town and port on the southwestern coast of Peninsular (West) Malaysia. It lies along the strait of Malacca, at the mouth of the Muar River. An old town, it was occupied by the end of the 14th century AD by Parameswara, founder of the Malay kingdom of Malacca (Melaka). Naval battles involving neighbouring sultanates and kingdoms were fought at Muar in 1517, 1615, and 1616. The present town of Muar was founded by Sultan Abu Bakar and named as Bandar Maharani in 1887. Local industries produce food products, beverages, oils and fats, chemical products, paper, and transport equipment. Pop. (2000 prelim.) urban agglom., 102,273.