Terengganu, Malaysia

Terengganu is located in the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. To the north, lies the Kelantan state, and to the south, Pahang. It is also known by its Arabic honorific, Terengganu Darul lman, which means ”Abode of Faith”. The coastal city of Kuala Terengganu, is both the state and royal capital. Its Head of state is sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin and its Head of Government is Menteri Besar ( Chief Minister) Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh. Terengganu is the turtle capital of Malaysia. The magnificent leatherback, the largest turtle in the world, make their journey to Rantau Abang and Paka to nest from March to September, with the peak season in June and July. It hosts Tasik Kenyir, the largest man-made lake in Southeast Asia. The biggest and oldest Cengal Tree (1,300 years old , 65 metres high and 16.75 metres in diameter) in Malaysia is also found here in the Pasir raja Forest Reserve. Terengganu covers 12,995 sq km and comprises of seven districts: Besut, Setiu Kemaman, Dungun, Marang, Hulu Terengganu and Kuala Terengganu. The population of Terengganu is about one million, 90 per cent of whom are Malays. The rest are ethnic Chinest and Indians and a very small percentage of aborigines. Terengganu is oil country. Before the discovery of oil in 1974, its main economic activities were farming and fishing. Although the State has seen some remarkable transformation, fisheries remain important. The 225km coastline is not only the longest coastline in Peninsular Malaysia but also a big contributor to the state GNP. As a holiday destination, Terengganu is a neverending journey of discovery with its rich and exotic culture, breathtaking wonders of nature and endless potential for adventure. Tourist arrival increased by 20 per cent in the first five months of this year. The State Government expects to see 2.5 to 2.7 million tourist arrivals next year. Tourism accounts for about 6 per cent of the state’s gross domestic product and is being aggressively promoted.Terengganu celebrates ‘Visit Terengganu Year’ in 2008. The weekend in Terengganu starts on Friday. So, offices and schools resume on Sunday.

History of Terengganu

Terengganu's history goes back to as far as the 1st century and has long been an important area of Malay settlement. Throughout the time up to the present day, Terengganu has been ruled by 16 Sultans. The present Sultanate of Terengganu had its origins in 1726. Sultan Zainal Abidin I, from the family of the Pahang Bendahara, was the first ruler. His successor, Mansur Syah, played a vital role in checking the influence of Bugis outsiders in the region. In the subsequent years, the Siamese started to impose its sovereignty over Terengganu with the Sultans sending tributes ( in the form of bunga emas) to Siam until 1909. In July 1909, the Anglo-Thai Treaty of Bangkok saw the British wielding its power over Terengganu. However, Sultan Zainal Abidin III rejected this treaty; a friendship treaty was later ratified and this paved the way for the appointment of an agent of the British Consul-General. Terengganu was finally persuaded to accept a British adviser, J.L. Humphreys, in 1919. The Japanese Occupation (1941-1945) resulted in Terengganu being handed back to Siam. In September 1945, Terengganu was placed under the British Military Administration.
In 1945, together with Penang and Malacca, and 9 other Malay states, Terengganu joined the Malayan Union. In 1948, it joined the Federation of Malaya, which later achieved independence on 31 August 1957.