MALAYSIA SELANGOR KLANG

MALAYSIA SELANGOR KLANG

Klang is one of the oldest towns in Selangor. According to the past history, instruments used during Iron Age called “Tulang Mawas” were found within its premise. This shows that Klang has been a human settlement since 2000 years ago. Annals also stated that the town exists since the Majapahit Era about 600 year ago.

The renowned Tun Perak, the Malacca Sultanate’s Bendahara (rank similar to Prime Minister), came to Klang and became its territorial chief in 1445.After the fall of Malacca to the Portuguese in 1511, Klang remained in Malay hands, controlled by the Sultan of Johor Riau until the formation of the Selangor Sultanate in the 18^th century.

The importance of Klang was further elevated in 19^th century due to the rapid expansion of tin mining activities in Klang Valley. The desire to control the Klang Valley led directly to the Selangor Civil War of 1867-1874 when Raja Mahadi fought to regain what he considered his bright right as territorial chief against Raja Abdullah. Nevertheless, he failed to gain full control of the state, leading instead to British intervention and control.

After 1874, the British soon opted for Klang over Jugra as the centre of their administration and this remained until 1880 when they moved it to the mining centre of Kuala Lumpur.

Despite the transition,Klang did not lose its greatness and remained renown with the construction of Port Klang ( formerly known as Port Swettenham in 1901), which made the royal town the chief outlet for Selangor’s tin. In addition, its position was enhanced in 1886 by the completion of the Klang Valley railway (to Bukit Kuda). In the 1890s, the town’s growth was further stimulated by the State becoming a leading producer of coffee and rubber.

In 1901, it became the official seat of Sultan Suleiman (Sultan Allauddin Suleiman Shah). Today, despite no longer being the state capital or the main seat of the Ruler, Klang remains an integral element of the district to which it gives its name.

In an earlier era, Klang was the civil capital of Selangor, Malaysia, prior to the emergence of Kuala Lumpur and the current state capital, Shah Alam. With its heritage and historical background, it is now crowned as the present Royal Capital of Selangor.It comprising the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur and its suburbs, adjoining cities and towns stretching from Gombak in the north to Kajang in the south. Despite its long history, however, Klang remains economically important today due to its port (Port Klang), which is the 13^th busiest transshipment port in 2008 and the 16^th busiest container port in the world.