Nibong Tebal
| Nibong Tebal 高渊 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Town | ||
| ||
| Nickname(s): NT | ||
  Nibong Tebal 高渊 Location in Peninsular Malaysia | ||
 Nibong Tebal 高渊 Location in Malaysia | ||
| Coordinates: 5°10′5″N 100°28′43″E / 5.16806°N 100.47861°E | ||
| Country | Malaysia | |
| State | Penang | |
| District | South Seberang Perai | |
| Government | ||
| • Local government |
Majlis Perbandaran Seberang Perai (Seberang Perai Municipal Council) | |
| • Tuan Yang DiPertua MPSP | Maimunah binti Mohd. Sharif | |
| • Nibong Tebal Member of Parliament | Mansor Othman (PKR) | |
| • Jawi state assemblyman | Soon Lip Chee (DAP) | |
| Population (2010[1]) | ||
| • Total | 45,146 | |
| Time zone | MST (UTC+8) | |
| • Summer (DST) | Not observed (UTC) | |
| Postal code | 14300 | |
| International dialling code prefix | +6045 (landline only) | |
| Website | http://www.mpsp.gov.my | |
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Nibong Tebal (Chinese: 高淵) is a town under parliamentary constituency P047. It is situated in Seberang Perai on the mainland side of Penang, Malaysia, bordered by Parit Buntar in Perak and Bandar Baharu in Kedah. It is the largest town in South Seberang Perai district.
This small tranquil town is surrounded by oil palm plantations and fishing villages dotting along the Krian River. Motorists approaching this town would be greeted by the iconic iron bridge which crosses the railway track.[2]
The majority population in Nibong Tebal are Chinese. Unlike Penang Island where Penang Hokkien is spoken, Teochew dialect is predominantly spoken among the Chinese community in Nibong Tebal.
Local Attractions
- Firefly Sanctuary
Nibong Tebal is an ideal place for tourists who wish to seek for nature and a relaxing kampung-style gataway. Nibong Tebal is home to a firefly sanctuary along the mangrove swamps of Krian River. Visitors who come for firefly watching have the opportunity to enjoy the dazzling display of fireflies in the mangrove swamp as this can be done late in the evening by boat riding. The trip along the river normally took about 40 minutes and the boat operates from 8pm to 10pm depending on demand. The firefly sanctuary receives up to 100 visitors per week.[3][4]
- Bukit Panchor State Park
Nibong Tebal is also home to the Bukit Panchor State Park which attracts visitors in droves. The 445ha virgin forest was declared a state park in Penang in 2007 to enable the visitors to be closer to nature and to learn to appreciate green lungs better. Among the facilities provided at the state park are vast picnic areas, playgrounds, picturesque streams and rest huts for visitors who want to spend time with their families there.[5]
- Homestay Programmes
Nibong Tebal is a town with a thriving eco-tourism industry with several homestay programmes attracting a number of visitors to the town, namely Sungai Duri, which is famed for its durian, rambutan and mangosteen orchards. Other homestay programmes are located in Sungai Chenaam and Sungai Setar.[6]
There is also a small fishing village nearby along the Kerian River with fresh daily catch from the sea. Nibong Tebal's famous prawn crackers and tambun biscuits are being sold here. Visitors can also enjoy taking on a river cruise in the evening among the mangrove swamps, watching the sunset, visiting the fish farm and feeding the fish.[7]
- 99-Door Mansion
Perhaps another attraction in this quaint town is the 99-Door Mansion which is situated in Byram Estate along Jalan Byram. It is an old, dilapidated estate villa built in 1917, which has ten rooms and ninety-nine doors. It was last used as Japanese army headquarters during World War II, and it has been disused since. This abandoned house is popular among thrill seekers and adventurers, which is said to be the most haunted place in Nibong Tebal.[8][9]
Food
Nibong Tebal is famous for Cheang Kee, a Chinese restaurant specializing in old school Teochew cuisine. People from Penang island and from outstation mostly come to taste the food for its popular crab porridge, boiled baby octopus and curry prawn.
Education
The oldest school in Nibong Tebal are Methodist Primary & Secondary School. Other school located in Nibong Tebal are SMK Tunku Abdul Rahman, SK Saujana Indah,SMK SERI NIBONG and SMK Saujana Indah.
The Universiti Sains Malaysia Engineering Campus and APITI (Arumugam Pillai Industrial Training Institute) are located in Nibong Tebal.
Notable residents
Nibong Tebal's most famous son is Tan Sri Datuk Professor Dr. Ir. Chin Fung Kee,a Queen's scholar and a well-known authority in geotechnical engineering and He was the former acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Malaya. He was the man who designed the Penang Bridge. He died in 1990 aged 69.
References
- ↑ "Malaysia: largest cities and towns and statistics of their population". World Gazetteer. Retrieved 2010-10-31.
- ↑ "An ideal hub for eco-toruism.".
- ↑ "Penang Fireflies Tour".
- ↑ "An ideal hub for eco-toruism.".
- ↑ "An ideal hub for eco-toruism.".
- ↑ "An ideal hub for eco-toruism.".
- ↑ "Amazing Nibong Tebal".
- ↑ "99-Door Mansion".
- ↑ "99-door mansion left to rot".
