History

Evidence of habitation in Pahang dates back to the Mesolithic Era, when nomadic tribes lived in caves and mountains around Pahang. According to anthropologists and historians, Pahang was also home to Stone Age and early Bronze Age tribes as well as the more modern Semang aborigine tribe.

Long famous for the deposits of tin and gold found along the upper reaches of Sungai Tembeling (Tembeling River), Pahang attracted the interest of outside powers even before the founding of Melaka in the1400s. Under the control of the maritime empire of Srivijaya (centered around Palembang in south-east Sumatra), Pahang expanded to cover the entire southern portion of the Malay Peninsula in the 8th and 9th centuries.

With the collapse of Srivijaya around 1000, Pahang was claimed first by the Siamese and then, in the late fifteenth century, by Melaka. After Melaka fell to the Portuguese in 1511, Pahang became a key part of the territorial struggles between Acheh, Johor, the Portuguese, and the Dutch. Repeated raids, invasions, and occupations devastated the state until the decline of both Achenese and Portuguese power in the early 17th century. This allowed Johor to re-establish its influence and it became the great Johor-Riau Empire.

When the Johor-Riau Empire collapsed in 1882, one Bendahara Wan Ahmad proclaimed himself as Sultan of Pahang. Not long after that, the British Empire manifested itself in Pahang with the appointment of a British Resident to the Sultan of Pahang in 1888.

Like others, Pahang also suffered during the Japanese occupation of Malaya during WWII. Then, in 1948, it joined the Federation of Malaya, which gained Independence in 1957.

Economy

Pahang is rich in agricultural and natural resources. About two thirds of the State is covered by rich tropical forest. Palm oil, rubber and cocoa are cultivated extensively in large land development schemes. Moreover, the establishment of several industrial estates has enhanced the manufacturing sector as a major contributor towards the state's economy.

Richly blessed with many attractive destinations, Pahang is also set to become one of the leading tourist destinations in the country. In line with the national objective of promoting Malaysia as a 'Truly Asia' destination, the Pahang State Government is very keen to attract tourism investment into potential areas that have been earmarked throughout the State.

It is expected that the manufacturing and tourism sectors will contribute up to 24% and 10% respectively to the State's GDP by the year 2010.