Tanjong Pelumpong
Encyclopedia
Tanjong Pelumpong or the Pelumpong Spit in English
is the easternmost point in the Brunei-Muara district of Brunei
. Despite its name, it is now an island due to the artificially constructed 50m-wide, 10m-deep Muara cut, which separated the spit from the mainland to provide access to Muara Port
.
to the south and the South China Sea
to the north. Administratively, it is part of Mukim Serasa
of the Brunei-Muara district of Brunei
and is separated from the mainland to the west by the 50m-wide, 10m-deep Muara cut. This channel is protected at each side by breakwaters which extend seawards towards the northeast.
The northern coast of Tanjong Pelumpong consists of the white sandy beach similar to that of Muara Beach
. This is because it was a continuation of the latter until the Muara Cut divided it into two. There is however, a series of beach protection structures constructed here to prevent soil erosion. The island is forested with pine trees.
The island is inhabited and is only accessible by boat.
and Muara
. The whole area, including Tanjong Pelumpong, was leased to Charles Brooke
, the White Rajah of Sarawak by 1889.
Politically too, even though he only had economic rights, Brooke became the de facto ruler of the area. It was not until 1921 that Muara was "returned" to Brunei.
The Japanese
occupied Brunei during Second World War, and Tanjong Pelumpong was one of the landing location of the Australian forces during the Second World War which liberated Brunei from Japanese rule.
The Muara Cut was initiated in the 1960s to provide access to Muara Port
. This was done by excavating and then dredging a 10m channel at the narrowest point of Tanjong Pelumpong which converted Tanjong Pelumpong from a spit to an island.
A mink whale was beached on the island in 2003.
to Pulau Muara Besar. The dredged sand will be used for land reclamation on Pulau Muara Besar for the proposed port construction and extension.
There are a number of fish farms in the sheltered area of the Brunei Bay
between Tanjong Pelumpong (island) and Pulau Muara Besar.
Due to its remoteness, the island is also used for other illicit activities such as smuggling.
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
is the easternmost point in the Brunei-Muara district of Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
. Despite its name, it is now an island due to the artificially constructed 50m-wide, 10m-deep Muara cut, which separated the spit from the mainland to provide access to Muara Port
Muara, Brunei
Muara is a town in the Brunei and Muara district, Brunei. It contains the country's only deep-water port. Muara is the Malay word for estuary.-Location:...
.
Location and Geography
Tanjong Pelumpong is located between the Brunei BayBrunei Bay
Brunei Bay is the gateway to Brunei and Borneo. It is located 4°45'-5°02'N, 114°58'-115°10'E; east of Bandar Seri Begawan. The Brunei portion of the bay is in two sections separated by a finger of Sarawak about 6km wide at the coast...
to the south and the South China Sea
South China Sea
The South China Sea is a marginal sea that is part of the Pacific Ocean, encompassing an area from the Singapore and Malacca Straits to the Strait of Taiwan of around...
to the north. Administratively, it is part of Mukim Serasa
Serasa, Brunei-Muara
Serasa is a mukim in the Brunei-Muara district of Brunei. It is the easternmost and northernmost mukim in the Brunei-Muara district. It contains the largest port in the country - Muara Port...
of the Brunei-Muara district of Brunei
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
and is separated from the mainland to the west by the 50m-wide, 10m-deep Muara cut. This channel is protected at each side by breakwaters which extend seawards towards the northeast.
The northern coast of Tanjong Pelumpong consists of the white sandy beach similar to that of Muara Beach
Muara, Brunei
Muara is a town in the Brunei and Muara district, Brunei. It contains the country's only deep-water port. Muara is the Malay word for estuary.-Location:...
. This is because it was a continuation of the latter until the Muara Cut divided it into two. There is however, a series of beach protection structures constructed here to prevent soil erosion. The island is forested with pine trees.
The island is inhabited and is only accessible by boat.
History
The history of Tanjong Pelumpong is closely related to the history of BrooketonBrooketon Colliery
Brooketon Colliery was one of the underground coal mines in Brunei. It is no longer in production and has reverted to its natural state .-Location:The Brooketon Colliery is located in Serasa...
and Muara
Muara, Brunei
Muara is a town in the Brunei and Muara district, Brunei. It contains the country's only deep-water port. Muara is the Malay word for estuary.-Location:...
. The whole area, including Tanjong Pelumpong, was leased to Charles Brooke
Charles Brooke
Charles Brooke may refer to:* Charles Brooke , surgeon and inventor* Charles Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak , head of state of Sarawak, Borneo*Charles Brooke -See also:* Charles Brook...
, the White Rajah of Sarawak by 1889.
Politically too, even though he only had economic rights, Brooke became the de facto ruler of the area. It was not until 1921 that Muara was "returned" to Brunei.
The Japanese
Japanese people
The are an ethnic group originating in the Japanese archipelago and are the predominant ethnic group of Japan. Worldwide, approximately 130 million people are of Japanese descent; of these, approximately 127 million are residents of Japan. People of Japanese ancestry who live in other countries...
occupied Brunei during Second World War, and Tanjong Pelumpong was one of the landing location of the Australian forces during the Second World War which liberated Brunei from Japanese rule.
The Muara Cut was initiated in the 1960s to provide access to Muara Port
Muara, Brunei
Muara is a town in the Brunei and Muara district, Brunei. It contains the country's only deep-water port. Muara is the Malay word for estuary.-Location:...
. This was done by excavating and then dredging a 10m channel at the narrowest point of Tanjong Pelumpong which converted Tanjong Pelumpong from a spit to an island.
A mink whale was beached on the island in 2003.
Muara cut deepening
There are plans to further deepen the Muara cut to a depth of 16m in order to facilitate the expansion of Muara PortMuara, Brunei
Muara is a town in the Brunei and Muara district, Brunei. It contains the country's only deep-water port. Muara is the Malay word for estuary.-Location:...
to Pulau Muara Besar. The dredged sand will be used for land reclamation on Pulau Muara Besar for the proposed port construction and extension.
Activities
Tanjong Pelumpong and the Muara cut are used by the general public for recreational activities. The Muara cut is a popular spot for anglers and fishermen. The island itself has numerous pristine beaches and is a popular spot for picnicking.There are a number of fish farms in the sheltered area of the Brunei Bay
Brunei Bay
Brunei Bay is the gateway to Brunei and Borneo. It is located 4°45'-5°02'N, 114°58'-115°10'E; east of Bandar Seri Begawan. The Brunei portion of the bay is in two sections separated by a finger of Sarawak about 6km wide at the coast...
between Tanjong Pelumpong (island) and Pulau Muara Besar.
Due to its remoteness, the island is also used for other illicit activities such as smuggling.