The development of Kajang

MySinChew.com, 24 May 2014

Translated by SOONG PHUI JEE
Sin Chew Daily

Kajang is a century old town with preserved old buildings. 

Many old buildings can still be seen in Kajang. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

Located in Hulu Langat, Kajang had three main roads in early days and it was an important commercial and administrative centre in southern Selangor.

A century old post office (photo taken in 1991).

A stannary was found near Sungai Tangkas in late 1840s and the Americans started mining activities there. Most miners were Huizhou people from Negeri Sembilan. However, it is believed that Hokkiens were the earliest to root in Kajang.

An aerial view of Kajang downtown in 1968.

In 1880, Reko and Kajang were demarcated into Selangor. British plantation groups such as Inch Kenneth and West Country widely planted coffee and rubber around Reko in the 1890s and the booming mining and farming had led Kajang to its market position.

A street filled with gold shops in the old days.

 To facilitate the transportation work of the stannary and rubber, the British colonial government started a paving project connecting Kajang and Kuala Lumpur in 1889. Railway connecting Kajang and Seremban was also built.

An old building in Jalan Tukang, Kajang.

 Tin prices fell in the late 1990s and the demand for rubber increased. At that time, many people have inhabited the old Kajang near Reko. To maintain local security, a police station was built.

An old building near the train cargo in Reko.

 At that time, Kajang was among the few communities with primary, secondary and tertiary institutions.

It was recorded that Kajang had two Chinese primary schools in 1909 but one was closed during the 1948 Malayan Emergency.

Kajang had three secondary schools before the World War II and one of the schools attracted many non-locals students, making the place an important education area.

It was argued that Kajang was named after the Kajang tree by Sultan Mohamed Ibni-Alma Hum Sultan Ibrahim and his entourage Tok Lili. 

Another argument said that since Kajang produced rice and tin, harvested rice and local products were transported to Kuala Lumpur on carts with roof made of Kajang leaves. The carts carried daily necessities from Kuala Lumpur when they returned.

When local residents saw the roof of the returned carts from far away, they would shout "Kajang! Kajang". Therefore, the place was named "Kajang".

In addition to satay, Kajang is also the birthplace of "spicy soup".

Siaw Kah Restaurant founder Siaw Kek Kwee said that the dish prevailed since his grandfather was engaged in the rubber tapping industry in the 1970s.

Siaw Kah Restaurant founder Siaw Kek Kwee: Spicy soup prevailed since his grandfather was engaged in the rubber tapping industry in the 1970s. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

 Local residents mainly grew vegetables and reared pigs in the early days. His grandfather liked to make hot pot soup with pork, offal, vegetables, ginger and pepper. The soup was to keep his body warm as he needed to go for rubber tapping in early morning.

In addition to satay, Kajang is also known for spicy soup. Photo courtesy: Sin Chew Daily

He started to sell Bak-kut-teh in 1984. One day, a customer requested for a dish cooked with pork after finding that the Bak-kut-teh was sold out. He thus cooked the "spicy soup" which was highly praised by the customer. 

Siaw Kek Kwee inherited the family business and it received extensive media coverage in 2000, making the dish widely known.