Established in 1918, Pasir Gudang, which was formerly known as Kampung Pasir Udang, was founded by Long Abu who is believed to have originated from Riau, Indonesia. Four more villages were established by the expanded population of about 83 families.
Kampung Pasir Gudang Baru.
Kampung Sungai Perembi.
Kampung Ulu
Kampung Tengah
Kampung Hilir.
In 1920, 4 more villages were established :
Kampung Air Biru.
Kampung Pasir Merah.
Kampung Pasir Puteh, which is still in existence today.
Kampung Pulau Tekong, now the territory of Singapore.
The name Pasir Gudang originated from the existence of a sand mine at Kampung Ulu. Sand or 'pasir' in Malay are dug and stocked in sand pits/stores or 'gudang' in Malay, to be exported to Singapore, hence the name 'Pasir Gudang'. The surrounding areas further inland were developed in the mid-19th century by Chinese travellers of the Teochewclan. Issuance of the 'river deed' by the Sultan of Johore allowed them to develop the Kangkar Masai, Kangkar Plentong and Kangkar Lunchu areas under riverheads known as 'kangchus'. It was on these riverbeds that they cultivated catechu and black pepper. Falling catechu and black pepper prices forced some estate owners to cultivate pineapples. The introduction of rubber into Malaysia in the early 20th century resulted in the opening of big estates by the British and Singaporean cultivators. Up till 1916, six estates covering an area of 15,000 acres were opened in the Mukim of Plentong. In 1916, Kampung Pasir Gudang became the centre for Police, Customs and opium-control besides being a centre for the 'penghulu' of the Mukim of Pasir Gudang. The formation of estates had also resulted in influx of labourers from China and India. The Japanese occupation during the Second World War and guerrilla movements after the war did not have much effect on the agricultural activities here. Under the Emergency Law in the 1950s, new villages were set up at Plentong, Masai, Johor and Pasir Gudang. The estate labourers were either placed in these new villages or at guarded estate barracks. Land schemes under the FELDA scheme were founded in Ban Foo, Plentong Baru and Felda Cahaya Baru after 1969. To further develop Johor, the State Government further took the estate lands to be converted into industrial and housing areas to the develop Pasir Gudang into an industrial area. Establishment of the Johore Port in 1977 was seen as a reaction to counter the entrepôt hub in Singapore.
Government
Pasir Gudang is administered by the Pasir Gudang Local Authority, or Pihak Berkuasa Tempatan Pasir Gudang, a subsidiary of Johor Corporation. It is the first local authority in Malaysia that was privatised, although Johor Corporation is the investment arm of the Johor State Government. On 1 July 2008, this agency was granted municipal status and changed its name to Pasir Gudang Municipal Council. At 2015, the administration zone of Pasir Gudang Municipal Council was increase from 29,459.9ha to 31,732.24ha following the re-delineation exercise. This brought Masai and Bandar Seri Alam become a part of Pasir Gudang.
Education
The Politeknik Ibrahim Sultan, Pasir Gudang Community College, Institut Latihan Perindustrian Pasir Gudang and Johor Skills Development Centre are the major higher institutes located at Pasir Gudang. Not only that, the “City of Knowledge”－Bandar Seri Alam houses a number of higher institutions including Universiti Teknologi Mara campus, Universiti Kuala Lumpur campus, the Masterskill University College of Health Sciences campus and other international schools. The Foon Yew High School second branch and the Lee Chong Wei Badminton Academy are still construction.
There are 3 hospital in the area which is KPJ Pasir Gudang Specialist Hospital, Hospital Penawar Pasir Gudang and Regency Specialist Hospital.
Tourist attraction
Pasir Gudang Kite Museum is located here, on top of Kite Hill. It is the first kite museum in Malaysia and has a unique working windmill whose mechanism works to generate enough electricity to supply the daily needs of the museum. It also hosts the annual Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival since 1995.
Sports
is a multi-use stadium and it has both an indoor stadium within its compound. The outdoor stadium can hold a maximum of 15,000 people and is currently used mostly for football matches, serving as the home stadium to Johor in the Malaysia Premier League, President Cup, Malaysia and Harimau Muda B in the S. League. The 3.86 km Johor Racing Circuit is located here, which formerly hosted one of the legs of the World Motorcycle Championship, being one of only two legs held in Asia. Pasir Gudang has one golf course, the Tanjung Puteri Golf Resort. It has an area of 8.3 km² and 3 courses named Plantation, Village and Straits.
Transportation
Sea
The town consists of two ports, which are Tanjung Langsat Port and Johor Port. Johor Port is one of the country's most important seaports for commodities and mineral resources shipping, as Johor is home to a large number of major commercial plantations. The port is also the location of the majority of Malaysia's resources refineries. The Pasir Gudang Ferry Terminal is also located in Pasir Gudang and has passenger ferry services to Batam in the Riau Islands Province of Indonesia.
