Sungai Pinang (East) is a meandering river on the southern side of George Town, Penang. During the British colonial times, it determines the southern end of George Town, after which is just the rural countryside. Today, however, Sungai Pinang (East) is right within the city with development and high rise buildings all around it.
Sungai Pinang (East) flows east into the south channel. For many years, Sungai Pinang is regarded as the filthiest river in Malaysia. It remains in the dubiest Class V category, which means it is a dead river unable to sustain any life form.
The good news for Sungai Pinang is that after a long wait, the state government of Penang began rehabilitating the river. The first phase of the RM25 million Sungai Pinang Beautification Project involves desilting works and placing traps to filter out garbage that flows through the river. At the same time, a new jetty is being built for fishermen and tourists.
The second phase of the Sungai Pinang Beautification involves improving the water quality from Class V to Class II, which would render it clean enough for bathing. This is still a long way to go, as of today, the river still carry a heavy stench from all the pollutants that have been dumped into it for so many decades.
I am keeping a close watch on the development of Sungai Pinang. The photographs you see on this page were taken before any rehabilitation was carried out. At that time, the water was still as black as Indian ink. When I see an improvement, I will document it here for your information.
Early Malay & Sumatran Settlements of Sungai Pinang
Sungai Pinang has one of the earliest settlements in Penang in recorded history. Even before Francis Light landed on Penang Island, there was already riverine settlements along Sungai Pinang. Although not much is known about these early settlers, they are believed to be mostly fishermen from the mainland Kingdom of Kedah as well as from northern Sumatra. They lived along the riverbank where it is easy to get fresh water. Near the estuary of Sungai Pinang was a place where early traders berth their perahus and sampans. There could have been a small pier near to where Masjid Maqbul is located today. The mosque itself came later, around the mid 19th century.
Farther upstream are more settlements, mostly of Malays and North Sumatrans. Kampung Rawa is named after a community of north Sumatrans from Rawa. Masjid Haji Kassim at Kampung Makam was erected by the leader of an Acehnese settlement along Sungai Pinang.
The Malays are North Sumatrans were not the only settlers along the Sungai Pinang riverbanks. Joining them were Tamil Muslims as well as Hindus who also formed their own respective settlements. Masjid Jamek Rawana and Masjid Khan Muhammad are two Indian Muslim mosques within the vicinity of Sungai Pinang. There are numerous small Hindu shrines along the river. Some became full fledged temples such as the Sri Rama Temple near Sungai Ayer Itam, a tributary of Sungai Pinang.
Stretching your budget in Penang
If you are a prudent traveller, you can spend less than $20 per day in Penang, including your accommodation! Here's some useful tips for budget travellers to Penang, to help you manage your budget and have a great time.
Penang Tour Guides
If you're on a shoestring budget, you can explore Penang using the travel articles in Penang Travel Tips. You may print them out for your own personal non-commercial use. However, nothing compares to having a professional tour guide to show you around. If you need a tour guide, contact me and I'll arrange one for you, according to your schedule and interest. If I happen to be free, I would gladly show you around too. Just write to me at:
Finding Budget Accommodation in Penang
If you're coming to Penang on a budget, you'd be pleased to know that there's quite a number of places in George Town as well as in Batu Ferringhi that offers good clean accommodation without costing you an arm and a let. If I am allowed to be biased, I would recommend Hotel Mingood, which happens to belong to a friend of mine. If it is occupied, there are plenty of other places that cost less than US$12.00 per night. Here are some suggestions:
Hutton Lodge, from US$8.25
Baba Guesthouse, from US$7.57
E.T. Budget Guesthouse, from US$6.05
YMCA Penang, from US$6.53
Ali's Ferringhi Guest House, from US$9.63
Despite the best intentions to provide you information that is as accurate as possible, do be aware that prices may have changed and exchange rates fluctuated since I wrote this. So please personally and carefully screen through the available accommodation before making your booking, to avoid any disappointments.
Sampans reflected on Sungai Pinang, with high rises in the background.
High rise office blocks and apartments line the banks of the Sungai Pinang.
A warehouse and trees by the riverbank.
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