Karpal Singh Drive

Karpal Singh Drive is a seafront promenade within the suburb of Jelutong near George Town in Penang, Malaysia. It is named after Karpal Singh (1940-2014), a prominent opposition politician and lawyer who hailed from George Town.[1][2]

Karpal Singh Drive
Malay: Persiaran Karpal Singh
Tamil: கர்பால் சிங் சுற்றுலா வீதி
Chinese: 卡巴星道
Route information
Maintained by the Penang Island City Council
Length0.8 km (0.5 mi)
Existed2014–present
Location
StatesPenang
Major citiesGeorge Town, Jelutong
Highway system
PERSIARAN KARPAL SINGH 1
LEBUH SUNGAI PINANG 411600 P. PINANG

Along Karpal Singh Drive are upscale residential and commercial properties, while the paved promenade itself is decorated with a handful of art sculptures. The promenade faces east, lying along the South Channel of the Penang Strait.

Etymology

The promenade was renamed after the late Karpal Singh, a Penangite lawyer who became one of the top Democratic Action Party (DAP) politicians.[1][2] He was once nicknamed the 'Tiger of Jelutong' as he held the federal constituency of Jelutong for five consecutive terms. At the time of death in 2014, he was the Member of Parliament for the Bukit Gelugor federal constituency south of Jelutong.

After Karpal Singh's death, the Chief Minister of Penang, Lim Guan Eng, announced that the seaside promenade would be renamed in honour of his departed colleague and presented a map of the road with its new name to Karpal's widow, Gurmit Kaur.[1][3] The renaming of the promenade made Karpal Singh the first local DAP politician to be honoured with a street name within Penang Island.

Prior to the renaming move, the road was known colloquially as the 'Seaview' or the IJM Promenade, the latter after the firm that developed this particular neighbourhood.[4]

Landmarks

Karpal Singh Drive features a 10 metre paved walkway beautified with modern art sculptures by Hitori Nakayama, a Japanese artist who has been residing in Penang. These include the 'Celebration of Our Blue Sky' and the 'Rhythm of Light'; the former consists of a set of four blue pillars whilst the latter depicts musical notes.

The Maritime is a commercial complex at Karpal Singh Drive, consisting of a two-storey commercial podium known as The Maritime Piazza and two high rise office blocks called The Maritime Suites. The Maritime Piazza contains the Auto Mall, which is made up of car showrooms, eateries, cafes, spas, and entertainment outlets.[5]

Past art exhibitions

Penang Flotilla

The Penang Flotilla, which became the overall champion in the 2014 1Malaysia International Tourism Night Floral Parade, was installed at Karpal Singh Drive for public display until the end of 2015.[6]

Ubah Bird

The 'Ubah di Air' bird mascot was launched at the Karpal Singh Drive. It became the mascot for the DAP during 2013 Malaysian general election.

  • Karpal Singh Drive signboard
  • Karpal Singh Drive during day
  • Karpal Singh Drive during new year celebration
  • McDonald's at Karpal Singh Drive
  • The view of Karpal Singh Drive
  • The view looking toward sea
  • Starbucks at The Maritime Piazza, Karpal Singh Drive

References
  1. "Penang promenade to be named Karpal Singh Drive - Nation | The Star Online". thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  2. "Penang to rename Jelutong sea front 'Karpal Singh Drive' | Malaysia | The Malay Mail Online". themalaymailonline.com. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  3. Intan Amalina Mohd Ali (12 June 2014). "Guan Eng launches Persiaran Karpal Singh". thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2014-09-18.
  4. "Penang to rename Jelutong sea front 'Karpal Singh Drive'". 2014-04-19. Retrieved 2017-05-17.
  5. "Auto Mall". automall.com.my. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
  6. "Penang's award-winning flotilla on display at Karpal Singh Drive till end of the year - Community | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 2017-03-18.
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