About the Book

     Penang has had a rich and colourful history. Once a territory under the Sultan of Kedah, it was ceded to the British East India Company in 1786 with Captain Francis Light taking formal possession of the island. In 1905, Penang’s colonial status was elevated to that of a Residency and in 1826, Penang became part of the Straits Settlements along with Malacca and Singapore. After World War II, Penang joined the Federation of Malaysia and when it became independent, was one of the 13 states that made up Malaysia.

    This concise account of Penang’s past provides a good overview of its heritage and the key events and people who have shaped it and determine its character today. Also included are write-ups on the various ethnic groups that call Penang home.

About the Author

A graduate of Magdalen College, Oxford, Raymond Flower has written over 30 books, mainly historical, on a variety of subjects ranging from Egypt, Singapore and Western Australia to motor racing, winter sports and Lloyd’s of London. Formerly an international tennis player, car racer, and car constructor, the nonogenarian is now retired and for the last 30 years has divided his time between his estate in Italy and Penang.