Alor Setar is the capital of Kedah state in northwestern Malaysia and the birthplace of Malaysia's longest-serving prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad. The compact city centre contains a cluster of historic royal buildings around the Padang, including the distinctive octagonal Balai Besar audience hall, the Zahir Mosque, and the State Museum. Alor Setar is a convenient stop on the route between Kuala Lumpur and the Thai border at Padang Besar.