Kangar, town, extreme northwest Peninsular (West) Malaysia. It lies 5 miles (8 km) east of the Thailand border, on the Perlis River. Kangar is the largest town in the Perlis region and is the head of navigation for small craft on the Perlis River. Its industries include cement, saw milling, rubber, paper, and processing of sugar and prawns. The town is also a gathering centre for the paddy rice production of the surrounding district. Its municipal government is unified with that of the neighbouring communities of Arau and Kaki Bukit. Pop. (2000 prelim.) town, 12,504; urban agglom., 54,390.