Bukit Mertajam

For other uses, see Bukit Mertajam (disambiguation).

Bukit Mertajam
Suburb of Seberang Perai and district capital
Other transcription(s)
 • Mandarin大山脚 (Simplified)
大山腳 (Traditional)
 • HokkienTuā-suann-kha (Tâi-lô)
Map
Bukit Mertajam is located in Central Seberang Perai, Penang
Bukit Mertajam
Bukit Mertajam
Location within    Seberang Perai in    Penang
Coordinates: 5°21′55.692″N 100°27′38.3898″E / 5.36547000°N 100.460663833°E / 5.36547000; 100.460663833
Country Malaysia
State Penang
City Seberang Perai
DistrictCentral Seberang Perai
Government
 • Local governmentSeberang Perai City Council
 • Mayor of Seberang PeraiHj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid
Area
 • Total4 km2 (2 sq mi)
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total12,079
 • Density3,000/km2 (7,800/sq mi)
Demographics
[1]
 • Ethnic groups
Time zoneUTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postal code
14000
Area code(s)+6045

Bukit Mertajam is a suburb of Seberang Perai in the Malaysian state of Penang. It also serves as the seat of the Central Seberang Perai District. As of 2020, Bukit Mertajam had a population of 12,079.[2]

Whilst founded in the 19th century as an agricultural area, Bukit Mertajam also evolved into a transportation hub, following the completion of a railway line towards Perai at the end of the century.[3][4] To this day, its railway station remains a major Malayan Railway station within Seberang Perai.

Bukit Mertajam is also well known for its Catholic congregation, which is centred at the St. Anne's Church. The church is one of the focal locations within Southeast Asia for the annual Novena celebrations.[5][6]

It is the birthplace of the 10th Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim.

  1. ^ a b "MyCensus 2020: Mukim/Town/Pekan". Department of Statistics Malaysia. Putrajaya: 174–175. February 2024. ISBN 9789672537069.
  2. ^ "Key Summary Statistics For Local Authority Areas, Malaysia 2010" (PDF). Department of Statistics, Malaysia. Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 February 2015. Retrieved 19 April 2012.
  3. ^ Lees, Lynn Hollen (2017). Planting Empire, Cultivating Subjects. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 9781107038400.
  4. ^ "The history of Bukit Mertajam Part I – From agrarian village to economic hub". The history of Bukit Mertajam Part I – From agrarian village to economic hub. Archived from the original on 22 September 2017. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  5. ^ "BM 03. Tides of candlelight adoration at St. Anne's Feast". butterworthguide.com.my. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  6. ^ "St Anne's Festival". St Anne’s Festival. Archived from the original on 25 March 2018. Retrieved 25 March 2018.