Perai
Perai is a suburb of Seberang Perai in the Malaysian state of Penang. It lies at the southern bank of the Perai River and borders Butterworth to the north.
Perai | |
|---|---|
| Other transcription(s) | |
| • Mandarin | 北赖 (Simplified) 北賴 (Traditional) Běi lài (Pinyin) |
| • Hokkien | 過江 Kuè-káng (Tâi-lô) |
| • Tamil | பிறை |
| • Thai | เปอไร Poerai (RTGS) |
Taman Inderawasih and the vicinity residential high rise in Perai | |
Perai | |
| Coordinates: 5°22′40.263″N 100°23′56.9898″E | |
| Country | Malaysia |
| State | Penang |
| City | Seberang Perai |
| District | Central Seberang Perai District |
| Government | |
| • Local government | Seberang Perai City Council |
| • Mayor of Seberang Perai | Azhar Arshad |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 14,433 |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (MST) |
| • Summer (DST) | Not observed |
| Postal code | 136xx to 137xx |
| Area code(s) | +6043 |
The area now known as Perai was obtained by the British East India Company in 1800, with the Perai River serving as the boundary between the newly-acquired British territory and Kedah to the north. A nascent railway line was built between Perai and Perak in the 1890s, transforming Perai into a transit point for the export of tin. Perai became heavily industrialised in the late 20th century.
Today, Perai is home to an eponymous industrial estate, as well as the adjacent township of Seberang Jaya. The town is connected to Penang Island via the Penang Bridge and contains several facilities of the Port of Penang.