Seremban

Seremban 芙蓉
Seal
Seremban Location of Seremban in Peninsular Malysia
Coordinates: 2°43′N 101°57′E / 2.717°N 101.95°E / 2.717; 101.95
Country	Malaysia
State	Negeri Sembilan
Establishment	1840
Granted municipal status	1979
Government
- Administered by	Majlis Perbandaran Seremban
- Yang DiPertua (President)	Dato' Haji Abd. Halim [1]
Elevation	79 m (259 ft)
Population (2008)[2]
- Total	405,674 (13th)
- Demonym	Serembanese
Time zone	MST (UTC+8)
- Summer (DST)	Not observed (UTC)
Website	http://www.mpsns.gov.my

Seremban is the capital of the Malaysian state of Negeri Sembilan, located within the district of Seremban, one of the seven districts of Negeri Sembilan. The town's administration is run by the Seremban Municipal Council or Majlis Perbandaran Seremban. On 9 September 2009, Seremban will be declared as a city.

History

Seremban came into existence with the discovery of tin ore in the 1870s just like most major towns in Peninsular Malaysia. The discovery of tin in a nearby area called Rasah, saw an influx of Arab, Malay and Chinese immigrants to work on the mines and trade there. The local Malays were mostly farmers and were quite reluctant to face the new challenges.

Seremban initially known as Sungai Ujong flourished not only as a mining area but also a business centre. The Linggi River served as the sole outlet to ferry tin and supplies in and out of the town. Revenue came not only from tin trade but also from the large amount of taxes collected, much to the displeasure of the traders and the British colonialists at the neighbouring port of Malacca.

The local chieftains namely, the Dato’ Kelana and the Dato’ Shahbandar of Sungai Ujong were at odds with each other on the rights to collect taxes and ownership and control of the mines. The rivalry to assert influence and authority opened the door for British intervention in Negeri Sembilan. The British sided with the Dato’ Kelana upon invitation and defeated the forces of the Dato’ Bandar who was later sent into exile to Singapore. In a show of gratitude to the British for helping him win the war, the Dato’ Kelana had no choice but to accept a British Resident whose job was to advise him on matters other than religion and Malay customs.

Captain Murray was appointed the first resident and later set-up his residence at Channer Road, now renamed Jalan Dato’ Siamang Gagap. Soon after, the people living around Rasah moved to Channer Road for the sake of security and its orderly administration. ^[3]

City status

Seremban is one of four state capitals that has not achieved city status (Bandar raya) other than Kota Bharu, Kuantan and Kangar. However, the Malaysian Ministry of Housing and Local Government has approved Seremban to be declared a city by 9 September 2009. To achieve the city status, the state government has agreed that Majlis Perbandaran Nilai and Majlis Perbandaran Seremban will be combined together. ^[4]

Geography

Seremban is situated about 30 kilometres inland from the coast. It is in the Linggi River valley, at the foothills of the Titiwangsa Range. The terrain is generally hilly, and the soil is mostly reddish laterite soil, suitable for the cultivation of rubber and palm oil, thus making Seremban the agricultural centre for the state. Since the establishment of Seremban, the Linggi River has played an important role in the development of the town. During the boom period of tin mining, the Linggi River was the major transportation route for tin traders. Today, it is one of the major sources of water for Seremban and Negeri Sembilan.

Weather

The climate of Seremban, like most parts of West Malaysia, is generally hot and humid (tropical) with a mean temperature of about 27-30 degrees Celsius. Most rainfall is experienced during the inter-monsoon periods of April and October. The weather remains generally dry for the rest of the year with occasional showers.^{[citation needed]}

List of Roads in Seremban

Transportation

The rail connection was first constructed in the late 1890s as a stop on the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore main line, and until today, the Seremban railway station still serves as one of the major stops along the line. Seremban station also serves as the southern terminal of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu electrified commuter network, KTM Komuter, which links the town to Kuala Lumpur and the Klang Valley on Rawang-Seremban Line. ^[5]

Main road in Seremban

Route 1, the oldest major roadway that connects the major towns and cities of the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia runs through Seremban. It connects Seremban with neighbouring towns such as Rembau and Tampin to the south and Kajang, Selangor to the north. Seremban also provides access to the towns of Kuala Klawang and Kuala Pilah to the east and the well-known coastal town of Port Dickson to the west.

Negeri Sembilan is one of the two states in Malaysia that are not accessible via air transportation (Perlis being the other state). However the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is less than a 30 minutes drive from Seremban, essentially making the airport closer to Seremban rather than Kuala Lumpur.

Culture

Wisma Negeri

Historically, Negeri Sembilan is influenced by the Minangkabau's and thus, Seremban is the centre of the Minangkabau culture in Malaysia. Minangkabau, derived from the Malay word menang kerbau, which means "winning buffalo", are famous for their unique roof architecture which resembles buffalo horns. Many buildings in Seremban adapted this feature, such as the Seremban Municipal Council Hall, the Wisma Negeri and the State Museum. People of Negeri Sembilan are also known for the practice of an ancient Malay tradition called Adat Perpatih, where women are given a higher social status than men.

Economy

Retail

Seremban is the business and commercial centre for most towns and villages in Negeri Sembilan. Hence, during the weekends, residents from outlying areas come to Seremban by commuter train or buses to shop in Seremban. It is also more preferable because of the lower prices as compared to Kuala Lumpur.^{[citation needed]}

Shopping complexes in Seremban include Jusco Seremban 2, Wisma Punca Emas, KM Plaza, Centre Point, Giant Hypermarket, Seremban Parade, The Store, Terminal 1, Tesco Extra and Era Square.

Infrastructure

Health

Seremban has a small number of hospitals and medical centers, which include a government hospital and three private owned hospitals.

Tuanku Ja'afar Hospital, formerly known as Seremban General Hospital is the state and referral hospital for the state of Negeri Sembilan. Established in 1969 with total capacity 800 beds and 20 clinical specialities and various supportive services. Situated at Bukit Rasah, Seremban, the hospital occupying an area of 212 acres of land.

The other hospitals include Columbia Asia Medical Center, which opened in 1999 and now has 80 beds and offers outpatient and inpatient specialist services, a 24-hour clinic and emergency services.

In 2004 a new hospital was established, Seremban Specialist Hospital which has total capacity of 109 beds. The hospital located at the outskirt of Seremban which is just behind State Museum.

Gallery

Night view of Seremban.	Evening view of Seremban.	Keretapi Tanah Melayu station.	Seremban Parade.
Terminal 1 Shopping Centre.	Menara MAA.

References

See also

• Negeri Sembilan

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Seremban

• Majlis Perbandaran Seremban
• Negeri State Library
• Seremban Maya
• Virtual Drive Through Street of Seremban

v • d • e Negeri Sembilan Darul Khusus Districts Jelebu • Jempol • Kuala Pilah • Port Dickson • Rembau • Seremban • Tampin Towns Ayer Kuning • Air Kuning Selatan • Ampangan • Bahau • Bandar Seri Jempol • Batang Benar • Batu Kikir • Chembong • Dangi • Gemas • Gemencheh • Johol • Juasseh • Kota • Kuala Klawang • Kuala Pilah • Labu • Lenggeng • Linggi • Lukut • Mantin • Mambau • Nilai • Pajam • Paroi • Pantai • Pasir Panjang • Pedas • Pengkalan Kempas • Pertang • Port Dickson‎ • Rantau • Rasah • Rembau • Rompin • Senawang • Sepang Road • Seremban (capital) • Seri Menanti • Serting • Sikamat • Siliau • Sungai Gadut • Sungai Muntoh • Tampin‎ • Tanjung Ipoh • Teluk Kemang • Tiroi Villages FELDA L.B. Johnson Township Bandar Baru Nilai • Bandar Springhill • Rasah Jaya

v • d • e  States and Federal Territories of Malaysia States Johor · Kedah · Kelantan · Malacca · Negeri Sembilan · Pahang · Perak · Perlis · Penang · Sabah · Sarawak · Selangor · Terengganu Federal Territories Kuala Lumpur · Labuan · Putrajaya

Coordinates: 2°43′N 101°57′E / 2.717°N 101.95°E / 2.717; 101.95