Penang State Assembly Building, George Town

Back in the 1820s, the State Assembly Building sprang up with a little help from Indian convicts, was revamped in 1874, and got an extra wing in 1890 for the Straits Settlements Police Force administrative offices. These days, that extra bit houses the Immigration Department.

You can't miss it with its striking orange roof and neat appearance. This Anglo-Indian style beauty used to do double duty as the Recorder's and Magistrates' Court and even hosted part of the Central Police Station. Plus, the Police Court was right in there for easy access to all criminal cases.

During the Second World War, the Japanese took over, using it as their HQ for Penang. Fast forward to the '60s, and it became the Penang state government's spot for making laws, with the old courtrooms now serving as the Penang State Assembly chambers. But with more assemblymen in the mix, there's talk about building a new legislative spot somewhere else in George Town. Got to keep up with the times, right?

Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Gryffindor.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in George Town. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Create Your Own Self-Guided Walk to Visit This Sight

Sight Name: Penang State Assembly Building
Sight Location: George Town, Malaysia (See walking tours in George Town)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark

Walking Tours in George Town, Malaysia

Create Your Own Walk in George Town

Creating your own self-guided walk in George Town is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.

Farquhar Street Walking Tour

Farquhar Street, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2008, is a culturally rich thoroughfare in George Town, Malaysia, and home to many interesting historic properties. Let's take a brief journey down this storied street and see what they are.

At the outset of Farquhar stands the impressive Supreme Court building, a symbol of justice and governance in Penang. Just a stone's throw away,... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.4 Km or 1.5 Miles

George Town's Historical Religious Buildings

George Town, Malaysia, has much to be proud of when it comes to religious heritage. The city boasts a plethora of wonderful churches, temples, mosques, and other religious sites – each beautifully decorated and with its own unique story. Follow us on this self-guided walk and see some of them up close.

We start at the Acheen Street Mosque. Dating back to the early 19th century, this is one of... view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles

George Town Introduction Walking Tour

Some felt in Malaya that the city of George Town should be renamed Tanjung Penaga ("Cape Penaga"). That was the name of the area where George Town now stands. But the Chinese, British, Muslim, Malay and Indian movers and shakers of the town wisely declined. It might be bad for business.

Captain Francis Light, R. N., came to Tanjung Penaga in 1786. He wanted to set up an entrepôt for... view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles