 In 1749, Dato' Jenaton Raja Labu from Pagarruyung was granted a site at Batu Uban by the Sultan of Kedah, as a reward for his assistance in thwarting a Siamese invasion of Kedah; Penang Island was part of Kedah at the time.Jenaton and about 90 followers then travelled to Batu Uban, and cultivated the land into coconut and sugar cane plantations.Jenaton was also said to have contributed to the propagation of Islam within this new settlement.