Brief History on Pry ( Perai, Prai, Pyre, Prye, Pry )

Posted   : 10th April 2012
Updated : 16th November 2012


Note : 
I dont mind if anyone would like to take the photos from this article. But please give credit to whoever its due. Most photos are rare ones and was not easy to find. Some photos the credit should go to Malcome Wade & Khoo Salmah. Please dont remove the copyright and credit wordings!!  26th June 2012

""""Those who wish to use the photos or information, please give credit.""""


I woke up on a cool day to visit some areas in Perai for some social reason. As usual, my phone was the 1st gadget I grabbed to check messages & twitter notifications.

The tweet from Ambiga Sreenivasagan caught my attention.

For quite some time, I had noticed how Malaysian politics is becoming from bad to worse where leaders & grassroots members of every political party are politicizing in almost each and every matter.

Having been in this line since 2001,  I realize that maybe, its time for a break. Very soon everything will be part of my life's history.  So I decided to put up photos and some info on Perai based on my research conducted since 2006.

Perai has many hidden historical gems as it has grown to be a planned town, transportation hub, pier, port, a far cry from the entry point for pirates attack in 1791. I had stopped the research since i was busy with other commitments. 

Born in Perai and living here since the last 32 years, I'v seen, heard, learn lots and lots of Perai history. The Perai you can see today which is where I live now, has undergone massive changes.

No more villages, large fields, wooden houses, seafood restaurant by the Perai River, trunk roads and many more.  I decided to conduct the research of my birth place because i am eager to know and learn more about it.

I still can recall some of the places during my childhood days.

- The railway track behind Supreme Garden where I hace seen the platform built from red bricks, where i believe crops from the estate were stationed before being transported.

- There use to be a large field and an wooden house in front of the current BORR Toll Office in Perai.

- The Perai roundabout.

- The field where the Customs quarters was located, beside the Perai Government clinic.

- The row of shops on the left as we enter Perai after the roundabout, and thats where i use to cut my hair.

- The two lane road all the way from Perai to Bukit Tengah.

- The square shape steel bus stop and many more.

Perai, Prai, Pyre, Prye, Pry - here are some info and photos that I manage to collect.

 I once came across a write up from a journal that stated Perai, initially was known as Praya which is a Portugese word, meaning ‘ahead above is sea’ which i found logical.

Ahead of Perai - is our sea front. I couldn’t locate the specific location of the journal, so let’s leave a side the story of it.

Before Perai, this pre – planned town during the Straits Settlement had the same pronunciation but different in spelling.  Intially it was penned down as Pry, Pyre, Prye, Prai and now Perai. Prye was such an important location for the British because the Federated Malay State Railway Station which was stationed here.

I am sure many of us are not aware of how the Perai port, railway station, jetty and wharf  looked like in the early days. I found a photo of the areaand it is proven that Prye those days was a very busy transportation & import-export hub. Elephants, herbs, sugar cane and many crops was shipped out from here.

The above photo shows how the port / hub for import export looked like. 

After coming across the above photo, my wife and I visited the area.  We found the steel that use to hold the fence. We also found a large steel where I believe it was the crane holder as could be seen on the above folder.

Prye, for sure, was a busy hub which was managed by the British. Developments in the area such as market, schools, police station and post office speak for it self on the development of Prye on those days.

Perai Wharf 

Perai Market

Perai Post office

Perai Railway Hub

The Journal states a school was started in Prye as early ay 1880+

There were 3 schools in Prye in those days and it shows that  education was given priority and quite a number of people have been living over here.

Ladang Prye Tamil School, Prai Tamil School & St Marks School was believed to have started around 1936. But recently I found a journal that stated a school was started in Prye as early 1880+.

The Malaysian Journal : 1st school in Prye was in 1879

The Railway Office

Penang was the only station in the world where its Railway office was situated separately from the railway station during the Straits Settlement.
For those who would like to travel on train, they need to purchase ticket from the Island ( Currently Customs Office ) and hop into the ferry.

Passengers were brought to the  Prye Pier before they boarded the train to either Bangkok or Singapore bound.

It was a well planned stratergy for export of goods . The tracks were built by going through or passing estates so that crops could be easily transported.

An example from the current situation is the MSM Factory in Perai. The tracks are based up to the central part of the company to facilitate the daily transportation and supply of sugar.

The Old Railway Station

Perai Railway Station Hub that would be demolished soon

JMB Vermont Monument in Esplanade surrounded with Indian Labors.

It was the same in those days. Tracks were built passing through the estates.

The well known estates during the Straits Settlement are Prye Estate, Alma Estate & Batu Kawan Estate.

There were several methods of transportation that were widely used. Other than the train, boats were also used.

Prye Estate

All these estates were owned by Brown, Scott & Vermont who planted sugar as they were one of the main suppliers.

JMB Vermont, who was also the manager, was regarded as the ‘Grand Old Man’   for his contribution on sugar supply during 1880 – 1890’s.

A monument in recognition  of him was once built in Esplanade.


In 1906 the estate was sold to Pinang Syndicate Ltd and the new owners opted to plant rubbers.

Prye Estate compromises a large area where it was up to Batu Kawan and Permatang Pauh. Prye Estate was believe to be the main place of the owners to run and manage the industry back those days than. Those who had lived in Prye Estate would be aware of the existence of 3 Bungalows. I believe it was to accommodate the 3 owners of these large estate ( Brown, Scott & Vermont ).

The adv on Singapore NST for the sale of Prye Estate

Air view of Kampung Teluk before it was developed in 1990's

The basement of the sugar cane crusher

The proof of the sugar plantation remains. Evan now, the basement that had placed the sugar cane crushing stone / crusher can been seen in Batu Kawan. The crusher has been taken away and I was told by a friend that it is now being kept by a local. When I received the photo of the crusher, what amused and shocked me was the design of the crusher. It immediately reminded me of the same type and design of stone which was found in Lembah Bujang.

Sometime in 2006, I had visited Lembah Bujang and came across that stone.

Lembah Bujang civilization started hundred of years before the plantation here begun.

So, how did the crusher had the same design and what is the connection between the two places?

I knew there was something internally related to Batu Kawan & Lembah Bujang. (Click here for brief history on Batu Kawan)

Left ( Batu Kawan ) , Right ( Lembah Bujang ) 

Were Batu Kawan & Bukit Mertajam part of the Lembah Bujang territory?

Well, years before during school days, I heard that a relic was once found in BM. But not many locals were aware about this.  This relic was found by Col James Low in 1845 when he was exploring to find a ruined Buddhist Temple.

It is engraved with pre ‘Pallava’ sript which transcripts about a King ‘Thus vanquish, the enemies of King Ramaunnibha'.

Cherok To Kun Relics at the compound of St Anne's Church

J. Low journal on the Relic

Perai Map in 1890+  ( Pyre River )

J. Low Journal on the attack by pirates through Prai River in 1791

Other Part of J.Low journal on Prye & Batu Kawan

As i began the research,  i realized that every new story i found  links to another.

There are many more hidden stories & secrets.  I came across info that Perai had the best soil and best for  making bricks.

The Railway hub which was built by the Brits also caught my attention.

Some of the roof piece has Tamil wordings inscriptions on it.

A friend were supposed to help me find the roof but i had delayed it. He now has retired and if i do start this research on Perai again, a long journey awaits me.

MPSP & State Government Gets Bashing

Saturday 14 Apr 2012 : What a tiring day. I only slep about 3.30am after updating my blog and woke up around 8am to check on the PCM flags that were hung all over Perai by the youths who have just joined PCM. Well after taking some photos, i went pass the schedule program 'Program Mesra Rakyat'? It struck my mind, does the leaders are 'Mesra' enough among them and towards public. Well many out there know the real answer. 

The Star Metro
( Click here )

I start receiving call from a councilor who wanted to know on the location of the dump site. Well its all over Perai and we still need to guide them. To my mind, i was questioning - why is the councilor acting so late whereby the news on Nanban came out weeks ago. only later i got to know through Derrick, that it is actually out in Star and MPSP have instructed on a major clean up today. 

Three teams were employed to carry out the duty. I was also told, that during a event today, Health Exco Phee boon Poh had told the reporters that there is no fatality. We are fully aware of it because during the launching of COMBI ( Click here ) on 18th March 2012 by SPT health Department, we were informed about it by the SPT Health Department. So as usual DAP & Phee Boon Poh is on track for spinning. Whatever -  a effort turn out well which will benefit the people for cleaner surrounding.

Penang Indian NGO's Meeting

Attended with Mr Muniandy, Mr Munis & Mr Murali.

PM Najib Razak will be visiting Penang this 22nd and a meeting related to it was called by the Kelab Penyokong Satu Maalysia Advisor, Datuk Ghazali at the Sri Malaysia Hotel in Bayan Lepas. The meeting which was schedule at 7.00pm only begun at 8.45pm. Good punctuality and discipline by the organizer and committee.

After a huge ir-relevant discussion was held, finally a conclusion was made that the visit to the USM Hall will be made coming Monday at 3pm followed by the meeting at Night.  The Indian NGO's will be given an opportunity to post questions to PM on that day. The committee should collect all the question earlier and segregate it. Questions related to schools and temples, should be given by written  / memo. This is because of time constrain. The 1 hour+ with PM should be used to post questions related to more government job opportunities, opportunities in GLC's, contracts worth RM150k below to be allocated to Indian contractors, business grans, additional business loans, more business opportunity for youths & etc. May the committee makes a good move and this meet with PM prior to GE13 will benefit the community.

Mr Murali

My Second Major Event in 2001

This was my second major event that was organized. Initially we met this elderly guy at Jalan Baru Temple and he had told her on his wish to cycle around the whole country. Since we were lack of experience, we spoke to YB. N Gobalakrishnan ( independent MP ) who was that a member of PKR Supreme Council member. When we requested for his assistance, we decided to organize the event under the NGO name Mooneruvom. Mr Murugiah ( the cyclist ) started his attempt in December 2001 and completed it in the same month. It was a successful event and many friends had gave a hand to it.

My First Step Into Community Service

This was my first ever event and my first step into community service. We were informed that around 5 families in Taiping  are in a very poor state and needed assistance from the public. All our friends started collecting funds among us and also sold empty F&N Bottles. Those who were with me than was my close friend Krishna ( partially seen in the pic with cap ), Sateesh ( Ex Staff of prof Ramasamy ), Rambo @ Siva & Vijay. 

We lost all the photos and only a few pic was still in my collection. I still remember this particular family ( above ). The girl who is in the picture had scored well in her UPSR but couldn't continue due to financial reason. I could still recall, that this was the last house we were visiting out of the 5 houses and we were all scared + nervous since this house was situated on a graveyard. This was my first ever event and its more than 11 years im in the community service line. So for some who have jump into Perai for personal gains, can stop saying me and my team are new to politics / community events. It is all of you who are have personal interest in mind than contributing for the community!

Inderawasih Dump Site Cleared & Cordon Off

We had raised up the Inderawasih Dump Site earlier. Thanks to MPSP Special Squad, Mr Raju who had taken fast action by not only clearing off the rubbish, but by cordoning off the area. He have done a very good job. Initially this particular place was full of rubbish and tires causing various problems to be public. Rather than complaining that those responsible have not been undertaking their responsibility, its better we extend the complains & issues to relevant authorities for the benefit of the local residents. 

Medical Camp

Our medical camp which was held at SMK Perai. Slow response from the public. Thanks to the BM Hospital, SPT Health Department & DR Guna of Perai Rajoo Clinic on their effort and contribution.

Malaysia Should Have Voted Against Sri Lanka!

A mix reaction today. The resolution against Sri Lanka have been passed and evan India have voted. But very sad that Malaysia decided to abstain. Evry issues are being politicize in the Country. This is a human rights issue. Its related to death and suffering of thousands. Disappointed that Malaysia fail to vote against Sri Lanka. 

Worms & Insects!

Received a call early morning from some residents around Lorong Kikik, that some kind of worms is falling from a tree into houses and those walking around it. Many school students walk pass the tree daily to and after school. I visited the place and fair enough there were many worms and insects all around the tree and as wind blows it kept falling towards houses and on those who are walking nearby. I gave a call to

MPSP Special Squad, Mr Raju. By 2pm his team was already there to handle the situation. Initial check showed that the tree was free from any kind of insects and worms, but when some kind of chemicals sprayed, there were thousands of worms coming out. A temporary solution was taken and will be writing to 'Bahagian Perancangan' who will need to liase with TNB to chop down the tree.