Farlim, officially Bandar Baru Ayer Itam, is a residential neighbourhood within the city of George Town in the Malaysian state of Penang. Located 6 km (3.7 mi) southwest of the city centre, the township was created in the 1980s.[1][2] Over the recent decades, Farlim has witnessed rapid development with several residential and commercial developments within the area.
Bandar Baru Air Itam | |
|---|---|
Neighbourhood of George Town | |
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Mandarin | 发林 (亚依淡新市镇) (Simplified) 發林 (亞依淡新市鎮) (Traditional) Fā lín (Yà yī dàn xīn shì zhèn) (Pinyin) |
| • Hokkien | Huat-lîm (A-i-tām Sin-tìn) (Tâi-lô) |
 | |
 | |
.svg)  Farlim | |
| Coordinates: 5°23′15.8094″N 100°16′59.0376″E / 5.387724833°N 100.283066000°E | |
| Country |  Malaysia |
| State |  Penang |
| City |  George Town |
| Founded | 1982[1] |
| Government | |
| • Local government | Penang Island City Council |
| • Mayor of Penang Island | Rajendran P. Anthony |
| • Paya Terubong State Assemblyman | Wong Hon Wai (PH-DAP) |
| • Bukit Gelugor Member of Parliament | Ramkarpal Singh (PH-DAP) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | Not observed |
| Postal code | 11500 |
| Website | mbpp |
History
editThe area where Farlim is located was previously known as Thean Teik Estate, which was named after Khoo Thean Teik, a local Chinese merchant.[2] The area was owned by the Khoo Kongsi, a Chinese clan association in which Khoo was a director.[2][3]
In 1978, Khoo Kongsi had reached an agreement with Farlim Group to develop Thean Teik Estate into a residential township.[3] At the time, the project was the single largest property development ever undertaken by the private sector on Penang Island, with an area of 356 acres (1,440,000 m2) being originally earmarked for development.[1][4] However, the commencement of construction works in 1982 was met by deadly protests by local residents.[2] In the incident which pitted the residents against the police, one resident was killed and another four were injured.
Transportation
editThean Teik Road and Thean Teik Highway are the two major roads that cut through the township.[5][6][7] The former links Ayer Itam Road and the Paya Terubong suburb to the southwest, whereas the latter serves as a major thoroughfare between Paya Terubong and Batu Lanchang to the east. Construction of the 6 km (3.7 mi) long Ayer Itam–Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway Bypass, part of the Penang Transport Master Plan, is expected to be completed by 2025.[8] The bypass will offer a direct route to the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway and it is projected to reduce commuting time by 50%.[9][10]
Rapid Penang bus routes 13, 202, 203 and 306 also include stops within Farlim, thus connecting the township with the city centre, the Penang International Airport and Queensbay Mall, as well as the Paya Terubong and Gelugor suburbs.[11][12][13]
Education
editThere are two primary schools and a high school within the Farlim neighbourhood.
Primary schools
High school
- SMK Air Itam[17]
Shopping
edit
All Seasons Place, Penang's first and only strip mall, was completed in 2012 and serves as the sole shopping mall within Farlim.[18][19] It is anchored by HeroMarket,[20] replacing the previous Giant and consists of several eateries and health-related outlets which are arranged along the Thean Teik Highway. In 2024, Suiwah Corporation, a local retail firm, launched Sunshine Central, a 3.64 ha (9.0-acre) mixed-use development that includes a nine-storey shopping mall.[21] The local community's retail needs are also met by a Bandar Baru supermarket at the heart of the township.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Farlim Group (M) Berhad – Townships | Bandar Baru Air Itam". www.farlim.com.my. Archived from the original on 2018-11-26. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
- ^ a b c d "Farlim, the old tai kor's place – Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Archived from the original on February 2, 2014. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
- ^ a b A Guide to Selected Chinese Clan Houses in the George Town World Heritage Site. Penang: George Town World Heritage Incorporated.
- ^ "New commercial precinct to enhance growth of Bandar Baru Air Itam – Metro News | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-12-23.
- ^ "Road widening will ease traffic jams – Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ^ "Road, drain upgrades to solve flash flood woes | Buletin Mutiara". www.buletinmutiara.com. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ^ "Smoother ride for motorists using Lebuhraya Thean Teik – Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal". Malaysia Premier Property and Real Estate Portal. Archived from the original on 2018-11-30. Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ^ "5.7km bypass on island now 42% complete". The Star. 2 Mar 2024. Retrieved 6 Mar 2024.
- ^ Arnold Loh (14 Aug 2015). "New Air Itam-Gelugor bypass to cut driving time by half". The Star. Retrieved 16 Apr 2024.
- ^ "Bypass now 33% completed". The Star. Retrieved 2024-02-28.
- ^ Route mapsrapidpg.com.my Archived 2016-07-22 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Route mapsrapidpg.com.my Archived 2016-07-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Route mapsrapidpg.com.my Archived 2016-07-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "SK SERI INDAH – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ^ "SJK(C) Chiao Nan – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ^ "SJK(C) SIN KANG – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ^ "SMK AIR ITAM – PULAU PINANG – Carian Sekolah Malaysia". www.sekolahmy.com (in Malay). Retrieved 2017-05-19.
- ^ Yeoh, Winnie. "A place for all seasons – Community | The Star Online". Retrieved 2017-04-10.
- ^ "All Seasons Place – Belleview". Belleview. Retrieved 2017-04-10.
- ^ "New supermarket outlet opens in densely populated township". The Star Online. 2018-10-17. Retrieved 2019-09-17.
- ^ "New lifestyle experiences for Penang and northern region folk". The Star. 23 Sep 2023. Retrieved 1 Oct 2024.
External links
edit- Farlim Group Berhad Archived 2018-01-03 at the Wayback Machine