George Town is not a city in Malaysia?

George Town is the first city in Malaysia, long before Kuala Lumpur. It is also recognised internationally as the second largest city in Malaysia, as indicated in the article from the Star at the bottom of this post.

Royal Charter of Penang's City Status
Wikipedia - George Town, Penang

the said Municipality of George Town shall on the First Day of January in the Year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and fifty seven and forever thereafter be a city and shall be called and styled the CITY OF GEORGE TOWN instead of the Municipality of George Town and shall thenceforth have all such rank, liberties, privileges and immunities as are incident to a city.

But wait... What are the cities on Malaysia's own list?

Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Johor Baru, Kuching North, Kuching South, Kota Kinabalu, Shah Alam, Malacca, Alor Star and Petaling Jaya.

Where is George Town? How can an internationally recognised city not recognised by our own government?

Having been to some of the cities in the list above, and being brought up in Penang, I find this fact really peculiar.

From the Star - KL drops to 16th largest city

KUALA LUMPUR and George Town are no longer the 11th and 48th largest cities in the world, Kosmo! reported.

It said the position of the two cities were now 16th and 64th out of 100 of the world's largest cities.