Everything about Klang totally explained
Klang (or
Kelang) is the
royal capital of the
state of
Selangor,
Malaysia within a district of similar name. It is located about 32
km to the west of
Kuala Lumpur and 6 km east of
Port Klang. It was the civil capital of Selangor in an earlier era before the emergence of
Kuala Lumpur and the current capital,
Shah Alam. Port Klang is one of the world's busiest
seaports.
Klang will be granted city status on 8th August 2008.
History
The royal town of Klang has been a site of human settlement since prehistoric times.
Bronze Age drums and other artifacts have been found within the town itself and within the vicinity. Commanding the approaches to the tin rich
Klang Valley, Klang has always been of key strategic importance.
The celebrated
Tun Perak, the
Malacca Sultanate's greatest
Bendahara, came from Klang and became its territorial chief. After the fall of
Melaka to the
Portuguese in 1511, Klang remained in Malay hands, controlled by the
Sultan Johor-Riau until the creation of
Selangor sultanate in the 18th century.
In the 19th century the importance of Klang greatly increased by the rapid expansion of tin mining as a result of the increased demand for tin from the West. The desire to control the Klang Valley led directly to the
Selangor Civil War (sometimes called the Klang War) of 1867-1874 when Raja Mahdi fought to regain what he considered his birthright as territorial chief against Raja Abdullah. He failed and the end result was British intervention and control.
After 1874, the
British soon selected Klang over
Jugra as the centre of their administration, which it remained until 1880 when they transferred it to the
mining centre of
Kuala Lumpur.
Klang didn't lose its importance, however. Until the construction of Port Swettenham (
Port Klang) in 1901, the royal town remained the chief outlet for Selangor's tin, and its position was enhanced by the completion of the Klang Valley railway (to Bukit Kuda) in 1886. In the 1890s its growth was further stimulated by the development of the district into the State' leading producer of
coffee, and then
rubber.
In 1901 it became the official seat of
Sultan Sulaiman (Sultan Alauddin Sulaiman Shah). Today Klang is no longer State capital or the main seat of the Ruler, but it remains the headquarters of the District to which it gives it name.
Klang's modern history timelines:
Etymology
Klang may have taken its name from the
Klang River which runs through the town. The entire geographical area in the immediate vicinity of the river, which begins at Kuala Lumpur and runs west all the way to
Port Klang, is known as the
Klang Valley.
Popular theories on the origin of the name are that it was derived from the
Mon-Khmer word
Klong or from the old meaning of the Malay word
Kilang meaning warehouses, given that it was full of warehouses in the old days (kilang now means
Factory).
Districts
Klang North and Klang South are divided by the Klang River. Generally, Klang North is more commercial while more residential areas and government offices are located in Klang South. Hence, Klang South tends to be busier and becomes center of social activity after working hours. This was triggered by the rapid growth of new and modern townships such as
Bandar Bukit Tinggi,
Bandar Botanic, Bayuemas and
Glenmarie Cove at Klang South.
Politics
Klang encompasses of three
parliamentary seats: Kapar (Mr. Manikavasagam a/l Sundaram -
PKR), Kota Raja (Mdm. Siti Mariah Mahmud -
PAS), and Klang (Mr. Charles Anthony Santiago -
DAP). All three are held by the
Pakatan Rakyat coalition. These constituencies are subdivided into state seats.
Local cuisine
Klang is well known for its "
Bak Kut Teh" (
Chinese: 肉骨茶,
Pinyin: Ròu Gŭ Chá), a herbal soup that uses
pork ribs and tenderloins. A kind of virus struck pigs in the late the 90's that affected pig farmers nationwide led to the creation of
Chick Kut Teh, that substitutes chicken for pork as it's
halal for consumption for the muslims.
Klang is also famous for its
banana leaf rice.
It is also well-known for its seafood at Teluk Gong. One of the famous delicacies here's the sweet and sour crab. One of the most popular restaurants there's called "Coconut Flower" which is usually packed every night. It is known for its crabs, prawns and a few other dishes.
Besides that, Klang is also famous for its "
Rojak Klang". The most popular Rojak Klang stall in Klang is
Rojak Klang Gani located at the Emporium Makan. This stall has been in operations for more than 30 years and still running.
Another famous delicacy is the "
Cendol". Presently, the owner, Munusamy, of "Cendol Klang" store, located at the heart of Klang town centre, has come a long way to where it's today. Before the store came about, the sole-proprietor sold cendols along Jalan Nanas on his mobile-store attached to his
motorcycle and had been so since 1972. Cendol was gaining popularity over time in the 90's and it wasn't until circa 2000 that the sole-proprietor moved into a store at the very same place where he'd been selling. Rumors had it that he'd gathered enough finances to support two of his children to study law in
England, which would be seen as an enormous achievement for a person like Munusamy who started with nothing over 30 years ago.
Other famous local delicacies are "Lontong Klang", "Mee Bandung" and "Mee Jawa", which is similar to
Mee Rebus in
Johor. There are a number of restaurants/stalls selling Mee Jawa. One of the famous (and delicious) Mee Jawa is also located at food court at Emporium Makan (Opposite to Rojak Klang Gani). It also sells famous hailam noodle & the owner is Wak Sarip.
Shopping complexes
Centro Business Centre
ÆON Bukit Tinggi Shopping Centre (Bandar Bukit Tinggi Klang)
Bukit Raja Shopping Centre (Bandar Baru Klang)
Carrefour (Kapar Road)
Giant (Bandar Bukit Tinggi & Meru Road)
Harbour Place (Port Klang Road, currently under construction)
Intania Shopping Centre (Currently under construction)
Klang City Square
Klang Mid Valley (Currently under construction, located adjacent to Klang City Square and Shaw Centrepoint)
Klang Parade (Meru Road)
Shaw Centrepoint (Klang Town)
Tesco (Bandar Bukit Tinggi & Meru Road)
Hospitals
Arunamari Specialist Medical Centre
Hospital Bersalin Metro Maternity
Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahimah (formerly known as Hospital Besar Tengku Ampuan Rahimah),
also known as Klang General Hospital
Klinik Damo & Pusat Bersalin
Pantai Klang Specialist Hospital
Puteri Klang Medical Centre (formerly known as Sentosa Medical Centre)
Sri Kota Medical Centre, KlangFurther Information
Get more info on 'Klang'.
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