Kuala Kubu Bahru, more known as a “sleepy town”, is located in Hulu Selangor, in the state of Selangor. It may not be a very popular place but it actually has a lot of natural attractions. Not many knows, however, of the history of this town. Kuala Kubu Bahru is actually a city built above a city, contribution from nature.
Kuala Kubu
Kuala Kubu (Kubu means “fort” in Malay) was the second biggest town in Selangor. A fortress was built in Kuala Kubu before the British colonial powers took over the town. This fortress served as a fort for Raja Mahadi and Syed Mashor when they fought against Tengku Kudin’s army during the Selangor civil war from 1867 – 1874.
In the 18th century, Kuala Kubu was a mining town in being located between two tributaries of the Selangor River. In 1883, tragedy struck. Due to vast mining in the areas nearby and heavy downpour, the dam in Kuala Kubu burst and flooded the town. 1500 people were involved and 35 died. One of the person involved was the District Officer, Sir Cecil Ranking. A Buddhist temple and a mosque survived the flood though. Since then, the town where the flood happened is known as Ampang Pechah (translated as Broken Dam).
Kuala Kubu Bahru
After the flood, the British forces restored the town and named it as Kuala Kubu Bahru (Baru means “new” in Malay). Mining was still done, intensive and open mining method introduced as well.
There were many entertainment venues available in Kuala Kubu Bahru such as pubs, cinemas, opium dens, gambling dens and brothels. Many high ranking officers come to Kuala Kubu Bahru to seek entertainment including Fraser, who is known to come to the town in the weekends to enjoy himself with friends.
Between the year 1900 – 1921, there were many flood, mudslides and in those years, the city slowly submerged. In 1925, Charles Read, the government town planner planned to improve Kuala Kubu Bahru along the garden city ideas but that plan was abandoned due to the countless flooding. After that, the British abandoned Kuala Kubu Bahru and shifts their administration to another town, Rasa. By the year 1931, the whole town was abandoned.
Mining in Kuala Kubu Bahru
Before mining starts, the soil needs to be checked and analyzed. This is done by pushing the drilling rig called auger, deep into the earth. The auger is small enough to be handled by a man or two. As the auger is turned, the sample soil will be collected into a tube through a one-way valve. From this, the percentage of tin in one cubic yard (0.76 meter cubic) can be calculated.
Malaysia Administration on Kuala Kubu Bahru
In the 1980’s, residential houses were developed in the previously abandoned Kuala Kubu Bahru town. Malaysian government recognized the garden city concept, which is a compact town centre encircled by a parkbelt. The town has been gazetted as a garden city, first of its kind in Malaysia.
The many attractions in Kuala Kubu Bahru are well-maintained as well as upgraded for the comfort of visitors to this town such as the site of the old town (Kuala Kubu), the 1930’s clock tower, the monument of Kuala Kubu flood tragedy, waterfalls and hot springs, the lush and tropical jungle (great for trekkers or cyclists) and so much more.
If you would like a short peaceful retreat in a town close to the city but also quiet enough for a tranquil time, Kuala Kubu Bahru in Selangor should be in your list of places to go to.
I used to be a practical teacher in Kuala Kubu Bharu. Never actually knew they have this there. Time wasn’t in my hand at the time. Maybe next time I go to KKB, I’ll explore more 🙂
Sometimes when we’re at the place, we tend to not know some of the treasures there – happens to me too actually. Maybe you should go back there and explore KKB as a “traveler” next time. 🙂
the late sudirman’s song, joget kenangan manis