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Together with Perlis, Perak, and Kelantan,
this northwest state shares a common border with Thailand in the north.
Known as the "Rice Bowl of Malaysia", the Kedah-Perlis rice plains produce
more than half of the country's home grown rice supply. It is a land of
unique natural beauty, surrounded by much greenery. The terrain of Kedah
is considered 'flat' with "kampungs" (villages) scattered over "padi"
(rice) fields. One will be able to feast their eyes on lush green padi
fields enhanced by traditional Malay houses, coconut palms, local fruit
trees, and rolling hills. The people of Kedah are generally padi planters
with most living in kampungs next to their fields. As one of the oldest
states in Malaysia, Kedah has a population of approximately 1 million
people, which is made up of various races. Kedah is very much a Malay
state although traces of Thai or Achinese ancestry can still be seen.
It has different business hours than most of the other states. Banks and
government offices are closed on Friday. Saturday is a half-day and Sunday
is a working day. Although Kedah is Malaysia's "rice bowl", the state
is currently undertaking new fields, mainly industrial and tourism. Industrial
estates have sprung up in Alor Setar, Kuala Kedah, and Sungai Petani while
the government has started developing and promoting tourist facilities.
Modern Kedah begins with the Hindu-Buddhist
era in the 5th Century. Even the current royal family's past can be traced
to that century. Other findings also show that Kedah was the cradle of
Hindu-Buddhist civilization in the Peninsula and one of the first places
to come into contact with Indian traders. These archeological findings
show that the state was once a prosperous center for trade. However, the
history of Kedah is marked by successive periods of foreign influence
due to its vulnerable position - it was located on one of the main transit
routes across the Peninsula on the great east-west trade route. It first
came under the influence of the Sriwijaya Empire of Sumatra during the
7th and 8th Century. Later, it fell under the influence of the Thais until
the 15th Century when the rise of Melaka led to the Islamization of the
area. The Portuguese later attacked Kedah in the 17th Century. The British
held power in the 18th Century and the Siamese again in the 19th Century.
Kedah remained under the Siamese control until early 20th Century when
they were passed to the British. It finally became part of the Federation
of Malaya in 1948.
Getting
there
By
Road : The north-south expressway has made it easy for
any traveler to drive up to Kedah. Roads are accessible from major towns
and cities in the Peninsula. It is a 7-8 hour drive from Kuala Lumpur.
From major towns, such as Kuala Lumpur and Penang, air-conditioned express
buses are also available. They service almost all towns in Kedah.
From Alor Setar, the capital city of Kedah,
one can even take the bus up to the border of Thailand.
By
Rail : The Malaysian railway (KTM) services major towns
in Kedah.
By
Air : The airport is located approximately 11km north
of Alor Setar. Malaysia Airlines flies daily to and from Alor Setar from
Kuala Lumpur via either Penang or Kota Bharu.
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