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Pasir Gudang is a port (Johor Port Authority) town located 35 km east of Johor Bahru. LAT: 01 26 N LON: 103 54 E. Population around 70,000. It is connected by a 2 lane highway, a trunk road and a railway line to Johor Bahru. Main activities are port traffic, shipping, oil palm storage and distribution.
It is the site of one of two electric generation station in the state of Johor, the Sultan Iskandar Power station.
History
Established in 1918, Pasir Gudang which formerly known as Kampung Pasir Udang was founded a person called Long Abu who is believed to have originated from Riau, Indonesia. Four more villages was established by the expanded population of about 83 families.
- Kampung Sungai Perembi. (currently the Pasir Gudang Police Station)
- Kampung Ulu (currently MSE dockyard)
- Kampung Tengah (currently the Tenaga Nasional area)
- Kampung Hilir.
In 1920, 4 more villages were brought to existence namely:
- Kampung Air Biru (now the port).
- Kampung Pasir Merah (now the port).
- Kampung Pasir Puteh, which is still in existence todate.
- Kampung Pulau Tekong, now the territory of Singapore.
The name Pasir Gudang originated from the existence of a sand mine at Kampung Ulu. Sand or 'pasir' in Malay are dug and stocked in sand pits/stores or 'gudang' in Malay, to be exported to Singapore. Hence the name 'Pasir Gudang'.
The surrounding areas further inland were developed in the mid-19th century by Chinese travellers of the Teochew clan. Issuance of the river deed issued by the Sultan of Johore allowed them to develop the Kangkar Masai, Kangkar Plentong and Kangkar Lunchu areas under riverheads known as kangchus. It was on these riverbeds that they cultivated catechu and black pepper. Falling catechu and black pepper prices forced some estate owners to cultivatepineapples.
The introduction of rubber in Malaysia in the early 20th century resulted in the opening of big estates by the British and Singaporean cultivators. Up till 1916, six estates covering an area of 15,000 acres were opened in the Mukim of Plentong. In 1916, Kampung Pasir Gudang became the centre for Police, Customs and opium-control besides being a centre for the penghulu of the Mukim of Pasir Gudang. The formation of estates had also resulted in influx of labourers from China and India.
The Japanese Occupation during the Second World War and guerrilla movements after the war did not have much effect on the agricultural activities here. Under the Emergency Law in the 1950s, new villages were set up at Plentong, Masai and Pasir Gudang. The estate labourers were either placed in these new villages or at guarded estate barracks.
Land schemes under the FELDA scheme were founded in Ban Foo, Plentong Baru and Felda Cahaya Baru after 1969. To further develop Johor, the State Government further took the estate lands to be converted into industrial and housing areas to the develop Pasir Gudang into an industrial area. Establishment of the Johore Port in 1977 was seen as a reaction to counter the entreport hub in Singapore.
Tourist and Holiday Attractions
Pasir Gudang Kite Muzeum is located here, on top of the Kite Hill. It is the first kite museum in [[[Malaysia]]] and has an unique working windmill which mechanical works to generate enough electricity to supply the daily needs of the museum. It also hosts the annual Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival.
The 3.86 km Johor Racing Circuit is located here, hosting one of the legs of the World Motorcycle Championship. It is one of only two legs being held in Asia. Other events annually hosted here are World Superbike Championship, the World Endurance Race and the Johor Racing Series for motorcycles and cars
Pasir Gudang has one one golf course, the 833 hectares Tanjung Puteri Golf Resort. Interestingly, it has 3 courses awkwardly named Alligator, Buaya and Crocodile. A,B,C get it?
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