V44 COMMUNITY: May 2011

Sungai Petani (Jawi: سوغاي فتني ) (abbreviated "Sg. Petani" or "SP") is a town in the state of Kedah, in the northern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Sungai Petani is the second largest town in Kedah after Alor Star. The name Sungai Petani has its roots from sungai meaning river and petani meaning farmer in the Malay language. Sungai Petani in full means "Farmer's River", due to the huge concentration of paddy fields and farmers in the state. The word "petani" may also refer to "Pattani", a city in present day Thailand to which the river was once connected. Even the old spelling of Sungai Petani was "Sungei Patani", without any reference to farming.

Mount Jerai (Gunung Jerai, Kedah)

Mount Jerai (Malay: Gunung Jerai;) or formerly Kedah Peak is the highest mountain in the Malaysian state of Kedah with the height of 1,217 metres (3,993 ft). Within Kedah itself, the mountain stands at the border of Kuala Muda and Yan districts. The mountain is a massive limestone outcrop and is a lone feature from the surrounding geography of the area. There is an information board on top of the mountain stating that it used to be an island called Pulai Serai before the sea levels receded letting it form a mountain, but this fact has no research or historical basis.

Pantai Merdeka, Kedah

Kedah is also endowed with a beautiful 1 km stretch of white sandy beach known as Pantai Merdeka, approximately 60 km south of Alor Setar. This enchanting beach is shaded by tall swaying palms, under which one may spend leisurely hours - picnicking or just lazing the hours away, Water skiing and sailing are also popular along this stretch of coastal water. The mountains and hills of Kedah offer a number of lovely picnic spots set within verdant greenery, cool mountain streams and the invigorating freshness of the mountain air.