Malaysia
(part 1)

History

1) First human inhabitants
Negritors were the first inhabitants of this area.

2) 300BC
Mass migration brought the the Malayo-Polynesian-Mongoloid group such as Temiars, Semai, Jakuns, Deutero-Malays, Land Dayaks, Iban, Muruts, Kadazans etc, settled in this area.

3) First Century
Indian traders arrived in the region.

4) 13th Century
Chinese began to trade with the area directly, but temporary suspended all trade in 1368 with the order of the Ming Emperor.

5) 14th Century
Parameswara occupied Temasek (now known as Singapore).

6) 15th Century
Siamese invaded Temasek and drove Parameswara out to Melaka. Later Chinese resumed trading with Melaka and established their supply base there.

7) 1509
The first Portuguese led by Diogo Lopes de Sequira arrived in Melaka and later gained control on 25 July 1511 and established Melaka as their major Commercial port.

8) January 1641
Dutch succeeded to become the new ruler of Melaka for the next 150 years.

9) 1896
The Federated Malay States were formed under British rule, namely Pahang, Perak, Negri Sembilan and Selangor with Kuala Lumpur as the Capital City. In 1904 joined by Perlis, Kelantan, Kedah, Terengganu and later Johor in 1914.

10) 31st August 1957
Malaya was granted full independence by the British.

11) 16th September 1963
Federation of Malaya was formally established with 13 States located in West and East Malaysia.

Location

Bordering Thailand on the North, Singapore on the South, West by the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea on the East.

Consisting of 11 States

Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang, Perak, Perlis, Selangor, and Terengganu.

Location

Both situated at the northern part of Borneo Island, east by the Sula and Celebes seas, South China Sea on its north and west, and Indonesian on the south.

Consisting of two States

Sabah and Sarawak.

Size: 244 square km
Population: 1.6 million

History of Kuala Lumpur (KL)

1) 1857 - 1887
Chinese tin miners sailed from Pengkalen Batu in Klang, upstream into the state of Selangor. When it became impossible to continue, they landed at a confluence of two rivers and started their exploration for tin. This marked the birth of the Capital City of Malaysia - Kuala Lumpur (KL), which means "river mouth" for Kuala and "mud" for Lumpur.

2) 1868
Sultan Abdul Samad of Selangor appointed Yap Ah Loy as the "Kapitan China" to govern the activities of the flood of Chinese immigrants from China.

3) 1886
KL has flourished as the result of the exploration, then the British moved their base to KL from Klang, and started to reform the City.

4) 1896
KL became the capital of the Federated Malay States of Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang and Perak.

5) 1974
An agreement was signed by the King of Malaysia and the Sultan (the State Ruler) of Selangor to mandate KL as the Capital of the Malaysia.

City Center Map

1. Merdeka Square

Location: At the Padang area in the center of KL

The British flag was lowered from the flagpole on 31st August 1957 and Malaysia declared independence from British colonial rule. Merdeka in Malay means "independence". Every year the independence celebrations take place in this Square, where there stands one of the tallest flagpoles in the world.

Around Merdeka Square

a) Sultan Abdul Samad Building

Location: At the other side of the Merdeka Square

It was built in 1894 and renovated in 1984. It has a clock tower, distinctive copper domes, Moorish arches and unusual spiral stairways, all constructed with terracotta and pink brick-work in an eye-catching pattern that marks the attractive landmark in the center. This now houses the Supreme Court, judicial department and a handicrafts museum known as Infokraf Malaysia.

Clock Tower

b) Royal Selangor Club

Location: Round the corner of the Square.

A Tudor style building with noticeable black and white paintwork dominates the square. It was established in 1884 as the sporting and social center for the Europeans. The two-story extension was rebuilt after a fire in 1970 that destroyed most of the original building.

2. National Monument

Location: At the western part of Jalan Parlimen

(Jalan means road)

A 20 foot bronze sculpture adorned with seven soldiers is dedicated to Malaysia, British and Commonwealth soldiers and civilians. A soldier standing on the top holds the Malaysian flag which symbolizes "Unity, Leadership and Strength". Two soldiers stand next to him signifying "Strength and Awareness" and the rest of the soldiers are representing "Suffering and Sacrifice".

3. Lake Garden

Location: Between Jalan Persiaran Mahameru and Jalan Kebun Bunga

A 173 acre park is providing a peaceful and relaxing haven to people for recreational activities such as boating in the lake, picnics and open-air theatre. Without mentioning the enormous amount of joggers, who swarm around the Park from early in the morning & evening in order to obtain a healthier life.

Around Lake Garden

a) Taman Orkid (Orchid Garden)

Location: Between Jalan Perdana and Jalan Cenderawasih.

A large variety of exotic orchids can be found here which one should not miss.

b) Bird Park, Butterfly Park and Deer Park

Location: Within walking distance from the Orchid Garden.

4. Muzium Negara (The National Museum)

Location: Jalan Damansara

Two large mosaic murals are illustrated on the frontage of the building together with exhibitions including the traditional Asian culture, Malay folk traditions, Malay wedding, Peranakan Culture (Peranakan in Malay means "born here" and refers to local-born Chinese in Melaka). One must spend time to explore these interesting examples of the Malaysian Culture.

5. National Mosque

Location: Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, entrance from Jalan Lembah Perdana

The modern architecture design with the Grand Hall as the major centerpiece, having 18 supporting pillars together with a geometric pattern in an umbrella shaped dome, decorated with 18 point star symbolizing 13 states of Malaysia and the five pillars of Islam. Visitors have to dress reasonably (i.e. Cover shoulders and legs and remove shoes before entering).

6. China Town

Location: Jalan Cheng Lock, Jalan Sultan, Jalan Hang Kasturi and Jalan Petaling.

The colorful signboards together with the old architectural style houses that one should not miss. A 90 years old lady used to manage the oldest coffee shop, Zhen Tong Café serving her famous home-ground coffee and charcoal grilled toast spread with butter & "kayan". Unfortunately it is no longer trading, otherwise one could smell the aroma of Coffee all around when passing the area. At about 4:00pm everyday, Jalan Petaling is closed to traffic and countless street market stalls are set up selling all sorts of goods together with food stalls offering mouth-watering Malaysian & Chinese cuisine that one cannot resist trying.

Fruit stall selling "Durian"

China Town street market

b) Kwong Siew Temple

Location: Along Jalan Bandar (Jalan Tun HS Lee)

The land on which the temple stands, was donated by Chiew Yoke Weng in 1898. The temple is one of oldest temples in KL. It is constructed in the traditional Chinese architectural design featuring enormous entrance doors, a decorated roof with porcelain figures, an altar with big incense pots & oil lamps and a Kuang Tai statute in the middle surrounded by a number of gods and goddesses. It is one of the major tourist attractions around the China Town area. The temple is always crowded with worshippers especially on a festival day.

From The Editor

Cantonese Club - Opposite to the Kwong Siew Temple

In the early days, the Club House served as one of the meeting places for the Chinese immigrants who would tell each others news about their home towns in China in order to soften their feelings of home-sickness, and most important of all, to help each other sort out their problems in Malaysia. (Chiew Yoke Weng was also one of the founder members of this Club.)

c) Sri Maha Mariamman Temple

Location: Along Jalan Bandar

The oldest Hindu Temple in KL with a colorful, decorative frontage that one should not miss.

From The Editor

We would like to thank Dr. A. Yuen, Ir. F. Fan... for their contributions to this section.

More Information

Kuala Lumpur (part 2)