BUSINESS AND TRADING ACTIVITIES were not foreign to the Malays at the time when Francis Light occupied Penang on August 11, 1786; various bazaars were opened by Chinese, Indians and Muslims from Kedah to sell essential goods like foodstuffs, rice, spices, clothing and other items. During those days, major food items like rice, fowls and meat, as well as wooden planks (used for construction) were brought over to the island from there.
Since then, Penang began to receive traders from all over the world, including Muslim traders who managed to build a business legacy that was comparable to that of European and Chinese traders. At this early stage, trade was transacted with regional centres including Aceh and other Sumatran ports which were dominated by Arab and Chulia traders. Personalities including Tunku Sayyid Hussain, Kader Mydin Merican and Mohamed Merican Noordin were among the more influential Muslim traders in Penang from the late 18th century until the mid-19th century, due to their control of the spice and textile businesses. Commercial success enabled them to live in luxury and to establish good relationships with officials of the East India Company (EIC).
