Seberang Perai

Seberang Perai was originally named Province Wellesley after Richard Wellesley, who was the Governor-General of India when the territory was acquired by the British East India Company (EIC) in 1800.{{Cite book |last=Cotterell |first=Arthur |title=A History of Southeast Asia |publisher=Marshall Cavendish |year=2014 |isbn=9789814634700 |page=243}} The term "Seberang Perai" is believed to have emerged from a local expression used to refer to the northern banks of the Perai River.{{Cite web |date=30 Sep 2016 |title=Seberang Perai: Stories from Across the Sea |url=https://mphonline.com/products/seberang-perai-stories-from-across-the-sea?srsltid=AfmBOopse_wiosU9cZekbFO6TShQ-Kx-kYZgzkrPeKxIUZHwGIlrnev5 |access-date=23 Oct 2024 |website=MPH Group}} After the acquisition of Province Wellesley, the river became the boundary between British-held territory to the south and Kedah to the north. Seberang means "the other side" in Malay.{{Cite web |title=Translation of across – English–Malay dictionary |url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english-malaysian/across |access-date=23 Oct 2024 |website=Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary}} The Thai word plāi ({{langx|th|ปลาย}}), meaning "the end", referred to the southern limits of Kedah, which were formed by the river.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=21 Jul 2017 |title=Bringing life back to the river that Perai is named after |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2017/07/21/bringing-life-back-to-the-river-that-perai-is-named-after/1425617 |access-date=14 Jan 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}

The Hokkiens referred to the northern banks of the river as koay kang, which means "across the river". At the time, passengers from George Town would land at Perai and cross the river to get to Butterworth and the hinterland beyond. The term koay kang coincides with the Malay name Seberang Perai.

{{Quote box

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{{flagdeco|East India Company}} British East India Company 1800–1858

{{flagdeco|United Kingdom}} British Raj 1858–1867

{{flag|Straits Settlements}} 1826–1941; 1945–1946

{{flagdeco|Empire of Japan|1870}} Empire of Japan 1941–1945

{{flag|Malayan Union}} 1946–1948

{{flag|Malaya|name=Federation of Malaya}} 1948–1963

{{flag|Malaysia}} 1963–present

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Seberang Perai bears evidence of human habitation during the Neolithic era. The site of Guar Kepah, located on the southern banks of the Muda River, is home to human remains found in shell middens that indicate the settlement of the area in that period.{{Cite journal |last=Shahidan |first=Shaiful |date=2 Jul 2018 |title=Tapak Guar Kepah: Bukti perkuburan masyarakat Neolitik di dalam timbunan cangkerang laut |trans-title=Guar Kepah: Evidence of Neolithic Burial in Shell Mound |url=https://jurnal.dbp.my/index.php/Melayu/article/view/3752/1360 |journal=Universiti Sains Malaysia |language=MS |volume=11 |issue=2}}{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=10 May 2019 |title=5,000-year-old ‘Penang Woman’ on display at archeological site in Guar Kepah |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/05/10/5000-year-old-penang-woman-on-display-at-archeological-site-in-guar-kepah/1751575 |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} Guar Kepah remains the only known example of coastal adaptation among Neolithic humans in Malaysia.

Seberang Perai was once a part of the Bujang Valley civilisation.{{Cite journal |last=Sarjit Singh |first=Meljev Singh Sidhu |date=2018 |title=Building materials and structural foundations in the Bujang Valley and comparisons with four regional settlements |url=http://eprints.usm.my/48507/1/MELJEV%20SINGH%20SIDHU%20SO%20SARJIT%20SINGH_hj.pdf |journal=Universiti Sains Malaysia}} The Mahanavika Buddhagupta plaque and the Cherok Tok Kun megalith, found at Bukit Mertajam, both indicate significant Hindu influence at the area between the 5th and 6th centuries.{{Cite journal |last=Murphy |first=Stephen |date=2017 |title=Revisiting the Bujang Valley: A Southeast Asian entrepôt complex on the maritime trade route |url=https://eprints.soas.ac.uk/34322/7/S.Murphy.Bujang.valley.23.July.2016.pdf |journal=Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society |pages=2}}

File:Penang.gif (in yellow) occurred between 1786 and 1874, when the final alterations to Penang's boundaries was enacted.{{Cite web |last=Hill |first=Ronald David |date=23 November 1839 |others=Ms copy by Poon Puay Kee |title=Plan of Prince of Wales Island and Province Wellesley |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/fbc7d2ca-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016153437/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/fbc7d2ca-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad |archive-date=16 October 2022 |access-date=10 January 2024 |website=National Archives of Singapore}}{{Cite web |last=Moniot |first=Jules Michael |date=1860 |title=Map of Prince of Wales Island, or Pulo Penang and Province Wellesley including a Careful Survey of the South Channel |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/f96da40d-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018071434/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/f96da40d-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad |archive-date=18 October 2022 |access-date=10 January 2024 |website=National Archives of Singapore}}{{Cite web |last=Stanford |first=Edward |date=1870 |others=Revised by Major J.F.A.McNair |title=Map of Prince of Wales Island and Province Wellesley, Straits Settlements |url=http://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/f97bad5c-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018145240/https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/maps_building_plans/record-details/f97bad5c-115c-11e3-83d5-0050568939ad |archive-date=18 October 2022 |access-date=10 January 2024 |website=National Archives of Singapore}}{{cite web |last1=Allen |first1=J. De V. |last2=Stockwell |first2=A. J. |last3=Wright |first3=L. R. |date=1981 |others=Annotated by Aloysius Ng |title=Documents Archive – Pangkor Engagement of 1874 |url=http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/hist/eia/documents_archive/pangkor-treaty.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125221607/http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/hist/eia/documents_archive/pangkor-treaty.php |archive-date=25 November 2016 |access-date=30 January 2023 |website=Empire in Asia |publisher=National University of Singapore}}]]

In 1786, Francis Light acquired Penang Island from Kedah in exchange for British military protection.{{Cite journal |last=Samuel Wee |first=Tien Wang |date=1992 |title=British strategic interests in the Straits of Malacca 1786–1819 |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/56368037.pdf |journal=Simon Fraser University}} However, when Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah of Kedah attempted to retake the island by force in response to the EIC's reneging on military protection, British forces launched a preemptive assault on Perai. The Kedahan forces were routed and the Sultan was forced to sue for peace.{{Cite journal |last=Ooi |first=Keat Gin |date=2015 |title=Disparate Identities: Penang from a Historical Perspective, 1780–1941 |url=http://web.usm.my/km/33(Supp.2)2015/km33s22015_03.pdf |journal=Kajian Malaysia |volume=33 |issue=Supp. 2 |pages=27–52 |issn=0127-4082 |access-date=2023-03-07 |df=dmy-all}}{{Cite book |last=Jenkins |first=Gwynn |title=Contested Space: Cultural Heritage and Identity Reconstructions: Conservation Strategies Within a Developing Asian City |publisher=LIT Verlag Münster |year=2008 |isbn=978-3-8258-1366-6 |page=32}}

In 1800, the EIC annexed a strip of the mainland from Kedah for a sum of 4,000 Spanish dollars.{{Cite journal |last=Leng |first=Hin-Seak |date=May 1969 |title=Political leadership in a plural society: Penang in the 1960's |url=https://openresearch-repository.anu.edu.au/bitstream/1885/110685/2/b12926322_Leng_Hin-Seek.pdf |journal=Australian National University}} This acquisition, negotiated by George Caunter on behalf of Lieutenant-Governor George Leith, gave the EIC permanent sovereignty over both Penang Island and the newly acquired territory, which was named Province Wellesley after Governor-General of India Richard Wellesley.{{cite book |author=Marcus Langdon |title=Penang: The Fourth Presidency of India. 1805–1830. Volume One: Ships, Men and Mansions |publisher=Areca Books |year=2013 |isbn=9789675719073 |pages=219, 222}} The Perai River became the international border between British and Kedah territories.

The EIC had sought to turn the island into an agricultural outpost.{{Cite journal |last=Chan |first=Wai Yeap |title=The History of Bukit Mertajam (1800–1957): From Agrarian Town to Central Hub of Northern Malaya |url=https://www.academia.edu/25915163/The_History_of_Bukit_Mertajam_1800_1957_From_Agrarian_Town_to_Central_Hub_of_Northern_Malaya |journal=Penang Institute |via=Academia.edu}} The annexation of Province Wellesley allowed for the expansion of the cash crop industry from the island to the mainland. This led to the harvesting of spices and sugar, which attracted migrants from China, India, Myanmar and the Middle East, as well as Malay refugees from Kedah fleeing the Siamese conquest of their homeland.{{Cite journal |last=Zhao |first=Long |date=2 December 2018 |title=The townscape evolution of historic port settlement of George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |url=https://frsb.upm.edu.my/upload/dokumen/20181224115748artikel_09.pdf |journal=University of Putra Malaysia |volume=11}} In 1831, the EIC expanded Province Wellesley northwards, moving the international border between British and Siamese territories from the Perai River to the Muda River.{{Cite journal |last=Mior Hamzah |first=Mior Ahmad Noor |title=Hubungan Melayu-Siam: Melihat kepada persoalan sempadan di Kedah |url=https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/12116311.pdf |journal=Universiti Utara Malaysia |language=MS |pages=42}} The territory's boundaries were further extended in 1868 and in the Pangkor Treaty of 1874, effectively enlarging the British-held territory from the Muda River in the north to the Kerian River in the south.{{Cite journal |last=Ahmat |first=Sharom |title=Kedah-Siam relations, 1821–1905 |url=https://thesiamsociety.org/wp-content/uploads/1971/03/JSS_059_1g_SharomAhmat_KedahSiamRelations.pdf |journal=Siam Society}}{{cite web |last=Aloysius Ng |title=Documents Archive – Pangkor Engagement of 1874 |url=http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/hist/eia/documents_archive/pangkor-treaty.php |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161125221607/http://www.fas.nus.edu.sg/hist/eia/documents_archive/pangkor-treaty.php |archive-date=2016-11-25 |access-date=30 January 2023 |publisher=National University of Singapore}}

The development of roads and railways in the early 20th century promoted the growth of Province Wellesley's rubber industry. Malaya's new rail lines, which ran from the Siamese border to the north to Singapore to the south, cut through Province Wellesley, allowing the Port of Penang to become a major tin exporter. This led to the emergence of new towns, such as Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, as logistics hubs. The Municipal Ordinance of 1913 resulted in the creation of three local governments within Province Wellesley {{Ndash}} the Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam town boards, and the Province Wellesley Rural Board. The creation of local governments further accelerated infrastructural developments within the territory.

File:Jambatan Merdeka Pillbox 01.jpg along the northern frontier of Province Wellesley.|left]]

RAF Butterworth was opened just a few months prior to the outbreak of hostilities between Britain and Japan in December 1941.{{Cite journal |title=RAF Station Butterworth Malaya (1939–1957) |url=https://raafansw.org.au/docPDF/RAAF_Butterworth_Malaysia.pdf |journal=Air Force Association – New South Wales}} As Japanese troops landed in Kota Bharu and Songkhla, Allied squadrons defending northern Malaya were decimated and had to retreat to RAF Butterworth by 8 December.{{Cite journal |last=Farrell |first=Brian |date=2008 |title=Malayan Campaign 1941–42: Lessons for One SAF |url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/oms/content/imindef/publications/pointer/monographs/mono6/_jcr_content/imindefPars/0005/file.res/Malayan%20Campaign.pdf |journal=Ministry of Defence (Singapore) |publisher=Government of Singapore}} The air base was subsequently attacked by Japanese bombers the following day. The Royal Air Force abandoned it on 15 December, and Penang fell to the Japanese four days later.{{Cite book |last=Barber |first=Andrew |title=Penang At War : A History of Penang During and Between the First and Second World Wars 1914–1945 |publisher=AB&B |year=2010 |isbn=9789834337230 |pages=63–117}}

During the Japanese occupation, Province Wellesley, like George Town, underwent significant social upheaval. Civilians suffered harsh treatment from the Japanese, who attempted to enforce order, while living conditions worsened along with the economic situation. Rice farmers in Province Wellesley were encouraged to increase their yields, but the rice supply deficit proved too great to overcome. Despite the establishment of "pioneer farms" in the territory by Japanese administrators in 1944, food shortages persisted until the end of the war when British forces liberated Penang. Following the war's end, British authorities swiftly undertook action to restore order in Province Wellesley, which was plagued by elements of the Chinese underworld and communist infiltrations.

In 1953, the British reorganised the local governments within the territory. Five local governments {{Ndash}} one each for the municipalities of Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, and three rural district councils {{Ndash}} were instituted.{{Cite news |date=20 Oct 1953 |title=Plan to split rural board |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/singstandard19531020-1.2.73?qt=province,%20wellesley,%20rural,%20board&q=province%20wellesley%20rural%20board |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=Singapore Standard}}{{Cite news |date=10 Dec 1952 |title=Town Councils planned |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/freepress19521210-1.2.52?qt=butterworth,%20town,%20board&q=butterworth%20town%20board |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=Singapore Free Press}} After Malaya gained independence in 1957, the ruling Alliance coalition moved to amalgamate the local governments within Seberang Perai.{{Cite news |date=19 Apr 1960 |title=Ranchangan gabongan majlis2 tempatan |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/beritaharian19600419-1.2.66?qt=seberang,%20perai&q=seberang%20perai |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=Berita Harian |language=MS}} In 1961, the Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipalities were consolidated with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively.{{Cite news |date=19 Apr 1961 |title=Province gets new district council |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19610419-1.2.71?qt=province,%20wellesley,%20rural,%20council&q=province%20wellesley%20rural%20council |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=The Straits Budget}} The three remaining local governments were subsequently merged into a single municipality in 1974.{{Cite web |title=History |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/index.php/en/proposed-bicycle-lanes/general-info/history |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |website=Seberang Perai City Council}} Two years later, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status and the local government was renamed the Seberang Perai Municipal Council.

In the early 1960s, the Penang state government began industrialising Seberang Perai through the establishment of the first industrial estates at Mak Mandin and Perai.{{Cite journal |last=Chin |first=Yee Whah |date=Jul 2006 |title=Penang Small and Medium Enterprises: Struggle, Accommodation and Challenges |url=https://journalarticle.ukm.my/4294/2/akademika65%5B02%5D.pdf |journal=Universiti Sains Malaysia}} In 1974, the Port of Penang was relocated from George Town to the municipality, and in 1980, the adjacent Perai Free Industrial Zone was created to take advantage of the available maritime and rail infrastructure.{{Cite journal |last=Athukorala |first=Prema-chandra |title=Growing with Global Production Sharing: The Tale of Penang Export Hub, Malaysia |url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/gep/documents/conferences/2012/malaysia-conference/prema-chandra-athukorala.pdf |journal=Australian National University}}{{Cite book |last=Sue-Ching Jou, Hsin-Huang Michael Hsiao |first=Natacha Aveline-Dubach |title=Globalization and New Intra-Urban Dynamics in Asian Cities |publisher=National Taiwan University |year=2014 |isbn=9789863500216 |location=Taipei |pages=187–188}} These were accompanied by a significant increase in the municipality's population, which was largely due to the spillover of development from George Town.

Decades of economic growth and the availability of industrial land have led to substantial investments in infrastructure, including the completions of the Penang Bridge and the Second Penang Bridge that connect the municipality with George Town.{{Cite journal |last=Samat |first=Narimah |date=22 Jul 2013 |title=Urban Expansion and its Impact on Local Communities: A Case Study of Seberang Perai, Penang, Malaysia |url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/366249021_SOCIAL_SCIENCES_HUMANITIES_Urban_Expansion_and_its_Impact_on_Local_Communities_A_Case_Study_of_Seberang_Perai_Penang_Malaysia |journal=Universiti Sains Malaysia |issn=0128-7702 |via=ResearchGate}}{{Cite web |title=Penang bridges |url=https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/what-do-civil-engineers-do/penang-bridges |access-date=17 Dec 2023 |website=Institution of Civil Engineers}}{{Cite news |date=3 Jul 1992 |title=Hot on Singapore's heels |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/biztimes19920703-1.2.30.3?qt=province,%20wellesley,%20seberang,%20perai&q=province%20wellesley%20seberang%20perai |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=The Business Times}} The industrial sector has also spurred the development of newer townships within the municipality, such as Seberang Jaya and Batu Kawan.{{Cite news |last=Tern Chern |first=Lo |date=19 Oct 2022 |title=Rise of Batu Kawan |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/10/19/rise-of-batu-kawan |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}} Seberang Perai was granted city status in 2019.{{Cite news |date=16 Sep 2019 |title=Seberang Perai gains city status |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2019/09/16/seberang-perai-gains-city-status/1791117 |access-date=2 Feb 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}

Seberang Perai spans the entire mainland portion of Penang. With a total land mass of {{Convert|747.8|km2|abbr=on}}, Seberang Perai is slightly larger than Singapore.{{ref|Alpha|α}} The terrain of the city is mostly flat and alluvial, except for the hilly region that lays along its eastern border with Kedah.{{Cite journal |last=Abd. Rahman |first=Abdul Hadi |date=Sep 2000 |title=Coastal Sedimentation and Recent Coastline Changes Along the Seberang Perai Coast, Pulau Pinang |url=https://gsmpubl.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/agc2000_24.pdf |journal=University of Malaya}} Standing at a height of {{Convert|1787|ft|abbr=on}}, Mertajam Hill is the tallest point within Seberang Perai. The city's coast is divided into a northern sandy shoreline and a muddy, mangrove-covered southern coastline. The southern coast is geographically sheltered by Penang Island, while the northern shoreline is more exposed to the Malacca Strait.

Seberang Perai's jurisdiction also includes two offshore islets {{Ndash}} Aman and Gedung islands.{{Cite journal |title=Draf Rancangan Tempatan Seberang Perai 2030 |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/images/draft_rancangan/drtsp-2030.pdf |journal=Seberang Perai City Council |language=MS}} These islets feature mudflats that connect with the mainland due to sedimentation that occurred during the construction of the Penang Bridge.

The city is demarcated by the Muda River to the north, which serves as the border between Seberang Perai and Kedah.{{Cite news |last=Lopez |first=Leslie |date=9 Apr 2021 |title=Murky politics as two Malaysian states – Penang and Kedah – clash over water |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/murky-politics-as-two-malaysian-states-penang-and-kedah-clash-over-water |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=The Straits Times}} To the south, the tripoint between Seberang Perai, Kedah and Perak lies within the Kerian River.{{Cite news |last=Mohd Yunus |first=Zubir |date=16 Oct 2016 |title=Kerian menjadi titik sempadan Perak, Kedah, Pulau Pinang |url=https://www.bharian.com.my/bhplus-old/2016/10/202554/kerian-menjadi-titik-sempadan-perak-kedah-pulau-pinang |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=Berita Harian |language=ms}} Several riverine systems flow through the city, including Perai, Juru, Jejawi and Tengah rivers. River pollution caused by industrial waste has been a persistent issue for decades, with the Juru, Jawi and Perai rivers classified as having average water quality (Class III) by Malaysia's Department of Environment since 2016.{{Cite news |last=Dermawan |first=Audrey |date=29 May 2022 |title=The sad state of Penang rivers |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2022/05/800375/sad-state-penang-rivers |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=New Straits Times}}

{{Map of subdivisions in Seberang Perai}}

{{Weather box

| width = auto

| metric first = y

| single line = y

| collapsed = Y

| location = Butterworth (RMAF Butterworth Air Base) (2007–2020 normals, extremes 2015–2022)

|Jan record high C = 35.9

|Feb record high C = 37.0

|Mar record high C = 36.6

|Apr record high C = 35.0

|May record high C = 34.0

|Jun record high C = 34.8

|Jul record high C = 34.4

|Aug record high C = 34.0

|Sep record high C = 34.0

|Oct record high C = 34.3

|Nov record high C = 33.9

|Dec record high C = 36.4

|Jan record low C = 22.3

|Feb record low C = 19.8

|Mar record low C = 21.6

|Apr record low C = 22.7

|May record low C = 23.3

|Jun record low C = 22.5

|Jul record low C = 22.2

|Aug record low C = 22.1

|Sep record low C = 22.0

|Oct record low C = 22.7

|Nov record low C = 22.8

|Dec record low C = 21.6

| Jan high C = 31.6

| Feb high C = 32.1

| Mar high C = 32.2

| Apr high C = 31.9

| May high C = 31.8

| Jun high C = 31.8

| Jul high C = 31.5

| Aug high C = 31.9

| Sep high C = 31.3

| Oct high C = 31.1

| Nov high C = 30.9

| Dec high C = 31.5

|Jan mean C = 27.8

|Feb mean C = 28.1

|Mar mean C = 28.4

|Apr mean C = 28.6

|May mean C = 28.7

|Jun mean C = 28.6

|Jul mean C = 28.2

|Aug mean C = 28.1

|Sep mean C = 27.7

|Oct mean C = 27.7

|Nov mean C = 27.7

|Dec mean C = 27.7

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 24.0

| Feb low C = 24.1

| Mar low C = 24.8

| Apr low C = 25.3

| May low C = 25.5

| Jun low C = 25.4

| Jul low C = 24.9

| Aug low C = 24.7

| Sep low C = 24.6

| Oct low C = 24.6

| Nov low C = 24.7

| Dec low C = 24.5

| precipitation colour = green

| Jan precipitation mm = 96.3

| Feb precipitation mm = 83.6

| Mar precipitation mm = 100.7

| Apr precipitation mm = 183.7

| May precipitation mm = 261.0

| Jun precipitation mm = 148.9

| Jul precipitation mm = 185.9

| Aug precipitation mm = 126.3

| Sep precipitation mm = 293.4

| Oct precipitation mm = 291.9

| Nov precipitation mm = 266.3

| Dec precipitation mm = 112.9

| Jan precipitation days = 7.6

| Feb precipitation days = 6.0

| Mar precipitation days = 7.1

| Apr precipitation days = 13.4

| May precipitation days = 14.9

| Jun precipitation days = 10.0

| Jul precipitation days = 11.1

| Aug precipitation days = 12.6

| Sep precipitation days = 16.0

| Oct precipitation days = 17.3

| Nov precipitation days = 13.9

| Dec precipitation days = 10.3

|source 1 = IEM{{cite web

|url=https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/sites/monthlysum.php?network=MY__ASOS&station=WMKB

|title= [WMKB] Butterworth [1948-] Monthly Summaries

|publisher=The Iowa Environmental Mesonet

|access-date=25 December 2024}}

| source 2 = Meteomanz (precipitation 2016–2022){{cite web

| url = http://www.meteomanz.com/sy3?l=1&cou=5010&ind=48602&y1=2016&m1=01&y2=2022&m2=12&so=000&fm=00

| title = SYNOP/BUFR observations. Data by months

| publisher = Meteomanz

| access-date = 22 March 2024}}

}}

{{Main|Seberang Perai City Council}}

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| image1 = Flag of Seberang Perai Municipal Council.png

| image2 = MBSP Bandar Perda (221003) (cropped).jpg

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| caption2 = Above: Flag of the Seberang Perai City Council

Below: The City Tower, the headquarters of the city government, was completed in 2005, replacing the previous administrative offices at Butterworth.{{Cite news |last=Yaacob |first=Zainulfaqar |date=25 Sep 2019 |title=Kompleks pentadbiran MBSP kini dinamakan ‘Menara Bandaraya’ |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/kompleks-pentadbiran-mbsp-kini-dinamakan-menara-bandaraya/ |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara |language=MS}}{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Ban Lee |date=25 Feb 2019 |title=Butterworth set to soar |url=https://thesun.my/opinion_news/butterworth-set-to-soar-CL591477 |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=The Sun}}{{Cite news |last=Yeng |first=Ai Chun |date=22 Nov 2008 |title=Former MPSP building up for sale |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2008/11/22/former-mpsp-building-up-for-sale |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}}

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Throughout the 19th century, Province Wellesley was administered from George Town without any local governance structure in place. This changed in 1913 when the Municipal Ordinance came into effect, mandating the establishment of local governments in Province Wellesley.{{Cite news |date=5 Jun 1913 |title=First batch of commissioners appointed: Singapore bodies to be consulted |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19130605-1.2.53?qt=province,%20wellesley,%20rural,%20board&q=Province%20Wellesley%20rural%20board |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=The Straits Budget |page=12}} Three local governments were created, namely the town boards for Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, and the Province Wellesley Rural Board, which administered the rest of the territory.

The Seberang Perai City Council (MBSP) was formed following several reorganisations throughout the 20th century. In 1953, the Province Wellesley Rural Board was split into three rural district councils for the Northern, Central and Southern districts. After Malaya's independence, the local governments were gradually amalgamated by the then Alliance-controlled state government. The Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam municipal governments were merged with the North and Central Seberang Perai rural district councils, respectively, in 1961. The three remaining district councils were consolidated into a single municipality in 1974. As a municipality, Seberang Perai was conferred municipal status in 1976 and city status in 2019.

One of the two city governments in Penang, MBSP is led by a mayor, assisted by a secretary and 24 councillors who perform oversight responsibilities over 18 departments.{{Cite web |date=4 Oct 2021 |title=Struktur Pentadbiran |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/index.php/ms/mengenai-mpsp/maklumat-am/carta-organisasi |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |website=Seberang Perai City Council |language=MS}} The Penang state government appoints the mayor and councillors, with the councillors serving under an extendable one-year term.{{Cite web |title=Background |url=https://www.mbpp.gov.my/en/corporate/background |access-date=30 December 2023 |website=Penang Island City Council}} Local government elections were put in place in 1961, but were suspended due to the Indonesia–Malaysia confrontation and have not been reinstated since.{{Cite news |date=31 May 1961 |title=Alliance sweeps in |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19610531-1.2.35?qt=election,%20province,%20wellesley&q=election%20province%20wellesley |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=The Straits Budget |pages=9}}{{Cite web |last=Abdullah |first=Saifuddin |title=George Town: Malaysia's First Local Democracy |url=https://penanginstitute.org/happenings/in-the-mass-media/913-george-town-malaysia-s-first-local-democracy/ |access-date=19 December 2023 |website=Penang Institute}} {{As of|2024|June}}, the mayor of Seberang Perai is Hj Baderul Amin Abdul Hamid.{{Cite news |last=Edmund Lee |date=26 Jun 2024 |title=New mayor for MBSP |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/new-mayor-for-mbsp/#:~:text=THE%20Seberang%20Perai%20City%20Council,effective%20June%2024%20this%20year. |access-date=31 Jul 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} The City Tower, located at Bukit Tengah, serves as the city council's headquarters.

MBSP's current urban planning strategy is outlined in the Seberang Perai Local Plan 2030, first published in 2021.{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=9 Jul 2021 |title=Impressive feedback for proposed 2030 Seberang Perai planning blueprint |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/impressive-feedback-for-proposed-2030-seberang-perai-planning-blueprint/ |access-date=8 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} In 2025, MBSP projected its estimated revenue at RM367.3 million and an estimated expenditure of RM416.1 million, which included allocations for environment, public safety and infrastructure.{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=4 Oct 2024 |title=10 Core Priorities for 2025 MBSP Budget |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/10-core-priorities-for-2025-mbsp-budget/ |access-date=3 Nov 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}{{ref|Beta|β}}

File:Map of Seberang Perai by ethnic proportions 2020.svg

{{See also|List of electoral districts in Penang}}

Seberang Perai is represented by seven Members of Parliament and 21 state constituencies.{{Cite journal |last=Hutchinson |first=Francis |date=23 November 2023 |title=The August Poll in Penang: A Perspective on Pakatan, its Partners and its Prospects |url=https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/ISEAS_Perspective_2023_93.pdf |journal=ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute}} Prior to 2023, state elections had been conducted simultaneously with nationwide general elections every five years. {{As of|2023}}, ethnic Malays formed the majority in 11 of the 21 state constituencies, especially in the city's north. On the other hand, non-Malays were largely clustered in urban constituencies such as at Butterworth, Perai, Bukit Mertajam and Batu Kawan, as well as many of the coastal areas in the south. In the 2023 state election, the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional alliance retained 12 of Seberang Perai's constituencies, whereas the far-right Perikatan Nasional opposition bloc won nine Malay-majority seats across swathes of the north and southeast.

Parliamentary constituencies

{{Div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Kepala Batas
• Tasek Gelugor
• Bagan
• Permatang Pauh
• Bukit Mertajam
• Batu Kawan
• Nibong Tebal{{Div col end}}

State constituencies

{{Div col|colwidth=10em}}

• Penaga
• Bertam
• Pinang Tunggal
• Permatang Berangan
• Sungai Dua
• Telok Ayer Tawar
• Sungai Puyu
• Bagan Jermal
• Bagan Dalam
• Seberang Jaya
• Permatang Pasir
• Penanti
• Berapit
• Machang Bubuk
• Padang Lalang
• Perai
• Bukit Tengah
• Bukit Tambun
• Jawi
• Sungai Bakap
• Sungai Acheh{{Div col end}}

Seberang Perai has a judicial system that consists of the magistrate and sessions courts. Each of the city's three districts is served by these courts. The north district cases are under the jurisdiction of the Butterworth Magistrates Court, while the central district cases are presided over by the Bukit Mertajam Magistrates Court.{{Cite web |date=15 January 2018 |title=Court Directory |url=http://penangbar.org/court-directory/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203002653/http://penangbar.org/court-directory/ |archive-date=3 December 2016 |access-date=22 June 2018 |website=penangbar.org |publisher=Penang Bar Committee}} The south district cases are handled by the Jawi Magistrates Court. The Royal Malaysia Police is responsible for law enforcement within Seberang Perai, maintaining a total of 20 police stations throughout the city {{As of|2022|lc=y}}.{{Cite journal |date=Nov 2023 |title=My Local Stats Seberang Perai Utara Pulau Pinang 2022 |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |issn=2735-2498}}{{Cite journal |date=Nov 2023 |title=My Local Stats Seberang Perai Tengah Pulau Pinang 2022 |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia}}{{Cite journal |date=Nov 2023 |title=My Local Stats Seberang Perai Selatan Pulau Pinang 2022 |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |issn=2735-251X}}

{{Historical populations|9=1921|10=130341|11=1931|12=141388|13=1947|14=183616|15=1957|16=233234|17=1970|18=343010|19=1980|20=432982|21=1991|22=545688|23=2000|24=655711|25=2010|26=818197|27=2020|28=946092|shading=off|source={{my10|2020kf}}{{Cite journal |last=A. Vlieland |first=C. |date=1932 |title=British Malaya: A report on the 1931 census and on certain problems of vital statistics |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae5b |journal=Straits Settlements |pages=129 |via=Department of Statistics Malaysia}}{{Cite journal |last=V. Del Tufo |first=M. |title=Malaya: A report on the 1947 census of population |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae5a |journal=Federation of Malaya |pages=136 |via=Department of Statistics Malaysia}}{{Cite journal |date=11 Jul 1959 |title=1957 population census report no. 3: State of Penang |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae22 |journal=Department of Statistics, Federation of Malaya |location=Kuala Lumpur |pages=4–6 |via=Department of Statistics Malaysia}}{{Cite journal |last=Chander |first=R. |title=1970 population and housing census of Malaysia |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5cbbea4ee72b5b1a3e3e5930 |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |location=Kuala Lumpur |pages=53–54}}{{Cite journal |last=Khoo |first=Teik Huat |date=Jun 1984 |title=1980 population and housing census of Malaysia: Population report for administrative districts |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae0c |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |location=Kuala Lumpur |pages=123–129}}{{Cite journal |last=Khoo |first=Soo Gim |date=Feb 1995 |title=Population and housing census of Malaysia 1991: General report of the population census |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aadf4 |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |location=Kuala Lumpur |volume=2 |pages=25 |issn=1394-3642}}{{Cite journal |last=Abdul Rahman |first=Shaari |date=Sep 2004 |title=Population and housing census of Malaysia 2000: Census atlas |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae10 |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |location=Putrajaya |pages=79 |issn=1394-6250}}{{Cite journal |date=May 2012 |title=Population and housing census of Malaysia: Population profile by parliament and state legislative assembly areas 2010 |url=https://statsdigital.stats.gov.my/Penerbitan/penerbitan/view?id=5bc68d0dd5bc73855e4aae2e |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |location=Putrajaya |pages=17–19}}|align=left}}{{Bar box|title=Ethnicities of Seberang Perai in 2020{{my10|2020kf}}|left1=Ethnicities / Nationality|right1=Percentage|float=left|bars={{Bar percent|Malays|Green|49.0}}{{Bar percent|Other Bumiputeras|Teal|0.3}}{{Bar percent|Chinese|Red|32.9}}{{Bar percent|Indians|Orange|9.6}} {{Bar percent|Others|DarkGray|0.4}}{{Bar percent|Non-Malaysians|Purple|7.7}}}}According to the 2020 Malaysian census, Seberang Perai had a population of 946,092 within its jurisdiction of {{convert|748|km2|abbr=on}}, giving it a population density of {{convert|1264.8|/km2|abbr=on}}.{{my10|2020kf}} This also makes Seberang Perai the third largest city by population in Malaysia after Kuala Lumpur and Kajang. Seberang Perai is also the most populous settlement within the George Town Conurbation, containing over 54.3% of Penang's population. The city centre of Butterworth recorded a population of 80,378, or approximately 8.5% of the total population of Seberang Perai.

In the decades following Malaya's independence, Seberang Perai's population grew rapidly due to the spillover of development from George Town.{{Cite journal |last=Hasni |first=Rosmiyati |date=2015 |title=Predicting Seberang Perai housing land pattern in 2017 |url=http://eprints.usm.my/35129/1/PPIK30.pdf |journal=Universiti Sains Malaysia}} Between 1975 and 1990, suburban sprawl became more pronounced within the northern and central districts of the city.{{Cite journal |title=City scan Penang, Malaysia: City resilience program |url=https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/303601599804400672/pdf/City-Scan-Penang-Malaysia-City-Resilience-Program.pdf |journal=World Bank}} By 1991, Seberang Perai's population outstripped that of Penang Island for the first time in the state's history.{{ref|Gamma|γ}}

{{As of|2020}}, Malays accounted for 49% of Seberang Perai's population and were the majority ethnic group in the northern part of the city.{{my10|2020kf}} Ethnic Chinese constituted a significant proportion of the city's population at nearly 33%, followed by the Indians at almost 10%. During the British colonial era, agriculture promoted significant immigration from China and India, resulting in sizable non-Malay populations within the central and southern districts of the city.{{my10|2020kf}} In particular, Chinese comprised the majority at areas such as Butterworth, Bukit Mertajam and Nibong Tebal.

{{Pie chart|caption=Economic sectors in Seberang Perai by GDP share (2020)|label1=Services|label2=Manufacturing|value1=46.8|value2=46.0|thumb=right|color1=red|color2=green|value3=4.0|value4=2.2|value5=0.3|label3=Agriculture|label4=Construction|label5=Mining|color3=yellow|color4=blue|color5=orange}}

Formerly regarded as a "poor cousin" to George Town, Seberang Perai has undergone significant transformation in the decades following Malaya's independence.{{Cite news |last=Rena Lim |date=10 Nov 2018 |title=Mainland holds Penang’s future |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2018/11/10/mainland-holds-penangs-future-state-government-keen-on-seeing-more-industrial-growth-in-seberang-pra |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}}{{Cite news |last=Goh |first=Ban Lee |date=7 Oct 2019 |title=Seberang Perai comes of age |url=https://thesun.my/opinion_news/seberang-perai-comes-of-age-JB1452487 |access-date=5 Feb 2024 |work=The Sun}} The Penang state government has been actively promoting a policy of balanced development between the two cities, and Seberang Perai has been positioned as the "future of Penang".{{Cite news |last=Susan Loone |date=29 Aug 2018 |title=Penang CM rolls out vision, says state's future is in Seberang Prai |url=https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/440871 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=Malaysiakini}}{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=4 May 2023 |title=Penang govt intensifies efforts for balanced development in Seberang Perai and Penang island |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-govt-intensifies-efforts-for-balanced-development-in-seberang-perai-and-penang-island/ |access-date=10 Feb 2023 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} In 2021, "Penang Bay", an initiative aimed at promoting sustainable development, urban regeneration and creative economy between downtown George Town and Butterworth, was officially announced.{{Cite news |last=Christopher Tan |date=9 Mar 2021 |title=Penang Bay – A potential SDG City Zone to unlock opportunities |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-bay-a-potential-sdg-city-zone-to-unlock-opportunities/ |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

With significant industrialisation since the 1970s, the city has been designated a "growth centre" within the George Town Conurbation. Nine of Penang's industrial clusters are located in the city, which has emerged as a significant recipient of foreign direct investment (FDI) and the seventh largest exporter in Malaysia.{{Cite news |date=28 Jun 2021 |title=No more industrial land in Seberang Perai, says exco man |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2021/06/28/no-more-industrial-land-in-seberang-perai-says-exco-man/ |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}{{Cite journal |date=July 2023 |title=Final External Trade Statistics 2023 |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |pages=89 |issn=2180-1827}} The development of newer townships has also driven economic diversification, with a growing services sector concentrated around retail and tourism.{{Cite web |last=Filmer |first=Andrea |date=Mar 2019 |title=Batu Kawan Rising |url=https://penangmonthly.com/article/15488/batu-kawan-rising-1 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |website=Penang Monthly |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=20 May 2022 |title=Batu Kawan becomes hotspot for new retail |url=https://www.thevibes.com/index.php/articles/business/61280/batu-kawan-becomes-hotspot-for-new-retail |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=The Vibes}}{{Cite journal |date=May 2021 |title=Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021–2030 |url=https://gtwhi.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Penang-Tourism-Master-Plan-2021-2030-Report.pdf |journal=Penang state government |isbn=9789671966105}}

In 2020, Seberang Perai's GDP was worth RM45.149 billion (US$10.836 billion), accounting for about 46.5% of Penang's total GDP. The economy of Seberang Perai is primarily driven by the services and manufacturing sectors, which together contributed nearly 93% of the city's GDP that year.

File:View of Butterworth from George Town 2025.jpg between Butterworth (background) and downtown George Town (foreground) as part of the "Penang Bay" initiative.{{Cite news |last=Edmund Lee |date=6 February 2020 |title=State to seek ideas and funds for Penang Bay project |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/state-to-seek-ideas-and-funds-for-penang-bay-project/ |access-date=5 May 2025 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}]]

The first industrial estates in Penang were established in the 1960s at Mak Mandin and Perai during the tenure of the state's first Chief Minister Wong Pow Nee.{{Cite journal |last=Chin |first=Yee Whah |date=Jul 2006 |title=Penang Small and Medium Enterprises: Struggle, Accommodation and Challenges |url=https://journalarticle.ukm.my/4294/2/akademika65%5B02%5D.pdf |journal=Universiti Sains Malaysia}} However, these early efforts at industrialisation were limited to import substitution.{{Cite journal |last=Athukorala |first=Prema-chandra |title=Growing with Global Production Sharing: The Tale of Penang Export Hub, Malaysia |url=https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/gep/documents/conferences/2012/malaysia-conference/prema-chandra-athukorala.pdf |journal=Australian National University}} After the revocation of George Town's free port status and the fall of the Alliance-led state government in 1969, newly elected Chief Minister Lim Chong Eu sought to restructure Penang's economy.{{Cite web |last=Ooi |first=Kee Beng |date=December 2009 |title=Tun Lim Chong Eu: The Past is Not Passé |url=http://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=7680&name=tun_lim_chong_eu_the_past_is_not_pass |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808051103/https://penangmonthly.com/article.aspx?pageid=7680&name=tun_lim_chong_eu_the_past_is_not_pass |archive-date=8 August 2020 |access-date=2017-11-30 |website=Penang Monthly}} The Nathan Report of 1970, produced by Robert R. Nathan Associates, proposed an export-led growth strategy and the strengthening of linkages with the global economy. In 1980, the Perai Free Industrial Zone was created with the aim of becoming a significant manufacturing hub for bulk items, taking advantage of its proximity to the Port of Penang and the railway line that connects it to the rest of western Peninsular Malaysia.{{Cite book |last=Peter Nijkamp |first=Amitrajeet A. Batabyal |title=Regional Growth and Sustainable Development in Asia |publisher=Springer |year=2016 |isbn=9783319275895 |page=245}}

Seberang Perai is now home to nine of Penang's industrial clusters {{Ndash}} namely at Mak Mandin, Perai, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Tengah, Bukit Minyak, Simpang Ampat and Batu Kawan.{{Cite news |last=Christopher Tan |date=3 Apr 2021 |title=Penang strives to drive industry forward |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-strives-to-drive-industry-forward/ |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} The availability of industrial land has attracted several local and multinational companies (MNCs), such as Mattel, Flex, Sanmina, JinkoSolar, Honeywell and Lam Research.{{Cite web |title=Manufacturing Companies In Perai, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia |url=https://www.dnb.com/business-directory/company-information.manufacturing.my.pulau_pinang.perai.html |access-date=31 Jan 2024 |website=Dun & Bradstreet}}{{Cite news |last=Rafee |first=Hannah |date=20 Mar 2020 |title=Steady climb in Penang industrial segment |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/steady-climb-penang-industrial-segment |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=The Edge}} In 2022, Seberang Perai received investments worth nearly RM10.9 billion, which accounted for 79% of Penang's total inbound investments that year.{{Cite journal |date=August 2023 |title=Laporan Sosioekonomi Negeri Pulau Pinang 2022 |url= |journal=Department of Statistics Malaysia |issn=2600-9854}} Within the same year, RM65.7 billion worth of exports passed through the Port of Penang, making Seberang Perai the seventh largest exporter among Malaysian cities.

File:Design Village, Batu Kawan, Penang.jpg at Batu Kawan houses 150 stores within a {{Convert|400000|sqft|abbr=on|adj=on}} net lettable area.{{Cite news |last=Dermawan |first=Audrey |date=24 Aug 2017 |title=Design Village Penang aims to draw in some 2.5 million visitors this year |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2017/08/272123/design-village-penang-aims-draw-some-25-million-visitors-year |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=New Straits Times}}]]The development of newer townships, namely Seberang Jaya and Batu Kawan, has given rise to a thriving retail sector, attracting major players such as Sunway Group and IKEA, respectively.{{Cite news |date=19 Mar 2019 |title=Higher FY20, FY21 profits seen for Sunway REIT |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/higher-fy20-fy21-profits-seen-sunway-reit |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=The Edge}} In 2016, Design Village, Penang's first premium outlet mall, was launched, further enhancing Batu Kawan as a retail destination.

The Penang state government has undertaken initiatives to promote agritourism and ecotourism in Seberang Perai.{{Cite news |last=Vimal |first=Kevin |date=11 Apr 2022 |title=Seberang Perai set to become the next big thing in tourism |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/seberang-perai-set-to-become-the-next-big-thing-in-tourism/ |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}} The Penang Tourism Master Plan, formulated in 2021, identified the city's agricultural sector, as well as natural features like mangroves, mudflats and waterways, as having untapped tourism potential.{{Cite journal |title=Penang Tourism Master Plan 2021–2030 |url=https://gtwhi.com.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Penang-Tourism-Master-Plan-2021-2030-Report.pdf |journal=Penang state government |isbn=9789671966105}}

Seberang Perai has historically been the logistical hub of Penang, serving as a termini for rail and ferry services. The relocation of the Port of Penang to the city in 1974 facilitated the development of new container services.{{Cite news |last=Yusof |first=Ayisy |date=8 Feb 2021 |title=Penang Port's NBCT gazetted as a free commercial zone |url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2021/02/664209/penang-ports-nbct-gazetted-free-commercial-zone |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=New Straits Times}} In 2022, the seaport handled close to 1.32 million TEUs of cargo, the third highest in Malaysia.{{Cite journal |date=21 Feb 2023 |title=Table 3.5: Total Container Throughput By Ports, Malaysia, 2022 |url=https://www.mot.gov.my/my/Statistik%20Maritim/2022%204%20-%20SUKU%20IV%202022/JADUAL%203.5%20JUMLAH%20KONTENA%20YANG%20DIKENDALIKAN%20MENGIKUT%20PELABUHAN,%20MALAYSIA,%20Q4%202022.pdf |journal=Ministry of Transport}} The logistical role of Seberang Perai is further complemented by Penang Sentral, a transit-oriented development (TOD) at Butterworth.

Known as the "rice bowl" of Penang, Seberang Perai has a long history of agriculture.{{Cite web |last=Stephanie Kee |first= |date=Jan 2018 |title=Penang – A Rice Bowl State under Threat? |url=https://penangmonthly.com/article/9947/penang-a-rice-bowl-state-under-threat-1 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |website=Penang Monthly |language=en}} During British rule, spice, sugar and rubber were some of the major crops in the territory. Post-independence, the focus has shifted to rice, palm oil and coconut cultivation. {{As of|2017}}, agriculture made up nearly 44% of Seberang Perai's land use. The city had approximately {{Convert|12472|acre|abbr=on}} of paddy fields {{As of|2008|lc=y}}, mainly located in the north.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=23 Feb 2017 |title=Spurring the local economy in Seberang Perai through agro-industry |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2017/02/23/spurring-the-local-economy-in-seberang-perai-through-agro-industry/1321439 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} Despite limited land availability, Penang has consistently recorded the highest average rice yield in Malaysia since 2018, with a total yield of RM190.8 million in 2022.{{Cite news |date=22 Nov 2023 |title=Penang's average rice production highest in country for six straight years |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/penang-s-average-rice-production-highest-in-country-for-six-straight-years-NP11782483 |access-date=10 Feb 2024 |work=The Sun}}

File:Container art at Butterworth, Seberang Perai 2024.jpg, created in 2020.{{Cite news |last=Rachel Yeoh |date=24 May 2022 |title=Bandar Cassia dubbed Penang’s new art city |url=https://www.thevibes.com/index.php/articles/news/61545/bandar-cassia-dubbed-penangs-new-art-city |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Vibes}}]]

Seberang Perai's ethnic diversity has given rise to a variety of cultural celebrations throughout the year. Chinese New Year is celebrated at Chinese-majority areas such as Butterworth, where public events and decorated streets are a common sight during the annual festivities.{{Cite news |last=Hilmy |first=Imran |date=10 Jan 2023 |title=‘Painting’ Seberang Prai town red |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/01/10/painting-seberang-prai-town-red |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}} The Minor Basilica of St. Anne at Bukit Mertajam plays host to the annual Novena feast, which draws thousands of pilgrims from abroad.{{Cite news |last=Sharma |first=M. Sivanantha |date=31 Jul 2022 |title=Over 30,000 attend St Anne's Feast celebrations in Penang |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2022/07/31/over-30000-attend-st-anne039s-fest-celebrations-in-penang |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}} The 'Street of Harmony' at Seberang Jaya has nine places of worship, each representing a different faith, and is a tribute to religious diversity within the township.{{Cite news |last=Vimal |first=Kevin |date=16 Sep 2022 |title=Never let differences separate us, says CM Chow |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/never-let-differences-separate-us-says-cm-chow/ |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

As part of urban renewal efforts, several locations at Butterworth have been adorned with street art.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=2 Feb 2017 |title=A Butterworth art scene? It’s already here |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2017/02/02/a-butterworth-art-scene-its-already-here/1305595 |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=Malay Mail}}{{Cite news |last=Lo |first=Tern Chern |date=16 Feb 2017 |title=Butterworth Art Walk in alley aimed at getting visitors to stop and ponder |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/community/2017/02/16/towns-history-on-the-walls-butterworth-art-walk-in-alley-aimed-at-getting-visitors-to-stop-and-ponde/ |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}} Additionally, container art pieces showcasing the identities of Penang's local communities have also been installed at Butterworth and Batu Kawan. In recent years, Seberang Perai has emerged as a venue for newly introduced events that celebrate the city's culture and nascent arts scene, such as the Butterworth Fringe Festival and the Penang International Paddy Festival.{{Cite news |date=27 Dec 2023 |title=Butterworth Fringe Festival draws 30,000 with local and international cultural acts |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/butterworth-fringe-festival-draws-30000-with-local-and-international-cultural-acts-GI11912235 |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Sun}}{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=24 Jul 2022 |title=Penang International Paddy Festival draws thousands of visitors |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-international-paddy-festival-draws-thousands-of-visitors/ |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

The 40,000-seater Penang State Stadium at Batu Kawan is the main stadium of Penang.{{Cite journal |title=Penang Meeting Planners Guide 2022–23 |url=https://www.pceb.my/pceb_miceguide.pdf |journal=Penang Convention & Exhibition Bureau}} Constructed in 2000 for the Sukma Games held that year, the multi-purpose stadium has a FIFA-certified football field, and also hosts motorsports events and concerts.{{Cite news |last=Lo |first=Tern Chern |date=27 Jun 2020 |title=Penang seeks RM67mil for stadium |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2020/06/27/penang-seeks-rm67mil-for-stadium |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}} In addition to the stadium, newer sports facilities have been planned in areas like Nibong Tebal and Seberang Jaya.{{Cite news |date=23 Jul 2022 |title=Sports centre in Seberang Prai to be ready next year |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/07/23/sports-centre-in-seberang-prai-to-be-ready-next-year |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}}{{Cite news |last=Liew |first=Jia Xian |date=20 Sep 2022 |title=Facelift for pool to make a splash |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/09/20/facelift-for-pool-to-make-a-splash |access-date=11 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}}

File:Tamanilmugate.jpg at Nibong Tebal]]

In the late 19th century, Islamic education, taught in huts called pondoks in Malay, was common in the rural areas of Province Wellesley.{{Cite journal |last=Sulong |first=Jasni |date=2015 |title=Pondok education in Seberang Perai: Its evolution and uniqueness |url=http://web.usm.my/km/33(Supp.2)2015/km33s22015_05.pdf |journal=Universiti Sains Malaysia}} These pondoks served as the precursors to the madrasa system and modern religious schools that are still prevalent across the city.

{{As of|2022}}, Seberang Perai is home to a total of 159 primary schools and 79 secondary schools, in addition to one international school located in the city's south. In 2001, Universiti Sains Malaysia relocated its engineering campus to Nibong Tebal, and it is now one of the two public universities in the city, the other being a Universiti Teknologi MARA campus at Permatang Pauh.{{Cite journal |date= |title=List of Institutes of Higher Learning |url=https://investpenang.gov.my/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/List-of-Institutes-of-Higher-Learning_-13-July-1.pdf |url-status= |journal=Invest Penang |access-date=9 December 2023}} Several private institutions have also been established throughout the city, including at Batu Kawan, where local colleges have formed partnerships with foreign universities such as University of Wollongong and University of Plymouth.{{Cite news |last=Jeremy Tan |date=28 Jun 2022 |title=Varsity college opens new campus in Batu Kawan industrial park |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2022/06/28/varsity-college-opens-new-campus-in-batu-kawan-industrial-park |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}}{{Cite news |date=8 Jan 2023 |title=High employability education by Plymouth University |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/education/2023/01/08/high-employability-education-by-plymouth-university |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}} Following the success of the Penang Digital Library in George Town, the Penang state government has initiated the construction of similar digital libraries at Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam.{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=22 Nov 2021 |title=Butterworth Digital Library Clinches Two Awards |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/butterworth-digital-library-clinches-two-awards/ |access-date=4 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=27 May 2023 |title=First digital library in Bukit Mertajam set for completion next year |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/first-digital-library-in-bukit-mertajam-set-for-completion-next-year/ |access-date=12 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

File:Sunway Medical Centre in Seberang Perai, Penang.jpg, a private hospital at Seberang Jaya, was opened in 2022.{{Cite news |last=Dewi |first=K. Kasturi |date=7 Aug 2023 |title=Health boost for northern region |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/08/07/health-boost-for-northern-region |access-date=13 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}}]]

Healthcare in Penang is provided by a two-tier system consisting of public and private hospitals. The Malaysian Ministry of Health administers four public hospitals in Seberang Perai {{Ndash}} namely at Kepala Batas, Seberang Jaya, Bukit Mertajam and Sungai Bakap.{{Cite web |title=Penang's Healthcare Facilities |url=https://penanginstitute.org/resources/key-penang-statistics/visualisations-of-key-indicators/penang-healthcare/ |access-date=10 December 2023 |website=Penang Institute |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=31 Jan 2019 |title=Hospital |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/index.php/en/component/content/article/80-info-seberang-perai/530-hospital |access-date=13 Feb 2024 |website=Seberang Perai City Council}} In addition, six private hospitals are scattered throughout the city.

In recent years, private hospitals such as Bagan Specialist Centre, Sunway Medical Centre and KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital have contributed significantly in making Penang the top destination for medical tourism in Malaysia.{{Cite news |last=Mulyanto |first=Randy |date=21 November 2023 |title=Malaysia's Penang Lures Medical Tourists from Indonesia |url=https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Health-Care/Malaysia-s-Penang-lures-medical-tourists-from-Indonesia |access-date=7 December 2023 |work=Nikkei, Inc.}}{{Cite news |last=Cheryl Poo |date=16 August 2023 |title=Recovery of Malaysia's Medical Tourism Sector in the Bag, More Markets Targeted |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/node/677849 |access-date=6 December 2023 |work=The Edge}} The Seberang Perai City Council has also installed three automated external defibrillators (AEDs) throughout the city {{As of|2023|lc=y}} as part of a state-wide initiative to enhance survival rates of cardiac arrest cases.{{Cite news |last=Hilmy |first=Imran |date=28 November 2023 |title=Penang Health Dept Installs 168 Automated External Defibrillators |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/11/28/penang-health-dept-installs-168-automated-external-defibrillators |access-date=26 December 2023 |work=The Star}}{{Cite news |last=Akmal |first=Riadz |date=3 Apr 2023 |title='Heart Saver Penang' Initiative to Increase Coverage of AED |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/heart-saver-penang-initiative-to-increase-coverage-of-aed/ |access-date=4 Feb 2024 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

{{See also|Transport in Penang}}

File:Penang Sentral, Butterworth 20231224 075704.jpg was designed to integrate bus, rail and ferry services, located in close proximity to both the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal and the Butterworth railway station.]]

Seberang Perai is connected to George Town by two road bridges. The {{convert|13.5|km||abbr=on|adj=on}} Penang Bridge connects the suburb of Perai with Gelugor in the island city. Opened in 2014, the Second Penang Bridge spans {{convert|24|km|abbr=on}} between Batu Kawan and Batu Maung on the island.{{Cite news |last=AR |first=Zurairi |date=1 Mar 2014 |title=Longest bridge in Southeast Asia launches today in Penang |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2014/03/01/longest-bridge-in-southeast-asia-launches-today-in-penang/627155 |access-date=23 Oct 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} The North-South Expressway, a {{convert|966|km|mi|-long|abbr=on|adj=mid}} expressway along western Peninsular Malaysia, passes through the length of the city.{{Cite journal |date=Dec 1989 |title=Study on traffic control and management system of Malaysian expressways and toll highways |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/10789535_01.pdf |journal=Malaysian Highway Authority |via=Japan International Cooperation Agency}} Other toll routes within the city include the Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) and the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway.{{Cite journal |date=2021 |title=Annual Report 2021 |url=https://www.llm.gov.my/documents/PublishDoc/pub_1689341195.pdf |journal=Highway Authority Malaysia}} {{As of|2023}}, Seberang Perai's road system, excluding toll routes, measured {{Convert|5215.7|km|abbr=on}} in length. This included {{Convert|84.8|km|abbr=on}} of federal roads, {{Convert|2958.9|km|abbr=on}} of state roads and {{Convert|2171.9|km|abbr=on}} of municipal roads.{{Cite book |url=https://www.jkr.gov.my/sites/default/files/upload/BUKU%20STATISTIK%20JALAN%20EDISI%202024_FINAL%20%281%29.pdf |title=Statistik Jalan Edisi 2024 |publisher=Malaysian Public Works Department |year=2024 |pages=151–227 |language=ms |trans-title=Road Statistics 2024 Edition}}

The Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) West Coast Line also runs through Seberang Perai, with the Butterworth railway station serving as the main terminal of northwestern Malaysia.{{Cite journal |date=Aug 1979 |title=Urban Transport Study in Greater Metropolitan Areas of George Town, Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam, Malaysia: Progress Report (Phase 1) |url=https://openjicareport.jica.go.jp/pdf/10597219.pdf |journal=Japan International Cooperation Agency}} Apart from the regular KTM services, Butterworth is one of the main stops of the Eastern and Oriental Express service between Bangkok and Singapore.{{Cite web |last=Cripps |first=Karla |date=2023-07-14 |title=Famed luxury train is returning to Southeast Asia with two new routes |url=https://www.cnn.com/travel/eastern-and-oriental-express-belmond-singapore-malaysia/index.html |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=CNN |language=en}}

Opened in 2018, Penang Sentral is a transit-oriented development (TOD) located adjacent to the Butterworth railway station and the Sultan Abdul Halim Ferry Terminal. It serves as an integrated hub for bus, rail and ferry services.{{Cite news |last=Kaur |first=Sharen |date=18 Feb 2020 |title=Phase 2 of Penang Sentral to go full swing next year |url=https://www.nst.com.my/property/2020/02/566630/phase-2-penang-sentral-go-full-swing-next-year |access-date=14 Feb 2024 |work=New Straits Times}}

Rapid Penang is the primary public transport operator in Seberang Perai, with a total of 14 public bus routes within the city, along with two cross-strait routes connecting the city and George Town, as well as five interstate routes that run to southern Kedah and northern Perak.{{Cite web |title=Rapid Penang – Bus |url=https://myrapid.com.my/bus-train/rapid-penang/rapid-pg-bus/ |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=MyRapid |language=en-US}} In recent years, the Penang state government has proposed the introduction of urban rail across the state as part of the Penang Transport Master Plan.{{Cite news |last=Azhar |first=Kamarul |date=27 Aug 2020 |title=Cover Story: The long & winding saga of the Penang Transport Master Plan and its political fallout |url=https://theedgemalaysia.com/article/cover-story-long-winding-saga-penang-transport-master-plan-and-its-political-fallout |access-date=23 Oct 2024 |work=The Edge}} The plan includes the cross-strait Mutiara LRT line linking the city with George Town, and a monorail line between Butterworth and Bukit Mertajam.{{Cite news |date=29 March 2024 |title=Loke: Federal Gov't Takes Over Penang LRT Mutiara Line Project from State Gov't |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/loke-federal-gov-t-takes-over-penang-lrt-mutiara-line-project-from-state-gov-t-JG12275905 |access-date=29 March 2024 |work=The Sun}}{{Cite web |title=Public Transport – LRT & BRT |url=https://penanginfra.com/public-transport-lrt-brt/ |access-date=14 Feb 2024 |website=Penang Infrastructure Corporation |language=en-US}}

File:Butterworth and Penang Scenery (31781843055).jpg, has been gazetted as a Free Commercial Zone (FCZ) since 2021.]]

In 1974, the Port of Penang was relocated from George Town to Seberang Perai in order to facilitate new container services.{{Cite journal |last=Azmi |first=Zuriati |date=2015 |title=ASEAN Economic Community 2015: A case study on the potential impacts to Penang Port Sdn Bhd |url=https://etd.uum.edu.my/5654/1/s813506_01.pdf |journal=Universiti Utara Malaysia}} The seaport now consists of seven terminals and berths located across Butterworth and Perai, including the North Butterworth Container Port (NBCT) which has been designated a Free Commercial Zone (FCZ) since 2021. It serves as a crucial export hub for northwestern Malaysia and southern Thailand. The Port of Penang is the third busiest in Malaysia, handling nearly 1.32 million TEUs and RM65.7 billion worth of exports in 2022.

Prior to the completion of the Penang Bridge in 1985, the Penang ferry service was the only transportation link between the city and George Town.{{Cite news |last=Jeremy Tan |date=29 November 2023 |title=Nostalgia of Voyages Past for Penang's Iconic Ferries |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2023/11/29/nostalgia-of-voyages-past |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=The Star}} Since 2023, three ferries have been operating daily between both cities across the Penang Strait.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=8 December 2023 |title=Penang Port CEO Says Extra Ferry Open for Private Charter |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2023/12/08/penang-port-ceo-says-extra-ferry-open-for-private-charter/106574 |access-date=10 December 2023 |work=Malay Mail}} The introduction of newer ferries that year significantly improved service frequencies to 20 minutes during peak hours and every 30 minutes during non-peak hours.{{Cite news |date=7 August 2023 |title=New Penang Ferry Service Operational from Today |url=https://thesun.my/local_news/new-penang-ferry-service-operational-from-today-IA11334480 |access-date=27 December 2023 |work=The Sun}}

In 1968, the Asian Development Bank approved a loan of US$7.2 million for Penang to extract water from the Muda River, which forms the boundary between Seberang Perai and Kedah.{{Cite journal |date=Feb 1969 |title=Location of approved loans and technical assistance projects 1968 |url=https://www.adb.org/sites/default/files/institutional-document/32207/adb-ar-1968.pdf |journal=Asian Development Bank |pages=16}} The Muda River Water Scheme was inaugurated in 1973 by the then Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdul Razak Hussein, which also included Kedah's assurance to Penang of the latter's riparian rights to retrieve water from the river.{{Cite news |date=10 Mar 2021 |title=See us in court, Chow tells Kedah over Sg Muda feud |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/20218/see-us-in-court-chow-tells-kedah-over-sg-muda-feud |access-date=14 Feb 2024 |work=The Vibes}} Since then, Seberang Perai has been heavily dependent on the river as its main source of water. Raw water is channeled from the river to a water treatment facility at Sungai Dua before being distributed to the rest of the city.{{Cite news |date=4 Oct 2023 |title=PBAPP draws up crisis management plan to tackle Sg Muda incidents |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/10/04/pbapp-draws-up-crisis-management-plan-to-tackle-sg-muda-incidents |access-date=14 Feb 2024 |work=The Star}} The Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is also responsible for overseeing the six reservoirs in the city, including the Mengkuang Dam, the largest dam in the state with a capacity of 86.4 billion litres.{{Cite web |title=Statistics |url=https://pba.com.my/penang-water-supply-statistics-infrastructure/ |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=Penang Water Supply Corporation |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Penang Dams & Effective Capacity |url=https://pba.com.my/penang-dams-effective-capacity/ |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=Penang Water Supply Corporation |language=en-US}}{{Cite news |date=24 Oct 2023 |title=No problems with Mengkuang Dam: PBAPP |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/99588/no-problems-with-mengkuang-dam-pbapp |access-date=14 Feb 2024 |work=The Vibes}}

Electricity in Seberang Perai is supplied by Tenaga Nasional (TNB), the national power company. The city's electrical infrastructure is powered by two combined cycle gas turbine (CCGT) power plants at Perai.{{Cite journal |title=Electricity and Gas Supply Infrastructure Malaysia |url=https://www.st.gov.my/ms/contents/files/download/97/Electricity_Gas_Supply_Infrastucture_Malaysia_2019_.pdf |journal=Suruhanjaya Tenaga |location=Putrajaya}} As part of ongoing efforts to minimise energy consumption, TNB and the Seberang Perai City Council planned to replace 77,359 street lights in the city with LED street lighting by 2023.{{Cite news |last=Ong |first=K. H. |date=13 February 2023 |title=Penang island Completes Converting over 33,000 Streetlights to LEDs, State Govt to Seek Incentives from Ministry |url=https://www.buletinmutiara.com/penang-island-completes-changing-over-33000-streetlights-to-leds-state-govt-to-seek-incentives-from-ministry/ |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=Buletin Mutiara}}

In 2020, Penang became the first Malaysian state to require the installation of fibre-optic communication infrastructure for all development projects.{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=21 Dec 2020 |title=Penang makes it compulsory for developers to install fibre optic infrastructure in new developments |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/malaysia/2020/12/21/penang-makes-it-compulsory-for-developers-to-install-fibre-optic-infrastruc/1933760 |access-date=23 Oct 2024 |work=Malay Mail}} 2023 marked the implementation of 5G technology in Seberang Perai, with the installation of the supporting spectrum infrastructure at 235 sites across the city.{{Cite news |last=Ahirudin |first=Ahirul |date=9 Sep 2022 |title=Penang first in northern Malaysia to get 5G coverage |url=https://www.thevibes.com/articles/news/70987/penang-first-in-northern-malaysia-to-get-5g-coverage |access-date=14 Feb 2024 |work=The Vibes}}

{{As of|2023}}, four countries have appointed honorary consuls within the city.{{Cite journal |date=Nov 2023 |title=Diplomatic and consular list November 2023 |url=https://www.kln.gov.my/documents/8390448/8439172/Diplomatic+and+Consular+List/609dd90b-5710-4de9-9764-0c7adf145caa |journal=Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Malaysia}}

{{Div col|colwidth=20em|content=* {{flag|Austria}}

• {{flag|Canada}}
• {{flag|Fiji}}
• {{flag|Nepal}}}}

Seberang Perai is also twinned with the following sister and friendship cities.

Sister cities

{{Div col|colwidth=20em|content=* {{flagicon|AUS}} Fremantle, Australia{{Cite web |title=Fremantle fast facts |url=https://www.fremantle.wa.gov.au/council/about-city-fremantle/fremantle-fast-facts |access-date=15 Jan 2024 |website=City of Fremantle |language=en}}}}

Friendship cities

{{Div col|colwidth=20em|content=* {{flagicon|KOR}} Gwangju, South Korea{{Cite journal |date=29 Aug 2014 |title=Closing Remarks Municipal President MPSP |url=https://www.mbsp.gov.my/ydp/ucapan/2014/korea.pdf |journal=Seberang Perai City Council}}}}

Seberang Perai was the birthplace of prominent Malaysian public officials and personalities, including:

• Wong Pow Nee (1911 {{Ndash}} 2002), first Chief Minister of Penang{{Cite journal |title=Biographical Notes: Wong Pow Nee (7 November 1911 – 31 August 2002) – Malaysian politician |url=https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Wong-Pow-Nee-Biographical-Notes.pdf |journal=ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute}}
• Mohamed Salleh Ismael (1917 {{Ndash}} 1973), first ethnic Malay Inspector-General of Police{{Cite web |title=Tun Mohamed Salleh Ismael |url=https://www.rmp.gov.my/infor-korporate/ketua-polis-negara/tun-mohamed-salleh-ismael |access-date=16 Jan 2024 |website=Royal Malaysia Police}}
• Abdul Hamid Mohamad (born 1942), former Chief Justice of Malaysia{{Cite web |date=24 Jul 2023 |title=Biografi Tun Abdul Hamid Mohamad |url=https://library.kehakiman.gov.my/index.php/2023/07/24/biografi-tun-abdul-hamid-muhammad/ |access-date=16 Jan 2024 |website=Federal Court of Malaysia}}
• Anwar Ibrahim (born 1947), tenth (and incumbent) Prime Minister of Malaysia{{Cite news |date=23 Jan 2023 |title=PM Anwar returns to hometown in Penang |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2023/01/23/pm-anwar-returns-to-hometown-in-penang |access-date=23 Oct 2024 |work=The Star}}
• Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak (born 1949), incumbent Governor of Penang{{Cite web |title=Pejabat Tuan Yang Terutama |url=https://www.penang.gov.my/index.php?option=com_sppagebuilder&view=page&id=52&Itemid=1684&lang=en |access-date=16 Jan 2024 |website=Penang state government |language=en-gb}}
• Mohamad Sabu (born 1954), incumbent president of Amanah and Member of Parliament for Kota Raja{{Cite news |date=3 Dec 2022 |title=Profile: Mat Sabu, the crowd-puller |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/politics/2022/12/857363/profile-mat-sabu-crowd-puller |access-date=16 Jan 2024 |work=New Straits Times}}
• Steven Sim Chee Keong (born 1982), incumbent Minister of Human Resources and Member of Parliament for Bukit Mertajam{{Cite news |last=Soo |first=Wern Jun |date=5 Jul 2018 |title=Age no longer a factor, says deputy to youngest minister |url=https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2018/07/05/age-no-longer-a-factor-in-the-new-malaysia-says-deputy-minister/ |access-date=16 Jan 2024 |work=Free Malaysia Today}}
• Cheam June Wei (born 1997), Malaysian badminton player{{Cite news |last=Saaid |first=Hamdan |date=22 Nov 2021 |title=Jin Wei-June Wei main beregu campuran? |url=https://www.hmetro.com.my/arena/badminton/2021/11/780274/jin-wei-june-wei-main-beregu-campuran |access-date=16 Jan 2024 |work=Harian Metro}}
• Goh Jin Wei (born 2000), Malaysian badminton player

: {{note|Alpha|α}} Singapore's land mass is approximately {{Convert|734|km2|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |title=Environment |url=http://www.singstat.gov.sg/find-data/search-by-theme/society/environment/latest-data |access-date=29 December 2023 |website=Department of Statistics Singapore |language=en}}

: {{note|Beta|β}} {{As of|2021}}, 1 Malaysian ringgit was equivalent to {{To USD|1|MYS|year=2021}} US dollar.{{Cite web |title=Exchange Rates |url=https://www.bnm.gov.my/exchange-rates?p_p_id=bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view&_bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet_monthStart=0&_bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet_yearStart=2021&_bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet_monthEnd=11&_bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet_yearEnd=2021&_bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet_sessionTime=0900&_bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet_rateType=MR&_bnm_exchange_rate_display_portlet_quotation=fx |access-date=21 Feb 2024 |website=Central Bank of Malaysia}}

: {{note|Gamma|γ}} In 1991, Seberang Perai had a population of 545,688, larger than that of Penang Island which recorded a population of 518,478.

{{Reflist|2}}

• [https://www.mbsp.gov.my/ Seberang Perai City Council]

{{Penang}}

{{Greater Penang Conurbation}}

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