Pulau Tikus on Penang Island

When Penangnites talk of ‘Pulau Tikus’, they do not refer to the island off the northern coast of Penang Island (in fact few know of the tiny island). Pulau Tikus refers to the sub-urban sector on the north western part of George Town, the area surrounding part of Jalan Burma and Jalan Cantonment.

In Malay, Pulau Tikus ‘Rat Island’ but the very busy sub-urban centre is a cluster of shops, a market, hotels and a big shopping mall. With the surrounding residential area mainly catering to the middle income and expatriate population, this ‘township’ has many cafes and restaurants, and is a popular place for shopping and eating out.