Penang (Pulau Pinang) Island of Malaysia, off the nw coast of the Malay peninsula, which (together with a coastal strip on the mainland) forms a state of Malaysia; the capital is George Town. The island was Britain's first possession in Malaya (1786). In 1826, it united with Singapore and Malacca, and in 1867 the group became the Straits Settlements colony. Penang joined the Federation of Malaya in 1948. Its products include rice, rubber, and tin. George Town is Malaysia's principal port. Area: 1040sq km (400sq mi). Pop. (2000) 1,255,501.

pinang See betel.