Pahang

Pahang, officially called Pahang Darul Makmur, is a sultanate and a federal state of Malaysia. It is the third largest state in the country and the largest in Peninsular Malaysia. The state is shaped by the basin of the Pahang River and stretches along the east coast, reaching down to Endau. It shares borders with several other Malaysian states and is separated from the west coast by the Titiwangsa Mountains.

Pahang is home to many important places, including its capital Kuantan, the royal capital Pekan, and beautiful hill resorts like Genting Highlands and Cameron Highlands. The state's highest point is Mount Tahan, which stands at 2,187 metres tall.

For a long time, Pahang has been an important place for trade and settlement. Evidence shows that people lived there as far back as the Paleolithic age. Over the centuries, it developed into a trading state and later became part of various kingdoms, including the Malacca Sultanate and the Johor Sultanate. In modern times, Pahang has become a key area for manufacturing, agriculture, and mineral exports like iron ore and bauxite.

Etymology

The name Pahang might come from an old word for tin. Long ago, there were important tin mines in a place called Sungai Lembing. Because of this, some believe the state was named after the tin.

People from different places wrote the name "Pahang" in many ways. For example, writers from China called it names like Phong-hong, Phenn-Khenn, or Pen-Heng. Travelers from Arab countries and Europe also had different ways to write the name, such as Pam, Pan, or Phang.

History

Pahang has a long and interesting history. People lived in the area now called Pahang as early as the Paleolithic period. Old tools and relics have been found in places like Sungai Lembing and Kuantan.

During the Hindu-Buddhist era, Pahang was an important region. Ancient settlements and ports were set up along the Pahang River. The area was influenced by powerful kingdoms like Funan and Srivijaya. By the 14th century, Pahang was an important kingdom in the southern part of the Malay Peninsula. It had strong ties with other regions and sent envoys to faraway lands.

The Old Pahang Sultanate was set up in the 15th century. It became a major power in Southeast Asia, controlling much of the Pahang basin and parts of modern-day Selangor and Negeri Sembilan. The sultanate had a complex relationship with neighboring states and European powers like the Portuguese and Dutch.

In more recent times, Pahang became part of the Federated Malay States under British protection. During World War II, the state helped resist Japanese occupation. After the war, Pahang joined the Federation of Malaya, which later became Malaysia in 1963.

Main article: Old Pahang Kingdom

Geography

Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia and the biggest in Peninsular Malaysia. It covers 35,965 km². The state has the big Pahang River and is surrounded by mountains. It includes thick jungles, flat lands, and a long coastline with sandy beaches.

Pahang has lots of wildlife and natural beauty. It is home to two national parks, Taman Negara and Endau-Rompin, where rare animals like tapirs, tigers, and elephants live. The state also has high peaks such as Mount Tahan, the tallest in Peninsular Malaysia, and popular hill resorts like Genting Highlands. Coastal areas have important towns and beautiful islands like Tioman Island.

Politics and government

See also: Malaysian State Assembly Representatives (2018-) § Pahang

Pahang is a constitutional monarchy. This means its leader, the Sultan, shares power with elected leaders. The Sultan is also the head of Islam in the state. The current Sultan comes from a family that has ruled since the 1600s.

The state has its own government. It is led by a leader called the Menteri Besar. This leader is chosen from elected representatives. People aged 21 and above can vote in elections every five years. The state follows Malaysia’s laws. These laws are based on English legal traditions. There are special courts for Islamic practices and family life for Muslims.

Economy

Pahang has a growing economy. The state and federal governments work together to help it grow by attracting investments and creating new businesses and towns. From 1971 to 2000, the economy grew each year. In 2016, the economy was worth about $12.4 billion, making up part of Malaysia's total economy.

Historically, Pahang was known for its gold and tin mines. Today, the economy is driven by three main areas: services, agriculture, and manufacturing. Services, like shopping and tourism, are very important. Agriculture includes farming products such as rubber, palm oil, and fish. Manufacturing involves making things like cars, wood products, and food items. Many new industrial areas are being built to help create jobs and attract businesses.

Main article: East Coast Economic Region

Gold mines
Bera
Jelai River
Raub
tin ore
Sungai Lembing
mining industry
quarrying
bauxite
ecotourism
agrarian economy
FELDA
FELCRA
Bandar Tun Razak
Maran District
sandalwood
damar
rattans
sustainable forestry
Fishery
Aquaculture
East Coast Economic Region
petrochemicals
automotive industry
Pekan
DefTech
Isuzu HICOM Malaysia
Mercedes-Benz
Suzuki
Kerteh

Infrastructure

Pahang's infrastructure is still growing compared to the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The government is working hard to improve roads, water, electricity, and internet access, especially in rural areas.

The state has almost full electricity coverage, with power coming mainly from a hydroelectric plant in Cameron Highlands. Water supply is managed by Pahang Water Management Berhad, with water coming from rivers and streams. There are many water treatment plants across the state.

Internet and mobile services are available, though they are less advanced than in other parts of Malaysia. The government is working to improve broadband and mobile coverage, especially in rural and suburban areas. There are many Wi-Fi hotspots and community internet centers to help people get online.

Pahang has about 19,000 kilometers of roads, including highways that connect it to other states. The East Coast Expressway links the east coast to the west coast, and there is a new railway project called the East Coast Rail Link to improve travel and transport of goods. The main bus and airport hub is in Kuantan, which also has a seaport that is growing to support more trade.

Demography

Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia and the biggest in Peninsular Malaysia. In 2010, about 1.5 million people lived there, making it the ninth most crowded state. People are spread out, so there are fewer people in each square kilometer than in other states.

Most people in Pahang are young, with many children and teenagers. There are more boys than girls. Most people are Malaysian citizens, and many are Malays, who help shape the state's culture and politics. There are also people from Chinese, Indian, and indigenous Orang Asli groups. The biggest cities are Kuantan, Temerloh, Bentong, and Pekan.

Culture

The culture of Pahang is shaped by its people, mainly the indigenous Malays and Orang Asli tribes. These groups have lived in the area for centuries, bringing their own traditions and languages. The region was influenced by Buddhism early on, and later became part of a Malay-Muslim Sultanate in 1470. This led many people to adopt Malay culture, including the language, dress, and religion.

Pahang is known for its traditional arts, such as carving, weaving, and silversmithing. The Malays created beautiful items like ornamental kris swords, beetle nut sets, and colorful batik and songket fabrics. A special style of silk weaving called Tenun Pahang is famous, and the state also has its own version of the long gown dress called Baju Kurung Pahang. Traditional music in Pahang uses drums and other percussion instruments, with many types of songs and dances performed for healing, storytelling, and celebration. Famous dances include Main Puteri, Saba, and Ugam, and the state also has its own style of gamelan music.

Pahang’s cuisine is rich and features a lot of seafood. Popular dishes include Gulai Tempoyak Patin, made from patin fish cooked in a special curry, and Laksa Pahang, a spicy noodle soup. Rice is the main staple, often served with gulai, ulam, and sambal. Other well-known dishes are Nasi Kebuli, Opor Daging, and Paceri Nenas.

The people of Pahang celebrate many holidays and festivals throughout the year. National holidays like Hari Merdeka (Independence Day) and Malaysia Day are observed, along with the birthdays of the Sultan of Pahang and the King. Muslim holidays such as Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji are widely celebrated. Other groups also enjoy their own festivals, like Chinese New Year, Wesak Day, Deepavali, and Christmas. A special tradition called “open house” allows everyone to join in the celebrations of others.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Malaysia

Pahang has many sports thanks to special groups that help. The state works to create better athletes and improve skills. Popular sports in Pahang include football, badminton, and field hockey. The Royal Family supports polo, and the Royal Pahang Polo Club, started in 1926, is one of the oldest in the country.

The state has many sports complexes and stadiums. Traditional martial arts like Silat Melayu are also practiced. With its long coastline and rivers, Pahang is great for water sports such as rafting, sailing, jet skiing, scuba diving, and surfing. Cherating beach is a famous spot for surfing, especially from October to March.

Tourism

Further information: List of tourist attractions in Pahang

Tourism is very important for Pahang. Many people visit Pahang to see its beautiful places. Visitors come from Singapore, China, and Indonesia. Popular spots include Genting Highlands and Kuantan. Local Malaysians also enjoy places like Cameron Highlands, Genting Highlands, Teluk Cempedak, Gambang Water Park, and Cherating.

Pahang has many lovely natural places to explore. You can visit beach towns such as Cherating, Batu Hitam, and Beserah. Tioman Island is a wonderful island with clear waters. For nature lovers, Mount Tahan is the highest peak in Peninsular Malaysia. Other great spots are Cameron Highlands with its tea plantations, Fraser's Hill for bird-watching, and Genting Highlands with its cool weather and fun parks. Taman Negara has one of the oldest rainforests in the world, with many lakes, waterfalls, and wildlife reserves to discover.

• Tourist attractions in Pahang

  Cameron Highlands

Salang Bay, [Tioman Island](/wiki/Tioman_Island)

[Sungai Pandan Waterfall](/wiki/Sungai_Pandan_Waterfall)

[Genting Highlands](/wiki/Genting_Highlands)