Imagine a rock. It is covered in dried grass. From afar it looks like white hair. This is how Batu Uban got its name. Batu Uban means grey hair rock in Malay. We are now in Batu Uban.
Batu Uban is a residential area. It is located on the eastern coast of Penang Island. It is about 6.7 km south of George Town.
Batu Uban is the oldest Malay settlement on Penang Island. Ethnic Minangkabaus founded it in the early 18th century. Since the late 20th century Batu Uban has been significantly urbanised. Now residential high-rises dot the area.
Haji Muhammad Salleh is a key figure. He was also known as Nakhoda Intan. He and Jenaton Raha Labu were ethnic Minangkabaus from Sumatra. In 1734 Haji Muhammad Salleh and his followers landed here. They built Masjid Jamek. It is the oldest mosque in Penang. The fishing village was centred around the mosque.
In 1749 Dato’ Jenaton Raja Labu received land. The Sultan of Kedah granted him 100 acres at Batu Uban. This was a reward. Jenaton had helped thwart a Siamese invasion of Kedah. Penang Island was part of Kedah at the time. Jenaton and his followers cultivated the land. They grew coconut and sugar cane. Jenaton also helped spread Islam.
Batu Uban’s founding predates Francis Light’s arrival in 1786. Development began in the late 20th century. The Penang Bridge was completed in the 1980s. It is located north of Batu Uban. The Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway was also built. It runs along the coast. These developments made Batu Uban an affluent area.
Today Batu Uban is easily accessible. The Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah serve it. However these roads can be congested. This is especially true during rush hour on Fridays.
Batu Uban offers a unique glimpse into Penang’s past. It shows the blend of tradition and modernity. The grey hair rock may be gone. But the stories of Batu Uban remain. They connect us to the island’s rich history.