In 1786 the British East India Company established a port on Penang that became a major commercial centre despite minimal support from India and London, and Dutch machinations in Sumatra. Contrary to the conventional view that Singapore by-passed Penang after 1819, Penang remained an important centre of entrepôt trade throughout the colonial period and served as major conduit for the Malaya’s tin and rubber trade. Through Turbulent Terrain uses a broad range of sources to trace the changing fortunes of Penang’s regional trade.

This volume benefits from the generous sponsorship by Think City Sdn Bhd, an urban regeneration and solutions provider with offices in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Johor Bahru.

The Author

Loh Wei Leng is a former lecturer at the History Department of the University of Malaya and an MBRAS Vice-President. Jeffery Seow is her co-researcher with whom she worked on this book.

Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1: Historical Context, Pre-18th century Trade and Shipping in the Melaka Strait

Chapter 2: 1786-1830: Colonial Beginnings, Early Settlement

Chapter 3: 1830-1867: Vicissitudes, Addressing Challenges Arising in the Region

Chapter 4: 1868-1945: Transitions, Entrepot to Malayan Port

Conclusion

Bibliography