 Furthermore, the agricultural plantations would fuel the growth of several villages, such as Air Itam and Balik Pulau on the island, and Bukit Mertajam in "Province Wellesley".Malay refugees fleeing the Siamese invasion of Kedah and Chinese immigrants formed the bulk of workers in these agricultural estates.Other areas, such as Bayan Lepas on the island and Kepala Batas in "Province Wellesley", were founded as rice-producing estates.