Kota Bharu

HISTORY

Kelantan’s early history shows human settlement as far back as prehistoric times. There is also evidence of the state’s links with the early powers of the region including Funan, the Khmer Empire, Srivijaya, Majapahit and most recently the Siamese. ...Continue

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SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

The great majority of Kota Bharu’s population is ethnically Kelantanese Malay. The language spoken in Kota Bharu is Bahasa Melayu Kelantan, which is a dialect commonly referred to as “Kecek Kelate”. ...Continue

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ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

Kelantan has a chiefly agrarian economy dominated by rice, rubber and tobacco. Fishing along its 96-kilometre coastline is also an important economic activity. Cottage industries which employ traditional skills in handicraft production such as batik, woodcarving and songket weaving are also evident. ...Continue

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KOPITIAM AND EATERIES

Kedai Kopi Pok Loh Milo Tonggeng

No.110, 2, Jalan Kampung Dusun, Kampung Bahagia, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

+6 017-988 2181


Kedai Kopi White House

1329-L, Jalan Sultanah Zainab, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

+6 09-748 4119


Kopitiam Kita

Jalan Sri Cemerlang, Taman Desa Jasa, 15400 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

+6 019-981 0888

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SHOPPING

No. Shopping malls/plazas Address & Contact
1. ÆON Mall Kota Bharu

Kampung Sireh, Jalan Jambatan Sultan Yahya Petra,

15050 Kota Bharu

09-740 5859

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TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES

No. Tourist attractions and places Address & Contact
1. Istana Jahar

Jalan Sultan, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

09-748 4477

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PERSONALITIES AND CELEBRITIES

HALL OF FAME

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Tan Sri Dato’ (Dr) Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman

Executive Chairman

Rahim & Co International Sdn Bhd

 

PROMINENT HOMETOWN FIGURES

Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat Politician
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  • HISTORY

    Sultan Ismail Petra Arch at Kota Bharu

    Kelantan’s early history shows human settlement as far back as prehistoric times. There is also evidence of the state’s links with the early powers  of the region including Funan, the Khmer Empire, Srivijaya, Majapahit and most recently the Siamese.

    Around 1411, the state under Raja Kumar appears to have become independent from Siamese control though the state’s name appears to have been derived from the Siamese word  ‘Kalantan’ when the area was within its sphere of influence. Other theories on the state’s name claim that it is derived from the Malay word meaning shiny or glittery; hence ‘kilatan’.

    Another occasionally quoted suggestion is that Kelantan derived originally from the Indian Kolaan Thana or Kolaam Thana, which meant “Land of Kolaan” or “Land of Kolaam”, the term kolaan or kolaam referring to the floor paintings or diagrams in the numerous Hindu temples which dotted the land in the ancient days. This theory supposes that Kolaan Thana or Kolaam Thana gradually became Kelantan to fit in better with the spoken dialect of the local people.

    In 1499, Kelantan became a vassal state of the Malacca Sultanate. With the fall of Malacca in 1511, Kelantan was divided up and ruled by petty chieftains, paying tribute to Patani, then the supreme Malay Kingdom of the eastern peninsula. By the early 17th century, most of these Kelantan chiefs became subject to Patani.

    Around 1760, Long Yunus, an aristocratic warlord of Patani origin, unified the territory of present-day Kelantan. He was succeeded by his son, Long Muhammad, as ruler of the state after war with the neighbouring state of Trengganu. He ruled the state as Sultan Muhammad I. His death without leaving a heir led to fighting among various claimants in the royal family. Eventually his nephew assumed the throne in 1835 as Sultan Muhammad II.

    Reports from the 19th century indicate a prosperous and populous state with a population of around 30,000 to 50,000 people including a thousand Chinese. Production from within the state included gold, tin ore, black pepper, areca nut, rice, rattan, bamboo, agarwood and songket. Kota Bharu also acted as an entrepot for goods due to its strategic location beside the Kelantan River.

    Sultan Muhammad II is credited with establishing the modern state after leveraging on his loose alliance with Siam, the regional power at that time. He also established the state capital in Kota Bahru where he had built his royal palace in 1844.

    The next stage of Kelantan’s development took place in 1909 when under the terms of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909, the Siamese relinquished their claim over Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and Perlis to Britain, and Kelantan became one of the Unfederated Malay States with a British Adviser. Prior to this the four northern Malay states had been regarded as tributary or vassal states of Siam and had sent annual tribute of bunga mas to Bangkok.

    Kelantan was where the Japanese first landed during their invasion of Malaya, on 8 December 1941. In 1943, Kelantan was transferred by the Japanese to Thailand and became a province of Thailand. Kelantan reverted to British protection upon the end of World War 2 in August 1945 and became one of the states of independent Malaya in 1957.

  • SOCIAL AND CULTURAL

    The great majority of Kota Bharu’s population is ethnically Kelantanese Malay. The language spoken in Kota Bharu is Bahasa Melayu Kelantan, which is a dialect commonly referred to as “Kecek Kelate”. There is also a fairly large Chinese, a minority Indian, Siamese and Orang Asli population within the city. The total population of Kota Bharu city reported as of 2010 was 314,964. The state itself has a population approaching 2 million today.

    Orang Asli, mostly Temiar, are indigenous to the country and have lived in the forests of Malaya since time immemorial. Some of the Temiar maintain traditional beliefs in their natural surroundings and other forms of animist elements. Other Orang Asli ethnic groups that live in Kelantan are Jahais, Bateks and Mendriqs.

  • ECONOMY AND BUSINESS

    Pasar Siti Khadijah is one of the most popular traditional market in Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    Kelantan has a chiefly agrarian economy dominated by rice, rubber and tobacco. Fishing along its 96-kilometre coastline is also an important economic activity. Cottage industries which employ traditional skills in handicraft production such as batik, woodcarving and songket weaving are also evident.

    Logging activities are active despite depleting forest areas. In recent years, tourism, especially to offshore islands, has increased in importance. A few reputable hotels have been established and more modern shopping malls have been opened to cater for urban folks.

    Kota Bharu, the capital, is the major urban centre, and there are also plans to open up the southern portion of the state under an ambitious multimillion-dollar development project. The main market at the city centre, Pasar Siti Khadijah,  is a top attraction.

    Kelantan had a GDP per capita in 2006 at RM7,985. The State Socioeconomic Report 2017 published on July 26, 2018 reported that Kelantan has a GDP per capita of RM13,593 in 2017, significantly lower than any other state in Malaysia.

  • KOPITIAM AND EATERIES

    Kedai Kopi Pok Loh Milo Tonggeng

    No.110, 2, Jalan Kampung Dusun, Kampung Bahagia, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 017-988 2181


    Kedai Kopi White House

    1329-L, Jalan Sultanah Zainab, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 09-748 4119


    Kopitiam Kita

    Jalan Sri Cemerlang, Taman Desa Jasa, 15400 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 019-981 0888


    Ayang Cafe

    No.4652, Jalan Masjid Langgar, Kampung Langgar, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 014-841 7889


    Kakti Pasar Lama MPKB

    Pt 2431, Tingkat Bawah, Jalan Hospital, Kampung Paya Bemban, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 016-961 7486


    Nasi Cik Minah (Bawah Pokok Ceri)

    D111, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 016-771 8569


    Restoran Hover

    1963-A, Jalan Dato Pati, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan +6 09-748 1439


    Warung Pak Mat Pulau Pisang

    Jalan Kuala Besar, 15350 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 013-919 8131


    Restoran Selera Cik Siti

    Jalan Belakang Hospital, Taman Uda Murni, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 09-747 4734


    Warung Cikgu

    Lot 9349, Kampung Jati, Gong badak, 21300 Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu

    +6 014-294 1844


    Burger Mat Salleh

    Bandar Kota Bharu, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 012-949 6669


    Warung Acu Tera Sotong Celup Tepung

    Jalan Pantai Sabak, 16100 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 014-840 7616


    Kedai Kopi Ann Hin

    Lot 356, Jalan Zainal Abidin, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 012-922 8118


    Gano Kopitiam

    4662 H, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 09- 744 1444 / +6 016-98 8234


    Kopitiam Kota Bharu

    No. 2870 Jalan Temenggong, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 019- 959 9383


    Butter & Cream Kopitiam

    No. 118-E Jalan Ismail, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 012-955 4467


    Ann Loke Cafe

    No. 183-C Jalan Ismail, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    +6 019-983 2228

  • SHOPPING

    No. Shopping malls/plazas Address & Contact
    1. ÆON Mall Kota Bharu Kampung Sireh, Jalan Jambatan Sultan Yahya Petra,

    15050 Kota Bharu

    09-740 5859

    2. KBTC Kota Bharu Lot 5644, Jalan Buluh Kubu, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-742 2775

    3. KB Mall Lot 4-888 No 1 KB Mall Jalan Hamzah, 15050 Kota Bharu

    09-741 7888

    4. Parkson Kota Bharu Trade Centre G27, Trade Centre, 127 & 220, Jalan Parit Dalam, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-743 8818

    5. G-Orange Mall Tunjong LOT 2138, Wisma G Orange, Tunjung, Batu 4 1/2, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-712 5555

    6. Billion Shopping Centre (Sri Mutiara) 97, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15150 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-743 3221

    7. Platinum Wholesale Mall Jalan Maulana Khurasan, Lembah Sireh, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    017-925 0692

    8. Billion Mart (Tanjung Chat) Jalan Long Yunus, Kampung Tanjung Chat, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-764 0543

    9. Pusat Jualan Coway , AEON Mall Kota Bharu AEON Mall Kota Bharu Lembah Sireh, 15050 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    019-940 8505

    10. Mydin Mohamed Holdings Berhad No. Lot 69, 241-245, Jalan Pintu Pong, Seksyen 8, Kelantan, 15000 Kota Bharu

    09-748 2864

  • TOURIST ATTRACTIONS AND PLACES

    No. Tourist attractions and places Address & Contact
    1. Istana Jahar Jalan Sultan, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-748 4477

    2. Bank Kerapu Memorial Museum Jalan Pejabat Pos Lama, 15300, Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-748 2266

    3. Handicraft Village and Craft Museum Jalan Merbau, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-747 7554

    4. Siti Khadijah Central Market Jalan Buluh Kubu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-748 4477

    5. Kelantan Museum Darul Naim, Jalan Hospital, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    011-2936 6961

    6. Wat Phothikyan Phutthaktham Kampung Balai, 16300, Bachok, Kelantan

    09-778 7636

    7. Melody Beach (Pantai Irama) Bachok Bachok, 16300, Kelantan, Kelantan

    09-778 7636

    8. Istana Jahar Jalan Sultan, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-748 4477

    9. Muhammadi Mosque D1, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15000 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-744 6495

    10. Cultural Centre Jalan Mahmood, Bandar Kota Bharu, 15200 Kota Bharu, Kelantan

    09-748 3543

  • PERSONALITIES AND CELEBRITIES

    PROMINENT HOMETOWN FIGURES

    Nik Abdul Aziz bin Nik Mat Politician
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