Etymology & Emblem of Klang, Selangor

Klang Etymology

Klang is presumably named after the Klang River which runs through the town, covering the districts of Selangor, Kuala Lumpur and flowing out to the mouth of the Straits of Malacca. The geographical location of Klang town is in close proximity to the river, which also runs to the local Port Klang, the main sea gateway into Malaysia.

One well-received theory on the origin of the name ‘Klang’ is that the word itself was derived from the Mon–Khmer; the Austroasiatic languages widely spoken in Southeast Asia during the Khmer empire now Thailand and Cambodia, word Klong: which means waterway or canal.

This theory is backed by the discovery of ancient Mon-Khmer artifacts along the Klang river namely 3 bronze bells at Bukit Jati (1905) and a bronze drum at Bukit Kuda (1944) evidently proving that the Mon-Khmer community and their trade activities existed in Klang during the Dongson Era (500 BC - 200 AD).

Alternatively, It is also believed that the name ‘Klang’ means factory or warehouses from the Malay word Kilang due to the prominence of warehouses in the early days of its establishment and economic prosperity. Klang was also once known as Pengkalan Batu meaning "stone jetty" based of historical writings about its architectural features:

"A substantial flight of stone steps lead from the river to a skeleton jetty with an attap

roof, and near it a number of attap-roofed boats were lying, loaded with slabs of tin from the diggings in the interior, to be transhipped to Penang." (Jamaluddin, 1965)

The Chinese name for Klang ‘巴生’ that is also used to address the Klang River, Port Klang and the Klang Valley is not a direct translation but supposedly a transcription of another Malay word ‘Pasang’, referring to the rising tides around the Klang Valley.

Klang Emblem

Perisai Warna Hijau

Melambangkan Kawasan Klang yang subur dan menghijau secara produktif.

Green Shield symbolizes the fertile and green Klang Area productively.

Jalur Warna Emas dan Hijau

Melambang Sungai Klang.

Gold and Green Colored Stripes symbolizes the Klang River.

Mahkota DiRaja

Mahkota yang dijulang oleh perisai dan 2 batang tombak adalah Mahkota DiRaja.

The crown held up by the shield and 2 spears represents the Royal Crown.

Kota Raja Mahadi

Melambangkan sejarah silam Klang.

The building icon is the Raja Mahadi fort which symbolises the iconic historical architectural remnant of Klang. A fort that was conquered by Raja Mahadi during the Klang War which he has lost during his administration in 1867 to 1874.

Lambang Negeri

Lambang Negeri Selangor dijulang dengan megah oleh 2 ekor rusa.

The Selangor State Emblem is held majestically by two deers.

Payung

Merupakan payung yang dilambangkan sebagai lambang DiRaja.

The two umbrellas was a Royal symbol associated to the heritage of the ruler.

References

Mon bin Jamaluddin. (1965). A history of Port Swettenham. Published by Malayasia Publications, for the Department of History, University of Singapore.

MAJLIS PERBANDARAN KLANG (2017). Logo: Moto "PERPADUAN SENDI KEKUATAN". Retrieved from: https://www.mpklang.gov.my/ms/mp-klang/profil/logo

Quora. (n.d.). What is the meaning of the place named Klang in Selangor, Malaysia?.Retrieved from: https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-meaning-of-the-place-named-Klang-in-Selangor-Malaysia

By Viktor Zeidler Lim 1006aH79876