Klang - Definition

Klang Municipal Council building with old Raja Mahdi fort's gate in the foreground.

Klang is the royal town of the state of Selangor, Malaysia. It is located about 32 km to the west of Kuala Lumpur and 6 km east of Port Klang. It was the capital of Selangor in earlier era before the emergence of Kuala Lumpur and Shah Alam.

History

• 1880 - 1889 capital of Selangor.
• 1945 - Klang Town Authority formed.
• 1954 - Klang Town Council formed (27.5 sq. km)
• 1971 - Klang District Council formed, including areas surrounding Kapar and Meru towns.
• 1974 - 1977 - capital of Selangor when Kuala Lumpur became Federal Territory and before Shah Alam was made the capital of Selangor.
• 1977 - Klang Municipal Council formed (60.9 sq. km)

Origin of the Name

Klang is formerly known as "Kelang". A popular version of the origin of the name is that it was from the Mon-Khymer word "Klong" or Malay word "Kilang" meaning warehouses, given that it was full of warehouses in the old days.

Klang North and South

Until recently, parts of Klang were referred to as either Klang North or Klang South due to the division by the Klang River.

Generally, Klang North is more commercial while more residential areas and government offices are located in Klang South. Hence, Klang North tends to busier and becomes a hive of activities after working hours. This was slightly altered by the rapid growth of "Little India".

References

• Klang Municipal Council website (http://www.mpklang.gov.my/)
• Journey Malaysia guide to Klang (http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MC_klang.htm)
• PNM's origin of Klang place name (http://sejarahmalaysia.pnm.my/portalBI/detail.php?ttl_id=36&spesifik_id=421&section=sm03)
• ODP's Klang category (http://dmoz.org/Regional/Asia/Malaysia/States/Selangor/Localities/Klang/)