Kamunting

History

Long Jaafar bin Abdul Latif (Datuk Paduka Setia) is synonymous with the early history of the town of Taiping and Kamunting. In his youth, Long Jaafar had to go to Bukit Gantang which was under control in-law, Alang Alaiddin (Datuk Panglima Bukit Gantang). In that time, this area is still wilderness. One day, Long Jaafar was bathing in a river . He found a sand which is black and contains bijih timah. So, he was interested in commercializing tin mining until large. The place who first found bijih timah is named Kelian Pauh (now the vicinity of Taiping Prison) . Kelian mean mine or mines, while Pauh is a tiny mango fruit. Kelian Pauh is the old name for the town of Taiping. In 1840, Long Jaafar has brought in three people of Chinese miners to start mining work in Kelian Pauh (Taiping). In addition, the Malay population in the area was also mine but only in the summer and during the rainy season, they carry out work on the smelting of bijih timah. With Chinese aid, bijih timah production increased. According to records, in 1844, the tin from this area have been exported to Penang. In 1848, Long Jaafar has brought in 20 people of Penang Chinese workers to work and open mines in the area. One day, his pet elephant used to transport bijih timah have missed and fled into the woods. During the three days, elephant which is named Larut went missing because wallowing in a swamp, in the jungle not far from the residence of Long Jaafar. After Larut (the elephant) recaptured, it was found that elephant legs and body are filled with black sludge that containing sand of bijih timah. Finally, Long Jaafar has found another new place rich in bijih timah. That place was named Kelian Bahru which means new mine. Kelian Bahru is the old name for the Kamunting. While there are areas in…

Most-observed species

• Yellow-vented Bulbul

  Pycnonotus goiavier (Scopoli, 1786) · Aves
  398
• White-throated Kingfisher

  Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758) · Aves
  392
• Pacific Swallow

  Hirundo javanica Sparrman, 1789 · Aves
  340
• Asian Glossy Starling

  Aplonis panayensis (Scopoli, 1786) · Aves
  339
• Oriental Pied-Hornbill

  Anthracoceros albirostris (Shaw, 1808) · Aves
  315
• Brahminy Kite

  Haliastur indus (Boddaert, 1783) · Aves
  287
• Pink-necked Pigeon

  Treron vernans (Linnaeus, 1771) · Aves
  277
• Little Egret/Western Reef-Heron

  Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) · Aves
  272