Bagan Ajam

Overview

Bagan Ajam is a small town along the longest trunk road in Penang. It is near Butterworth, the city opposite George Town. This township in Seberang Perai Utara grew out of the village of Kampung Bagan Ajam, which is located near the coast of Pantai Bersih.

It is a modest town with one of its few signs of industrialisation being that of the newly constructed Butterworth Outer Ring Road (BORR) that runs through the area. This new development allows the once obscure town to now be easily accessible and linked to other areas around it. What it is known for falls under the traditional and the authentic. The morning market is where most residents will be especially on weekends.

Residensi Zamrud is an example of the changes that have taken place in Bagan Ajam. This prestigious gated-and-guarded development features 24 units of luxurious three-storey link homes that mesmerise with their lavish furnishing and impressive interiors. These low-density and freehold residences are all about spaciousness, comfort and modern simplicity. Conveniently situated in a matured neighbourhood brimming with a wide range of facilities and services, Residensi Zamrud is also easily accessible and connected via the North-South Expressway and major roadways.

Another proposed development is Penang East Seafront Residence, a seafront commercial development strategically located along Jalan Bagan Jermal, adjacent to Plaza Toll Bagan Ajam. This development will see the construction of a 19-storey commercial building, offering 280 units of serviced suites with a rooftop infinity pool.

 

Amenities and Facilities

The best known place here is Pantai Bagan Ajam which is a beach popular among the locals. The Butterworth military airport is also found here.

Among the prominent buildings in the growing township of Bagan Ajam are the Masjid Jamek Bagan Ajam and the Thean Hock Keong Temple. The latter, founded in 1888, is one of the oldest temples in Butterworth. A major benefactor who contributed to its construction was a prominent Penangite, Khoo Thean Teik. The temple, completed in early 1997, has become a tourist attraction with its elaborately-carved granite façade featuring two pavilions in the front court.

The Kelab Golf Tentera Udara DiRaja Malaysia (Royal Malaysian Air Force Golf Club) is located on the north, between Bagan Ajam and Teluk Air Tawar. This lends a hand to the area’s recreational needs.

A Toastmasters Club, which provides members chances to hone their public speaking skills, is operative here. For educational needs there are the SK Bagan Ajam, SMK Dato Onn and SJK (C) Li Hwa.

 

Accessibility and Transportation

Bagan Ajam is located 3km from Butterworth and 160km from Ipoh. It is traditionally reached from Butterworth through Jalan Bagan Ajam. Today, Bagan Ajam and the whole of Butterworth have been transformed with the construction of the BORR, which goes right across Bagan Ajam. Completed in 2006, this 14-kilometre road has been built very near to the sea, changing its landscape forever. Now, travellers can enjoy a sea view here and some cargo ships sightseeing too.

Further, there is a 15-booth toll plaza together with a rest and service area located at the Bagan Ajam Highway. Rapid Penang services the Bagan Ajam area, making it possible for residents to use public transport for their daily needs.

The proposed 6.5km undersea tunnel project, the third Penang Bridge linking Gurney Drive and Bagan Ajam, is hoped to help develop the state as a whole, and would definitely bring changes to Bagan Ajam. The planned tunnel is expected to significantly alter the dynamics of the traffic flow in the state road systems