Rising from foothold in spice trade

The story of a town: Koay speaking on the rise and transformation of Bukit Mertajam during the Seberang Prai Story Lecture. With her is Chan (seated, right).

UNKNOWN to many, Fui Chiu Hakka clansmen were among the pioneer settlers in Bukit Mertajam.

These Chinese migrants from Guangdong province grew spices and were involved in granite production back in the 1800s, said Penang Institute research analyst Nicholas Chan.