History of Kuala Lumpur Trivia Quiz

Answer: Gombak and Klang

The Klang River is Kuala Lumpur's primary river while the Gombak is a tributary. The constant flooding of these rivers gave the city its name: Kuala Lumpur translates to muddy confluence. The Klang River is very polluted, which is not ideal for the main river in a city of millions. Heavy industries lie along the Klang which contributes substantially to its pollution.

Answer: Tin

Chinese prospectors founded a number of tin mines in the area. At first, such an endeavor seemed impossible because the area was heavily jungled and full of disease-bearing mosquitoes but eventually successful tin mines were established. These lucrative tin mines would be the cause of several conflicts within the city as different factions sought the power and wealth they created.

Answer: Yap Ah Loy

Yap Ah Loy was the third but most important Kapitan Cina in Kuala Lumpur. The Kapitan Cina was a title given to men who was more or less responsible for the domestic life in Kuala Lumpur. Yap Ah Loy established law and order in Kuala Lumpur. He opened a number of schools and businesses.

This allowed Kuala Lumpur to become a permanent residence for tin workers and prospectors. Prior to this, the city was lawless and unstable. He also rebuilt the city after it was ruined in the Selangor War. Today, one of Kuala Lumpur's main roads, Jalan Yap Ah Loy, is named after him.

Answer: Merdeka Square

Merdeka Square is where the British relocated all of their government buildings in the late 19th century. The British gained control in 1874 under a management system where the local sultan would still be in charge, even though the city was under British rule. The British greatly expanded the economy and commerce sector in the area and modernized Kuala Lumpur. Most of the credit is given to British Resident Frank Swettenham who instituted modernization and sanitation reforms.

Merdeka Square was the place were independence was declared in 1957. Today, it is home to a cricket grounds and several parades and festivities.

Answer: Tensions with the native people

Unlike most other areas, the British had a somewhat peaceful relationship with the local Malaysians. This was because both sides saw a mutual benefit to working together and because the area was not heavily populated to begin with.

Prior to the British arrival, many of the buildings in the city were built from thatch and straw which easily caught fire. In 1881, these thatched roofs were responsible for large scale fires that destroyed parts of Kuala Lumpur. Another issue was the constant flooding of the rivers. After the floods receded, diseases such as cholera frequently spread.

Answer: Rubber

The dawn of the automotive industry and the invention of automobile proved to be an economic boom for Kuala Lumpur. Rubber plantations sprouted up almost overnight to meet the demand for tires. However, the economic upturn was unstable. Overplanting was very common. Rubber trees take years to reach maturity to the point where they can be harvested and the rubber crops were often picked too soon and were useless.

Answer: True

The Japanese had captured Kuala Lumpur and Malaysia during the war. They committed mass atrocities against the Chinese living in the city at the time. Thousands were killed. In addition, the Japanese used forced labor from the city to build the Burma Railway. During the occupation, the Japanese actually had a good relationship with the local ethnic Malaysians whom promised independence and riches if they fought on the side of the Japanese.

After the atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, General Itagaki surrendered to the British on September 12, 1945 in Kuala Lumpur and returned the city and country to them. The British admiral he surrendered to was Louis Mountbatten, a cousin of Queen Elizabeth II.

Answer: An election

Malaysia held an election in 1969 that resulted in the ethnic Chinese minority parties gaining seats. Ethnic Malays were dissatisfied with the result (even though they still held a large majority) and protested the result. Riots erupted when the Chinese citizens taunted the crowd.

In short order, almost 200 people were killed (according to disputed, official totals) and buildings and cars were burnt. Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman resigned as a result of the riots.

Answer: Japanese Red Army

The Japanese Red Army was a Communist group that wanted to overthrow the Japanese monarch and install Communism in Japan and worldwide. In 1975, member of the group took 53 hostages on the ninth floor of the AIA Building in Kuala Lumpur where the U.S. and Swedish embassies were located.

The Japanese Red Army was successful in their goal of obtaining the release of several of their leaders who were imprisoned in Japan. None of the hostages was killed.

Answer: Willis Tower (Sears Tower)

The Petronas Twin Towers are called Menara Berkembar Petronas locally. They were designed by Cesar Pelli, the famous Argentine architect, and stand 1,483 feet or 451.9 meters tall. The Petronas Twin Towers remained the tallest building in the world until they were surpassed by Taipei 101 in 2004.

The towers are popular with daredevils and there have been several attempts to climb the towers including a successful attempt in 2009.