"Kampar," Kampar by abudabi40

According to Khoo Salma Nasution and Abdur-Razzaq Lubis, in
Kinta Valley, Perak Academy, 2005

Kampar derives its name from the Sultan Muzafar Shah (1528-1549) who originally came from the region of Kampar in Sumatra.

Chinese tin miners called Kampar Kam Pou (Cantonese) which means 'precious gold'. This refers to the town's previously large tin reserves.

Kampar was the territory of Raja Idris who became Sultan of Perak (1887-1916).

Kampar was the third most populous town in the state of Perak, Malaysia in 1911.

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 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.

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 inconvenient for travellers. The town is not so much abandoned as conveniently forgotten.

New Wah Loong, or Chinese New Village sits at the back of Kampar and dates back to the creation of the Kampung Baru(s) of New Kampungs during the later days of the British reign. New Wah Loong is a residential area with many small industries including incense making and coffee roasting.

The new town/city - Bandar Baru, Kampar, is rapidly developing with thousands of new homes available to buy or rent. Several new rows of restaurants and small shops have sprung up over the Bandar Baru area heralding a proposed new city - the university city of Kampar.

At present, the commercial and industrial sectors are main driving forces of Kampar's economy. Its economy was further driven by the construction of the new Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) campus. The main UTAR campus in Bandar Baru, Kampar, opened to its first students in early 2007.

Besides that, a Tesco Hypermarket is confirmed to be built (opens in Sept 2008) nearby UTAR area.

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, both at Bandar Baru, 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

Famous People
* 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.
* Chang Mun Kee, aka Mark Chang - founder of JOBSTREET

• In a nutshell:Small town renaissance