Mount Erskine

Mount Erskine
Neighbourhood of George Town
Other transcription(s)
 • Chinese 白云山 (Simplified)
白雲山 (Traditional)
 • Hokkien pe̍h hûn soaⁿ
Mount Erskine
Location of Mount Erskine in George Town, with the city centre's UNESCO World Heritage Site in purple.
Coordinates: 5°26′54.744″N 100°18′3.5568″E / 5.44854000°N 100.300988000°E / 5.44854000; 100.300988000Coordinates: 5°26′54.744″N 100°18′3.5568″E / 5.44854000°N 100.300988000°E / 5.44854000; 100.300988000
Country  Malaysia
State  Penang
District Northeast Penang Island
City George Town
Government
 • Local government Penang Island City Council
 • Mayor of Penang Island Yew Tung Seang
 • Kebun Bunga State Assemblyman Ong Khan Lee (PKR)
 • Bukit Bendera Member of Parliament Wong Hon Wai (DAP)
Time zone UTC+8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST) Not observed
Postal code 10470
Website mbpp.gov.my

Mount Erskine is a residential neighbourhood within the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. This hilly neighbourhood, 4 km (2.5 mi) northwest of the city centre, is situated between the Tanjung Tokong and Pulau Tikus suburbs to the north and to the south respectively.

Notable for its large Chinese cemeteries established by the Cantonese, Teochew and Hokkien communities on Penang Island, the neighbourhood witnesses a considerable increase in activity during the annual Qingming Festival.[1]

Etymology

Mount Erskine was named after John James Erskine, a member of George Town's committee of assessors around 1810; this committee would become the predecessor to the present-day Penang Island City Council.[2]

History

Mount Erskine in 1824
Mount Erskine and Pulau Tikus in 1818

The Chinese cemeteries in the area date back to the early 19th century.[1][2] The southern cemetery, nearest to Gottlieb Road, is managed by the United Hokkien Cemeteries and serves as the final restinig place for Penang's Hokkien community.[3] Meanwhile, the northern cemetery is owned by the Kwangtung and Tengchow Association, a joint organisation that represents the Cantonese and the Teochews. The first tomb within this cemetery dates back to 1795.[4]

The two large cemeteries in Mount Erskine did not deter urbanisation from creeping into the area. In the 1970s, residential estates surrounding the cemeteries were created, particularly around Pepper Estate to the north and Hong Seng Estate to the west.[2] Apartments, such as Taman Evergreen, were also constructed later.[5]

Among the more recent issues affecting this neighbourhood are the continuing development of the hilltop, which has been flattened for the construction of more residential properties, and the risk of landslides at Hong Seng Estate.[2][6]

Transportation

Mount Erskine Road is the main thoroughfare within the neighbourhood, cutting through both cemeteries towards Vale of Tempe Road to the north.

Residents within this neighbourhood are served by three Rapid Penang bus routes, namely 104, the Pulau Tikus Loop (PTL) and the Congestion Alleviation Transport (CAT) Tanjung Tokong route.[7][8][9] The former links Mount Erskine with George Town proper, as well as the neighbouring Tanjung Bungah and Pulau Tikus suburbs.[7] The PTL and the CAT are free-of-charge transit routes within Pulau Tikus and Tanjung Tokong respectively.[8][9]

References

  1. 1 2 "Mount Erskine residents live peacefully with the dead - Nation | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Vale of Tempe is notorious for accidents but many victims claimed they are caused by ghostly encounters Readers write - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  3. ↑ Ong, Vincent. "United Hokkien Cemeteries • 地点". penanguhc.com. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  4. ↑ Yen, Ching-hwang (2016). Ethnicities, Personalities and Politics in the Ethnic Chinese Worlds. World Scientific. ISBN 9789814603034.
  5. ↑ "http://www.propertyguru.com.my/condo/taman-evergreen-1850". www.propertyguru.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-23. External link in |title= (help)
  6. ↑ "Landowner told to stabilise slopes at Mount Erskine after landslide". 2016-12-09. Retrieved 2017-05-23.
  7. 1 2 http://www.rapidpg.com.my/journey-planner/route-maps/details/104.gif
  8. 1 2 "Free shuttle in Pulau Tikus now includes Mount Erskine in its loop - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-05-20.
  9. 1 2 The Star Online (2018-02-14), Penang announces RM15m free bus service, retrieved 2018-04-01
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