Kluang - Some info about it

Kluang is a small town located in the center of the Malaysian state of Johor. Approximately, 1/4 the size of Petaling Jaya.

It geographically located at 110km north from Johor Bahru, east-southeast of Batu Pahat, west of Mersing and south of Segamat. This district is the only district that does not have a sea front, as it was surrounded by all other districts namely, Johor Bahru, Pontian, Batu Pahat, Segamat, Mersing and Kota Tinggi, except Muar district.

The name Kluang derives from the Malay word 'keluang' which means a type of flying fox or rather a type of fruit bat. They have almost completely disappeared due to the combination of hunting and destruction of their natural habitat deforestation. Some people believed that Kluang was named after two mountains that resemble the head and wing respectively of a bat from a distance.

Kluang was founded in 1915, to serve as the administrative center for Central Johor. A railway line linking north to south Malaya was built passing through Kluang to provide the communication link to transport labor and tropical produces from Kluang and this helped in its growth since 1915. Roads were built to link Kluang to Johor Bahru towards the south, to Batu Pahat towards the north-west and to Mersing towards the east. Kluang is divided into two district councils namely Simpang Renggam District Council (Majlis Daerah Simpang Renggam) based at the town of Simpang Renggam and Kluang Municipal Council ( Majlis Perbandaran Kluang) based at the town of Kluang which is also the district capital. This district grew rapidly in 1920 and 1930 as a major rubber-producing district.

In its early days, Kluang as an entirely agricultural economy, it is an agriculture hub of Johor, rubber and oil palm are the major crops, with the establishment of Institute Pertanian it has benefited the agricultural sector of Kluang. Now it has the biggest dragon fruit orchard, organic vegetables farm, organic rice farm, pineapples and tea plantation. Kluang is also famous of being the main producer of ceramic pottery and tiles, with pottery factories located at the boarder township of Machap. The most renowned tiles manufacturers MML (Malayan Mosaic), Kyocera and Claytan all located at Kluang Industrial area. Kluang has also developed various industries including polymer, porcelain, paper, textiles and electrical products. It grew rapidly from agriculture sector to industrial sector in late 1970. The dynamic change was after the completion of BCB Plaza and Prime City Hotel, the first mega shopping mall in Kluang was founded in 1996. The increasing commercial activities have brought major bank and stock brokerages house to set up branches in Kluang.

With the tremendous growth of economy, Kluang was upgraded from the status of District to City on 31 January 2001. The first Kluang specialist was founded in year 2000, it provided the much-needed medical facility for Kluang residents. The most sought after shopping mall with the combination of entertainment, food, leisure and shopping, "Kluang Parade" was completed in February 2007. It is currently the 2nd biggest shopping mall in Kluang and it has become the premier shopping areas in Kluang. It is located at Jalan Sentul, in the heart of busiest business golden triangle. The streets and surrounding buildings has actually given a facelift as well. Kluang has become a vibrant city with all the entertainment and branded goods a modern city should have.

Geography Kluang is located in the middle of the state of Johor in Malaysia. It geographically located at 110km north from Johor Bahru, east-southeast of Batu Pahat, west of Mersing and south of Segamat. The population of Kluang district now exceeds 250,000 residents and the town itself has over 140,000 residents. Its geographical coordinates are: 2°2' 01" N,103°19' 10" E.

The highest point in Kluang is Gunung Lambak, a 510m tall mountain and one of the southernmost mountains in the Malaysian main range which lies not far from the town of Kluang.

The Mengkibol River runs through the town and as well as the railway which is passes through Kluang town, basically cutting it in half.

Kluang can be accessed by rail and road as it links to all neighboring districts.

• The rail service is provided by Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTM) at Kluang Railway Station in the middle of Kluang town.

• By road, travelers can enter through the North-South Expressway using Ayer Hitam exit.

Picture above: I was walking along the Mengkibol river, and snap a shot of it on the 13th of February 2008