DOWN MEMORY LANE: PEKAN RABU IN 2012 & 2014

Those are fantastic throwback photos! Looking at them, the captured photo of Pekan Rabu right before it underwent its biggest transformation in decades.

The first photo from July 2012 shows the classic "yellow-roofed" facade that many locals and frequent visitors remember fondly. The second photo from December 2014 marks a poignant moment—it was right around the time the old building was being prepared for demolition to make way for the modern complex we see today.

What has changed since my 2012 visit?

If you were to visit Alor Setar today in 2026, the scene would look quite different:

• The New Complex: The old 1978 building you photographed was demolished shortly after your 2014 photo. It has been replaced by a modern, four-storey complex that reopened around 2018. It features Islamic-inspired architecture, central air-conditioning, and much better accessibility (including escalators and lifts).
• The Iconic Stalls: While the building is new, the soul remains the same. You can still find the famous Kuah Rojak, Ikan Pekasam, and Dodol, as well as the traditional clothing and handicrafts Pekan Rabu is known for.
• The "Tun Mahathir" Legacy: The gallery inside continues to celebrate its most famous former trader, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who sold snacks and coffee here during the Japanese Occupation.
• Solar Initiative: As of 2025/2026, there have even been moves to make the complex "greener" through new partnerships involving solar energy installations on the building.

Fun Fact for your memories

The name "Pekan Rabu" (Wednesday Market) is a bit of a misnomer now—while it started as a weekly market in the 1920s, it’s now open every day of the week from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM!

It’s wonderful that you have these photos from 2012 and 2014; they are now pieces of Alor Setar's history.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

1 January 2026: 9.39 a.m