Malang
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| Motto | Malang Kucecwara (from ancient language: Sanskrit) | Satata Gama Karta Rahardja (from ancient language: Sanskrit) |
| Province | East Java | |
| Area | 118.57 km² | |
| Population | 777,673 | |
| Geographical coordinates | 112°34'09" - 11°41'34" E 7,54'52", 22 - 8,03'05", 11 S | |
| Altitude | 399 – 662,5 m. dpl. | |
| Humidity | Cool | |
| Temperature | 23-25°C | |
| Rainfall | 1.833 mm/year | |
| Official website | [1] | |
Malang is the second largest city in East Java province, Indonesia with an ancient history dating back to the Mataram Kingdom. During the period of Dutch colonization, it was a popular destination for European residents. The city is famous for its cool air and the surrounding country regions of Tumpang, Batu, Singosari, and Turen. People in East Java sometimes call it "Paris van East Java." Malang was spared many of the effects of the Asian financial crisis, and since that time it has been marked by steady economic and population growth.
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[edit] History
Hundreds, even thousands of years ago before Malang became the second biggest city in East Java, Malang used to be the centre of government of the Kanjuruhan and Singosari Kingdom. In the following era, Malang regency became an important place when the government of Mataram Kingdom took hold of the area, making it the largest regency in East Java and since then the development of Malang regency has increased well.
The history of Malang Regency could be revealed through the Dinoyo inscription 760 AD as the primary official document to support the birth of Malang before a new inscription was discovered in 1986, which is so far not yet revealed. According to the inscription, it was concluded that the 8 th century was the beginning of the existence of Malang Regency's government due to the birth of King Gajayana's ruling of his kingdom in Malang. From the Dinoyo inscriptions, it is noted that the inscription used the "Candra Sengkala" or 'Cronogram" Calendar, and stated that the birth date of Malang Regency was on Jum'at Legi (sweet Friday) November 28, 760 AD. (L. Damaes: "Studed' Epigraphy d'Indonesia IV. 1952").
The city was incorporated into Mataram in 1614, then transferred to Dutch colonial rule. Malang was transformed under the Dutch; its cool climate as a result of its elevation, along with its proximity to the major port of Surabaya, made it a popular destination for Dutch and other Europeans. In 1879, Malang was connected to Java's railroad network, further increasing development and leading to increased industrialization.
Along with growth is urbanization. The government could not satisfy the population’s needs for affordable housing, which leads to the building of shanty towns along the rivers and rail tracks. Until this day, the shanty towns still exist, although some transformed into “better” housing.
[edit] Geography
Malang has a total area of 124,456 km². It shares its borders with Pasuruan (North), Lumajang (East), and Batu (West). Mount Bromo, one of Java's largest volcanoes and a major tourist attraction, is located just to the east of the city.
[edit] Demographics
There are roughly 780,000 people living in Malang. The population density is 5,000 – 12,000/km², with population growth of 3.9% per year.
[edit] Ethnic backgrounds
The racial makeup of the city is mainly of Javanese and Madura, with a small percentage of the Arabic and Chinese descendants. The people of Malang are known for their spirituality, dynamism, hard-work and particularly proud to be Arek Malang (AREMA).
[edit] Religion
Like most of Java, a large majority of Malang residents are Muslim; there are small minorities of Catholics, Hindus, and Buddhists. Many of buildings of worship still stand from their construction in the colonial era. For example, Jami Mosque (or Agung Mosque), Sacred Heart Church (Gereja Hati Kudus Yesus) in Kayutangan, Saint Therese Cathedral (Gereja Ijen or Katedral Santa Theresia) in Ijen Street, Eng An Kiong Buddhist Temple in Laksamana Martadinata Street. Malang is also famous for being the centre of religious education, this is evident with the existence of many Islamic schools (pesantren) and bible seminars.
[edit] Language
Javanese and Madura language is the day-to-day language used by Malang people. Many of the native Malang youths adopt a dialect that is called 'boso walikan', it is simply done by reversing the pronunciation of the words, an example of this is by pronouncing “Malang” as “Ngalam” instead.
[edit] Art & Culture
As a centre of tourism, Malang has various places of interest which can be classified into local, regional, national and international standards, including traditional dance performances such as Tari Topeng (Mask Dance), Jaran Pegon, Tari Beskalan (Beskalan Dance), etc. There are also 'Topeng' or Mask handicraft at the villages of Jabung and Kedungmonggo which have become a familiar landmark in Malang Regency
[edit] Non-residents
Temporary residents to Malang are mostly for educational reasons. They come from other islands especially from East of Indonesia, which includes Bali, Nusa Tenggara, East Timor, Papua, Maluku, Sulawesi dan Kalimantan.
[edit] Points of interest
- Sendangbiru beach is one of the beach resorts in the southern part of Malang Regency, which is free from tumultuous waves of Indonesian Ocean due to the existence of a wildlife island named 'Sempu', 300 metres offshore. The beach of Sendangbiru is about 70 km to the South of Malang, at Tambakrejo, a village belonging to the Sub-district of Sumbermanjing wetan. [2]
- Singosari Temple, also known as Ken Dedes Temple, was founded in honour to King Kertanegara, the last king of Singosari dynasty who died in 1292 AD. It was erected in 1300 AD. Situated at Singosari Sub-district, the temple lies approximately 9 km to the North of Malang.
- Jajaghu or Jago Temple was constructed in 1275 - 1300 AD. It is believed as the burial place of King Wisnuwardhana's ashes, the fourth king of Singosari Kingdom. It lies at the village of Jago, Tumpang Sub-district, 22 km to the East of Malang.
- Wonosari tea plantation is situated at the area on the slope of Lawang Subdistrict, 30 km to the North of Malang. Visitors can appreciate the beauty of Mount Arjuna, while taking part in the picking of the leaves to processing them into ready-to-drink tea.
- Batu is a small town near Malang, famous for its apples. The local flora and fauna are still preserved, unaffected by the industrial advancement of Malang. Batu is surrounded by mountainous regions, which makes its weather cooler than Malang. There are also myriads of hotels, resorts, villas, bungalows in Batu.
- Mount Bromo is included in the sand mountain ranges that spans from Tengger to Bromo. On the way to the top of the mountain, you can find the mountain flowers Edelweiss. The main religion in Bromo is Hinduism. They celebrate Kasodo, which involved preparing of food, vegetables and cattles that is then pushed down the crater of Mount Bromo as a symbol of gratitude to their gods. This tradition is taken from the legend of 'Roro Anteng and Joko Seger', a story about a couple (Roro Anteng and Joko Seger) who got married for many years without being blessed with a child. They prayed everyday on Bromo, and the Gods finally gave them 12 kids. With one condition, they had to give the youngest kid to the Gods in the crater. [3]
- Tugu Monument is a monument erected in the Dutch colonial era. It is surrounded by giant Trembesi trees, whereas the monument itself is surrounded by a pond that contains lotus flowers.
- Majapahit is the name of the streets with book stalls that sell old books. Nearby there is also a bird market, which sells not only birds but also other exotic South-East-Asian animals.
- Malang Town Square (MATOS) is a newly-built shopping centre situated in Veteran Street.
- On Sundays, on the Stadium near Jalan Bromo there are a lot of activities for families and food stalls to visit.
[edit] Shopping
- Kayutangan, old shopping complex
- Newer malls at the City Square: Hero, Sarinah, Ramayana, Mitra
- Matahari Plasa, in the City
- Plasa Araya, in Blimbing
- Plasa Dieng, in Dieng
- Malang Town Square (MATOS), Veteran Road
[edit] Titles
- Paris of East Java, due to its cool climate, clean streets, quiet environment and beautiful scenery.
- City of Relaxation, due to the peaceful nature of the city, Malang is suitable for a resting place for people from outer towns.
- City of Education, due to its quiet environment, friendly people, reasonably priced food and excellent educational facilities, Malang is the place to go for students. There are at least five public universities in Malang, many polytechnic colleges, public schools and many good private schools. One of such private schools is a Catholic school called Saint Joseph College, Malang. Recently, two international schools were also built, one available only for non-Indonesians and the other available for those who wants to use English as its medium of instruction.
- Military City, Malang has a lot of military training camps and residences used for military purposes. In the Japanese occupation period, a military air-base “Sundeng” is built in the Perumnas area of the city.
- Historic Town, Malang hides the secret of the origins of empires in Indonesia such as Singosari, Kediri, Mojopahit, Demak and Mataram. Malang was also nominated to be the country’s capital city.
- Flower City, or affectionately called as Kota Bunga, due to the many flowers that has been planted around the city of Malang.
[edit] External links
- (Indonesian) Official website
| Regencies and cities of East Java |  |
|---|---|
| Regencies: Banyuwangi | Bangkalan | Blitar | Bojonegoro | Bondowoso | Gresik | Jember | Jombang | Kediri | Lamongan | Lumajang | Madiun | Magetan | Malang | Mojokerto | Nganjuk | Ngawi | Pacitan | Pamekasan | Pasuruan | Ponorogo | Probolinggo | Sampang | Sidoarjo | Situbondo | Sumenep | Trenggalek | Tuban | Tulungagung | |
| Cities: Batu | Blitar | Kediri | Madiun | Malang | Mojokerto | Probolinggo | Pasuruan | Surabaya | |
