The Changing Faces of Kuantan, Pahang

Kuantan was founded in 1850's as a settlement and opened by Haji Senik and his followers. Initially known as Teruntum Village which situated at the mouth of Teruntum River facing the present General Hospital. They turned swamps area into padi fields besides fishing and small businesses. Up the Teruntum River there was a settlement known as Kampung Orang Kuantan taken from a name of Kuantan District in Sumatera. Soon it was called Kuantan and has since remain until now.

Kuantan 1850-90

Economy Activities of Kuantan (1880-1970)

Between 1860 to 1970 the development of Kuantan was influenced by these factors; The discovery of tin in Gambang and Sungai Lembing has made Kuantan as the production and collection centre and other raw materials. Modernization and changes in administrative policy started with British intervention in year 1888 who started the Resident System. Pahang State is divided into various district including Kuantan. In year 1953, the administrative centre in Kuala Lipis was shifted to Kuantan and in year 1955 Kuantan was declared as new State Capital. Following the changes, Kuantan has developed more rapidly and has become centre for administration, education, trade, housing, communication etc. Today Kuantan is well known as a tourist centre.	Kuantan 1963
	Kuantan 1967
	Kuantan 1975

Jalan Besar 1932	Jalan Mahkota 1924	Jalan Mahkota 1953
Jalan Besar 1988	Jalan Mahkota 1988	Jalan Mahkota 1988

Materials compiled by Alias Abdullah, PhD., the then town planner in MPK, and obtained from :

Majlis Perbandaran Kuantan (MPK). (1989). Sejarah Pembukaan Kuantan. Kuantan: Author.
_____ (n.d.). MPK 10 Tahun. Kuantan: Author.
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Copyright © 1996 HBP of USM
Last Updated on 14 January 1996