An Introduction to Terengganu

Terengganu

One may think Terengganu is a quiet city as compared with Selangor and Kuala Lumpur with its bustling city centres and vibrant population but it only takes a bit of time and a sense of adventure and open-mindedness to discover the true uniqueness of Terengganu. Located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it is bordered by Kelantan in the northwest, Pahang in the southwest and in the east by the South China Sea. Some of the surrounding islands well known for its white sandy beaches and tranquil waters are Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Redang, all of which have attracted a huge number of foreign tourists.

Terengganu has an area of 12,955 km² and its state capital is Kuala Terengganu. Its districts are Besut, Dungun, Hulu Terengganu, Kemamam, Kuala Terengganu, Marang and Setiu. For those who are familiar with Terengganu, one just has to mention this state and images of traditional kampung houses, authentic handicrafts, azure beaches and amazing local and cultural scenes come to mind.

It has a rich history dating back to the 6th century AD as recorded by Chinese merchants and sea men traveling through the South China Sea. It was under the Srivijaya occupation of the state that the practice of trade was most prominent. This was then followed by the Siamese and then the British rule. Terengganu was occupied by the Japanese in World War One. The British regained control over the state after that and finally, Terengganu became part of the Federation of Malaya in 1948 and a state of Malaysia after its independence.

Its population is around a million with 94.7% Malay, 2.6% Chinese, 0.2% Indian and 2.4% other ethnic groups.

Transportation

The Sultan Mahmud airport in Terengganu is accessible by flight from Kuala Lumpur with Malaysian airlines and Air Asia making 4 to 6 flights each regularly. If traveling by road, the best way is to use the East coast highway from Kuala Lumpur, the Simpang Pulai highway from the north and the Segamat highway or the Mersing route from Singapore. One may also wish to take the express coaches or taxis to Kuala Terengganu if not driving. When in Terengganu, one may opt to use the bus services, taxis or rental cars which are reasonably priced. However, to experience Terengganu at its fullest, the trishaw rides are ideal. For the more adventurous, there are water taxis to Seberang Takir, Pulau Duyung, the Islamic civilization park and the State Museum.

Amenities and Facilities

There is a wide range of accommodation to choose from while in Terengganu. For those who want the comforts and facilities of modern day hotels, there are a host of them located here. Other than that, there are plenty of resorts to choose from and homestays as well as apartments such as the D’Tranung Bungalows, the Sahara View Apartments, the Villa Sri Pantai in Kuala Terengganu, and the JR Apartments and the Strawberry Kijal Resort Apartments in Kemamam.

The backpackers’ lodges are best for those who are just travelling through or want the most economical getaways and for those who prefer simple and modest living.

In terms of healthcare, the reputed Kuala Terengganu Hospital and the Hospital Hulu Terengganu as well as the Hospital Sultanah Nur Zahirah and Kuala Teregganu Specialist Hospital Sdn Bhd are available.

For students seeking a peaceful environment and one that is conducive for studies, Terengganu has several educational institutions to offer such as the Kolej Universiti Sains & Teknologi Malaysia, Kolej Teknologi Bestari, Kolej Komuniti Kuala Terengganu, Maktab Perguruan Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Advanced Technical Institute and Sekolah Kebangsaan Omar, Pati and Dungun.

Economy

Nowadays, Terengganu’s main economy is petroleum and gas, followed by tourism, fishing and agriculture. Previously, it was famous for its traditional boat building called bangau. Also well known for the production of fruits such as durian, rambutan, mangosteen and banana, Terengganu draws fruit-lovers from all over the country. Its GDP in 1995 was 12,082.9 million while in 2005 it was 16,821.2 million. It is interesting to note then, that the land use in Terengganu has been divided into 43% forestry, 22.6% agricultural, 6.5% building, 0.3% industry and 26.7% other.

Leisure

The major shopping centres in Terengganu are the Astaka Shopping Centre Sdn Bhd, Giant Hypermarket Kuala Terengganu, Noor Arfa Craft Complex, Wanisma Craft and Trading and for shoppers interested in cultural and traditional artifacts there is the Balai Ukiran Terengganu, Brass Metal Art, HKY Enterprise dealing with weaving, Terengganu Songket, Batik Puteri Suraya and the Malaysian Handicraft Centre.

Terengganu is still very much like an undiscovered treasure in terms of its forestry and greenery. For those who appreciate nature and love to golf, there are a handful of golf courses in the area. One of them is the Ibai Golf and Country Club, an 18-hole golf course owned by Kuala Ibai Development Sdn Bhd. The others are the Kelab Golf Desa Dungun and the Kuala Terengganu Golf Resort, a favourite with the locals with its sprawling 6,283 meters of land located in Gong Badak.

Property Developers

Property developers in the area are ANZ Development Sdn Bhd, Konsortium Perumahan Rakyat Terengganu Sdn Bhd, Citiraya Development Sdn Bhd, Inovasi Maju Sdn Bhd and Asia Property Development Sdn Bhd. View more