About Muar
|
Muar |
|
| District | Muar District |
| Area - Number (District) |
2346.12 kms2 |
| Population - Town (2005) - District (2000) |
228,865 |
| Time Zone | UTC+8 |
| Latitude Longitude |
2o3′ N 102o34′ E |
Muar District is located in the north-west Johor state, Malaysia. The District constitutes Muar City and also Tangkak's small district. It is located near a border with Malacca in the north, Segamat in the east and Batu Pahat in the south.
Muar district is about 2346.12 square kilometres with a population of 328,695 people (census 2000). The word 'Muar' is believed to originate from an estuary. Other possibility is that it is derived from a Hindu word namely “Muna" and “Ar" which mean “Three” and “River” respectively, reflects Muar's River existence that flowed through these cities and also the longest river in Johor.
The new administration centre which is known as Muar 2 is to be built. The centre would accommodate all Federal and State Government departments and is expected to be located nearby Muar Bypass in Muar city.
Geography
Muar city located in 2 º 3'N 102 º 34'E, in Sungai Muar's estuary. These cities are at 150 kilometres (93 miles) south-west to the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur. It is 50 kilometres northward to Batu Pahat and 179 kilometres to north-west Singapore.
History
Muar is rich in history but due to the historical and archaeological evidence was not properly recorded , most the background history was unknown. It is believed Muar’s history has started earlier than the Malacca Empire. In year 1361, a record was found which stated that Muar is part of Majapahit empire province. In other records showed that Parameswara, Malacca empire founder, have set up a settlement in Pagoh, Ulu Muar after fleeing from Temasik before heading to Malacca. Muar is the only place of Malacca sultanate tomb, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah Sultan 1 (1477 1488) is located. The tomb has been cruelty ravaged by the Portuguese during their conquest on Malacca. Muar also play a role in intercepting the Portuguese in year 1511. To avoid the Portuguese attack, Kubu Bentayan was built by the Sultan of Malacca to combat the attack from the sea.
In Portuguese era, a fortress was built in Muar called 'Fortaleza de Muar' is to defend the colony from Dutch and Aceh attacks.
Muar is a Royal town in southern Johor. Once, it had become an independent and sovereign Government ruled by Sultan Ali in a brief period (1855 – 1877), when the Johor State subjugation (Except Muar) had been handed to Dato' Temenggong Daing Ibrahim under the agreement between British in Singapore and Sultan Ali. Sultan Ali is the true heir to the Johor sultanate but due to his weakness caused the Johor to be controlled by Temenggong. After he passed away in 1877, Muar finally had become part of the Johor province. Muar also known as Bandar Maharani, a name was given by Maharaja Abu Bakar in 1884. For years, It has been the second largest town in Johor but that position was taken over by Batu Pahat. However, it is still the second-most important city from an administrative aspect after the Johor Bahru state capital.
