Year 1857
Kuala Lumpur began life in 1857, when Raja Abdullah decided to open up
an area in the Klang Valley for tin prospectors who were assisted by Raja
Jumaat of Lukut and 87 Chinese workers. They made their way through
deep jungle and found tin in Ampang, Pudu and Batu. That was the
moment which marked the start of Kuala Lumpur, from a tin
miner's village to the capital of Malaysia.
Year 1862
Kuala Lumpur was a growing village. In Malay language meaning "muddy
estuary". The village grew rapidly into new mining settlements. A civil war
between two main Chinese gangs, Hal San and Ghee Hin was erupted at
that period. Hai San won and Yap Ah Loy was one of their members. He
rebuilt the devastated town and re-populated it with more Chinese
miners. He also brought in Malay farmers to settle in Kuala Lumpur so as to
provide food for the miners.
Year 1864
Yap Ah Loy built the Sze Ya Temple, which is currently the oldest Taoist
Temple in Kuala Lumpur.
Year 1868
The legendary Yap Ah Loy became the 3rd Chinese Kapitan (Chinese
Captain) of Kuala Lumpur and also one of the main forces contributing to
the establishment of law and order in town until he passed away in 1885.
Year 1880
Kuala Lumpur became a modern town when British representative Sir
Frank Swettenham developed the first city plan. The rich miners then built
colonial houses. The price of tin rose, which was why Kuala Lumpur
expanded dramatically during that period.
1887
After the railway to the harbor Klang city was opened, Kuala Lumpur
became the capital state of Selangor.
1896
The Federated Malay States (FMS) was formed to unite the Sultans of four
states and Kuala Lumpur was chosen as the capital. This city became the
centre of British colonialism and Sir Frank Swettenham was the first
Resident.
1946
When British proposed the formation to the Malayan Union, it was strongly
opposed. This led to the formation of United Malays National Organization
(UMNO) and also the inauguration of the Federation of Malaya in 1948.
1957
At Midnight, the Union Jack was lowered and the Malayan flag was
raised. Tunku Abdul Rahman as the first Prime Minister of
Malaya declared Merdeka (Independence). Malaysia then claimed
independence on August 31 st after 151 years of British rule; Kuala Lumpur
was then chosen as the capital of the independence Federation of Malaya.
1963
Malaysia was formed; incorporating Malaya, Singapore and North Borneo.
1970
Kuala Lumpur was granted a city status on 1 February 1970.
1974
Kuala Lumpur was detached from its mother state of Selangor
and became an autonomy city (Wilayah Persekutuan or Federal
Territory) with its own administration.
The Federal Governmental Offices moved to Putrajaya on June
4 and the economy started to rebound.
2007
Kuala Lumpur celebrated its 50th year as the capital.
and also its 50th year of independence.
2010
1MALAYSIA is an on-going campaign announced by Malaysian
Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak calling for the cabinet, government
agencies and civil servants to more strongly emphasize ethnic
harmony, national unity, and efficient governance.
Vision 2020
The ultimate objective to transform Kuala Lumpur into a world-
class city.
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