Muar town


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Districts of
Johor Darul Ta'zim

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Muar
麻坡 موار முஅர்
District seat Pejabat Daerah Muar
www.johordt.gov.my/pdmuar
District officer Tn Hj Mislan bin Karmani
Area
 - Total 2346.12 km2 km²
Population
 - 2007 estimate 437,164
 - Density 140.8/km2/km²
MUAR
( 麻坡 موار முஅர் )
Padang Nyiru Laman Maharani Clock Tower

Seal
Nickname(s): Bandar Maharani
MAJLIS PERBANDARAN MUAR
Motto: ' Cekap Amanah Dinamik Makmur '
Efficient Trustworthy Dynamic Prosperous
MUAR( 麻坡 موار முஅர் ) is located in Malaysia
MUAR
( 麻坡 موار முஅர் )
Coordinates:
Country Malaysia Malaysia
State Johor Johor
Township 1885
Municipality 2001
Government
 - District Officer
.- Yang Di Pertua		 Tuan Haji Mislan bin Karmani -- Tuan Haji Abdul Wahab bin Ridwan
Area
 - City 2,346.12 km2 (72.27 sq mi)
Elevation 36.88 m (121 ft)
Population (2009)
 - City 228,865(2,005)
 - Metro 437,164(2,007)
Time zone MST (UTC+8)
 - Summer (DST) Not observed (UTC)
Website http://www.mpmuar.gov.my http://www.johordt.gov.my/pdmuar

Muar, also known as Bandar Maharani is a town geopolitically situated in the Muar District in the region or area of Muar in northwestern Johor, Malaysia. It is the main and biggest town of the bigger entity region or area of the same name, Muar which is sub-divided into the Muar district and the new Ledang district, which was upgraded into a full fledge district from the Tangkak sub-district earlier.[1] Muar district as the only district covering the whole area formerly borders Malacca in the northern part. Upon the upgrading of Ledang district, the Muar district now covers only the area south of Sungai Muar, whilst the northern area beyond the river is in within Ledang district. However, both divided administrative districts are still collectively and fondly called and referred as the region or area of Muar as a whole by their residents and outsiders.

Contents

Etymology

Muar also known as Bandar Maharani is said to have other name earlier and the name itself Muar is believed to have originated and derived from its geographical location at the mouth or estuary of Muar River as the following different version of theories:

MUAR belum bernama MUAR , MUAR bernama TELUK DALAM.
(MUAR has not been named MUAR , MUAR called TELUK DALAM.)

There a few famous old historic legends which evolved around the area of Muar namely, Hikayat Malim Deman (Epic of Malim Deman), Legenda Lembing Awang Pulang Ke Dayang (Awang's Spear Return to Dayang Legend) and Legenda Puteri Gunung Ledang (Mount Ledang Princess' Legend).

History

Muar is rich in history as mentioned in many historical records and archeological evidences. It is believed that the history of Muar started much earlier than the Sultanate of Malacca. There were many accounts recorded and said about the early history of Muar. In 1361, it was claimed Muar as a colony part of the Majapahit empire. Another account had also stated that Parameswara, upon his exile from Temasik before proceeding to found Melaka, had established a settlement at Kota Buruk, Pagoh, Ulu Muar, Muar witnessing the beginning of the Malacca Sultanate empire. During the Portuguese's Afonso de Albuquerque invasion and attack in 1511, Muar played a role in resisting the Portuguese occupation of Malacca, the Kubu Bentayan fort was built by the last Sultan of Malacca, Sultan Mahmud to repel seaborne invasions, before he was defeated and retreat further to Pagoh. This time witnessing the fall of the Malacca Sultanate empire. During the Portuguese occupation era, the Portuguese had built a fortress named Fortaleza de Muar to defend the colony against the attack of Dutch and Aceh instead at the same strategic site of Bentayan. The colonial British did just about the same thing at the Muar River site near Bentayan in defence against the advance of Japanese Imperial Army in the Battle of Muar in the 2nd World War. Muar is also the home for the one and only tomb of the 7th Malacca Sultanate, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah I (1477–1488). During the time of the beginning of Bugis immigration from Sulawesi Indonesia and their influence in Johor Sultanate, the famous five Bugis pioneer prince-brothers sea-warriors or rather pirates from Sulawesi, Indonesia; Daeng Marewah, Daeng Parani, Daeng Celak, Daeng Manambun and Daeng Kemasi said to have come to reside in Liang Batu, Lenga, Muar before they and their descendants become the influential Temenggungs and even rulers later.[2]

Muar, the Bandar Maharani, have been recorded by several historians, scholars and authors and in many important historical materials like olds maps, poems, epics, menuscripts and books :

Sultan Ali's Rule of Muar: Muar was the royal town of northern Johor once. A civil war between the prince of Sultan Hussein Shah; Tengku Ali dan Temenggong Ibrahim|Dato' Temenggong Daing Ibrahim which was later settled by a treaty of agreement and understanding signed in Singapore between the British and Tengku Ali; that ceded the control of the rest of state of Johor (except Muar region) formally to Temenggong Ibrahim|Dato' Temenggong Daing Ibrahim in returns of the sultan title with the condition the title is not hereditary for succession, and recognization of him as Sultan Ali and his reign ruled over the Muar region(state) of the area lies between the Muar River and Kesang River with an annual pension from the British Government under the terms of the treaty. Although Sultan Ali was in fact the real heir of the Johor Sultanate but due to his weakness, the Temenggong became the de facto ruler instead and begin the rule of the Temenggung in Johor onwards. Sultan Ali delegated the administrative affairs of Muar to the Raja Temenggung of Muar[4] (also known by the title of Temenggong Paduka Tuan of Muar)[5] and rather spent most of his time in Malacca. Muar was sparsely populated in 1855 and had a population of 800 and no formal structure of government was formed. In 1860, Sultan Ali reportedly borrowed $53,600 from a Chettiar money lender, Kavana Chana Shellapah and signed an agreement with Shellapah to contribute a portion of his monthly allowance to repay his debt. However, Sultan Ali found himself unable to pay settle his debts in time, and an angry Shellapah wrote to the British government in 1866. Pressured to liquidate his debts in time, Sultan Ali granted Shellapah the right to trade off Muar to the Raja Temenggung of Muar|Temenggong of Johor as mortgage if he is unable to pay off his debts in time.[6] His relations with Temenggong Daing Ibrahim remained strained; in 1860, Sultan Ali allowed a Bugis adventurer, Suliwatang, the chiefs of Rembau and Sungei Ujong to settle in Muar and prepare themselves for an attack on Johor.[7] Such bad blood between the Sultan Ali and Temenggong Daing Ibrahim passed down to the Temenggong's son, Temenggong Abu Bakar, who succeeded his father after the former died in 1862. Shortly after Temenggong Abu Bakar became the Temenggong of Johor, he sent a letter to Sultan Ali to reassert of Johor's sovereignty over Segamat. Continued disputes over the sovereignty of Segamat led to an outbreak of a war between the Temenggong's men with the Sultan's. Eleven years later in 1873, attempts made by Suliwatang to collect custom taxes from inhabitants at the Muar estuary led to further conflict with Temenggong Abu Bakar's (who became Maharaja in 1868 and finally Sultan later in 1885, 8 years after death of Sultan Ali) men.[8]

Upon Sultan Ali's death in Umbai, Malacca in 1877, his 11-year-old youngest son, Tengku Mahmood, was named his successor, fueling anger and dissatisfaction of his oldest son, Tengku Alam Shah. The Raja Temenggung of Muar[4] (also known by the title of Temenggong Paduka Tuan of Muar)[5] and its village chieftains voted in favour of a merger of Muar with Johor following the succession dispute between the two of Sultan Ali's sons. Tengku Alam Shah, disputed the legitimacy of the chieftains' wishes and staked his hereditary claims over Muar, started to instigate and launch the 1879 Jementah Civil War in a bid to reclaim Muar, but was quickly defeated by the Maharaja Abu Bakar's forces and Muar was finally annexed and return back as part of the Johor state on 30 December 1879.

During the 1880s, the sovereign rulers of Johor, Temenggong Ibrahim and his successor, Sultan Abu Bakar introduced the Kangchu system and actively encouraged the Chinese leaders to set up new gambier and black pepper plantations and to bring in the Chinese immigrants as agricultural settlers and labourers to open and work in these plantations in Muar.[9] A Western-style contracts (termed as Surat Sungai in Malay, literally "River Documents") to the Kapitan Cina (Chinese leaders) who have established the plantations along river banks in Johor. Letters of authority (Surat Kuasa) were issued when the first Chinese leaders began settling in Johor during the 1850s. The Temenggong quickly established goodwill relations with the Kapitan Cina by appointing one Malay administrator, Muhamad Salleh bin Perang, the Dato' Bentara Luar who was able to speak the Teochew dialect, the language spoken by most Kapitan Cina and settlers and able to read Chinese for these purposes.[10] Influx of these settlers mainly of Teochew origin, and were generally first or second generation Chinese immigrants who became an important part and parcel of life and population of Muar until today and helped shape the population demographic and the social economy of Muar. There is even a town called Bukit Gambir meaning Hill of Gambier in Muar.

Modern Muar Town known as Bandar Maharani which is the main city center of Muar district was founded by Dato' Bentara Luar, Muhamad Salleh bin Perang in 1885 and was only officially opened by His Majesty Maharaja Abu Bakar 12 August 1887 (who just became opted Maharaja title on 30 June 1868) and conferred the namesake Bandar Maharani meaning the Town of Empress, the title of Maharani Fatimah who had accompanied to graced the inauguration ceremony of the new town at Tangga Batu a place around Hentian Maharani bus station now where an auspicious "amulet" or "azimat" is said to be buried underground there then. Muar celebrated it's 100th years centennial anniversary in a grand celebration attended by the Sultan of Johor in 1984[11].

The prosperity and rapid development of Muar had made it the only town in Malaysia ever had its own local railway network in the early days. The Muar State Railway (MSR) operated from 1889-1925 linking Jalan Sulaiman in Bandar Maharani and Sungai Pulai for a distance of 22.5 km. Plan in 1916 to extend the line to Batu Pahat was aborted and the service totally stopped in 1925 due to financial and geographical constraints and the reducing importance after the construction of Jalan Abdul Rahman linking the Muar town and Parit Jawa. It remains a memory and is only a part of history of Muar now with just the MSR steam locomotive relic can be seen on display at Tanjung Emas Park.

The Muar Ferry Crossing, in the Battle of Muar, where the 45th Indian Brigade was disposed along 24 miles of river front with four companies of infantry north of the river and the remainder positioned south of the river, to cover the main coast road at Muar against the advance of the Imperial Guards Division[12].

In the 2nd World War, the Battle of Muar, 14–22 January 1942, fought around the area from Gemencheh, Muar River and Bukit Bakri in Muar was the last major battle of the Malayan Campaign of the Battle of Malaya, fought by British Allied forces and Japanese forces from 8 December 1941 - 31 January 1942 in British Malaya. The Battle of Bakri or Siege of Bakri was a fierce battle of the fighting troops in Bukit Bakri on the 17 January 1942. The battle was a complete failure which resulted in the near-annihilation of the Allies' deployed 45th Indian Infantry Brigade, with heavy casualties for its two attached its two attached Australian's 2/19th and 2/29th Infantry Battalions [13] and the eventual easy fall of Muar to the Imperial Japanese forces. During the 1942-45 Japanese Occupation of Malaya era, Muar continued to serve as important administration town under the occupying Japanese army with many locals involved in the bulk of anti-Japanese resistance groups such as the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army (MPAJA) and Force 136.

During the Malayan Emergency period, in the Bukit Kepong Incident, the police station of Bukit Kepong was ambushed and brutally attacked by the notorious communist terrorists of the Malayan National Liberation Army (MNLA), the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, on 23 Februari 1950 killing 26 policemen and family members.

Muar also recorded the history of resistance against the communist atrocities and British occupation by Panglima Kiyai Salleh, a religious and martial art teacher of Banjarese & Javanese origin who founded the resistance guerillas troop Tentera Selempang Merah but unfortunately its many heroic story was distorted and tainted with many factless, unbelievable and illogical myth. The Group of Seven or Orang Tujuh of Muar which consists of Tun Dr Awang Hassan(the former Governor of Penang), father of Tun Dr Ismail Dato Abdul Rahman Mohd Yasin(father of Tun Dr Ismail former Deputy Prime Minister), his brother Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman, Tan Sri Datuk Hassan(former Menteri Besar) and Dato Hj Kosai Mohd Salleh was said to be active fighting the formation of Malayan Union and advocating the independence of Malaya.

Geography

Muar on the northwest of Johor

Muar district (inclusive of Ledang) formerly covers 2346.12 km2, with a population of 328,695 (2000). The town of Muar is located at , at the mouth of the Muar River. The town is about 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, and about the same distance (179 km) northwest of Singapore. It is 45 km south of Malacca Town. It is also 50 km north of Batu Pahat. The whole Muar district (North and South) is roughly the size of two and a half Singapore.

The flat terrain of Muar's geographical ground and areas has enable the extensive use of bicycle and tricycle vehicles as the main and major mode of transportion in Muar in the early days. This believe to be the main factor and reason Muar was once the town with the most bicycles and the only town that requires valid license issued by the town council to own and use a bicycle in the country.

NASA's Spaceborne radar image (SAR) shows the city of Muar is at the center of the left edge of the image at the mouth of the Muar River (Sungai Muar). The city is about 150 km (93 miles) southeast of Malaysia's capital Kuala Lumpur, and about the same distance northwest of Singapore. The coast at the left side of the image is on the Strait of Malacca, the narrow waterway separating Malaysia and the Indonesia island of Sumatra. Blue areas along the coast are tidal marshes. The fine patchwork patterns seen across the image in yellow and orange are groves of rubber, banana and oil palm trees, the dominant agricultural products of the region. Fields of other seasonal crops appear in darker shades of orange and purple. A sharp boundary is seen in the lower right between native forest in light green and clear-cut croplands in orange. The grey area at the north is Gunung Ledang.

Climate

Muar as the rest of peninsular Malaysia enjoys a year-round tropical rainforest climate which is warm and sunny, along with plentiful rainfall, especially during the southwest monsoon from April to September. The climate is very much dictated by the adjacent sea and the wind system. In the 2006/2007 floods, unusually heavy rainfall in the states of Johor and Melaka resulted in the worst flooding in southern Peninsular Malaysia in history. Muar was not spared from this dreadful disaster which lasted almost a month. Many areas of Muar such as Pagoh, Lenga, Kundang Ulu, Bukit Gambir and Sawah Ring were seriously flooded with some areas up to 10 feet. About 22,933 people were evacuated to relief centres (reported by The Star, 25 Dec 2006).

Government and Administration

Formerly Flag of the State Commissioner for Muar (Malay: Bendera Orang Besar Daerah Muar)[14][15]; now has been re-introduced back as Muar Flag by the Muar District Office.[16]

Muar District was formerly divided administratively into Muar (Bandar Maharani) municipality and Ledang (Tangkak) township. Upon upgrade of Tangkak sub-district to full fledge Ledang district, Bandar Maharani of Muar is now administered by Muar Municipal Council (formerly South Muar Town Council, later Muar Town Council) under the Muar District Office, while Tangkak of Ledang is administered by Tangkak Town Council (formerly North Muar Town Council) under the Ledang District Office.

A new administration hub to be called Muar 2 is being planned to be built at the location near Muar Bypass to house all state and federal government agencies and departments.

Transportation

Besides federal roads, Muar is also accessible via the North–South Expressway, Malaysia through the Tangkak and Pagoh interchanges exits which are located 20 km and 30 km from the town, respectively.

Nearest airports to Muar are the Malacca's Batu Berendam Airport, Johor Bahru's Senai International Airport and the Sepang's KLIA and LCCT airports. While the nearest train railway stations are Segamat or Seremban and Kluang. Tranfer by bus or taxi has to be taken from these airports and rail stations to redirect to Muar.

There are also express bus coaches to all the nearby towns and the major cities of Malaysia including Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Malacca, Kuantan, Ipoh, Penang etc. and also Singapore and Hat Yai (south Thailand). There are two bus stations in Muar; Hentian Maharani Bus Station and Bentayan Express Bus Station (formerly Pagoh Bus Station).

Ferry services to Dumai, Sumatra, Indonesia is also available on regular basis, departing from the Custom Jetty. Muar is the only district (besides the state capital Johor Bahru) in Johor that has its own Custom and Excise Duty Department office and checkpoint at its own jetty.

Traveling in town easily can be done by walking, or by taking a trishaw, public bus and taxi.

Telecommunication and Postal Service

Muar area is using the prefix +06 Area Calling Code of Malacca instead of the +07 Area Calling Code of Johor beside the +60 Country Calling Code of Malaysia.

The coverage of reception signal are extensive in all the Muar area for all the major mobile telecommunication service provider companies.

Free internet broadband wi-fi connection are widely available in many cafes and even hotels.

The postal area code for the main town of Muar is 84000 while the rest of the smaller area are using the postal code of 84+++.

Economy, Commerce, Industry and Agriculture

Muar is internationally wellknown as the hub of the furniture industry of Malaysia. Industrial estates within Muar district are located at Tanjung Agas, Bukit Bakri, Jorak, Parit Bakar, Pagoh and Tangkak. There are notably two big factories of multinational companies, i.e. SGS-Thomson (ST) Microelectronic and Pioneer at Tanjung Agas. The shopping centres and supermarkets or hypermarkets in Muar are Wetex Parade, The Store, Giant Hypermarket, Econsave, Astaka Shopping Centre, Lagenda Complex, K-Mall and Hentian Maharani. The town is robust of business and trading activities, with many old traditional Chinese shops offering variety of products at reasonable and attractive price. Muar agriculture is mainly made up of the major crops of rubber and oil palm beside some coconut, cocoa, fruits durian, rambutan, duku, mangosteen, banana, papaya, pineapple, dragon fruit etc.), vegetables and livestock, poultry and fish farming. Fishing are the major economy of some fishing villages like Parit Jawa, Parit Raja, Parit Tiram, and Kesang.

Infrastructure and Architecture

Sultan Ismail Bridge, the first bridge across the Muar River is the landmark of the town, build in 1960 and completed in 1962 to replaced old ferry services in 1960s.

The new Muar Second Bridge connecting Parit Bunga at the north and Sabak Awor at the south across the river is part of the 13 km Muar Bypass highway that was completed in 2005 is the latest landmark of the town. The highway that traverses through the outskirts of the town has ease the journey by diverting the traffic from Muar town.

Muar with status as an important trading and administrative town in the state of Johor for both the colonial British and the old Sultan's Johore State governments in the early days has contributed in shaping the landscape of the town.

In the town centre, rows of well preserved pre-war commercial buildings still dominate the town’s architecture. There are many old shop houses and Chinese guilds and associations buildings with unique and beautiful elements in their structure and achitechture still preserved in the town.

Further up the town along the river where the main government administrative area located at the Jalan Petrie, Jalan Othman, Jalan Junid and Tanjung Emas area, many magnificent government buildings with the British colonial achitechture influence are easily visible. The Masjid Jamek Sultan Ibrahim mosque, the Sultan Abu Bakar Building, the High Court Building, the Police Traffic Department building, the Muar High School building, the old Telekom building, the Jabatan Kerja Raya(JKR) building, the 2nd Battalion Rejimen 501 AW's territorial army camp building, the Custom Department building and the official District Officer resident and others government official resident houses are the many old, heritage and historic buildings still standing in the area. The Masjid Jamek Sultan Ibrahim mosque with the English Victorian style architecture and its identical Masjid Jamek 2 Sultan Ismail mosque on the opposite side of the river provides a majestic view. Appreciating the splendour these the priceless heritage buildings accompany by the beautiful colonial influenced landscaping of rows of big shady trees by the riverside garden at Tanjung Emas park now would bring one’s memory back to the nostalgic yesteryears colonial times and also the past glory of the town.

Muar being the northern royal town of Johor have an official royal palace with a helipad situated at the Muar river bank at Jalan Petrie near Tanjung Emas.

Tourism

There are many local attractions and places of interest of Muar[17][18] :

Recreation and Leisure Places

Tanjung Emas.

Religious Buildings and Worship Places

Historic Places

Food and Cuisine

Local delicious Malay foods; Mee Bandung, Rojak Petis, Satay and Asam Pedas are the signatture foods of Muar. And don't forget delicious Javanese foods like Soto, Mee Rebus, Lontong and Nasi Ambeng. Locals are famous of eating goreng pisang(fried banana) and goreng tempeh (fried Javanese fermented soya bean cake) with thick soya sauce with hot chili deeping. The local version Nasi Beriani Gam is good dish too. Ikan bakar; freshly catched, delicious dan cheap grilled fish and sea foods like prawn, squid, crab, mussel, clam etc., best eaten with banana leaf wrapped Nasi Lemak are available at Medan Ikan Bakar Sabak Awor, Jalan Bakariah and Medan Ikan Bakar Parit Karang, Kesang every evening. Mee Siput; a local delicious snack eaten with sambal, local chili paste condiment; only can be available in Muar. Johor Laksa is another delicious local food. Here are some tips: Eat Satay and Mee Rebus as the locals do for breakfast in the morning, mee bandung for lunch, rojak petis for afternoon and asam pedas at Parit Jawa for dinner.

Otak-otak at Jalan Haji Abu

Muar is also famous for many Chinese foods like the Muar Otak-otak (乌达) , Teochew Or-Luak/Or-Chien(Fried Oyster omelette), Hainanese Steamed Chicken Rice ball, Muar Char Kway Teow (fried kueh teow with clam), Hokkien Char Hae Mee (Fried Prawn Mee), Cantonese Wonton Mee, Muar Char Siew Perng(Red Roasted Meat Rice), Teochew Lo-Ak-Perng(Braised Duck Rice), Teochew Mee Pok(Fish Ball Thin Noodle), Teochew Her-Moi(Fish Soup Porridge), Teochew Kueh-Chap(Big Pieces Flat Kueh Teow in Soup with Braised Meat, Offal, Egg and Bean Curd), Teochew Chwee Kueh (cup shaped steamed rice flour cakes topped with chopped preserved/salted radish), Teochew Chai Tao Kueh (fried raddish cake), Cantonese Chok (Congee), Simpang Jeram's Loy Her Bee Hoon (haruan/snake head fish vermicelli soup), Bak Kut Teh (herbal pork ribs soup), Teochew Ter Chap Cheng Therng(Pig's organ soup), Curry Laksa, Hakka Yong Tau Foo (Stuffed Bean Curds variety), Chee Cheong Fun, Mi/Bang Chien Kueh (Kuih Apam Balik Cina) etc. are must-try local Chinese delicacies for visitors. Foods centres can be found at Muar Bus Station (Malay), Tanjung Emas (Mixed), Jalan Bentayan's Bentayan Hawker Centre(Chinese) and Jalan Haji Abu (Chinese), famously known as "T'am Cjia Kuay" (贪吃街) literally "the glutton voracious eating street" by the Chinese befitting its reputation as the food haven of the town. There are also a few Chinese restaurants serving nice Pau and Dimsum (Chinese bun and dumpling) for breakfast.

There are also many Chinese restaurants and Malay food stalls offering variety of delicious foods on their menus. On different days of the week there are Pasar Malam or night markets and Pasar Tani selling many local foods at different locations of the town. For shopping of famous local Chinese festival delicacies like Thong Chiew Guek Peah-Mooncakes, Tao Sah Peah-Red Bean Paste Cakes are available at the Yong Sheng Confectioneries and Gift Shop and also Muar Yuen Chen Siang shop for their famous Bak Kua-Barbecued Pork.

We can also can find some good Indian continental cuisine like Banana Leaf Rice, Nasi Kandar, Mee Rojak, Rojak Mamak, Putumayam, variety of bread like Roti Canai, Roti Telur, Roti Sardin, Roti Prata, Roti Jala, Tosei, Roti Nan, Murtabak, Kebab with their superb Indian curry and dal gravy; great soups like Sup Kambing, Sup Tulang and Sup Ekor; and not forgeting refreshing cold dessert; Ice Shaved Cendol with thick coconut milk and coconut brown sugar and Teh Tarik at some Indian foods stalls and restaurants.

Muar is popular for its Sirap Bandung (Rose Syrup with milk and optional soda and cincau) beverage which is normally served during Malay wedding reception, but also easily available at most Malay food stalls and restaurant. Do try the Corn Milk Drink at the Tapak Pasar Tani Lama by the bus stations. Pear Juice sold at the fruit stalls at Jalan Yahya is very special and refreshing.

Visiting some restaurants and coffee shops in Muar would give nostalgic experience since the environment and food/beverage being served have not changed since the 60s and 70s. Coffee bean and powder of Muar is famous among the locals and tourists, try out a cup of this aromatic Muar coffee, the butter and kaya spread roti bakar (bread toast) and half-boiled egg at Sai Kee 343 Kopitiam, located just opposite the bus station.

Otak-otak Muar.

Fried Oyster Omelette.

Grilled Fish.

Chicken Rice Ball.

Culture and Tradition

Muar is the birthplace of ‘Ghazal', Johor’s traditional musical heritage, which has a Persian origin. Muar is also the birthplace of several type of Zapin dances like Zapin Lenga, Zapin Parit Bagan, Zapin Muar and Zapin Putar Alam and also the Ceracap Inai dance[29]. Zapin is a combination of semi-squatting style Malay dance with Arabic influence. The dancers usually perform in pairs and are accompanied by a traditional music ensemble normally consists of the gambus, accordion, violin, marwas (bongos), rebana (drum) and dok. Usually Zapin music is very alive and energetic. Keroncong is a popular and favourite musical and songs among the Malays of Javanese descends in Muar.[30]

The traditional Javanese 'Kuda Kepang', a traditional horse dance and 'Barongan' dance originating from Indonesia is believed to be best performed by the Muar Malays of Javanese origin especially the Sg. Balang, Parit Bugis, Parit Yusof, Lenga or Bukit Gambir troupes.

It is generally acknowledged that the local dialect of Malay spoken here (and throughout the state of Johor), the Johor-Riau dialect is the common and standard official version of the Malay language adopted through out the country.

Other than the above, the Muar is well known for their Chinese community's Lion Dance. Muar "Kun Seng Keng" 关圣宫 Temple's Lion Dance troupe had been national champion for 32+ times and world champion for 17+ times in the International Championship for Lion Dance since 1992 beside many winning other various championship..[31]

Events and Festivals

Accommodation and Lodging

There are also some homestays resided at the out-skirt of the town.

Education and Academic

Muar High School

Muar High School (麻坡高级中学) began as a Government English School and it was first housed in an attap (the processed leaves of nypa fruticans) shed known as ‘Balai Kuning’ which was actually used by the Sultan as a reception hall whenever he visited Muar. It was located at the site of the present High Court Building. The school was founded in 1902. It was under the charge of one Mr. C.P. Frois, a Eurasian gentleman from Malacca. He was the first headmaster cum teacher of the school and the enrolment of the school then was about 40 pupils.

It was not until 1904, the majestic colonial style historical school building started its construction and completed in 1915 and it is still standing. During the Second World War, the school was used as a Japanese concentration camp. Its alumni include national and state leaders, high-ranking government officials and industrialists, such as Tan Sri Osman Saat, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, Dato Seri Abdul Ghani Othman, His Excellency(Rtd) Dr Bahar Munip (ref:Parit Jawa)

Hospitals

Muar and Tangkak are served by two government hospitals as well as numerous primary health centres. The two hospitals are:

Currently, both hospitals also serve as teaching hospitals for Melaka Manipal Medical College.

Notable and Famous Prominent Persons from Muar

Politicians and Public Servants

Entertainment

Sportspersons

Community & business leaders

Gallery

Scene of Muar River bank from Sultan Ismail Bridge.

Muar River mouth. Mosque at right side of river bank is Sultan Ismail Jamek 2 Mosque.

Muar River view.

Jalan Maharani view from Padang Nyiru's MARA Maharani Riverview Bazaar.

Muar Jalan Haji Abu Hawker Centre.

Muar Jalan Bentayan Hawker Centre.

Muar Jalan Arab/Haji Abu old shops.

Jalan Ali.

Muar Jalan Abdullah Street View.

Hentian Maharani Bus Station, Muar.

Pasar Awam Bandar Maharani.

Chiang Chuan Ass.,One of the unique buildings in the town centre.

Muar Teochew Association Building.

Eng Choon, Hokkien Association Building.

Nan Hai Fei Lai Goddess of Mercy Temple, Muar.

External links

References

  1. ↑ Muar to say goodbye to Tangkak, November 20, 2006, The Star (Malaysia)
  2. ↑ A. Trocki, Carl (1st 1979/2nd 2007), Prince of Pirates: The Temenggongs and the Development of Johor and Singapore 1784-1885, NUS Press, p. 130, ISBN 978-9971-69-376-3 
  3. ↑ "THE HISTORY PORTUGUESE MALACCA 1511-1641 : HISTORY OF COLONIAL MALAYSIA". Marco Ramerini. http://www.colonialvoyage.com/malacca.html. 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 (Tun) Suzana (Tun) Othman, Ahlul-bait (keluarga) Rasulullah SAW & raja-raja Melayu, pg 182
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 R. O. Winstedt, A History of Johore (1365–1941), pg 129
  6. ↑ Studer, American and British Claims Arbitration: William Webster: Appendix to the Memorial of the United States, Vol. III, pg 311-2
  7. ↑ Journal of the Malaysian Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (1937), pg 74
  8. ↑ Winstedt, A History of Johore (1365–1941), pg 128-9
  9. ↑ Winstedt, A History of Johore (1365–1941), pg 131-2
  10. ↑ Andaya, A History of Malaysia, pg 140
  11. ↑ Sultanah Johor Tanam Azimat di Muar
  12. ↑ The Battle of Muar
  13. ↑ "The Battle of Muar". AWM. http://www.awm.gov.au/cms_images/histories/20/chapters/11.pdf. Retrieved 2009-03-30. 
  14. ↑ Wikipedia English|Flag and coat of arms of Johor
  15. ↑ Flag of the State Commissioner for Muar (Bendera Orang Besar Daerah Muar)
  16. ↑ Muar District Office Official Website/Muar Flag
  17. ↑ FARIDAH BEGUM (Sunday October 7, 2007), "Regal coastal town", The Star (Muar: Sundaymetro), http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/7/sundaymetro/18990679&sec=sundaymetro, retrieved 2010-04-10 
  18. ↑ HAMDAN RAJA ABDULLAH (Thursday March 4, 2010), "Boosting Muar tours", The Star (Muar: Metro/South & East), http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/3/4/southneast/5748610&sec=southneast, retrieved 2010-04-08 
  19. ↑ Pantai Leka, Parit Jawa|Tour Malaysia
  20. ↑ Kolam Air Panas Sungai Gersik|Tour Malaysia
  21. ↑ Metro (Wednesday April 7, 2010), "Spice and herb farm gaining popularity", The Star (Muar: Metro/South & East), http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2010/4/7/southneast/5789597&sec=southneast, retrieved 2010-04-08 
  22. ↑ 鄭向真 (Zhèng​xiàng​zhēn​) (2000-07-15), "蔡大孫開發麻坡港 (Chua Tuah Soon Established the Port of Muar)", 星洲日報／大柔佛 (Sinchew Daily) (Muar: Blogkaki.com), http://forum.blogkaki.net/thread-5164-1-1.html, retrieved 2000-07-16 
  23. ↑ East Guangdong Chaozhou China website
  24. ↑ Seeking Peanut Lion for a Blessed Year at Teochew Ancient Temple|Chinese|Muarinfo|February 4, 2010
  25. ↑ Guangdong's Ancient Temple|Tour Malaysia
  26. ↑ Nattukottai Chettiars' Sri Murugan Temple Video Clip
  27. ↑ Nagamalai Koil Alaiyam Temple|Tour Malaysia
  28. ↑ Makam Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah I|Tour Malaysia
  29. ↑ Showcase folk dances on regular basis|Fauziah Ismail|2009/06/22|JohorBuzz|MyJohor|Johor Street Reaching Out|NST
  30. ↑ Tarian Tradisional|Johor State Government Official Portal
  31. ↑ Muar Lion Dance Troupe is World Champion | New Straits Times | 11 Feb, 1994
  32. ↑ Tao Boo Keng (斗母宫) temple Centennial Celebration