Kulim District

History

Kulim is believed to have been opened and settled in since the 18th century by 100 Pattani Malay descent. A Chinese artisan known as Chin Ah Cheoh might have been the founder of Kulim. Around the mid-19th century, tin ore was discovered in Kulim. This led to Chinese tin miners starting operations in Kulim. Kulim had around 400 Chinese tin miners in 1890. The largest tin mines in Kulim were in Taman Tunku Putra, Kampung Bukit Besar, Karangan, Terap and Kelang Lama.

Administrative divisions

Kulim District is divided into 15 mukims, which are:

• Bagan Sena
• Junjung Suburb
• Karangan Suburb
• Keladi
• Kulim Suburb
• Lunas Suburb
• Mahang Suburb
• Nagalilit
• Padang China
• Padang Meha Suburb
• Sedim
• Sidam Kanan
• Sungai Seluang
• Sungai Ular
• Terap

3 big towns (Bandar)

• Kulim Town
• Lunas Town
• Padang Serai Town

and 8 small towns (Pekan)

• Junjung Town
• Karangan Town
• Labu Besar Town
• Mahang Town
• Merbau Pulas Town
• Padang Meha Town
• Sungai Karangan Town
• Sungai Kob Town

Demographics

Government

All parts of Kulim District are administered by Kulim Municipal Council (Malay: Majlis Perbandaran Kulim), formerly Kulim District Council (Malay: Majlis Daerah Kulim), except for the Hi-Tech Park which is administered by a special local authority. Kulim District Council was formed on 1 February 1978 through the merger of Kulim Town Council and Board and the Padang Serai, Junjung, Mahang and Merbau Pulas Local Councils.

Economy

Kulim District is currently most notable for its flagship high technology industrial park Kulim Hi-Tech Park.

In March 2019, Economic Affairs Minister Azmin Ali announced the Federal Government's approval to invest MYR 1.6 billion (~USD 380 million) to build the proposed Kulim International Airport. In August 2019, it was announced that the proposed 17 km² airport will have two runways, which will be able to cater to 60 flight movements per hour, or one flight landing/take-off per minute. Around July 2023, the Federal Government halted construction for this airport due to lack of need.

Notable natives

• Ismail Omar, Chairman of New Straits Times Press, former Inspector-General of Royal Malaysian Police, and former Malaysian Ambassador to France.
• Gary Steven Robbat, professional football player for Johor Darul Takzim F.C.
• Suppiah Chanturu, professional football player for Johor Darul Takzim F.C.
• Muhammad Akram Mahinan, professional football player for PKNS F.C.
• Abdul Halim Saari, professional football player for Selangor FA and former player for Kedah FA.
• Dr. Jegajeeva Rao Subba Rao, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, First recipient of the inaugural Prime Minister of Australia Asia Endeavour Award in 2010.

Federal Parliament and State Assembly Seats

List of Kulim district representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat)

List of Kulim district representatives in the State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri)