jiwa-capai-keputusan-terbaik-spm-kedah/|title=SMS Sultan Mohamad Jiwa capai keputusan terbaik SPM Kedah|first=MOHD RAFIE|last=AZIMI|date=June 10, 2021}}</ref> Other schools include Convent Father Barre (Primary and Secondary), [[SMK Bakar Arang|Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bakar Arang]], Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan St.Theresa, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Khir Johari, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bandar Sungai Petani, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Tunku Ismail, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Sungai Pasir, Sekolah Menengah Teknik Sungai Petani 1 & 2, SJK(T) Saraswathy, [[Sin Min Secondary School|Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Sin Min]], and SJK(C) Sin Kwang. There is also [[MARA Junior Science College|Maktab Rendah Sains MARA]] Merbok in Merbok, about 11 km northwest of Sungai Petani.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mara.gov.my/bm/microsite/|title=Direktori Pusat MARA – Majlis Amanah Rakyat}}</ref>

=== Tertiary ===
[[File:Aimstarealview.JPG|thumb|AIMST University]]
The [[AIMST University]] (the Asian Institute of Medicine, Science and Technology), was previously in Amanjaya. The university offers a variety of professional courses, including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, biotechnology, materials technology, engineering, and computer science and information technology.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://malaysiagazette.com/2021/12/12/universiti-aimst-dapat-peruntukan-tambahan-rm5juta-mulai-2022-ismail-sabri/|title=Universiti AIMST dapat peruntukan tambahan RM5juta mulai 2022 - Ismail Sabri|date=December 12, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aimst.edu.my/|title=Home | AIMST University Malaysia|date=April 4, 2019}}</ref>

[[Universiti Teknologi Mara]] has a branch campus at [[Merbok]], Sungai Petani.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kedah.uitm.edu.my/|title=UiTM Cawangan Kedah|website=UiTM Kedah Official Website}}</ref> Another government institution with campuses in Sungai Petani include Institusi Kemahiran Malaysia (IKM),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tvetmara.edu.my/index.php/ikm-sungai-petani|title=IKM SUNGAI PETANI|website=www.tvetmara.edu.my}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | url=http://sgpetani.ikm.edu.my/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190326060622/http://sgpetani.ikm.edu.my/ | archive-date=2019-03-26 | title=Institut Kemahiran Mara Sungai Petani | language=id | trans-title=Sungai Petani Mara Skills Institute}}</ref> Institut Pendidikan Guru Kampus Sultan Abdul Halim (IPG KSAH), an institution set up by the government to provide teaching courses for trainee teachers,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ipsah.edu.my/v_2/index.php|title=Portal Rasmi IPG Kampus Sultan Abdul Halim|website=ipsah.edu.my}}</ref> and Kolej Komuniti Sungai Petani, a [[Community college (Malaysia)|community college]] that provides Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) courses.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://kksungaipetani.mypolycc.edu.my/|title=KKSP|website=Kolej Komuniti Sungai Petani}}</ref>

Sungai Petani also has a number of private colleges and universities. One of them is the [[Open University Malaysia]] (OUM) that operates as the Regional Learning Center for the state of [[Kedah]] and [[Perlis]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oum.edu.my/learning-centres/|title=Learning Centres}}</ref> Other private colleges include MSU College<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msucollege.edu.my/branches/msu-college-sungai-petani.php|title=MSU College | Branches | Sungai Petani|website=www.msucollege.edu.my}}</ref> and Cosmopoint College.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://cosmopointcollege.edu.my/lokasi/sungai-petani/|title=Sungai Petani – Cosmopoint College}}</ref>

==Culture and Tourism==
===Sungai Petani Clock Tower===
[[File:Year 2010 Sungai Petani Clock Tower.jpg|thumb|right|Clock Tower in 2010]]
[[Sungai Petani clock tower|Sungai Petani Clock Tower]] is located on the main street, Jalan Ibrahim and was built in 1936. It is topped by a dome-shaped and gold coloured structure. The tower was a present from [[Lim Lean Teng]] to [[George V of the United Kingdom|George V]] to commemorate his [[Silver Jubilee of George V|Silver Jubilee]].<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2018/10/08/malaysias-stunning-clock-towers-part-i/ | title=Malaysia's stunning clock towers: Part I | date=8 October 2018 }}</ref><ref name="auto"/>

===Gunung Jerai===
[[File:030 Bujang Valley and Mt. Jerai at Dusk (9022579272).jpg|thumb|A view of [[Gunung Jerai]] at dusk]]
In the northern part of the town, about 30 kilometres away, is [[Gunung Jerai]]. Gunung Jerai is 1,217 metres from the sea level. This is the tallest mountain in the northern region and is surrounded by a vast jungle. It is a navigational point for ships entering the [[Straits of Malacca]] from the north because it is visible from far. There is an 18 km trekking route to the top of the mountain through a winding road. Atop the Jerai is a resort and the mountain boasts some tall and cooling waterfalls. Historically, the Jerai mountain served as the navigational point for traders from the east and west. There was a Hindu temple on top of the mountain that was built nearly a thousand years ago during the [[Bujang Valley]] Hindu Civilization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MHIS_lembahbujang.htm|title=JourneyMalaysia » Lembah Bujang (Bujang Valley)|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.libur.com.my/trip-memukau-ke-switzerland-kedah-di-puncak-gunung-jerai/|title=Trip Memukau Ke 'Switzerland Kedah' Di Puncak Gunung Jerai|date=June 16, 2020|website=LIBUR}}</ref>

===Bujang Valley===
[[File:Candi Lembah Bujang (Disember 2009).jpg|thumb|One of the ''candi'' at [[Bujang Valley]]]]
The [[Bujang Valley]] or Lembah Bujang, sometimes referred to as the Ancient Wonder of Kedah, is a rich historical site covering an area of about 400sq. km in Merbok (17 km from Sungai Petani), bounded by Bukit Choras (Choras Hill) and Gunung Jerai. This archaeological area was the site of an ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that ruled the region from the 4th century AD. There is also an archaeological museum here which is known as The Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jmm.gov.my/en/museum/lembah-bujang-archaeological-museum|title=Lembah Bujang Archaeological Museum - Department of Museums Malaysia|publisher=}}</ref> This museum displays more than 2,500 artifacts from Malaysia's earliest civilization that have been unearthed from the surrounding excavation sites. Gold, gems, ceramics, Hindu gods and [[Buddha]] stone statues dating from the third to 14th centuries are all on display, though its main feature is Candi Bukit Batu Pahat, a reconstructed temple built to worship the Hindu god [[Shiva]].

==Notable people==
* [[Baddrol Bakhtiar]], [[Kedah State Legislative Assembly|Kedah MLAs Member]] for [[Gurun, Kedah|Gurun]], national football figure plays for [[Kedah FA|Kedah]] and national team
* [[Bala Ganapathi William]], actor, director and TV host
* [[Chong Wei Feng]], national badminton player<ref name="bwfprofile">{{cite journal|title=Wei Feng CHONG|url=http://www.bwfbadminton.org/page.aspx?id=14955|journal=Badminton World Federation|accessdate=March 29, 2016}}</ref>
* [[Johari Abdul]], Malaysian politician and [[Speaker of the Dewan Rakyat]]
* [[Kevin Nyiau]], author and columnist.
* [[Khairul Helmi Johari]], [[Kedah FA|Kedah]] captains and national football player
* [[Sivasangari Subramaniam]], national professional squash player.<ref>{{cite news|title=Malaysian-born Sivasangari Enters 3rd Round Of El Gouna International Squash Open 2021|url=https://varnam.my/sports/2021/42339/malaysian-born-sivasangari-enters-3rd-round-of-el-gouna-international-squash-open-2021/|author=Revathi Durai|publisher=Varnam.my|accessdate=June 13, 2022|date=May 23, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Syed Amin Aljeffri]], entrepreneur{{citation needed|date=August 2015}}

==Nearby==
{{Geographic location
| title = '''Destinations from Sungai Petani'''
| Northwest = [[Yan District|Yan]] [[Mount Jerai]]
| North = [[Gurun, Kedah|Gurun]] [[Pendang]]
| Northeast = [[Baling]] [[Sik District|Sik]]
| West = ''Mouths of the [[Merbok River]]''
| Centre = Sungai Petani
| East = [[Kuala Ketil]]
| Southwest = [[Kepala Batas, Penang]] [[Kota Kuala Muda]]
| South = [[Butterworth, Penang|Butterworth]]
| Southeast = [[Kulim]] [[Padang Serai]]
}}

*

== References ==
{{reflist|colwidth=30em}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Sungai Petani}}
* [http://mrt.com.my/ktm_intercity/sungai_petani.htm Sungai Petani KTM Railway Station]

{{Greater Penang Conurbation}}
{{Kedah}}
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