Kampong Serani


Kampong Serani is a residential neighbourhood within the city of George Town in Penang, Malaysia. Located within the Pulau Tikus suburb, the neighbourhood lies west of the city centre. It is bounded by College Avenue to the west and Leandro's Lane to the east.
The neighbourhood was formerly inhabited by ethnic Eurasians, who had moved into the area as early as the 19th century. However, most of the original Eurasian residents had since relocated to other areas in George Town, following the redevelopment of Kampong Serani into a modern neighbourhood in the late 1990s. Despite the urbanisation, the neighbourhood still retains some of its Eurasian characteristics and is home to the Penang Eurasian Association.

Etymology

Kampong Serani in Malay is a direct translation of the settlement's English name, Eurasian Village.

History

The first Eurasian settlers, who were fleeing religious persecution in Siam, had arrived at Pulau Tikus in 1811 and chose to build their settlement, named Kampong Serani, within the area. As the Eurasians were predominantly Catholic, the settlement was centred around the Church of the Immaculate Conception. Adjacent to the church was College General, a Catholic seminary which had been relocated to the settlement in 1808.
Towards the end of the 20th century, Kampong Serani was earmarked for redevelopment, drawing objections and protests by the Eurasian community. Eventually the settlement was completely bulldozed by 1994; commercial complexes and condominiums now stand at the site of the former Eurasian settlement. However, the street names within the neighbourhood, such as Leandro's Lane and College Lane, still bear Eurasian and Catholic influences, while the Penang Eurasian Association remains based at the area.

Transportation

Kampong Serani is served by Rapid Penang's bus routes 101, 102, 104 and 304, as well as the free-of-charge Pulau Tikus Loop and the Congestion Alleviation Transport Tanjung Tokong route. These routes link Kampong Serani with George Town proper, as well as other destinations on Penang Island, including the Penang International Airport, Queensbay Mall, Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang.

Education

Kampong Serani is home to Convent Pulau Tikus and its primary branch, SRK Convent Pulau Tikus. The all-girls' school was established in 1922, before being relocated to its present-day grounds in 1950.