Alor Setar, formerly known as Alor Star from 2004–2008 is a city and the state capital of Kedah, Malaysia; It is the second largest city in the state after Sungai Petani based on the populations.; important cities in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia along the longest expressway, located 400 km from Kuala Lumpur and 79 km north of George Town, Penang. The city is home to the Central State Administration Centre and is the administrative centre of Kota Setar District.