The Jelebu District (Negeri Sembilan Malay: Jolobu; Jawi: جلبو) is the second largest district in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia after Jempol, with a population over 40,000. Jelebu borders on the Seremban District to its west and Kuala Pilah District to its south, Jempol District to its southeast, Bentong and Bera Districts, Pahang to its east and Hulu Langat District, Selangor to the north. Jelebu is a suburban district with blossoming semi-agricultural industry. Jelebu is also a parliamentary constituency of the Dewan Rakyat in the Malaysian Parliament. Kuala Klawang is the principal town of the district. Jelebu has an infamous recorded history of British and Japanese colonization as compared to other parts of Negeri Sembilan. Numerous priceless colonial artefacts were discovered in the small semi-agricultural town of Sungai Muntoh, which was once a prosperous mining town a century ago. These artefacts are now displayed in the state museum. Titi and neighbouring Sungai Muntoh were the most developed towns of all mining sites in Jelebu. The booming tin industry was one of the main reasons for the massacre in Titi, where more than 1,500 people, mainly Chinese, were killed. Altogether, about 5,000 people were killed by the Japanese-led army during World War II.

Geography and climate

Amongst the seven districts of Negeri Sembilan, Jelebu is the most mountainous topographically as the Titiwangsa Mountains, the longest mountain range in Malaysia, transverses through the district. As a result, most of its terrain are dominated by forested undulating hills and mountain peaks. The Titiwangsa Mountains open up into a 77 sq km (30 sq mi) wide intermontane basin encompassing the central part of the district, of which major settlements like Kuala Klawang and Titi are situated in. The eastern and southern parts of the district are relatively flat, where agriculture flourished. Jelebu District is home to Negeri Sembilan's tallest mountain, Mount Besar Hantu (1,462 m), near the border with Pahang. The other significant peak within the district is Mount Telapak Buruk (1,193 m) on the border with Seremban District. The Pasoh Caves, the southernmost limestone cave complex in Malaysia, is also located in Jelebu. The Pasoh Caves are also known for being the first Paleolithic site in southern Peninsular Malaysia, as well as the southernmost in Malaysia. Jelebu has the warmest climate recorded in Malaysian history. The southwestern part of Jelebu is considered as the driest place in Malaysia. However, in the mornings the temperatures are quite low and visibility is moderate due to the foggy climate.

Administrative divisions

Jelebu District is divided into 8 mukims, which are:

Demographics

Economy

The rubber and mining business made Malaya as one of the richest in natural resources during the British colonial period. Jelebu was one such district that produced some of the world's best quality rubber and steel. Pineapple production there is ranked one of the top in Peninsular Malaysia. For some unknown reasons, Jelebu is home to some of the state's biggest and most advanced rehabilitation centres.

Politics

Currently Jelebu constituency is represented in the Dewan Rakyat by Dato' Jalaluddin Bin Alias of UMNO, the leading party of the federal opposition coalition Barisan Nasional. In turn, Jelebu contributes 4 seats to the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly: Sungai Lui constituency is part of Jelebu parliamentary constituency but in district administration, it was part of the Jempol District and therefore in the local government level it was administered by the Jempol District Council, which was formed on 28 August 1980 through the merger of the Kuala Klawang Town Board and the local councils of Titi and Pertang.

Federal Parliament and State Assembly Seats

List of Jelebu district representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat) List of Jelebu district representatives in the State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri)

Tourist attractions

Gallery