Tanjung Bungah, Penang

Tanjung Bungah, also written Tanjong Bungah but never Tanjung Bunga, is a seaside neighbourhood on the northern coast of Penang Island. The name Tanjung Bungah is a fractured fusion of modern and old Malay spelling of the place, but is the most commonly used form. The name means "Flower Cape", and refers to the cape comprising several promontories that jut out into the sea between Tanjong Bungah Bay and Tanjong Tokong.

Jalan Tanjung Bungah, the main road, starts at the junction of Jalan Gajah, near the Chinese Swimming Club, to Mar Vista. Within the Tanjung Bungah neighbourhood is the Malay village served by the Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque. Marina Tower Condominium marks the northern end of Tanjung Bungah, while Mar Vista is the start of Batu Ferringhi.

Tanjung Bungah was the choice picnic strip for the people of Penang since the early fifties. During that time, Batu Ferringhi has not yet been developed, comprising just a hill road serving the string of fishing villagers along the coastline. The people living in George Town would head for Tanjung Bungah during the weekends for picnics. During those days, the sea was still clean enough to swim in, and sightings of jelly fish was less common.

Swimming and water-borne activities have always been a feature in Tanjung Bungah. As a result, both the Penang Swimming Club as well as the Penang Chinese Swimming Club are located here.

Over the years, as the quality of the sea water deteriorate due to the discharge of raw sewage, the resulting pollution makes it a breeding ground of jelly fish. As a result, the sea all along the northern belt is no longer suitable for swimming. Even so, it has not halted the development of the coastline, which saw a construction boom in the early 1980's, and again in the new millennium. Most of the development in Tanjong Bungah are upmarket residential units and super condominiums catering to the filthy rich. The present round of construction has planted a good number of skyscrapers along the Tanjung Bungah coastline, many rising to 40 storeys. They co-habit the Tanjung Bungah strip with the Malay village and Chinese community that has been at Tanjung Bungah for decades.

The community called Hillside used to be the residence of Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) personnel from 1958 until 1988. During the RAAF tenure in Penang, one can easily identify the homes of RAAF personnel from the ramshakled automobiles that the Australian drive. Since the RAAF packed up and left, their residences have been bought over by locals. The RAAF Club building is still standing, in Tanjung Tokong, albeit in a dilapidated state.

Tanjung Bungah is also the site of the Penang Water Sports Centre. The centre offers kayaks and boats for rent. This is where members of the many dragon boat teams in Penang often come to train. For individual kayakers, including myself, one of the adventures is to row all the way to Pulau Tikus, the islet off Tanjung Bungah.

Getting there

Rapid Penang buses 101, 103 and 104 goes through Tanjung Bungah.

Sights in and around Tanjung Bungah

Tanjung Bungah Floating Mosque

Penang Water Sports Centre

Pulau Tikus

Amenities

The nearest public schools are Sekolah Kebangsaan Tanjung Bungah and Sekolah Menengah Tanjung Bungah. Dalat International School is also nearby. Nearest market is the Tanjung Bungah Market. The nearest shopping mall is Island Plaza. The nearest hospital is Penang Adventist Hospital.