The South-West District (Malay: Daerah Barat Daya) is a district within the Malaysian state of Penang. The district covers the southwestern half of Penang Island and borders the North-East to the north-east. It has an area of 175 km² (68 sq mi) and a population of 197,131 as of 2010^[update]. Balik Pulau is the district's administrative centre, while Bayan Lepas is the largest town within the district.^[1]

Quick Facts Other transcription(s), • Malay ...

South-West District
District of Malaysia
Daerah Barat Daya
Other transcription(s)
• Malay	Daerah Barat Daya (Rumi) دايره بارت داي‎ (Jawi)
• Chinese	西南县 (Simplified) 西南縣 (Traditional)
• Tamil	தென்மேற்கு பினாங்கு தீவு மாவட்டம் Teṉmēṟku Piṉāṅku Tīvu Māvaṭṭam (Transliteration)
Location of the South-West District within the State of Penang.
Country	Malaysia
State	Penang
Seat	Balik Pulau
Largest town	Bayan Lepas
Government
• Local government	Penang Island City Council
Area
• Total	175 km2 (68 sq mi)
Population  (2010)[1]
• Total	197,131
• Estimate  (2015)[2]	217,600
• Density	1,126.5/km2 (2,918/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+8 (MST)
• Summer (DST)	Not observed
Postal code	110xx, 119xx
Vehicle registration plates	P
Area code(s)	+604
Website	dbd.penang.gov.my

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Although Penang Island consists of two districts, both fall under the jurisdiction of the city of George Town, which encompasses the entirety of the island plus the surrounding islets.^[3] The city's jurisdiction is exercised by the Penang Island City Council in the centre of George Town, which lies within the Northeast Penang Island District.

In 1786, the British East India Company had taken control of Penang Island, establishing the city of George Town at the island's northeastern tip. For several decades since, the island was governed directly from George Town, with no administrative divisions on the island.

In 1888, a District and Land Office was established in Balik Pulau at the southwest of the island.^[4][5] Thus, the South-West District was created, effectively dividing Penang Island into two districts. Both districts first appeared in official maps of Penang dating back to the 1890s.^[6]

The South-West District covers southern and western Penang Island, as well as parts of the island's central hill ranges. Under the district are the following towns and residential areas.

Towns

Residential areas and villages

The South-West District comprises 16.8% of Penang's total land mass.^[7] It is further divided into 22 mukims.^[1]

• Sungai Pinang
• Sungai Rusa
• Permatang Pasir
• Bagan Ayer Itam
• Titi Teras
• Kongsi
• Kampong Paya
• Sungai Burong
• Pulau Betong
• Dataran Ginting
• Pantai Acheh
• Telok Bahang
• Sungai Rusa & Bukit Sungai Pinang
• Batu Itam
• Bukit Balik Pulau
• Pondok Upeh
• Bukit Ginting
• Bukit Pasir Panjang
• Bukit Gemuroh
• Bukit Relau
• Telok Kumbar
• Bayan Lepas

The administrative centre of the South-West District is Balik Pulau, where the District and Land Office is situated.^[8]

More information Year, Pop. ...

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1991	122,764	—
2000	159,129	+29.6%
2010	197,131	+23.9%
2020	237,735	+20.6%
Graphs are unavailable due to technical issues. There is more info on Phabricator and on MediaWiki.org.
Source: [11]

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The following is based on the 2020 Malaysian Census conducted by Malaysia's Department of Statistics.^[1]

According to data obtained from the census, over 62% of the population within the South-West District were concentrated around Bayan Lepas, making it the largest town within the district.

Most schools in the district are national schools, which are run under Malaysia's Ministry of Education. In addition, a few international schools, such as the Prince of Wales International School and the Straits International School, have been set up in Bayan Lepas and Balik Pulau.^[12][13]

The Penang State Library operates a branch in Balik Pulau.^[14]

The Balik Pulau Hospital is the main hospital within the South-West District. It complements the Penang General Hospital in providing healthcare to the citizens on Penang Island.

Pantai Mutiara Hospital in Bayan Lepas is the sole private hospital in the district.^[15]

The Snake Temple in Bayan Lepas is said to be the only Chinese temple to be inhabited by snakes. Built in the 1850s by a Buddhist monk, it has attracted varieties of pit vipers, which are believed to be rendered harmless by the incense. The temple is also a focal point of the annual Chinese New Year celebrations, during which a flame-watching ceremony is held to predict the fortunes of the next 12 months.^[16]

The Penang War Museum is located at the southeastern tip of Penang Island. The sprawling complex was originally Fort Batu Maung, built by the British Army in the 1930s to defend Penang Island against amphibious invasion.^[17] However, during World War II, the British Army abandoned the fort to the Imperial Japanese Army without a fight. Neglected after the war, the fortress was converted into a museum in 2002, and features bunkers, tunnels and other military structures.

Balik Pulau is famous for its agricultural plantations, which are rarely found elsewhere on Penang Island. In recent years, agricultural tourism is booming in Balik Pulau, as tourists from other states and abroad flock to the town to sample fresh durians and nutmegs.^{[18][19][20][21]}

The Penang National Park, covering 2,562 hectares of rainforests, swamps and beaches at the northwestern tip of Penang Island, is the smallest gazetted national park in Malaysia. Within the park are some of the most pristine beaches on Penang Island, such as Kerachut Beach and Monkey Beach. A canopy walk also allows visitors an impressive view of the lush rainforest underneath.

In addition, the adjacent town of Teluk Bahang is home to unique agricultural attractions, such as the Penang Butterfly Farm, Tropical Spice Garden and Tropical Fruit Farm.^[22][23][24]