OBJECTIVES: Understanding community perspectives of antibiotic resistance is essential for designing effective community-based interventions to address this major problem. This study aimed to assess the knowledge and perceptions of community residents towards antibiotic resistance in Jelutong District, Penang, Malaysia. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among the residents of 1Malaysia Community (aged ≥18 years) from July to September 2015 using a validated and pre-tested self-administered questionnaire. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22.0.  RESULTS: Three hundred and sixty of the 440 residents completed the questionnaire (response rate = 81.8%). In regard to their knowledge of antibiotic resistance, 28.9% (n = 104) gave a correct definition of antibiotic resistance; 26.1% (n = 94) were aware that overuse of antibiotics can cause antibiotic resistance; and 16.7% (n = 60) stated that completing the full prescribed course of antibiotics can prevent antibiotic resistance. Only 17.8% (n = 64) perceived antibiotic resistance as a major threat to public health and only 16.9% (n = 61) perceived that they could be affected by antibiotic resistance. As a result, only 21.7% (n = 78) agreed that they should take actions to prevent antibiotic resistance. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of the community residents had poor knowledge and negative perceptions of antibiotic resistance. Moreover, the study identified areas of focus that should be considered when designing educational interventions to address antibiotic resistance at the community level in Malaysia.