Kulim

Kulim
居林 (simplified Chinese)

Seal
Kulim

Location in Malaysia

Coordinates: 5°21′36″N 100°32′59″E / 5.36000°N 100.54972°ECoordinates: 5°21′36″N 100°32′59″E / 5.36000°N 100.54972°E
Country Malaysia
State Kedah
Establishment mid-18th century
Granted municipality status 2001[1]
Government
 • Tuan Yang DiPertua MPKK Tn. Abdul Aziz Bin Haji Abdul Ghani AMK, BCK
Population (2010[2])
 • Total 228,662
 • Density 590/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zone MST (UTC+8)
 • Summer (DST) Not observed (UTC)
Postal code 09xxx
International dialling code prefix +6044 (landline only)
Website www.mpkk.gov.my
Minat supermarket

Kulim is a city in the state of Kedah, Malaysia. It is located on the southeast of Kedah, bordering Penang on the west. Kulim evolved from a small settlement in the 1950s to a successful town. This is because Kulim is located very close to Bukit Mertajam and Penang State. Kulim is a district consisting of 15 smaller sub-districts also known as "mukim".

History

Kulim as a town was started in mid-18th century by 100 Malays from Pattani. By mid-19th century Kulim experienced a boom due to the discovery of tin ore.

A few of the classical monuments still existing in Kulim includes Coronation Cinema, St. Patrick’s High School (1933), which was converted into a trade building, Sultan Badlishah High School (1948), Kulim Police Station and so on.

Meanwhile the Kulim’s independence clock was officiated by the Sultan of Kedah (15 September 1957) and serves as the unofficial landmark for the city of Kulim. The cornerstone of the clock was acquired by YPM Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al Haj (the First Prime Minister if Malaya, later Malaysia) on 14 June 1957 who also served as its district officer at one time.

The construction of the clock was completed within 3 months and upon completion, was made formalized by DYMM Tuanku Sultan Badlishah Ibni Almarhum Yang Di Pertuan Paduka Seri Sultan Abdul Hamid Shah, KOM, CMG, KBE Sultan Kedah on 15 September 1957, or 2 weeks after the declaration of independence of Malaysia (31 August 1957).[3]

The establishment of Kulim Hi-tech park is hoped to be a catalyst for the continued growth of Kulim.[4] It has been proposed to build a light rail system, like Kuala Lumpur's by 2020.[5]

City Centre

Kulim still maintains shop houses that were around since before the Second World War. Many of these houses were demolished to make way for newer structures of development. The independence clock serves as the city’s landmark, and is one of the old structures that remain in place.[6]

Kulim’s suburbs

Kulim is home to many recently opened suburbs. One of the biggest suburbs is Taman Selasih, complete with its own commercial centre, it also called as "New town".[7] Paya besar is the 2nd most famous suburb in kulim.

  • Taman Seri Penaga
  • Taman Senangin
  • Taman Desa Makmur
  • Taman Selasih
  • Taman Angsana
  • Taman Semarak
  • Lembah Impiana
  • Taman Kempas Indah
  • Taman Kempas 2
  • Taman Kempas 3
  • Taman Desa Impian
  • Taman Kemuning
  • Taman Melor
  • Taman Seroja
  • Taman Berlian
  • Taman Tunku putra
  • Taman Sri Kulim
  • Taman Sungai Kob
  • Taman Rambai
  • Taman Nenas
  • Taman Mutiara, Sg.Kob
  • Taman Keranji
  • Taman Senangin
  • Taman Bersatu
  • Taman Meranti
  • Taman Dahlia
  • Taman Hi-tech
  • Taman Perindustrian Waja
  • Taman Kulim Baru
  • Taman Anggerik
  • Taman Damai Padang Serai
  • Taman Kulim Utama
  • Taman Harmoni
  • Taman Sejahtera Jaya
  • Taman Cempaka
  • Taman Kenari
  • Taman Seri Tanjung
  • Taman Jati
  • Taman Saga Keladi
  • Taman Desa Penaga
  • Taman Bukit Awi
  • Taman Sutera Indah
  • Taman Kobis
  • Taman KTC
  • Taman KLC
  • Bukit Kulim
  • Kelang Sago
  • Kampung Air Merah
  • Kampung Darul Aman
  • Kampung Syed Syeh
  • Kampung Tunku Putra
  • Taman Kota Kenari
  • Taman Perak
  • Taman Seluang
  • Taman Camar
  • Taman Kucai
  • Taman Sawi
  • Taman Cili
  • Taman Lobak
  • Taman Kangkong
  • Taman Saderi
  • Taman Tiram
  • Taman Bayam

[8]

  • Taman Sutera Indah

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Religion

Islam is the largest religion practiced in Kulim, as same as all over Malaysia. Most citizens of Indian and Chinese origin in Kulim are of the Hindu and Christian faiths respectively. Kulim has the largest number of Hindus and Christians in Kedah. There is also large number of Buddhists and Sikhis. Where most of the Chinese are Buddhist.

Place of Worship

Arulmigu Annai Karumariamman Temple in Paya Besar

Islam Mosque

Church

church Of The Sacred Heart Of Jesus

Buddist Temple

Hindu Temple

The main deity of this temple is Murugan.Meanwhile, The chief priest of the temple is Sivasri Annamalai Pandaram. The main festival in this temple is Thirukkarthigai (1 day festivities). Uthsavar procession were done during this festival in temple premise.

Mariamman is the main deity in this temple. This temple famously known as 'Sera kovil' among people in kulim.

Located near Taman Kucai and Taman Kangkong in Lunas, it is one of the oldest temple in kulim district.

Sikh Gurduara sahib

Gurduara Sahib, Kulim is situated along Jalan Tunku Putra, next but two, to the famous St Patrick's School.

The man who donated the first piece of land for the Sikh Gurduara Sahib, Kulim, was a retired Sikh Police officer, who later became the first Sikh JP in the state and Malaysia, Sr.Bahal Singh.He lived opposite the old Kulim Club House,next to the current Fire Brigade station in Jalan Asaad which was known as the Planters Club in those days, in 1900s.

It is believed the Sikh Gurduara was first sat up opposite the Fire Station, at the top of Jalan Asaad in 1914- 1918 circa.In 1929, or there about, the Gurduara was shifted to the current position along Jalan Tunku Putra,opposite the new junction with Jalan Belibis.

The initial building was of wooden, typical Malaysian building like a Kampung House.It was slowly improved and now stands a magnifient concrete building fluttering the Sikjh ensign of Nishan sahib.The wooden building was replaced around 1999.There are about 100 Sikh families who live around Kulim area.As Kulim develops many more are moving in.The programmes are held weekly on Saturday.

Bahá'í Faith

Politics

The current member of parliament for Kulim-Bandar Baharu since 2013 is Abdul Aziz Sheikh Fadzir from UMNO. The seat was held by Zulkifli Noordin (PKR 08-09, Independent 09-13) between 2008 to 2013 while from 1978 to 2008, it was held by Datuk Abdul Kadir Sheikh Fadzir (UMNO).

Education

Kulim was a pioneer in education in Kedah, having some of the earliest established schools in the state. The public school system comprises national schools, vernacular (Chinese and Tamil) schools, vocational schools, and religious schools. There are also a few international schools, such as elc International School.

Chinese Schools

(居林中正小学）

Indian Schools

Formerly Missionary Schools

Formal education in Kulim stretches back to the early days of British administration. Many of the public schools in Kulim has been turned into national schools. Such as:

National, Vocational, and Religious Schools

Colleges and Universities

Transport

Butterworth–Kulim Expressway is a 17 km (11 mi) expressway that connects Penang in the west to Kulim, Kedah in the east. It is also a main route to East-West Highway via Baling, Kedah and Gerik, Perak. The construction of BKE started in December 1994 and completed in September 1996. The Chief Minister of Kedah, Datuk Muhkriz Mahathir has proposed the building of a new international airport in Kulim by 2020. The proposed site covering 600 hectares is said to be near the Kulim Hi-Tech Park and once the airport is completed, will boast two runways. The entire project is estimated to cost around RM2 billion and is expected to boost regional economy. However, as of November 2014 this project is still only a proposal.

Shopping

Culture

Food

Kulim's cuisine is not only heavily influenced by the Baba Nyonya culture of Penang (which is just 26 km away), but also shows some influence of Thailand. The famous foods are ALAM'z PUFF Tmn. Selasih (various filling currypuff), Kelang Lama Laksa, Lunas Duck Roaster, Yam Rice, Curry Wan Tan Mee, Chicken Leg Wan Tan Mee, Curry Mee, Hokien Char, Prawn Mee(Hokian Mee), Loh Mee, Kuey Teow Teng, Duck Egg Char Kuay Teow, Glutinous Rice Cendol, Chee Cheong Fun, Ice Kacang, Chai Koay, Tom Yam, Stem Fish, Yau Char Kuai, Zhap Chai, and many more. Two famous new restaurants opened in Kulim recently are Bollywood Palace near Persiaran Kulim and Keev's near Taman Kempas. Keev's also has a bar on its second floor called Restro Bar.

Gallery

Notable residents

See also

References

  1. ↑ Kulim Granted City Status , Kulim’s Municipal council History. October 31, 2010.
  2. ↑ Helders, Stefan. "Malaysia: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazetteer. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
  3. ↑ Kulim’s Background, Laman Web Rasmi Majlis Perbandaran Kulim (Official Website of Kulim Government). January 16, 2010.
  4. ↑ Kulim’s History, Kulim’s Municipal council website-Kulim’s Background October 31, 2010.
  5. ↑ Kulim to have LRT system and airport by 2020, The Star Online. Friday June 22, 2007
  6. ↑ Kulim’s City Centre, Kulim’s Municipal council website-Kulim’s Background October 31, 2010.
  7. ↑ Kulim’s suburbs, Kulim’s Municipal council website-Kulim’s Background October 31, 2010.
  8. ↑ List of Suburbs, Kulim’s Municipal council website-Kulim’s Background October 31, 2010.
  9. ↑ Tesco plans five new stores this year, The Star Online. March 5, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Tan Sri Haji Ismail Bin Haji Omar" (in Malay). Royal Malaysian Police. Retrieved 5 May 2012.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kulim.