Klang @ A Glance
Klang, also known as the Royal City of Klang, is one of the special districts in Selangor as it is rich in history, traditions and customs. The Royal Klang is geographically located to the south of Klang Valley and spans an area of around 627 square kilometres. It is also divided into two parts which are North Klang and South Klang that is divided by the Klang River. According to the population census of 2020, Klang is home to approximately 1 million people, with a population density of 1,737 square kilometres. The Klang City population has grown by 2.6% from the year 2010 to 2020.
Klang was formerly the capital city of Selangor prior to the emergence of Kuala Lumpur and the current capital, Shah Alam. Klang is known as one of Malaysia’s oldest towns. Human habitation has existed in the royal town of Klang since the Stone Age. Axes, drums, and other artefacts from the Bronze Age have been both outside and inside the town.
1776
The Selangor Sultanate and State was established with the state capital in Kuala Selangor.
1859
The seat of authority was shifted during the reign of Sultan Abdul Samad, the fourth Sultan of Selangor, to Jugra in Kuala Langat
1875
Klang served as the capital of the British colonial government for Selangor from 1875 to 1880. Selangor also received a British Resident who would ‘advise’ the Sultan.
1880
The capital city of Selangor was moved to Kuala Lumpur due to the rise of the city as a result of tin mining.
1890
Klang Town was governed by a local authority known as the Klang Sanitary Board.
1895
Klang's initial official boundaries were established
1903
During Sultan Ala'eddin Suleiman's reign, the royal seat was relocated back to Klang.
1908
The Belfield Bridge, the first vehicular crossing of the Klang River linking Klang North and Klang South was built.
1926
The sanity boards of Port Swettenham and Klang were merged.
1945
Klang Town Board was the name of the municipal administration.
1954
The Town Board became the Klang Town Council after a local election to select its members in compliance with the Local Government Election Ordinance of 1950.
1963
The Port Klang Authority was established in 1963, and it currently oversees the three Port Klang communities of Northport, Southpoint, and West Port
1971
The Klang District Council was established in 1971, and it included Port Klang as well as the surrounding townships of Kapar and Meru.
1974
Before Shah Alam became the state capital of Selangor in 1977, Klang served as the capital from 1974 to 1977.
1977
Klang District (KDC) was promoted to Klang Municipal Council (KMC) in accordance with the Local Government Act of 1976 (Act 171).
2023
In July 2023, the Klang Municipal Council received approval from the Cabinet for elevation to city status.
Klang has been a Royal Town for 90 Years which is from the year 1933 to 2023. After the Sultan Suleiman Royal Mosque was renamed the Suleiman Jamiur Rahmah Mosque on June 23, 1933, Klang was symbolically denoted as a royal town because it satisfied the various requirements. Since then, it has been known as a royal town until this day.
To become a royal town, there are certain requirements to be met. There must also be a royal palace and a royal village in addition to the royal mosque. The royal palace in Klang is the Istana Alam Shah, which is the official palace of the Sultan of Selangor. Few people are aware that Kampung Seri Alam, a Klang neighbourhood next to Istana Alam Shah, is the city’s royal village.
Apart from that, a royal tomb, aristocratic residence, a field for festivals, and the usage of Jawi writing in official communications are additional requirements for the royal town. In addition to these essential elements, Klang was also the location of a royal ship, a fort, and a harb
One of the Oldest Cities in Malaysia
Klang is one of the oldest cities in Malaysia and Melaka’s history is much more recent than Klang’s. The nation is a portion of the Sri Vijaya and Majapahit government’s colonial area. Over 600 years ago, under the reign of Majapahit’s government, the first entry in Klang was written. History has also indicated that Klang has been inhabited for more than 2,000
Formerly the Capital City of Selangor
Before Shah Alam took over as the former capital of the state of Selangor, Klang served as its first seat of administration. Klang served as Selangor’s capital until 1875, when Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the new location.
Known as a Producer of Tin
When the Portuguese occupied Malacca, Klang was recognised as a producer of tin, producing, according to Manuel Godinho de Eredia, 100 bares of tin annually.
Klang was home to the Official Palace
The Alam Shah Palace was formerly the residence of the royal family. Although the royal family no longer resides there, the Alam Shah Palace is still utilised for important royal family tasks and ceremonial events. Thus, admission is only permitted with a specific invitation or permission.
First Railway Line in Malaysia
One of the first railway lines constructed in Malaysia was the one between Kuala Lumpur and Klang. The Klang Railway Station is notable because a railway station has also been present in the Jalan Besar location since 1890.
Port Klang is a Mandatory Cruise Stop
Port Klang is where luxury cruises would stop before they lead you to a number of fascinating locations. Cruise ships that dock at the Port of Klang will be at the Port Klang Cruise Center such as the Genting Dream Cruise, Royal Caribbean Cruise and so on. Port Klang is also one of the busiest ports in the world.
Bak Kut Teh is the Most Famous Local Food
Bak Kut Teh, a herbal soup with pork, is a specialty of Klang. Many locals would head over to Klang just to savour their iconic Bak Kut Teh.
Port Klang is a Free-Trade Zone
The Port Klang Free Zone is a commercial and industrial zone that was developed in 2004. In addition to supplying large production and distribution facilities, it serves as a regional distribution hub and a commerce and logistics hub
There are 2 Districts in Klang
Klang comprises two districts which are Klang North and Klang South. Both of these districts are divided by a river called the Klang River.
The Heritage Walk has About 25 New Heritage Trails
The Heritage Walk has a new upgraded heritage walk under the brand name Klang Royal City Heritage Trail (Jejak Warisan Bandaraya Diraja Klang). There are about 25 new heritage trails with their own themes.
Get To Know The People Of Klang
Malay
Malay culture has become a core culture in this multicultural country. Malay culture has been strongly influenced by cultures of other areas. The Malays make up about over a half of the population of Malaysia. According to the 2020 census, the Malay and other Bumiputera races in Klang make up 54.7% of Klang’s population.
There are many unique customs and traditions that the Malay community practice. One of them is eating food delicately by using the fingers of the right hand. It is also prohibited to consume alcohol and eat non-halal meats such as pork. Besides that, for the clothing, it is advisable for the women to dress modestly and be fully covered.
Temuan
The Orang Asli are a diverse group of indigenous people in Malaysia and they are actually Peninsular Malaysia’s first inhabitants. Their patterns of life vary depending on their location and have been marginalised in social, economic, and cultural affairs.
The Temuan tribe has a population of roughly 30,000 people and is the fourth largest tribe among the Orang Asli. They practise similar traditions like the Malay people. Their celebration is Hari “Aik Muyang” during December and January to honour their ancestors that had given them a good life. However, the date for this
The spoken language among the Temuan tribe is the Temuan Language as well as Bahasa Melayu. Their main religion is ancestral worship, while some of them also follow Islam and Christianity. Aside from that, they hold faith in the reality of both the God of the Sky and the God of the Earth.
Mah Meri
The Mah Meri community in Klang is an Orang Asli community that are often referred to as “sea people” because they work as fishermen and reside close to the sea. There is no reliable historical evidence to support their origins, but it is thought that they fled the enemy and moved from the islands off the coast of Johor to Selangor.
The only Orang Asli in Klang today are the Mah Meri people from Pulau Indah, Bagan Hailam, and Pulau ketam. To make a living, they used to travel between the islands of Klang.
The Mah Meri Language, also known as Besisi, and Bahasa Melayu are the two languages used by the Mah Meri people. Animism is their primary religion, while some of them also follow Islam and Christianity. In addition, they would perform traditional dances such as the Sewang Dance, Tarian Jo’oh, and Tarian Topeng.
Chinese
The Chinese Malaysians are Malaysia’s second-largest ethnic community, which makes up 22.4% of the country’s population. However, in Klang, the Chinese make up 25.4% of the population in Klang according to the 2020 census. Most of them are descended from Southern Chinese immigrants who came to Malaysia between the early 19th and the middle of the 20th century.
They speak a variety of Chinese languages such as the Hokkien, Hainanese, Cantonese and Hakka. Most of the Chinese in Klang speak Hokkien. However, those who speak various dialects frequently go back to Mandarin since the dialects differ and can be difficult for non-speaker to understand. This is due to the fact that the majority of Chinese Malaysians can comprehend and speak Standard Mandarin, or the more informal Malaysian Mandarin.
The Chinese also practise customs and traditions and tourists should take note in order to respect the traditions of others. One of the customs and traditions of the Chinese is to follow the simple rules when visiting the Buddha temple such as showing respect by removing hats and shoes and to dress conservatively. Next, they practise feng shui when arranging furniture and objects around them to achieve harmony and balance.
Indian
The Indians, including smaller ethnic groups like Malayalees, Telugus, and others are currently Malaysia’s third-largest ethnic group after the Malays and the Chinese. As of 2020, Indians make up 19.1% of the population in Klang. The earliest migration of Indians into Malaysia was in the 19th Century which was during the reign of the British Empire.
They also speak a variety of languages such as Tamil, Malayalam, Punjabi, Bengali, Pashto and Sinhalese. Klang’s most colourful festival is Deepavali where the Hindus celebrate by drawing patterns and figures on the ground and spreading coloured rice on them. Before or during the Deepavali celebration, head over to Klang’s Little India at Jalan Tengku Kelana to experience the most happening place in town.
Sikh
The fourth-biggest ethnic group in Malaysia that is Indian is known as Sikhs, and Malaysia is home to the largest Sikh population in Southeast and East Asia. The majority of the Sikhs living in Klang today can be located in Kapar and Meru. One of the most visited Sikh places of worship in Klang is the Gurdwara Sahib Klang.
The Sikhs in Malaysia used Punjabi as their primary language. Vaisakhi is one of the most important events in the Sikh calendar which celebrates the birth of the Khalsa. The threeday festival starts in themorning with a new Nishan Sahib, a triangular Sikh flag, replacing the old one. Following their prayers in the gurdwara, followers eat a group lunch called the “langgar” together.
