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 18th century.
The importance of Klang was further elevated in 19th
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
13th busiest transshipment port in 2008 and the 16th
busiest container port in the world.
