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Kampar, Perak
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kampar is a town in the state of Perak, Malaysia. It is situated due south of Simpang Pulai. It was a tin mining town which boomed during the heights of the tin mining industry. There used to be many tin mines on the outskirts of Kampar, but most have closed down following the collapse of the industry. Kampar was established in 1887.
Kampar had its share of bloodbath during the Japanese Occupation in 1941 to 1945. Between December 30 1941 to 2 January 1942, a battle between 3000 British personnel and over 6000 Japanese soldiers erupted. This battle is vividly documented and highlighted by famous Kampar historian, Chye Kooi Loong. (See link below)
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The name Kampar was derived from the Cantonese words kam pou, which means 'precious gold'. This refers to the town's previously large tin reserves.
Kampar is situated in Kinta Valley, which was well-known for its high tin ore reserves.
The majority of the town's population is of Chinese descent. Other races such as Malays and Indians make up the rest of Kampar's population.
In the 19th and most of 20th century, the town's economy revolved around tin-mining. However, many tin-mining companies were forced to close during the economic recession in the 1980s. Nevertheless, the town's economy recovered slowly by the end of 1980s.
The town from its glamorous days has once plunged, since the advent of the North-South Highway. Travellers stop frequenting the town as they choose the more convenient highway. The nearest exit from highway is in Tapah, which is pretty incovenient for travellers. The town is not so much abandoned as conveniently forgotten.
At present, the commercial and industrial sectors are main driving forces of Kampar's economy. Its economy is further driven by the construction of the new Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) campus.
Kampar is currently a centre of tertiary education with a campus of Tunku Abdul Rahman College and a new campus of Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman. Kampar is also served by various primary and secondary schools.
Among the more famous government schools around are ACS Kampar, Pei Yuan, Sri Kampar, De La Salle and SMK Sentosa.
- Datin Paduka Seri Endon Mahmood - late wife of current Prime Minister of Malaysia, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
- Eric Moo - a Taiwan-based singer, composer and producer, was born here. He has currently shifted his attention towards China.
- Olivia Lum - founder of water treatment company Hyflux in Singapore.
To many outsiders, they come to know Kampar through two type of food : Kampar Chicken Biscuit and Kampar Fishball Noodle. The Kampar Chicken Biscuit is so famous that it has spawn a whole series of 'chicken biscuit' producers. As for Kampar Fishball Noodle, its relationship with the town Kampar remains as a myth.
Other local cuisine of Kampar includes the chee cheong fun, where curry is often the preferred condiment. Kampar is also credited for the invention of `chicken in a bread'. `Min pau kei', literally `chicken bread' in Cantonese, is so sought after at one time that tourist buses are known to make a bee line to Kampar just to savour the delicacy.
