Lorong Aboo Sittee, George Town

Lorong Aboo Sittee (30 June 2018)


B. Melayu

Lorong Aboo Sittee (Chinese: 三星巷, Penang Hokkien: Sam3seng3 Hang33 ), is a minor road in George Town. It was named after Aboo Sittee, the late 19th century leader of Bangsawan, a Muslim street opera, because his house used to be there. The name "Bangsawan", which means "nobility" is believed to have been given by Tunku Kudin.

The road was originally named Aboo Sittee Lane. It was later renamed Lorong Abu Siti. In recent years, the road name was changed again to reflect the original spelling of the historical personality, Aboo Sittee, and thus is today written as Lorong Aboo Sittee.

During an age where there was still no television, street operas and wandering theatres are a popular form of entertainment that drew a following not only among the Malays, but also the Chinese population.

The interesting aspect of Lorong Aboo Sittee is that there used to be a Muslim settlement here, which extends from Hutton Lane. The Malays and Indian Muslims had kampong houses here while the wealthier Muslim merchants had brick bungalows designed in the Nusantara style. Some of these bungalows are still standing today. Some of these bungalows are still standing today, but unfortunately in a poor state of repair.

The Bangsawan opera traces its roots among the Indian Muslims. Indeed Aboo Sittee was also known by the nickname Mamak Pushi. His Bangsawan troupe, the Kumpulan Pusi Indera-Bangsawan, was formed in the 1890's and staged a touring concert throughout Malaya and Indonesia.

Among the Chinese, Lorong Aboo Sittee was known as Sam3seng3 Hang33 , or Gangster Alley, in Hokkien because it was where Chinese hooligans used to congregate. Lorong Aboo Sittee was also known in Malay as Lorong Pushi, meaning "street opera lane".

Map of Lorong Aboo Sittee, George Town, Penang

Sights along Lorong Aboo Sittee in alphabetical order

Associations along Lorong Aboo Sittee

Businesses along Lorong Aboo Sittee

Commercial Properties along Lorong Aboo Sittee

Food & Beverage Outlets along Lorong Aboo Sittee

Hotels along Lorong Aboo Sittee

Updates on Lorong Aboo Sittee

9 May, 2019
The Star Penang state executive member Zairil Khir Johari announced that the name for Lorong Aboo Sittee will be changed back to the gazetted Lorong Aboo Sittee. ref

Getting there

Rapid Penang Bus 10, 11, 103 and 104 pass by Jalan Burma. From the bus stop, walk to Lorong Aboo Sittee.

Lorong Aboo Sittee roadsign (31 January 2025)


Lorong Aboo Sittee (29 September 2012)


Lorong Aboo Sittee, Penang (30 June 2018)


Lorong Aboo Sittee roadsign (30 June 2018)


Half-brick Malay house on Lorong Aboo Sittee (26 April 2009)


Old Malay-style bungalows on Lorong Aboo Sittee (26 April 2009)


Lorong Aboo Sittee junction with Macalister Road (29 September 2012)


Lorong Aboo Sittee junction with Burmah Road (29 September 2012)


House in Lorong Aboo Sittee that reflect its 19th century Malay heritage (26 April 2009)


Old Lorong Abu Siti roadsign (29 September 2012)

Lorong Aboo Sittee on Google Street View

Lorong Aboo Sittee (Sep 2024)

List of Streets in Penang and Streets in Malaysia