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The current peace can be further ap-
preciated with a reminder that the state’s
past wasn’t always so peaceful – the fort
in Kota Kuala bears testament to that. To-
day though, the fishing town is a sleepy
place and the fort a tourist fascination
rather than a defensive measure. Built
in 1771 as state protection, this complex
has withstood attacks through the ages
and been adapted over the years, with an
attractive addition being the lighthouse
added by the British in 1909.
Kedah’s list of attractions moves far
beyond this brief taster and combine to
make the state worthy of attention above
and beyond the adulation showered on
Langkawi island. Take a trip to the beach
but then move beyond for a cultural and
historical experience like no other; a
trip to Kedah is truly a step into the rich
landscape of Malaysia’s evolutionary
journey.
A centre of focus for visitors is Ke-
dah’s state capital Alor Setar, which
has become a popular stop-off for those
looking to access the Thai border. It is
worth pausing to explore this locale –
like many of Malaysia’s cities, Alor Setar
retains its old world charm and reveals
its own history through the buildings,
the culture and the people.
Home Of Leaders
In more modern days it became her-
alded for being the childhood home of
former Malaysian prime minister Tun
Dr Mahathir bin Mohamad. You can still
visit his house and learn more about his
early career as a doctor before his rise to
power. He was preceded by another iconic
leader: Tunku Abdul Rahman – the first
prime minister of Malaysia – also called
Kedah home as a boy. Delve into this
pivotal leader’s life at the museum and
take a moment to marvel at how far the
country has travelled in the intervening
years since then.
Kedah carries an epithet as the ‘Abode
of Peace’, which can certainly be verified
when taking a trip to Pedu Lake, close to
the border of Thailand. This spectacular
man-made lake is nestled in the forest
and thus boasts an incredible array of
flora and fauna. Visitors looking for
higher octane fun can take jungle treks
and get on the lake itself for water sports,
but for many, a visit is simply a chance
to escape the bustle of life and relax in
nature.
The lighthouse sits within
the impressive fort of Kota
Kuala which once served as
the state’s defence.
From the 4
th
century
the area was a major
trade centre, and many
interesting archaeological
finds have been made
Visit the childhood
home of Malaysia’s
first prime minister,
Tunku Abdul Rahman,
in Alor Setar