Wikipedia

Kuantan

Not to be confused with Kwanten or Kelantan.
For the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat, see Kuantan (federal constituency). For the state constituency represented in the Pahang State Legislative Aseembly, see Teruntum (state constituency).

Kuantan (Pahang Malay: Kontaeng; Terengganu Malay: Kuatang/Kuantang; Jawi: كوانتن‎) is a city and the state capital of Pahang, Malaysia. It is located near the mouth of the Kuantan River. Kuantan is the 14th largest city in Malaysia based on a 2020 population of 548,014 and the largest city on the East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Kuantan
Kontaeng (Pahang Malay)
Kuatang (Terengganu Malay)
State capital city and district capital
City of Kuantan
Bandaraya Kuantan
Other transcription(s)
 • Jawiكوانتن
 • Chinese关丹
Guāndān (Hanyu Pinyin)
gwaan1 daan1 (Jyutping)
 • Tamilகுவாந்தான்
Kuvāntāṉ (Transliteration)
Aerial view of Kuantan
Kuantan City Council
Flag of Kuantan
Flag
Official seal of Kuantan
Seal
Map
Location of Kuantan in Pahang
Kuantan is located in Pahang
Kuantan
Kuantan
   Kuantan in    Pahang
Kuantan is located in Malaysia
Kuantan
Kuantan
Kuantan (Malaysia)
Kuantan is located in Southeast Asia
Kuantan
Kuantan
Kuantan (Southeast Asia)
Kuantan is located in Asia
Kuantan
Kuantan
Kuantan (Asia)
Coordinates: 3°49′N 103°20′E / 3.817°N 103.333°E / 3.817; 103.333
Country Malaysia
State Pahang
DistrictKuantan
Founded1851 (as Kampung Teruntum)
Establishment1 August 1913
Administrative centre27 August 1955[2]
Municipality status1 September 1979
City status21 February 2021
Government
 • TypeCity council
 • BodyKuantan City Council
 • MayorDato' Hamdan Hussin
Area
[3]
 • Total
324 km2 (125 sq mi)
Elevation
21.95 m (72 ft)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
548,014[1]
 • Density1,691/km2 (4,380/sq mi)
DemonymKuantanese
Time zoneUTC 8 (MST)
 • Summer (DST)Not observed
Postcode
25xxx
Mean solar timeUTC 06:46:48
Websitembk.gov.my
Kuantan City Council

Majlis Bandaraya Kuantan
مجليس بنداراي كوانتن‎
Type
Type
History
Founded21 February 2021
Preceded byKuantan Municipal Council
Leadership
Mayor
Hamdan Hussin
City secretary
Yusoff Husain
Meeting place
Menara MBK, Kompleks Bandaraya Kuantan, Jalan Tanah Putih, 25100 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur.
Website
mbk.gov.my

The administrative centre of the state of Pahang was officially relocated to Kuantan on 27 August 1955 from Kuala Lipis, and was officiated by HRH Sultan Abu Bakar Ri'ayatuddin Al Muadzam Shah,[2] the Sultan of Pahang.

History

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Kuantan in the first century was a part of Chih-Tu empire. In the 11th century, this piece of land was conquered by another small empire called Pheng-Kheng before being taken over by the Siamese during the 12th century. During the 15th century, Kuantan was ruled by the Malaccan Empire.

Kuantan is said to have been founded in the 1850s. The name was notably mentioned in Munshi Abdullah's travelogue Kisah Pelayaran ke Kelantan circa 1851/2:

...On Thursday night came a boat from Kuantan. Then they told the ship's crew there's a pirate ship at Tanjung Tujuh, forty of them and at Kapas Island, and as well at Redang Island; it was spotted by two Kuantan boats and they set off...

In its early days, it was known as Kampung Teruntum (lit. 'Lumnitzera Village'). The village was situated at the mouth of Teruntum River which is in front of the current hospital and it was established by Haji Senik[who?] and his followers in the 1850s. Early primary economic activities included fishing and small businesses. The main evidence of the establishment of the village is the cemetery that is situated near Taman Esplanade in front of the current Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan.

Towards the late 19th century, arrival of Chinese miners and traders saw the establishment of a township in Kuantan and nearby tin mining areas such as Gambang and Sungai Lembing. Similar to what occurred in other states in Peninsular Malaysia, rubber plantations attracted Indian settlers as well.

The sinking of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse took place off the coast of Kuantan on 10 December 1941.

Kuantan was declared a full-fledged city by Sultan Abdullah of Pahang on 21 February 2021 and its town council officially renamed the Kuantan City Council (MBK).[4]

Government

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The Pahang state government shifted the administrative centre of Pahang from Kuala Lipis to Kuantan in 1955. The urban area of Kuantan city is located mostly in the mukims of Kuala Kuantan and Beserah.

Kuantan City Council, formerly known as the Kuantan Sanitary Board (Malay: Lembaga Kesihatan Kuantan) from 1913 until 1937, the Kuantan Town Board (Malay: Lembaga Bandaran Kuantan) from 1937 until 1953, the Kuantan Town Council (Malay: Majlis Bandaran Kuantan) from 1953 to 31 August 1979 and the Kuantan Municipal Council (Malay: Majlis Perbandaran Kuantan) from 1 September 1979 until 20 February 2021, is the local authority of Kuantan.

Urban development

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Part of the larger East Coast Economic Growth Region (ECER), Kuantan will see many new developments including:

Climate

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Kuantan features a tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification. Usually, the area experiences two seasons per year, i.e., the "Dry" and Hot season and the Rainy season. The "Dry" and Hot Season (a relative term as the city does not truly have a dry season) occurs when seasonal south-west winds blow from Sumatra toward the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia but are blocked by the Titiwangsa Mountain Range. The temperature may reach 40 degrees Celsius. The Rainy season usually occurs between October and March. During this season, the north-east winds bring rain to Kuantan. It can get very cloudy with a large amount of rainfall. Floods may also occur. Areas subject to possible flooding include the road to Sungai Lembing and also a few areas along the Kuantan River.

In 2006, Kuantan experienced significant air pollution that affected visibility because of the haze blowing in from Sumatra and the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia.

Climate data for Kuantan (1991–2020 normals)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 34.2
(93.6) 		35.0
(95.0) 		35.3
(95.5) 		36.0
(96.8) 		37.8
(100.0) 		36.4
(97.5) 		36.0
(96.8) 		34.9
(94.8) 		35.3
(95.5) 		35.6
(96.1) 		34.0
(93.2) 		33.1
(91.6) 		37.8
(100.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 29.8
(85.6) 		31.0
(87.8) 		32.1
(89.8) 		33.1
(91.6) 		33.5
(92.3) 		33.1
(91.6) 		32.8
(91.0) 		32.9
(91.2) 		32.7
(90.9) 		32.3
(90.1) 		30.9
(87.6) 		29.7
(85.5) 		32
(90)
Daily mean °C (°F) 25.6
(78.1) 		26.2
(79.2) 		27.0
(80.6) 		27.7
(81.9) 		28.0
(82.4) 		27.7
(81.9) 		27.4
(81.3) 		27.3
(81.1) 		27.2
(81.0) 		26.9
(80.4) 		26.2
(79.2) 		25.6
(78.1) 		26.9
(80.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 22.9
(73.2) 		22.9
(73.2) 		23.5
(74.3) 		24.1
(75.4) 		24.3
(75.7) 		24.1
(75.4) 		23.9
(75.0) 		23.8
(74.8) 		23.6
(74.5) 		23.6
(74.5) 		23.5
(74.3) 		23.2
(73.8) 		23.6
(74.5)
Record low °C (°F) 17.0
(62.6) 		17.5
(63.5) 		17.5
(63.5) 		19.5
(67.1) 		20.5
(68.9) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.0
(66.2) 		19.5
(67.1) 		19.0
(66.2) 		20.0
(68.0) 		18.0
(64.4) 		18.0
(64.4) 		17.0
(62.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 315.8
(12.43) 		146.4
(5.76) 		155.1
(6.11) 		136.4
(5.37) 		176.9
(6.96) 		158.4
(6.24) 		149.7
(5.89) 		198.9
(7.83) 		181.1
(7.13) 		275.0
(10.83) 		375.1
(14.77) 		717.4
(28.24) 		2,986
(117.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 13.9 8.2 9.3 9.9 11.3 10.0 9.3 11.5 11.9 15.7 19.4 18.9 149.3
Average relative humidity (%) 86 84 84 85 84 83 83 83 83 84 88 87 84
Mean monthly sunshine hours 140 171 176 180 174 170 170 174 172 160 135 119 1,941
Source 1: World Meteorological Organization[8]
Source 2: Ogimet[9]Deutscher Wetterdienst (humidity),[10]

Demographics

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Pahang State Mosque.

Kuantan's population was approximately 427,515 in 2010 which was composed of 78.5% Malay, 17.9% Chinese, 3.3% Indian and 0.3% other races. The following is based on Department of Statistics Malaysia 2010 census. [11]

Ethnic groups in Kuantan Municipal Council, 2010 census
Ethnicity Population Percentage
Bumiputera 335,599 78.5%
Chinese 76,525 17.9%
Indian 14,108 3.3%
Others 1,282 0.3%

By 2019, its population had grown to 529,600.[1]

Economy

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One of its major economic activities is tourism. Domestically, it is famous for the production of handicrafts, batik, keropok (dried fish crackers) and salted fish. Kuantan serves as the administrative and commercial capital of Pahang. Trade and commerce are important in the economy of the town.

There are petrochemical industries, mostly in Gebeng, an industrial area about 25 km north of Kuantan. Among the major companies operating in Kuantan are BASF PETRONAS Chemicals, MTBE/Polypropylene (M) Sdn Bhd,[12] BP Chemicals,[13] MTBE,[14] Flexsys,[15] Bredero Shaw,[16] Eastman Chemical, Kaneka,[17] Polyplastics,[18] Mieco,[19] KNM,[20] JiKang,[21] W.R. Grace, Cryovac, Wasco Pipeline Coatings,[22] AMC,[23] etc.

ECER Special Economic Zone (ECER SEZ)

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Kuantan is being identified as a Special Economic Zone (SEZ). The launch of SEZ in 2009 by Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak is one of the first of its kind in Malaysia. The SEZ is located inside East Coast Economic Region (ECER) of Greater Kuantan which stretches from the district of Kertih, Terengganu to the district of Pekan, Pahang. It is now one of the largest SEZs in Asia, covering 390,000 hectares. ECER SEZ serves as a catalyst to fast-track the economic development in the east coast. ECER SEZ aims to generate RM90 billion of investments and provide over 90,000 new jobs by 2020. At the centre of southeast Asia with four seaports (Kuantan Port as the main gateway) and two airports, ECER SEZ will serve good transportation link between Indochina, India and China.

The development master plan will offer special incentives to attract investors. Include tax exemptions, import and export duties exemptions and 100 per cent investment tax allowance.

Tourism

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Beaches

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Teluk Cempedak beach.

Kuantan's main sightseeing attraction is the beach at Teluk Cempedak or Palm Beach. There are scenic beaches popular among vacationers in the city's vicinity, such as Batu Hitam, Balok, Chenor, Pantai Sepat, Beserah, and Cherating. Near Cherating (Club Med is located here) there are turtle sanctuaries. A few kilometres away from Cherating is Pulau Ular (Snake Island). There is a legend connected with this island.

Waterfalls and parks

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Kuantan river.

Kuantan is known to tourists for its waterfalls. The most well-known is the Sungai Pandan Waterfall. Two others are the Sungai Berkelah Waterfall and the Jerangkang Waterfall.

There are four parks in the city, the Gelora Park, Teruntum Mini Zoo, Gambang Safari Park and Agriculture Park at Indera Mahkota. A small park across the main road (and next to the river) in front of the Hospital is named the Esplanade Park or Downtown Kuantan. Here, it is possible to go on a river cruise from the small jetty. The Kuantan area also produces handicrafts and batik. Other tourist attractions include the State Mosque (Masjid Negeri).

Sungai Lembing

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Main article: Sungai Lembing

Sungai Lembing is located about 26 km northwest of Kuantan. It used to contain the world's deepest underground tin mines. There is an interesting Tin Museum in the former mining town of Sungai Lembing. Just north of the Tin Museum is a "hanging bridge" (jambatan bergantung). Access is via a narrow, winding road at the base of the entrance to the Tin Museum. There is another hanging bridge on the outskirts of Sungai Lembing town (visible from the main road, on the right side). There is a Panorama Hill which provides an impressive pre-dawn view. On the Kuantan-Sungai Lembing road at the hamlet of Pancing, there is a limestone mountain which houses a large reclining Buddha in one of its caves, Charah Cave.[24] The highest peak, Gunung Tapis, also can be accessed from here.

Theme parks

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Bukit Gambang Resort City (BGRC) is one of the largest water theme park resorts in Malaysia, spanning 547 acres and offering a 17.1-acre lake, and a 24,000 square feet wave pool. Bukit Gambang Safari Park, the biggest safari in east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.[25]

Kuantan 188

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Kuantan 188
Menara Kuantan 188
 
Kuantan 188 at night.
 
Former namesTeruntum Tower
Record height
Tallest in Pahang from 2019 to 2023[I]
Preceded byFirst World Hotel Tower 1 & 2
Surpassed byGrand Ion Majestic
General information
StatusCompleted
TypeObservation tower
Architectural styleTeruntum Putih (Lumnitzera Racemosa) / Pahang's coat of arms
LocationKuantan River, Kuantan
CountryMalaysia
Coordinates3°48′14″N 103°19′39″E / 3.803992°N 103.327529°E / 3.803992; 103.327529
Construction startedAugust 2017
Completed3 September 2019
Opening15 December 2020
Inaugurated21 February 2021
CostRM 4405.0000 million ($10 million USD)
OwnerEast Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) Pahang State Government
Height
Antenna spire188 m (617 ft)
Roof124 m (407 ft)
Top floor104 m (341 ft)
Observatory92 m (302 ft)
Technical details
Structural systemSteel
Reinforced concrete
Floor count3
Design and construction
Architect(s)Neoformation Architects Sdn. Bhd.
DeveloperEast Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) Pahang State Government
Structural engineerPembinaan Purcon Sdn. Bhd.
Website
www.kuantan188.com.my

Kuantan 188, previously known as Teruntum Tower is a 3-story, 188-meter-tall tower in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. It is the Malaysia's second tallest tower after the Kuala Lumpur Tower and the second-tallest in East Coast Economic Region after the newly completed Grand Ion Majestic in Genting Highlands, which is Pahang's tallest building. Its construction was started in August 2017 and completed on 3 September 2019. It features an observation deck at 92 meter high, restaurant at 98 meter high and an open sky-deck at 104 meter high. The tower offers 360-degree view of the Kuantan River and Kuantan City.

Design and concept

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The design of the tower was inspired by spear head which is one of element on the Pahang's Coat of Arms while the tower's porch inspired by Lumnitzera Tree.

There are also some symbolic concept behind the tower's design:

  • The tower's porch symbolize the diversity of the people of Kuantan and Pahang.
  • Five connected steel post of the spire represent five principles of the Rukun Negara as the core of people's unity. It also represent the five Pillars of Islam.
  • Golden tower's pinnacle symbolize the sovereignty of the Sultan of Pahang.

Inauguration

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Kuantan 188 was official inaugurated on 21 February 2021 by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah (who also is the Sultan of Pahang) via video footage played on a giant screen during the event. The tower opened as new iconic landmark for the new proclaimed city of Kuantan. It expected to revitalise the state tourism sector by attracting thousand of tourists to the city.

Al-Sultan Abdullah was represented by his heir, the regent of Pahang Crown Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah alongside of his other sons, Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah and Tengku Ahmad Ismail Mu’adzam Shah. Other honorable guests including the Chief Minister of Pahang Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail, Senior Minister of Infrastructure Development Fadillah Yusof, then Minister of Communications and Multimedia Saifuddin Abdullah, Speaker of the Pahang State Legislative Assembly Ishak Muhamad, Pahang State Government Secretary Salehuddin Ishak, Mayor of Kuantan City Hamdan Hussin and other members of federal cabinet and Pahang State Government.

During the event, the honorable guests also witnessed a boat parade by the federal government, state government, local authorities and defense forces along the Kuantan River.

Tallest structures in Kuantan

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Apart from Kuantan Tower 188 which is iconic in the middle of the city center, there are several tall buildings around Kuantan City.

Rank Name Height Floor Function Area Notes
1 Kuantan 188 188 m 3 Observation tower City centre Second tallest structure in Malaysia
2 Swiss-Bellhotel & Imperium Residence 120 m 28 Hotel & Residential Tanjung Lumpur Tallest building in Kuantan
3 The Zenith Hotel Kuantan 95 m 24 Hotel City centre Tallest building in Kuantan (2007-2021)
4 Teruntum Complex 87.5 m 22 Mall City centre Tallest building in Kuantan (1979-2007)
5 Mahkota Valley 70 m 16 Residential Bandar Indera Mahkota
6 Shahzan Hotel 70 m 16 Hotel City centre
7 Timurbay Seafront Residence Suite 68 m 15 Residential Sungai Karang
8 Grand Darul Makmur Hotel 62 m 13 Hotel City Centre
9 TNB Kuantan 58 m 13 Office City centre
10 Menara CDO 52 m 13 Office Taman Teratai
11 Wisma Persekutuan 50 m 12 Office City centre Tallest building in Kuantan (1979)
12 Kompleks Tun Razak 50 m 13 Office Bandar Indera Mahkota
13 E-Red Hotel 49 m 13 Hotel City centre
14 CIMB Bank Kuantan 49 m 13 Bank City centre
15 Kuantan City Council 49 m 13 Office City centre
16 Grand Continental Hotel 45 m 12 Hotel City centre
17 IPK Pahang Building (PDRM PAHANG) 45 m 10 Office City centre
18 PPRS Pinggiran Putra 45 m 11 Apartment Building Pinggiran Putra
19 Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital 45 m 10 Hospital City centre
20 Cathayana Hotel 45 m 8 Hotel City centre
21 KPJ Pahang Specialist Hospital 40 m 9 Hospital Tanjung Lumpur
22 Wisma Sri Pahang 40 m 9 Government Building City centre
23 Tokio Marine 39 m 8 Office City centre
24 AC Hotel by Marriott Kuantan 39 m 7 Hotel City centre

Culture

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Cuisine

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Kuantan is famous among locals and tourists for its fish crackers (called keropok in Malay) and salted fish, where the fish are marinated mainly with salt and left out to dry in the sun for days and sold at the market, Serambi Teruntum in Tanjung Lumpur. Fresh grilled fish or ikan bakar can be purchased at Tanjung Lumpur and Beserah area mostly located near fishermen's village.

Many types of local food can be found at the city centre.

Very popular and sold by street vendors (especially at the night markets) are varieties of satay which consists of grilled meat on a stick which is dipped into peanut sauce and roti canai, a thick flatbread dipped in a dhal curry sauce.

Typical ethnic Indian dishes include the naan and tandoori chicken.

Healthcare

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Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital.

Medical needs are served by several hospitals and clinics. The main hospital is Tengku Ampuan Afzan Hospital, which is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment such as a CT scanner and MRI.

In Indera Mahkota, there are the International Islamic University Medical Center International Islamic University Malaysia.

There are several private medical centres operate in city: KPJ Pahang Specialist Hospital, Kuantan Medical Center (KMC), Hospital Pakar PRK Muip, KCDC Hospital and Darul Makmur Medical Center.

A Community Health Centre serves suburbs such as Beserah, while smaller clinics are in smaller suburbs such as Bandar Indera Mahkota.

Education

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Higher education

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See also: List of educational institutes in Kuantan

There are many institutes of higher learning in Kuantan. They are categorised as Institut Pengajian Tinggi Awam (IPTA); public university or Institut Pengajian Tinggi Swasta (IPTS); private university. Two of the public institutes in Kuantan is Politeknik Sultan Ahmad Shah (POLISAS) & Politeknik METrO Kuantan (PMKu). POLISAS established in 1976 and PMKu established on 1 April 2011.

The International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), which is a branch from the main campus in Gombak. There are two IIUM campuses in Kuantan. The Jalan Hospital campus (JHC) campus that opened on year 1997 and the 1,000 acres (4.0 km2) Indera Mahkota campus on year 2004. IIUM Kuantan focuses on medical related degree programmes offered through several faculties or Kulliyyahs such as: Kulliyyah of Medicine, Kulliyyah of Pharmacy, Kulliyyah of Allied Health Sciences (Radiography, Optometry, Dietetics, Audiology, Physiology and Biomedical Science), Kulliyyah of Nursing, and Kulliyyah of Science (Biotechnology, Computational and Theoritical Sciences (CTS), Applied Chemistry, Physics, Marine Science, Plant Science, and Applied Plant Science), Kulliyyah of Dentistry.

The Jalan Hospital campus (JHC) campus houses the notable IIUM Breast Centre, a centre devoted to the research and diagnosis of breast cancer.

Kolej Komuniti Kuantan was founded in 2001 and currently operating at a permanent campus in Bandar Indera Mahkota.

The Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) was founded in 2002 and located in Gambang. UMP offers undergraduates and postgraduates education mainly in engineering and technical fields through its 7 faculties and centre. UMP has a newly built main campus in Pekan.

Private colleges and institutes

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Widad University College.
  • International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM)
  • Tunku Abdul Rahman University College
  • Open University Malaysia (OUM)
  • Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (UniPSAS)
  • Widad University College
  • Kolej Yayasan Pahang
  • Kolej Poly-Tech MARA
  • Kolej Matrikulasi Pahang (KMPh)
  • Olympia College
  • Institut ECMA
  • Institut Latihan Perindustrian Kuantan (ILP Kuantan)
  • Institut Teknologi MIDAS
  • Institut Saga
  • Kolej Kemahiran Tinggi MARA (KKTM)
  • Kolej Komuniti Paya Besar, Gambang
  • Kolej Professional Mara Indera Mahkota
  • Kolej PSDC
  • Kolej Teknologi Cosmopoint
  • Malaysian Aviation Training Academy (MATA Aviation)

Secondary schools

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Secondary school (high school) education is provided by Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (National Secondary School) (e.g., SMK Air Putih), Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan (National-type School) Chinese primary schools and Religious schools (e.g., SMA Al-Ihsan). All follow the syllabus and curriculum provided and regulated by the Malaysian Ministry of Education (Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia).

Alternatives to national education are provided by international schools which do not follow the Malaysian education curriculum. This includes the International School of Kuantan, grades K to 12.

Transportation

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Land

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Kuantan Sentral Terminal.
 
Kuantan Interchange at East Coast Expressway
 
East Coast Expressway towards Pelabuhan Kuantan Interchange

Kuantan is connected to Kuala Lumpur via the East Coast Expressway and Karak Expressway. Kuantan is now more accessible by road transportation than before, primarily because of the opening of East Coast Expressway. The East Coast Expressway, which begins in Gombak, Selangor and ends near Kuala Terengganu, also links Kuantan to other major towns in Pahang.

Besides Kuala Terengganu and Kota Bharu, the other two capitals of the east coast, the scenic coastal road (Federal Route 3) also runs southward through Pekan, Kuala Rompin, Mersing before terminating in Johor Bahru just before the interchange to Singapore. This route winds through verdant forests and small coastal towns, and a stretch of beautiful quiet beaches at Rompin and Lanjut. Alternatively, Tun Razak Highway Federal Route 12 that runs from the town of Segamat, Johor to Gambang and proceeding to Gambang-Kuantan Highway Federal Route 2 also connects Kuantan with Johor Bahru.

Kuantan Bypass is a highway that runs from Kuantan Port to Kuantan Airport. Interchange are available at Bandar Indera Mahkota, Bandar Damansara Kuantan, East Coast Expressway, Jerangau Highway Federal Route 14, Semambu and major roads.

Alternatively, express buses to Kuantan depart from Kuala Lumpur. Tickets for these buses are available from Hentian Pekeliling or Terminal Bersepadu Selatan (TBS) in Kuala Lumpur. These express buses will stop at the Terminal Kuantan Sentral at Bandar Indera Mahkota. There's local bus services stationed at the bus stop in Kuantan General Market near the Darul Makmur Stadium. This station provides services to Cherating, Pekan and nearby destinations. RapidKuantan buses are accessible to most places in Kuantan even from Pekan, the neighbouring town and from Kemaman in Terengganu. The main stop centre of RapidKuantan is near the General Market (Pasar Besar) and the Darul Makmur Stadium.

Rail

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The upcoming MRL East Coast Rail Link, connecting Kota Bharu and Port Klang, will serve the city. The line is expected to enter operation by 2027.

Air

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Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport.

Kuantan is served by Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport. This is the only airport in Pahang State that is controlled by Malaysia Airport Bhd. Currently, the airlines that fly to Kuantan: Malaysia Airline System (MAS), Firefly, Scoot, Malindo and AirAsia. Firefly has scheduled direct flights to Singapore and Penang. In 2009, the airport handled 226,912 passengers on 3,110 flights, though the airport is able to handle over one million passengers annually. In 2008, Taiwan and Tourism Malaysia had co-operated that there were 23 charter flights directly from Taipei to Kuantan Airport, this condition had made Kuantan Sultan Ahmad Shah Airport the first airport in East Coast of Peninsular Malaysia that received international flights. Passengers have to walk from the plane to the arrival hall. Planes from Kuantan fly directly to KLIA, Subang Airport, Singapore Changi Airport and Penang International Airport. Seasonal flights to Taipei are operated by China Airlines. Royal Malaysian Air Force, also operates from the nearby RMAF Kuantan.

Sea

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Kuantan Port, an all-weather port is a multi-cargo seaport facing South China Sea. New Deep Water Terminal (NDWT) is currently being developed adjacent to the port. Upon completion, Kuantan Port is envisaged to be the main gateway to China and the Far East. The port is part of the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road.[26][27][28]

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  • Kuantan features prominently in the first part of Nevil Shute's 1949 novel A Town Like Alice
  • Kuantan is mentioned in the Command & Conquer video game series backstory as being a major base of operations of the Brotherhood of Nod.
  • Box-office success local movie "Woohoo"(2010) was shot at Beserah, Kuantan.
  • In "Polis Evo 2", the fictional place "Bongsun" is located in Kuantan, where this place is a shooting location.
  • Famous social responsibility site, KCPbantu is based in Kuantan.
  • Kuantan is mentioned in the 42nd episode of anime Jujutsu Kaisen as Kento Nanami's preferred place of retirement; it trended on international social media soon after the episode aired and the popularity is acknowledged by the Pahang State's Communications and Media Exco Fadzli Mohamad Kamal in a post on Facebook on the same day.[29]

International relations

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See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Malaysia

Sister cities

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Kuantan currently has one sister city:

References

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  1. ^ a b "Pengenalan Newsletter" (PDF). Dosm.gov.my. Retrieved 17 July 2022.
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  8. ^ "World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991–2020". World Meteorological Organization. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
  9. ^ "CLIMAT summary for 48657: Kuantan (Malaysia) – Section 2: Monthly Normals". CLIMAT monthly weather summaries. Ogimet. Retrieved 21 January 2021.
  10. ^ "Klimatafel von Kuantan / Malaysia" (PDF). Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world (in German). Deutscher Wetterdienst. Retrieved 22 May 2016.
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