Batu Uban

Batu Uban, Penang (7 February 2019)

Also available: Batu Uban (Edisi Melayu)

Batu Uban is a historic Malay settlement on the eastern coast of Penang Island, Penang, Malaysia. Located within the modern city of George Town, it is widely regarded as one of the oldest Malay settlements on Penang Island and is particularly significant for its association with the Minangkabau community, the early spread of Islam and the development of Malay society on the island.

The history of Batu Uban predates the arrival of Captain Francis Light and the establishment of George Town in 1786. The settlement is closely associated with Haji Mohammad Salleh, better known as Nakhoda Intan or Nakhoda Nan Intan, a Minangkabau leader who is traditionally credited with establishing the settlement and founding its mosque in 1734.

Today, Batu Uban is surrounded by modern urban development, including residential neighbourhoods, high-rise buildings, major roads and the campus of Universiti Sains Malaysia. Yet the historic village, Masjid Jamek Batu Uban and the associated burial grounds preserve important reminders of the area's earlier identity as a Malay-Muslim settlement beside the sea.

Quick Facts

Name: Batu Uban

Location: George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Island: Penang Island

Historical identity: Malay and Minangkabau settlement

Traditional founder: Haji Mohammad Salleh, also known as Nakhoda Intan

Other important historical figure: Dato' Jenaton

Historic mosque: Masjid Jamek Batu Uban

Mosque date: 1734

Historical period: Early 18th century onwards

Historical importance: One of the earliest Malay-Muslim settlements on Penang Island

My videos on Batu Uban

Map of Batu Uban, Penang

Roads in Batu Uban

Housing Estates in Batu Uban

Century Garden (GPS: 5.34741, 100.30392)
The Sanctuary (GPS: 5.3475, 100.30771)
Uni Vista (GPS: 5.35322, 100.3093)
Vilaris @ The Sanctuary (GPS: 5.34867, 100.30682)

Apartments & Condominiums in Batu Uban

Century Bay Apartments (GPS: 5.34499, 100.30519)
Desa Bistari Apartment (GPS; 5.34605, 100.30563)
E-Park Condominium (GPS: 5.35091, 100.30836)
N-Park Condominium (GPS: 5.35024, 100.30734)
Sunny Ville Condominium (GPS: 5.35151, 100.30714)
Taman Batu Uban 2 Apartment (GPS: 5.34503, 100.30405)
Taman Utara Flats (GPS: 5.35102, 100.30505)
The Curve Condominium (GPS: 5.355, 100.30988) PLANNED
The Fount (GPS: 5.34825, 100.30633)
The Pier (GPS: 5.35222, 100.31332)
The View (GPS: 5.35637, 100.31069)
The Zen (GPS: 5.35134, 100.31092)
Triuni Residences (GPS: 5.34917, 100.308)
Villa Sri Kenanga (GPS: 5.35258, 100.30761)
U1 @ Batu Uban (GPS: 5.35258, 100.30761) PLANNED
Zen6 (GPS: 5.35269, 100.31151)
Zen9 (GPS: 5.35355, 100.31172)

Commercial Properties in Batu Uban

Sunny Point Complex (GPS: 5.35305, 100.30739)

Sights in Batu Uban

Masjid Jamek Batu Uban (GPS: 5.35041, 100.30917)
Road Transport Department (GPS: 5.35157, 100.30402)
San Kiang Cemetery (GPS: 5.3461, 100.30409)

Location of Batu Uban

Batu Uban occupies part of the eastern coast of Penang Island, south of the historic centre of George Town. It lies in the wider Gelugor area, with the sea forming its eastern boundary and modern urban development extending inland.

The settlement is situated between several historically important localities. Gelugor lies to the south and southwest, while Sungai Gelugor is nearby. Batu Uban is also close to Minden, where Universiti Sains Malaysia was established, and to the approaches of the Penang Bridge.

The original settlement was closely connected to the shoreline. This was important to its inhabitants because fishing, coastal travel and trade formed an important part of the community's economy. The relationship between the village and the sea has, however, changed considerably as roads, reclamation and modern development transformed the eastern coastline.

Meaning of the Name Batu Uban

The name Batu Uban is generally translated as "grey-haired rock" or "white-haired rock". The traditional explanation is that the settlement was named after a rock or boulder in the sea that was covered with dried grass or vegetation.

From a distance, the vegetation was said to resemble grey or white hair. The offshore rock therefore became a landmark for people approaching the coast, eventually giving its name to the settlement.

According to local tradition, the rock was situated somewhere offshore between Penang Island and Pulau Jerejak. Changes to the coastline and the growth of modern development have made the original maritime landscape very different from that experienced by the early settlers.

The Minangkabau Settlement

Batu Uban is closely associated with the Minangkabau people of West Sumatra. During the 18th century, Minangkabau migrants travelled extensively throughout the Malay world, establishing settlements in Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and other parts of the region.

The Straits of Malacca facilitated this movement. Rather than being a barrier separating Sumatra from the Malay Peninsula, the straits functioned as a major maritime route through which people, goods, religious ideas and cultural practices circulated.

Batu Uban became one of the places where this movement of people resulted in a permanent settlement. The community retained strong links with Sumatra while also developing close relationships with Kedah and the communities on the mainland opposite Penang Island.

Nakhoda Intan

The early history of Batu Uban is particularly associated with Haji Mohammad Salleh, whose traditional name was Raja Nan Intan and who is commonly known as Nakhoda Intan or Nakhoda Nan Intan. He was granted permission from the Sultan of Kedah to establish a settlement there in 1734.¹

Historical sources identify him as a Minangkabau nobleman and trader from the Pagaruyung (also written as Pagar Ruyong) region of Sumatra. One account places his origin at Kampung Buadi in the Paya Kumbuh or Payakumbuh area.

The precise date of his arrival at Batu Uban is uncertain. Historical research suggests that it may have taken place around 1710, although the evidence is not conclusive. What is much more firmly established in local historical tradition is the association of Nakhoda Intan with Batu Uban and the mosque founded there in 1734.

The official Malaysian mosque record states that Nakhoda Nan Intan came to Penang with three vessels. His vessel landed at Batu Uban, while another associated with Nakhoda Bayan landed at Bayan Lepas and a third associated with Nakhoda Kecil landed at Jelutong. The three men are traditionally described as related.

The Founding of Batu Uban

Nakhoda Intan is traditionally regarded as one of the founders of Batu Uban. His arrival marked the beginning of a permanent Minangkabau settlement on the eastern coast of Penang.

The community developed around the coast and the mosque. Fishing was an important occupation, while agriculture and trade also supported the inhabitants. The location allowed the settlers to maintain maritime connections with Sumatra, Kedah and other communities around the Straits of Malacca.

The early settlement was not simply a collection of houses. It developed as a functioning community with religious, social and economic institutions. The mosque became its central institution, while the sea provided access to transport, fishing and trade.

The development of Batu Uban is consequently important to the wider history of Penang. It shows that Malay settlement on the island was already well established before the arrival of the British.

Masjid Jamek Batu Uban

The most important historic structure in Batu Uban is Masjid Jamek Batu Uban. The mosque is traditionally dated to 1734 and is widely described as the oldest mosque on Penang Island.

The official Malaysian mosque record states that it was founded by Tuan Haji Mohammad Salleh, known as Nakhoda Nan Intan, in 1734. Historical research likewise associates the mosque with the early Minangkabau settlement.

The original structure is believed to have begun as a small surau, or prayer hall, before being developed into a mosque as the population increased. Over the centuries the building has undergone repairs and alterations, but it remains on the historic site associated with the original settlement.

The mosque's significance extends beyond its age. It demonstrates that an established Muslim community existed on Penang Island more than half a century before Francis Light arrived in 1786.

The Historic Mosque and the Sea

One of the distinctive characteristics of Masjid Jamek Batu Uban is its historic relationship with the sea. The mosque was built very close to the shoreline, reflecting the maritime character of the original village.

In the 18th century, the coast would have been considerably more natural than it is today. Boats could approach the shore, while the village's inhabitants could move between Batu Uban and other coastal settlements by sea.

Modern roads, reclamation and urban development have changed the appearance of the coastline. Nevertheless, the mosque continues to occupy the historic location that connected the religious life of the community with its maritime environment.

The Historic Well

A notable feature of Masjid Jamek Batu Uban is an old well associated with the mosque.

The well is believed to have existed for hundreds of years and is traditionally connected with the early settlement. Its continued presence is particularly significant because the mosque was originally located close to the sea.

Local tradition holds that the well has never completely dried up, even during periods of drought. The well has consequently become one of the features associated with the history and identity of the mosque.

Whether regarded as a practical source of water or as part of the community's traditional heritage, the well illustrates the importance of reliable freshwater supplies to a coastal settlement.

Dato' Jenaton

Another major figure associated with the history of Batu Uban is Dato' Jenaton, also known as Jenaton Raja Labu. Like Nakhoda Intan, he was of Minangkabau origin and had connections with Pagaruyung in Sumatra.

Dato' Jenaton arrived at Batu Uban later than Nakhoda Intan. Historical accounts associate him with a grant of approximately 100 acres of land from the Sultan of Kedah in 1749.

According to the traditional account, Dato' Jenaton had assisted Kedah during a conflict with Siam and was rewarded with land in Penang. He subsequently travelled to Batu Uban with a group of followers.

Dato' Jenaton and his followers developed the land for agriculture. Crops associated with the settlement included coconut and sugar cane, while other agricultural activities were also undertaken.

His arrival greatly expanded the Minangkabau presence around Batu Uban and the inland areas behind the original coastal settlement.

Batu Uban and the Sultanate of Kedah

Before the British occupation of Penang, the island was part of the sphere of the Sultanate of Kedah. Batu Uban therefore developed under Kedah's political influence rather than as an independent colonial settlement.

The relationship between Batu Uban and Kedah was strengthened by family, commercial and religious links. People crossed the channel between Penang Island and the mainland for trade, agriculture, marriage and other activities.

Historical traditions also state that early settlers obtained permission from the Sultan of Kedah to establish themselves on the island. This provides important context for understanding the status of Batu Uban before 1786.

Islam in Early Batu Uban

Religion played a central role in the development of Batu Uban. The mosque provided a place of worship, but it also functioned as a centre for religious instruction and community activities.

Nakhoda Intan was remembered as a religiously learned leader. His reputation helped attract other Muslims to the settlement, including people from neighbouring areas.

The settlement subsequently developed into an important centre of Malay-Muslim life on the eastern side of Penang Island. Traders and visitors travelling through the Straits of Malacca could stop at Batu Uban, while people from Kedah and the mainland could reach the settlement by sea.

The importance of Batu Uban as a religious centre demonstrates that Islamic networks were already well established in Penang before the British period.

An Early Trading Settlement

Batu Uban's coastal location made it suitable for small-scale maritime trade. Boats could travel between the settlement and other coastal communities in Kedah, Penang and Sumatra.

Fishing was an important part of the local economy, while agriculture provided another source of food and income. The combination of maritime and agricultural activities allowed the settlement to support a relatively stable community.

The arrival of traders from further afield also contributed to the settlement's development. Historical accounts describe connections with Arab traders and other Muslim merchants who travelled through the region.

Although Batu Uban never became a port on the scale of later George Town, its role as a local maritime settlement was important to the development of the eastern coast of Penang.

Relations with Sumatra

Batu Uban maintained strong connections with Sumatra after the initial Minangkabau settlement was established.

Family members and other migrants continued to travel between Penang and Sumatra. These movements helped preserve cultural practices, kinship networks and religious traditions.

The history of Batu Uban therefore cannot be understood solely within the boundaries of modern Penang. It belongs to a much larger history of movement around the Straits of Malacca.

The Minangkabau heritage of the settlement is particularly significant because Minangkabau communities throughout the Malay world often maintained strong cultural links with their homeland while adapting to their new surroundings.

Batu Uban before George Town

When Francis Light arrived on Penang Island in 1786, Batu Uban was already an established settlement.

This fact is important because popular accounts of Penang history sometimes give the impression that the island's history began with the British. In reality, the island already had several Malay settlements and agricultural areas.

The Penang state government's historical account notes that Malay settlements had already been established at Batu Uban, Sungai Kluang and other locations before the East India Company took control of the island.

Batu Uban is therefore part of the pre-colonial history of Penang. Its history provides an important counterpoint to the colonial narrative centred on Francis Light and George Town.

The Arrival of the British

The British acquisition of Penang in 1786 brought enormous changes to the island. Francis Light established George Town on the northeastern side of the island, and the new town quickly developed into a major trading centre.

The emergence of George Town changed the economic geography of Penang. Traders, workers and other residents were attracted to the new settlement, while some members of older Malay communities moved towards the expanding town.

Batu Uban nevertheless remained an established village. Its mosque and community continued to serve local residents even as George Town grew into the island's principal commercial centre.

The development of the colonial port did not erase Batu Uban's earlier history. Instead, the village became one of several older settlements incorporated into an increasingly urbanised island.

Batu Uban in the 19th Century

During the 19th century, Batu Uban remained a predominantly Malay settlement while the surrounding areas gradually changed.

Agricultural land was cultivated around the village, while fishing remained important to families living close to the coast. The wider Gelugor area also developed plantations and estates under European landowners.

The population of Penang became increasingly diverse during the colonial period. Chinese, Indian, Arab, Malay and European communities established themselves in different parts of the island, creating a complex multicultural society.

Batu Uban retained a distinctive Malay-Muslim character within this changing environment.

Batu Uban and Gelugor

Batu Uban is closely connected with neighbouring Gelugor and Sungai Gelugor. Together, these areas formed part of a wider zone of Malay settlement along the eastern coast.

The Sungai Gelugor area was associated with agriculture and fishing, while Batu Uban developed around its coastal settlement and mosque. Movement between the communities was facilitated by the shoreline, waterways and later roads.

The three areas therefore share much of their early history. They represent the remnants of a landscape that was once dominated by villages, agricultural land, rivers and coastal activity rather than the dense urban development visible today.

Urbanisation of Batu Uban

For much of its history, Batu Uban remained a village. Its transformation into an urban neighbourhood accelerated during the second half of the 20th century.

Road construction, industrial development and the expansion of George Town brought major changes to the surrounding area. The development of modern transport infrastructure greatly improved access to Batu Uban.

The completion of the Penang Bridge in the 1980s was particularly important. The bridge begins at the eastern coast of Penang Island immediately north of Batu Uban, establishing a major road connection between the island and Seberang Perai.

The construction and expansion of the coastal road corridor, including the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, further transformed the area.

As transport links improved, Batu Uban became increasingly integrated into the urban fabric of George Town.

Modern Residential Development

From the late 20th century onwards, Batu Uban experienced significant residential development. Traditional village areas came to exist alongside modern housing estates, condominiums and high-rise residential buildings.

The surrounding landscape is now substantially more urban than it was during the early history of the settlement. High-rise buildings can be seen around the old village, while major roads carry large volumes of traffic through the area.

Despite this transformation, the historic core around Masjid Jamek Batu Uban continues to provide a visible connection with the settlement's earlier identity.

Universiti Sains Malaysia

The establishment of Universiti Sains Malaysia at nearby Minden added another important dimension to the development of the Batu Uban area.

The university was established in 1969 and became one of Malaysia's principal public universities. Its campus occupies a large area inland from Batu Uban and has contributed substantially to the urbanisation and economic development of the surrounding neighbourhoods.

The presence of the university has also brought students, academics and other residents from throughout Malaysia and overseas into an area that was historically associated with Malay villages and agricultural land.

The Penang Bridge

The Penang Bridge, opened in 1985, had a major impact on the eastern coast of Penang Island. Its island approach is located immediately north of Batu Uban.

The bridge provided the first permanent road connection between Penang Island and Seberang Perai, dramatically reducing reliance on ferries for road traffic.

For Batu Uban, the bridge's proximity brought increased accessibility and accelerated development. What had once been a relatively quiet coastal village became part of one of the island's major transportation corridors.

The Changing Coastline

The coastline around Batu Uban has changed substantially over time. The original settlement was closely connected to the natural shore, with the sea playing an important role in the daily life of the community.

Modern infrastructure and reclamation have altered sections of the coast. The construction of roads and other facilities has separated some parts of the historic village from the sea.

Nevertheless, the position of Masjid Jamek Batu Uban near the coast still provides an indication of the relationship between the original settlement and its maritime environment.

The Historic Village

The surviving Kampung Batu Uban is particularly important because it preserves part of the physical character of the old Malay settlement.

Traditional houses and village spaces remain around the historic mosque, although the settlement has been substantially altered by surrounding development.

The contrast between the traditional village and modern high-rise buildings is one of the most distinctive features of Batu Uban today. It illustrates how an old Malay settlement has been incorporated into a rapidly developing metropolitan environment.

The Cemetery and Burial Grounds

Historic burial grounds form another important part of Batu Uban's heritage.

Among the graves associated with the settlement is the burial place traditionally identified as that of Nakhoda Intan. Its location close to the mosque reinforces the connection between the community's religious institutions and its early leaders.

Other burial grounds in the wider Batu Uban area reflect the multicultural history of modern Penang. The coexistence of old cemeteries, religious buildings and newer urban development contributes to the area's layered historical character.

Heritage Significance

Batu Uban is important because its heritage extends beyond a single building. The settlement represents a complete historical landscape comprising a village, mosque, burial grounds, coastline and networks of roads and waterways.

The area also preserves evidence of several overlapping histories: the Minangkabau migration from Sumatra, the political influence of Kedah, the development of Islam in Penang, the growth of maritime trade, British colonisation and the subsequent urbanisation of the island.

Masjid Jamek Batu Uban is the most prominent surviving landmark, but its significance is strengthened by its relationship with the surrounding settlement.

Why Batu Uban Matters

Batu Uban is essential to understanding the history of Penang because it challenges the idea that the island only became a settled or economically important place after 1786.

The settlement demonstrates that Malay communities had already established themselves along the eastern coast. These communities were connected to Kedah, Sumatra and the wider Malay world through family, religious and commercial networks.

The date 1734 associated with the Batu Uban mosque is particularly important. It places an established Muslim institution on the island more than 50 years before the foundation of George Town.

For this reason, Batu Uban should be viewed not merely as an old village surrounded by a modern city, but as one of the places where the pre-colonial history of Penang remains visible.

Batu Uban Today

Today, Batu Uban is a predominantly urban neighbourhood within George Town. It is surrounded by residential developments, major transport routes and educational institutions.

Yet the historic village remains identifiable. Masjid Jamek Batu Uban continues to function as a mosque, while the surrounding community retains its Malay heritage.

The survival of the village is particularly significant given the extent of urban development elsewhere on Penang Island. It provides a tangible link between the modern city and the coastal settlement that existed here almost three centuries ago.

Preserving Batu Uban's Heritage

The heritage of Batu Uban is best understood as a combination of tangible and intangible elements. The mosque, graves, traditional houses and village layout are tangible reminders of the past, while oral histories, family genealogies, religious traditions and community memories provide the intangible dimension.

Preserving the historic mosque alone would not fully protect the heritage of Batu Uban. The relationship between the mosque, village and coastline is equally important because it explains how the settlement functioned as a community.

Documentation of old houses, family histories, traditional practices and the changing coastline can therefore contribute to a more complete understanding of Batu Uban's history.

Conclusion

Batu Uban is one of the most historically significant Malay settlements on Penang Island. Founded by Minangkabau settlers in the 18th century, it developed as a coastal community with strong connections to Sumatra, Kedah and the wider Malay world.

Its history is closely associated with Nakhoda Intan, who is traditionally credited with establishing the settlement and founding Masjid Jamek Batu Uban in 1734. The mosque remains the most important physical reminder of the community's early history.

The arrival of Francis Light in 1786 and the subsequent development of George Town transformed Penang, but Batu Uban continued to survive as a Malay village. During the 20th century, however, roads, the Penang Bridge, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Universiti Sains Malaysia and high-rise residential development dramatically changed the surrounding landscape.

Despite this urban transformation, Batu Uban remains an important link to Penang's pre-colonial past. Its mosque, village, burial grounds and surviving community provide evidence of a Malay-Muslim society that existed on the island long before British rule.

For anyone seeking to understand the deeper history of Penang, Batu Uban is therefore much more than a modern residential neighbourhood. It is a surviving historical landscape that connects present-day George Town with the maritime, religious and cultural world of the Malay Peninsula and Sumatra in the 18th century.

References

Page Details

This page was created on 7 September 2026. Hi, my name is Timothy and created it from my research, for my own entertainment, knowledge and to satisfy my curiosity. I am providing the information to you in good faith and hope it is useful. I try to get the details as accurate as possible. I also try to update the page whenever I stumble on new details. So this and all my other pages are perpetual work in progress. If you discover any error, please politely inform me, pointing out where the error lies, and I will correct it as soon as possible. Your helpfulness will keep this page accurate, relevant and helpful to those who need the information.

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