Kedah General Information
The state of Kedah exudes rustic charm and is characterised by vast paddy plains. It also lays claim to Bujang Valley, once the cradle of ancient civilisation and offers a captivating variety of natural attractions such as the famous island getaway of Langkawi, Pulau Payar Marine Park and Lake Pedu. Explore Alor Star , the capital city, and visit its historic mosque, buzzing market and stately museums. A microcosm of its multiracial populace, it is blessed with diverse cultures which are evident in its traditions, architecture and lifestyle of its people. Travelers to the state can select their accommodation from among various well-appointed hotels, five-star resorts and budget inns located in the city, towns and islands.
EARLY HISTORY Kedah, by virtue of research and historical findings, is the most ancient state in the country. The present Royal family can trace back its line to the Hindu times. Situated on one of the main transit routes across the Peninsular on the great East-West trade route, the state has become a prosperous centre for settlement and trade in the old days.
Some of the earliest known stone age artifacts and sites are located in Kedah and it is a state which has remnants from the Hindu-Buddhist period in Malaysian history. This is reflected in the numerous temple sites in the Bujang Valley.
It was a centre which attracted traders who travelled between China and India. The Bujang Valley was an ideal “resting destination " then while waiting for the monsoon to change. History has it that in 671 AD, a Buddhist monk from China, l.T.Tsing, stopped at Bujang Valley. Archeologists had unearthed evidence of Hindu civilisation at the location which is home to more than 50 Hindu temples.
A visit to the Bujang Valley will unravel a story about Kedah civilisation. The Kedah Sultanate began at Bukit Meriam which is located in the district of Kuala Muda. Maharaja Derbar Raja was the first ruler who converted to Islam and changed his name to Sultan Muzaffar Shah. He ruled Kedah from I I36 AD to 1179 AD and was laid to rest at the Kampung Langgar, Mukim Bujang. Since then, there has been 27 Sultans who ruled Kedah. Before Sultan Muzaffar, Kedah had been ruled by eight Maharajas and this is an evidence to show that the Kedah Sultanate is the oldest Sultanate in the region.
ECONOMY Although predominantly an agriculture-based State, Kedah is undergoing rapid development in all sectors. With sound economic planning and a supportive policy environment, the State has successfully utilised its advantageous location and rich human and natural resources to create a broadly diversified economy. The State has entered a new era, shifting its economic thrust from agriculture to industry. It has attracted a range of supporting industries, creating thousands of new jobs and hundreds of business opportunities are readily available for foreign and domestic investors. High technology and heavy industries have made their way into Kedah and the State is stepping up its pace to become an industralised state in 20 years’ time.
Developing and upgrading physical infrastructures and other supporting services to the industrial sector and the existence of Kulim Hi- Tech Park, the first high technology park in Malaysia, gives added advantage in boosting the state’s economic growth. The State is also taking advantage of its strategic location within the Northern Growth Triangle. Several successful private-sector’s initiated business ventures are now in operation on a joint-venture basis between Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. Although high priority is given to industrial development, agriculture and tourism sectors are also being emphasised upon.
Kedah General Information
