12 Facts About Bukit Mertajam

Bukit Mertajam is the administrative centre of the city of Seberang Perai in Penang, Malaysia.

Whilst founded in the 19th century as an agricultural area, Bukit Mertajam evolved into a transportation hub, following the completion of a railway line towards Perai at the end of the century.

Bukit Mertajam is well known for its Catholic congregation, which is centred at the St Anne's Church.

Bukit Mertajam derived its name from the Mertajam Hill, which means pointed hill in Malay.

Bukit Mertajam had been part of the Hindu-Buddhist Bujang Valley civilisation, which ruled over what is Kedah up to the 6th century AD.

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Bukit Mertajam only came into existence in the 19th century, after the acquisition of the area by the British East India Company in 1800.

Concurrently, public amenities, such as schools, a magistrate's court and a hospital, were built, and by the turn of the century, Bukit Mertajam was selected by the Straits Settlements authorities as the administrative centre of the Central Province Wellesley District.

In 2006, the headquarters of the municipal council was relocated from Butterworth to the Bandar Perda township near Bukit Mertajam, making the latter the seat of the local government of Seberang Perai as well.

Bukit Mertajam is situated close to Mertajam Hill, which is surrounded by flat alluvial plains.

Bukit Mertajam contains a total of 14 primary schools and seven high schools.

Bukit Mertajam Hospital, run by Malaysia's Ministry of Health, is one of the six public hospitals scattered throughout the State of Penang.

Bukit Mertajam contains a private hospital, namely the KPJ Penang Specialist Hospital.