How about an islet named after rats that’s actually quite lovely? That’s Pulau Tikus. I’m going to tell you about this fascinating place.
Pulau Tikus, or Rat Island, lies off the northern coast of Penang Island. It sits nearly 770 meters off Tanjung Bungah. Tanjung Bungah is a suburb of George Town.
The name Pulau Tikus, meaning Rat Island in Malay, comes from the shape of its rocks. People thought the rocks looked like rats or mice.
This small island has a big history. In the early 19th century, Eurasian refugees landed here. They later settled in the Pulau Tikus neighborhood of George Town. They named their settlement after the island where they first arrived.
Today, Pulau Tikus is uninhabited. But it has a solar-powered lighthouse. This lighthouse marks the northern entrance to the Penang Strait. It guides ships entering the Port of Penang.
Also on Pulau Tikus is a grave. This grave belongs to a local Muslim saint. The saint is Seyad Mohamed Kuddoos Oliyullah. Local Penangites of various faiths still visit the grave. They seek blessings there. People come irrespective of their beliefs.
Reaching Pulau Tikus can be tricky. You can only get there by boat. Kayaks are available at the Penang Water Sports Centre. But rough sea currents have made it hard to reach the island in the past.
Imagine paddling towards Pulau Tikus. The sun shines on the water. You feel the sea current pushing you. As you get closer you see the lighthouse. It stands tall against the sky.
Landing on the island, you see the grave of the saint. A sense of calm surrounds you. You might light a joss stick and offer a prayer. People of different faiths come together here.
Pulau Tikus may be small. But it holds history, faith and a bit of mystery. It is a unique part of Penang’s story.