History
Kuala Lumpur began life in 1857. It was then that a member of Selangor’s royal family, Raja Abdullah, decided to open up an area in the Klang Valley for tin prospectors. Miners from China soon arrived as miners, they thrived, attracting merchants and businesses. The commercial area of tin trading was located in the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers and it was here that Kuala Lumpur was established.
ala Lumpur and its adjoining areas are called the ‘Klang Valley’. Its name literally means ‘muddy capital’ in Malay, because of its establishment in the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers. It was previously part of Selangor until 1971, when it separated to form Malaysia’s capital under the Federal Government.
Tin Industry
During this time, which was the Brinish colonial period, the tin miners were often embroiled in gang warfare, disrupting the peace and stability of the tin trade. The British authorities decided to appoint a Chinese captain, called ‘Kaptian’ to administer the area and ensure its order. After two Kapitans had finished their appointed period of duties, Yah Ah Loy stepped up to take the mantle. It was this third Kapitan that really changed and prospered Kuala Lumpur. Under his leadership, Kuala Lumpur transformed from a sleepy town into a prominent commercial hub in Selangor.
The City Today
In 1957, Malaysia gained independence from the British and it was announced and declared in Kuala Lumpur, making it a historically-significant city. Finally in 1974, Kuala Lumpur was formally removed from the jurisdiction of Selangor state and made into a Federal Territory, as Malaysia’s booming economic capital. Over time, Kuala Lumpur has progressed into becoming one of Southeast Asia’s most prominent, modern and sophisticated cities, attracting visitors from the across the world.
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