Malaysia's Alcatraz!

Did you know that Malaysia has its own version of Alcatraz?

The picture below shows the main prison building. This is the view from the ferry that takes you from Penang to the resort in the island.


Built in 1969 at Jerejak Island (Pulau Jerejak), it was used to house prisoners after the May 13th, 1969 riots.

Started in 1907 when Sir Francis Light first found the island before moving off to nearby Penang, it was used as a detention area for visitors before being allowed into Penang.

Now, the prison ruins are still there with monkeys making it their home. Prisoners scribblings on the wall can still be seen. And so are the detention camps.

There is now a resort at the island. With nice chalets amid the pristine jungle, it offers you and me a nice, slow placed vacation, away from the hustle and bustle of Penang.

So make your visit there before the prisons become a victim of Mother Nature.

Pristine Vacation Off Penang

If you're vacationing in Penang and are tired of the traffic and the busy beaches, then why not head off to a pristine, untouched jungle resort only 15 minutes by boat ride from Penang.

Known to the locals as Pulau Jerejak (Jerejak Island), the island is the largest of the small islands around Penang and is easily viewable when crossing the Penang bridge.

The island was first founded in 1907 by Sir Francis Light who used it as a disease containment camp before an Alcatraz style prison was set up on the island in the1960's.

Now there's a resort on the island but the prison remains are still visible and so s the detention camp.

My wife and I took a trip there last week, and here's our pictures and stories of the island.

Check out our story of Jerejak Island.