Tikus Island

Pulau Tikus
Suburb of George Town
Other transcription(s)
• Chinese	浮罗地滑
Location of Pulau Tikus on Penang Island
Coordinates: 5°25′0″N 100°18′0″E / 5.41667°N 100.30000°E
Country	Malaysia
State	Penang
District	Northeast Penang Island
Government
• Local Government	Penang Island City Council
• Mayor of Penang Island	Patahiyah Ismail
• State assemblywoman	Yap Soo Huey (DAP)
• Bukit Bendera Member of Parliament	Zairil Khir Johari (DAP)
Time zone	MST (UTC+8)
• Summer (DST)	Not observed (UTC)
Postal code	10250, 10350, 10400
Website	www.mbpp.gov.my

Pulau Tikus is a suburb northwest of George Town on Penang Island, Malaysia. Situated between George Town proper and Tanjung Tokong, this upper class suburb was named after a rock just off the coast of Penang Island. Pulau Tikus is one of the well-known places to sample Penang cuisine, as well as the home to small minorities of Eurasians, Thais and Burmese.^[1][2]

Established soon after Captain Francis Light's founding of Penang Island in 1786, Pulau Tikus has been home to various cultures since the first days of British rule. The aforementioned communities have built impressive places of worship within Pulau Tikus, such as Catholic churches and Buddhist temples adorned with architectural designs of their native homelands.

In addition, a number of consulates have been established here.

Etymology

Pulau Tikus was named after the actual Tikus Island (Malay: Pulau Tikus), a rocky outcrop just 2 km off Tanjung Tokong. This particular island is shaped like a mouse and is believed to be infested with rats.^[3]

History

Wat Chayamangkalaram is a Thai Buddhist temple built in 1845 on a piece of land donated by Queen Victoria.

The Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, constructed in 1803, is the first Burmese Buddhist temple in Malaysia.

Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple was built in 1782, making it among the oldest Hindu temples in Penang.

Pulau Tikus was first inhabited by the Eurasians, who were fleeing from persecution in Siam.^[1] The Eurasians, who were mostly Catholics, arrived at Pulau Tikus in 1811, following another group of Eurasians who had already settled within George Town in 1786. It was the Eurasians who gave the place its name - Pulau Tikus. Upon arriving, they built Kampung Serani (Eurasian Village), centred around the Church of the Immaculate Conception.

The Burmese were also among the earliest settlers at Pulau Tikus. A Burmese village, Kampung Ava, was established in the early 19th century, as well as the Dhammikarama Burmese Temple, which was built in 1803. The Thais later built two more Buddhist temples at Pulau Tikus - Wat Chayamangkalaram and Wat Buppharam.^[2][4]

To the southwest, James Scott, a partner of Captain Francis Light, founded the Ayer Rajah Estate.^[1] As per the usual practice at the time, Indian labourers were brought in to work in the agricultural estates; the Indian community would eventually build a handful of Hindu temples here, such as Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple and Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple.

The growth of George Town over the centuries eventually swallowed up Pulau Tikus, turning it into a suburb of the city. In recent decades, urbanisation has led to the mushrooming of upmarket condominiums and commercial properties within Pulau Tikus and the vicinity of Gurney Drive.

Geography

Pulau Tikus proper starts near the junction of Burmah Road with Edgecumbe Road, and ends just before the Bagan Jermal junction. Burmah Road forms the main artery through Pulau Tikus, with the heart of the suburb at the intersection of Burmah Road with Cantonment Road.^[5]

Landmarks

• Church of the Immaculate Conception
• Dhammikarama Burmese Temple
• Wat Chayamangkalaram
• Arulmigu Balathandayuthapani Temple
• Nattukkottai Chettiar Temple
• Pulau Tikus Wet Market, where a variety of Penang cuisine can be found^[6]

Neighbourhoods

• Ayer Rajah
• Mount Erskine

Health Care

• Penang Adventist Hospital

Consulates

•  China^[7]
•  Indonesia^[8]
•  Thailand^[9]

References

1. "Pulau Tikus, George Town, Penang / Pulau Pinang". Retrieved 2016-11-09.
2. Khoo, Su Nin (2007). Streets of George Town, Penang. Penang: Areca Books. ISBN 9789839886009.
3. "History of Pulau Tikus".
4. III, Administrator. "Wat Chayamangkalaram Thai Buddhist Temple". www.visitpenang.gov.my. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
5. "Pulau Tikus, George Town, Penang".
6. "History of Pulau Tikus".
7. "22 Dec:- Official opening of China Consulate in Penang". Penang + | 檳城多一些. 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
8. "KJRI Penang - Beranda". www.kemlu.go.id. Retrieved 2016-11-09.
9. "สถานกงสุลใหญ่ ณ เมืองปีนัง". www.thaiembassy.org. Retrieved 2016-11-09.