Butterworth, and the mainland in general, may be Penang's stepchild, but things have changed, and the jigsaw pieces are starting to fall into place, promising a very exciting not-too-distant future. We have quite a few people to thank for that.
It lies just 3km across the North Channel from George Town, but for most island side Penangites, Butterworth is a world away.
Seemingly limp and lifeless, the mainland side of the state is hardly a draw for tourists and visitors; even most islanders are hard-pressed to remember the last time they set foot in the old town. It may therefore come as a surprise that a massive number of the state's citizens resides on the mainland – many, many more than those living on the island, with Butterworth having twice as many residents as George Town.
Whatever the impressions people currently have and however adamant islanders are in ignoring developments across the waters, it is undeniable that a steady rumble of activity has been building in the old township. From infrastructure to culture, and heritage restorations to newly proposed waterfront developments, Butterworth is priming itself to rise as the next nerve centre of mobility, connectivity and transformation.
