pekan

Pekan is a town and the administrative centre of Pekan District in Pahang, Malaysia. It is located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, on the banks of the Pahang River near the South China Sea. The Malay word pekan means market, reflecting the town’s historical role as a river trading settlement.

Pekan is regarded as the royal town of Pahang. Istana Abu Bakar, the royal palace, is situated in the town, and the adjacent royal museum preserves artefacts related to the sultanate.

Historically, Pekan developed as a river port that handled tin, rubber, and timber, growing as a trading hub for Malay, Chinese and Indian communities along the coast. Today the local economy is diversified to include fishing, agriculture, and light industry, with tourism centered on its royal heritage, markets, and riverfront scenery.

The town is represented in Parliament by the Pekan federal constituency. Notable figures associated with Pekan include Tun Abdul Razak, Malaysia’s second prime minister, who was born there.

Pekan is connected by road via the Federal Route 2 and is accessible from Kuantan and other coastal towns; the nearest airport is Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport in Kuantan. Local administration is handled by the Pekan District Council, within the state’s local government system.