How large are Penang and Malacca?
Penang’s main city is located on an island, separated by a strait, with an additional piece of land on the opposite side. The total area is 1,046 square kiloters, comparable to the size of Hong Kong. Malacca is slightly larger, covering over 1,700 square kiloters.
In terms of size, these two areas are comparable to dium-sized administrative regions in many countries.
Penang currently has a population of over 300,000, consisting of approximately 60% Chinese, 30% Malay, and 10% Indians.
In later years, Penang primarily developed its electronics industry, earning the nickna "Little Silicon Valley." Hardy believed that setting up a chip manufacturing base there in the future would be a great idea.
Moreover, Penang has excellent ports. Although they are not as strategically located as Singapore, they could still beco outstanding global transshipnt hubs, boosting local developnt.
Malacca now has a population of just over 200,000, with 55% being Malays, 40% Chinese, and 5% Indians.
Both Penang and Malacca are relatively small, but compared to Singapore, they are larger. Singapore covers just over 700 square kiloters.
Additionally, Penang and Malacca have advantages over Singapore because they are part of the mainland and have access to natural water sources. Singapore, being an isolated island, suffers from an extre scarcity of water resources and has to buy water from Malaya, transported via pipelines to Malacca.
Singapore’s key advantage lies in its excellent geographic location, situated on a crucial global mariti trade route. In later years, Singapore prospered primarily from its shipping industry, amassing significant wealth and becoming a developed nation with an average annual inco of over $60,000 per capita, ranking eighth globally.
Hardy planned to visit Penang and Malacca, but before that, he instructed HD Security to reinforce the military bases in both Penang and Singapore.
He also dispatched two Fletcher-class destroyers acquired last year to sail fully crewed to Penang.
As a result, HD Security bases in Southeast Asia now had over 3,000 personnel and a fleet comprising two destroyers, two frigates, four 600-ton patrol corvettes, and twelve 80-ton torpedo boats.
Hardy and his team traveled to Singapore by private plane. This ti, Singapore’s Governor Mountbatten personally welcod them at the airport.
"Baron Hardy, welco to Singapore! Congratulations on acquiring two territories, Penang and Malacca—both are treasures," Mountbatten said with a smile.
Hardy spread his hands with a slightly helpless expression.
"I wish they were truly treasures. Initially, I just wanted to buy a piece of land in Singapore to set up a transshipnt port. I didn’t expect things to turn out this way."
Mountbatten, knowing Hardy had spent $400 million on this venture, couldn’t help but be astonished at the figure.
"Your contributions to the Empire will not be forgotten by His Majesty the King and the Pri Minister," Mountbatten assured with a smile.
"Co, let’s talk at the Governor’s Mansion."
He then invited Hardy to the Governor’s Mansion.
After they were seated, Hardy asked, "Governor Mountbatten, since you were previously responsible for overseeing Penang and Malacca, could you tell if there are any conflicts in those areas? I want to avoid any troubles when I take over."
"Oh, there are indeed so minor issues. It all started a few years ago with the plan to form the ’Malayan Union.’ Those who opted for independence aggressively, unlike the obedient Malayan Communist Party (MCP) that we supported, The Malayan Union is trouble."
Mountbatten then recounted the series of events that occurred after the British expelled the Japanese and re-established control over Malaya.
In truth, Hardy was already well-inford about these developnts through the detailed intelligence provided by Henry’s departnt.
After India, Burma, and other regions gained independence, the British were reluctant to let go of Malaya, their last colonial territory. They attempted direct rule, but the local Sultans opposed it. However, the Malayan Union was too dangerous to be left in place, so despite the Sultans opposition, the British still eradicated it.
To solidify their shaky rule in Malaya, the British granted special privileges to the Chinese Malayan Communist Party (MCP). However, this managent style was part of the British strategy to create division, a tactic they had previously used in India and other colonies.
By fostering divisions between ethnic groups and inciting conflicts, the British could maintain control over these regions with minimal military force.
As a result, the Chinese group gained privileges, but this led to the establishnt of organizations advocating for the restoration of equal rights.
Subsequent clashes broke out, including incidents where British police arrested people and forcibly dissolved organizations.
In short, the region had been fraught with ongoing disputes, which was one of the main reasons many considered Hardy’s acquisition of Penang and Malacca a losing deal.
Even Governor Mountbatten privately doubted Hardy’s investnt, thinking he might eventually withdraw in frustration, leaving behind only the 50 square kiloters of port land in Singapore from his $400 million purchase. Enjoy new chapters from .Côm
While Hardy and Mountbatten were discussing the issues in Penang and Malacca, others were also talking about him.
In a courtyard typical of Malayan architecture in Penang, seven or eight individuals were discussing Hardy. They were unsure whether the British granting Penang as a fiefdom to Hardy was a good or bad thing.
"I heard that Baron Hardy was originally an Arican. What kind of rules do you think he will establish in Penang and Malacca?"
"Didn’t the newspapers say that these places will beco autonomous territories, with Hardy as the governor? He’ll essentially be like an emperor," soone said.
"Who knows if he will grant us civil rights? Honestly, as long as we can live well, who would want to cause trouble?"
"So people are too radical. We’re too small in number and lack the foundation for independence. Striving for equal rights is already the best outco."
"Can we try to contact him and present our demands?"
"I rember a prominent Malayan businessman has business dealings with him. Could we approach him?"
"Let’s give it a try."
"Also, coordinate with Malacca and Singapore. Our strength will be greater together."
After resting for a day in Singapore, Hardy didn’t imdiately head to Malacca or Penang. Instead, he flew to Japan on his private plane.
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