Do you know ...

the islands around Pulau Pinang?

> Not many people are aware that Penang Island is one of nine islands off Seberang Perai. Of course, it is the biggest one.

> Next to Penang Island is Pulau Jerejak, better known as the Alcatraz of Malaysia. In the last 200 years, the island has been a migrant’s quarantine centre, leper colony, sanatorium and maximum security prison. There are plans to turn it into a green residential suburb where only electric cars are allowed.

> Another big islan di s Pulau Aman, off Batu Kawan. It has 45 houses, 280 residents, homestays for tourists, a primary school with 22 pupils and three restaurants.

> Next to it is Pulau Gedung. It is said to have been a hideout for pirates once. Stories of hidden treasures buried on the island have been circulating around for ages. The island also has a spot called Batu Perompak, supposedly marking the grave of a pirate named Panglima Garang.

> Pulau Tikus is often mistaken as a place on Penang Island. In actual fact, the island, smaller than a football field, is off Tanjung Bungah. It has a lighthouse, tomb and shrine of a holy man.

> Pulau Kendi is a rocky and uninhabited island that has been a fishing haven for local anglers for years.

> Pulau Gazumbo is a manmade island next to the Penang Bridge. It was formed from sand build-ups while the bridge was being built from 1983 to 1986.