Terengganu
Encyclopedia
Terengganu is a sultan
ate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman ("Abode of Faith"). The coastal city of Kuala Terengganu
which stands at the mouth of the broad Terengganu River
is both the state and royal capital as well as the largest city in Terengganu.
for 'bright rainbow
'. Another story, said to have been originally narrated by the ninth Sultan of Terengganu
, Baginda Omar
, tells of a party of hunters from Pahang
roving and hunting in the area of what is now southern Terengganu. One of the hunters spotted a big animal fang
lying on the ground. A fellow party member asked to which animal did the fang belong. The hunter, not knowing which animal, simply answered taring anu (Malay: 'fang of something'). The party later returned to Pahang with a rich hoard of game, fur and sandalwood, which impressed their neighbors. They asked the hunters where did they source their riches, to which they replied, from the land of taring anu, which later evolved into Terengganu. Terengganu was called Trangkanu by the Siamese when it was under their influence.
Another simple hypothesis is that 'Terengganu' derived from 'Tilanggana', the name first given to the land by a group of Mon immigrants from either Dvaravati or Funan, who arrived in the place and settled there permanently, mixing with the native people. The ancient Mons, in turn, had many Telugu Indians who had immigrated from their native homeland in Tilanggana, in southeastern India, to Mon kingdoms such as Sudharmavati (Thaton), Hamsavati (Pegu) and Dvaravati, and lived among the Mons and intermarried with them, so much so that some neighbours of the Mons, like the Bhama, started calling them 'Talaing', i.e. Telugu. The story was that those early Mons thought the new land with its humid weather and hot climate, heavy December rains and all, reminded them of tales they had heard from their elders about the original Tilanggana in India, so they just named it 'Tilanggana'. The name eventually became Terengganu according to the dialect of the local people.
name for Terengganu has been "丁加奴" (Pinyin
: dīngjiānú), which is a direct transliteration of the Malay name. However, in recent years, the Chinese community in Terengganu has raised objections to the name, citing that the characters used loosely translate to "giving birth to a child who will become a slave" (Chinese: 添丁加做奴). Therefore, they successfully petitioned the regulatory commission for Chinese language in Malaysia to change the Chinese name for the state to "登嘉楼" (Pinyin: dēngjiālóu), which can be loosely translated to "aspiring/stepping up to a higher level", in September 2004. It is worth noting, however, that the new name has been in unofficial use by the state's Chinese society for at least 30 years before its official adoption.
There are certain segments of the Chinese society who opposed to the name change, citing the fact that the new name contains too many character strokes, making it much more difficult to write. They have proposed to revert the name back to the version used before 2004, but with the word "奴" (slavery, which was mainly the cause of the controversy) to the similar sounding, but more positive "努" (perseverance).
, and is bordered in the northwest by Kelantan
, the southwest by Pahang
, and the east by the South China Sea
. Several outlying islands, including Pulau Perhentian
, Pulau Kapas
and Pulau Redang
, are also a part of the state. The state has a total area of 13035 km² (5,032.8 sq mi).
Terengganu has a population of 1,015,776 . , Malay
s make up 94.7% of the population and Chinese
, 2.6%, while Indians 0.2% and other ethnic groups comprise the remainder, 2.4%. In 2000, the state's population was only 48.7% urban
; the majority lived in rural areas. By the 2005 census, the proportions had changed significantly, with 51% of the population living in urban areas and 49% in the rural areas. Terengganu is divided into seven administrative districts (called Daerah in Malay), of which the respective names, area, population, district seats and density are shown in the table below:
The people of Terengganu generally speak Terengganuan Malay, which is distinct from standard Malay and Kelantanese Malay
, except for those in Besut district and Perhentian Islands
who speak Kelantanese.
Terengganu's location by the South China Sea
ensured that it was on trade routes since ancient times. The earliest written reports on the area that is now Terengganu were by Chinese
merchants and seafarers in the early 6th century A.D. Like other Malay states, Terengganu practiced a Hindu
–Buddhist culture combined with animist traditional beliefs for hundreds of years before the arrival of Islam
. Under the influence of Srivijaya
, Terengganu traded extensively with the Majapahit Empire, the Khmer Empire
and especially the Chinese.
Terengganu was the first Malay state to receive Islam, as attested to by a stone monument dated 1303 with Arabic inscriptions found in Kuala Berang
, the capital of the district of Hulu Terengganu
. Terengganu became a vassal
state of Melaka, but retained considerable autonomy with the emergence of Riau-Johor.
Terengganu emerged as an independent sultanate in 1724. The first Sultan
was Tun Zainal Abidin, the younger brother of a former sultan of Johor
, and Johor strongly influenced Terengganu politics through the 18th century. However, in the book Tuhfat al-Nafis
, the author, Raja Ali Haji, mentions that in the year 1708, Tun Zainal Abidin was installed as the Sultan of Terengganu by Daeng Menampuk - also known as Raja Tua - under the rule of Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah.
In the 19th century, Terengganu became a vassal state of Siam, and sent tribute every year to the King of Siam called bunga mas
. Under Siamese rule, Terengganu prospered, and was largely left alone by the authorities in Bangkok
.
The terms of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
saw power over Terengganu transferred from Siam to Great Britain
. A British advisor was appointed to the sultan in 1919, and Terengganu become one of the Unfederated Malay States
. The move was highly unpopular locally, and in 1928 the British used military force to suppress a popular uprising.
During World War II
, Japan
occupied Terengganu and transferred sovereignty over the state back to Siam, along with Kelantan
, Kedah
, and Perlis
. After the defeat of Japan, British control over these Malay states was reestablished. Terengganu became a member of the Federation of Malaya
in 1948, and a state of independent Malaya
in 1957.
Following decades of rule by the Barisan Nasional
(National Front) coalition, the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) came to power in the 1999 General Elections
, making Terengganu the second state in Malaysia to be ruled by the Islamist party (the first being neighboring Kelantan). However, in the 2004 General Elections
, Terengganu was recaptured by the Barisan Nasional
.
The 1959 constitutional supplement is divided into two sections. The sections' official English language titles are:
or King of Malaysia. As per the Malaysian constitution and the State constitution, the King cannot reign both as the Head of State of the federation and as ruling monarch of his state. During his tenure as King of Malaysia the state ruler appoints a Regent to rule in his place. The Regent (Pemangku Raja) of Terengganu is now the King's eldest son, Tengku (Prince) Muhammad Ismail. As he is not yet of age suitable for the post (being only eight years old), the Prince co-reigns with the three-member Regency Advisory Council (Majlis Penasihat Pemangku Raja) headed by Raja Tengku Baderulzaman (the King's younger brother) as dictated by syarat (2) Fasal 16 AA Undang-Undang Bagi Diri Kerajaan Terengganu (Bab Yang Kedua) under the state constitution.
Note:* The state Government formed by PAS after the general election in 1959
was turned over to Perikatan
in Nov 1961, due to a vote of no confidence in the State Assembly and the fact that two PAS assemblymen switched parties
, Prime Minister
(PM) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
put forth the reappointment of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh
to a second term as Menteri Besar
. In what political analysts described as a possible constitutional crisis
, trouble began to precipitate after the Sultan of Terengganu
, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is also the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong
(King) of Malaysia refused to re-appoint and swear in Idris as Menteri Besar. Similar problems occurred in the state of Perlis
where the PM's choice was also rejected, in which the latter eventually gave in to its Sultan.
The Sultan of Terengganu
appointed Ahmad Said
instead for the job, with the Regency Advisory Council handing him the letter of appointment. The PM claimed that the appointment of Ahmad Said
was unconstitutional as it went against the wishes of the assemblymen and the Prime Minister's office who have supported Idris Jusoh
candidacy for Menteri Besar.
In spite of threats to strip Ahmad Said
of his party membership "for disobeying the leadership", he went to the office in Wisma Darul Iman to begin the first day of his new appointment on 25 March 2008. The party announced earlier that they made good on their promise to remove his membership, which technically disqualifes him to be appointed as Menteri Besar in the first place. The ruling also planned to vote down the sultan's choice through a motion of no-confidence by 22 UMNO state assemblymen.
The opposition party Parti Islam SeMalaysia in the meantime promised that its assemblymen would support Ahmad Said as Menteri Besar.
On 26 March 2008 however, PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
and Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin met at Istana Negara
to resolve the deadlock. The Prime Minister reversed his stance and decided to accept the King's appointment of Ahmad Said
as Chief Minister of Terengganu. He also apologized to the King for the public spat over the appointment of the Menteri Besar, explaining that there was no intention to disparage or humiliate the royal household.
The apparent backdown was due to threat that the royal household would be prepared to dissolve the state assembly if the motion of no-confidence was initiated against Ahmad Said
, which would trigger another election in what is already a climate of discontent towards the ruling party and the possibility of dissenting assemblymen defecting to the opposition.
The UMNO Supreme Council proceeded to endorse Ahmad Said as the new Menteri Besar of Terengganu. With the resolution of the impasse, Ahmad Said expressed his gratefulness on his appointment and paid tribute to Idris, an old friend he has known since university, for the work he has done for the Terengganu people so far and to seek his advice. After the swearing in ceremony where the duties are handed over from Idris, he also expressed hopes in moving on to discharge his responsibility to the people and eradicate poverty within the state.
.
The Terengganu EXCO (2004-2009) consisted of:
and gas. There are huge petrochemical
complexes near Paka
and Kerteh
, involving many joint venture
s between the Malaysian national oil company, Petronas
, and foreign multinationals
. Tourism and fishing are also major industries in Terengganu, a state with a long coastline. Agriculture also remains important, with banana
, rambutan
, durian
, watermelon
, and various other fruits and vegetables available in season. Terengganu was traditionally famous for boat-building, with highly decorated carved wooden boats called bangau to be found in the harbor of every village and town in days not so long gone by, before electric motorboats became standard equipment for the state's fishermen.
cultural influences predominate. Traditional pursuits such as kite-flying contests, top-spinning contests, and traditional arts & crafts
, such as batik
and songket
are still very much alive. The people of Terengganu have always had a reputation for being socially conservative and devout Muslims.
The major tourist attractions in the state include: Kuala Terengganu
, the capital; Islamic Heritage Park
, Tasik Kenyir, a large artificial lake; Sekayu Waterfalls; Kuala Ibai Lagoons; Batu Burok Beach, Kemasik Beach, Rantau Abang, Marang, Chukai
town and several offshore islands such as Pulau Redang
, Pulau Lang Tengah
, and Pulau Kapas
, and the Pulau Perhentian
, which attract beachgoers and snorkelers because of their picture perfect beaches. Many travelers find the relatively rural and tranquil atmosphere in the state conducive to a relaxing holiday.
Terengganu has recently been known internationally as the host of Monsoon Cup
, which was first held in 2005 and then became an annual national sporting event. The event brought millions of ringgit
of investment into the state from the private sectors and Malaysian Government. Tourists flocked to Kuala Terengganu
and Duyong to witness this event, held during the monsoon
season, which had previously been low season for tourism in Terengganu.
Budu, a very pungent and salty anchovy
sauce is also popular among the locals. It is often mixed with sliced onions and chillies as condiments.
Laksa
m (or laksa
ng in local Malay dialect), a modified version of laksa
, is made from rice flour (thick and soft slices). It is served in a bowl of light fresh coconut milk mixed with boiled fish flesh (mainly mackerel), finely chopped cucumbers, chillies, onions and long beans. It is eaten cold at breakfast.
Another Terengganu specialty is sata
, a type of otak-otak
or fish cake wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over a grill.
Nasi dagang is also popular.
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
ate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman ("Abode of Faith"). The coastal city of Kuala Terengganu
Kuala Terengganu
-Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river...
which stands at the mouth of the broad Terengganu River
Terengganu River
Terengganu River is a river in Terengganu, Malaysia. It flows through the state capital of Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, and flows into the South China Sea. It is bridged by the Sultan Mahmud Bridge in Kuala Terengganu....
is both the state and royal capital as well as the largest city in Terengganu.
Etymology
There are several theories on the origin of the name 'Terengganu'. One theory attributes the name's origin to terang ganu, MalayMalay language
Malay is a major language of the Austronesian family. It is the official language of Malaysia , Indonesia , Brunei and Singapore...
for 'bright rainbow
Rainbow
A rainbow is an optical and meteorological phenomenon that causes a spectrum of light to appear in the sky when the Sun shines on to droplets of moisture in the Earth's atmosphere. It takes the form of a multicoloured arc...
'. Another story, said to have been originally narrated by the ninth Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu is the title of the constitutional head of Terengganu state in Malaysia. The current sultan, Mizan Zainal Abidin, is the seventeenth Sultan of Terengganu...
, Baginda Omar
Baginda Omar
Sultan Omar Riayat Shah Ibni Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Muazzam Shah I, also known as Baginda Omar, was both the 6th and 9th Sultan of Terengganu, having ascended to the throne twice, first in 1831 and again from 1839 to 1876. Baginda means "the Fortunate" but in its actual use in Malay history is...
, tells of a party of hunters from Pahang
Pahang
Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea.Its state...
roving and hunting in the area of what is now southern Terengganu. One of the hunters spotted a big animal fang
Canine tooth
In mammalian oral anatomy, the canine teeth, also called cuspids, dogteeth, fangs, or eye teeth, are relatively long, pointed teeth...
lying on the ground. A fellow party member asked to which animal did the fang belong. The hunter, not knowing which animal, simply answered taring anu (Malay: 'fang of something'). The party later returned to Pahang with a rich hoard of game, fur and sandalwood, which impressed their neighbors. They asked the hunters where did they source their riches, to which they replied, from the land of taring anu, which later evolved into Terengganu. Terengganu was called Trangkanu by the Siamese when it was under their influence.
Another simple hypothesis is that 'Terengganu' derived from 'Tilanggana', the name first given to the land by a group of Mon immigrants from either Dvaravati or Funan, who arrived in the place and settled there permanently, mixing with the native people. The ancient Mons, in turn, had many Telugu Indians who had immigrated from their native homeland in Tilanggana, in southeastern India, to Mon kingdoms such as Sudharmavati (Thaton), Hamsavati (Pegu) and Dvaravati, and lived among the Mons and intermarried with them, so much so that some neighbours of the Mons, like the Bhama, started calling them 'Talaing', i.e. Telugu. The story was that those early Mons thought the new land with its humid weather and hot climate, heavy December rains and all, reminded them of tales they had heard from their elders about the original Tilanggana in India, so they just named it 'Tilanggana'. The name eventually became Terengganu according to the dialect of the local people.
Chinese naming
The traditional ChineseChinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
name for Terengganu has been "丁加奴" (Pinyin
Pinyin
Pinyin is the official system to transcribe Chinese characters into the Roman alphabet in China, Malaysia, Singapore and Taiwan. It is also often used to teach Mandarin Chinese and spell Chinese names in foreign publications and used as an input method to enter Chinese characters into...
: dīngjiānú), which is a direct transliteration of the Malay name. However, in recent years, the Chinese community in Terengganu has raised objections to the name, citing that the characters used loosely translate to "giving birth to a child who will become a slave" (Chinese: 添丁加做奴). Therefore, they successfully petitioned the regulatory commission for Chinese language in Malaysia to change the Chinese name for the state to "登嘉楼" (Pinyin: dēngjiālóu), which can be loosely translated to "aspiring/stepping up to a higher level", in September 2004. It is worth noting, however, that the new name has been in unofficial use by the state's Chinese society for at least 30 years before its official adoption.
There are certain segments of the Chinese society who opposed to the name change, citing the fact that the new name contains too many character strokes, making it much more difficult to write. They have proposed to revert the name back to the version used before 2004, but with the word "奴" (slavery, which was mainly the cause of the controversy) to the similar sounding, but more positive "努" (perseverance).
Geography and demographics
Terengganu is situated in north-eastern Peninsular MalaysiaPeninsular Malaysia
Peninsular Malaysia , also known as West Malaysia , is the part of Malaysia which lies on the Malay Peninsula. Its area is . It shares a land border with Thailand in the north. To the south is the island of Singapore. Across the Strait of Malacca to the west lies the island of Sumatra...
, and is bordered in the northwest by Kelantan
Kelantan
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Naim, ....
, the southwest by Pahang
Pahang
Pahang is the third largest state in Malaysia, after Sarawak and Sabah, occupying the huge Pahang River river basin. It is bordered to the north by Kelantan, to the west by Perak, Selangor, Negeri Sembilan, to the south by Johor and to the east by Terengganu and the South China Sea.Its state...
, and the east by 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...
. Several outlying islands, including Pulau Perhentian
Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands lie approximately 10 nautical miles off the coast of northeastern Malaysia inthe state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles south of the Thai border....
, Pulau Kapas
Kapas Island
Kapas Island or Pulau Kapas is an island 6 kilometers off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia. "Kapas" is the malay word for cotton. It features crystal clear seawater, pristine powdery white beaches and untouched tropical jungle. It is promoted as a "snorkeling paradise", with several dive resorts...
and Pulau Redang
Redang Island
Redang Island, locally known as Pulau Redang or just "Redang" is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is one of nine islands, which form a marine park, and which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities...
, are also a part of the state. The state has a total area of 13035 km² (5,032.8 sq mi).
Terengganu has a population of 1,015,776 . , Malay
Malaysian Malay
In Malaysia, the Malay population is defined by Article 160 of the Malaysian Constitution as someone born to a Malaysian citizen who professes to be a Muslim, habitually speaks the Malay language, adheres to Malay customs and is domiciled in Malaysia or Singapore...
s make up 94.7% of the population and Chinese
Malaysian Chinese
Malaysian Chinese is a Malaysian of Chinese origin. Most are descendants of Chinese who arrived between the fifteenth and the mid-twentieth centuries. Within Malaysia, they are usually simply referred to as "Chinese" in all languages. The term Chinese Malaysian is also sometimes used to refer to...
, 2.6%, while Indians 0.2% and other ethnic groups comprise the remainder, 2.4%. In 2000, the state's population was only 48.7% urban
Urbanization
Urbanization, urbanisation or urban drift is the physical growth of urban areas as a result of global change. The United Nations projected that half of the world's population would live in urban areas at the end of 2008....
; the majority lived in rural areas. By the 2005 census, the proportions had changed significantly, with 51% of the population living in urban areas and 49% in the rural areas. Terengganu is divided into seven administrative districts (called Daerah in Malay), of which the respective names, area, population, district seats and density are shown in the table below:
| District | Area (km²) | Population (2006 census) |
District seat | Density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Besut Besut Besut is a district in the Malaysian state of Terengganu. It is bordered by the state of Kelantan to the north and the South China Sea to the east. It is the northern gateway to Terengganu. Kampung Raja is the district capital, though Jertih is more developed. Another major town is Kuala Besut.... |
1,233 | 145,324 | Kampung Raja Kampung Raja Kampung Raja, also known as 'the king's village' is the northern gateway to Cameron Highlands from Simpang Pulai. It was founded in early 1980 due to a water dam project which was built on the site of the original village near Ringlet. As a result of that, the state government moved the affected... |
118 |
| Dungun Dungun Dungun is a coastal district of the Malaysian state of Terengganu. Kuala Dungun is the capital of the district.Kuala Dungun town used to be an iron mining town in the 1940s. Iron ores were actually mined in a small town inland called Bukit Besi located to the west, while Kuala Dungun served as the... |
2,736 | 159,996 | Kuala Dungun Kuala Dungun Kuala Dungun is the capital of Dungun district in Terengganu, Malaysia. It is situated midway between Tanjung Jara and Paka.... |
58 |
| Hulu Terengganu Hulu Terengganu Hulu Terengganu is an interior district of Terengganu, Malaysia.- External links :*... |
3,874 | 73,912 | Kuala Berang Kuala Berang Kuala Berang is the seat and largest town of Hulu Terengganu District, Terengganu, Malaysia. The town serves as a gateway to Lake Kenyir. The historical Terengganu Inscription Stone was found near Kuala Berang in 1899. The town of Kuala Berang once had been the capital of the state of Terengganu... |
19 |
| Kemaman Kemaman Kemaman is a district in Terengganu, Malaysia. It is situated on the coast of the South China Sea. Kemaman district is bordered by Dungun to the north and the state of Pahang to the south.... |
2,536 | 174,876 | Chukai Chukai Chukai, also known by the name of Kemaman Town is the administrative seat of Kemaman District, in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia.The name "Chukai" means 'taxes' in Malay... |
69 |
| Kuala Terengganu Kuala Terengganu -Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river... |
605 | 361,801 | Kuala Terengganu Kuala Terengganu -Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river... |
598 |
| Marang Marang, Terengganu Marang is a town and the seat of Marang District, in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. The town is located on the South China Sea coast on the main highway between Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan... |
667 | 102,470 | Marang Marang, Terengganu Marang is a town and the seat of Marang District, in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. The town is located on the South China Sea coast on the main highway between Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan... |
154 |
| Setiu Setiu Setiu is a main district in Terengganu, Malaysia. Setiu is also the name of the parliamentary constituency in which the district is situated.Setiu also has four state seats contiuensy named :Jabi , Pemaisuri ,Langkap and Batu Rakit .All of these seats were won by Barisan Nasional during General... |
1,304 | 61,907 | Bandar Permaisuri Bandar Permaisuri Bandar Permaisuri is a small town and the district capital of Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia.... |
47 |
The people of Terengganu generally speak Terengganuan Malay, which is distinct from standard Malay and Kelantanese Malay
Kelantanese Malay
Kelantanese Malay is the Malay dialect spoken in Kelantan state of Malaysia, as well as Besut district of Terengganu and the Perhentian Islands. Many people in district of Baling , Sik and Padang Terap in Kedah speak in a language similar to language spoken in Kelantan. It is sometimes...
, except for those in Besut district and Perhentian Islands
Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands lie approximately 10 nautical miles off the coast of northeastern Malaysia inthe state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles south of the Thai border....
who speak Kelantanese.
History
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...
ensured that it was on trade routes since ancient times. The earliest written reports on the area that is now Terengganu were by Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
merchants and seafarers in the early 6th century A.D. Like other Malay states, Terengganu practiced a Hindu
Hindu
Hindu refers to an identity associated with the philosophical, religious and cultural systems that are indigenous to the Indian subcontinent. As used in the Constitution of India, the word "Hindu" is also attributed to all persons professing any Indian religion...
–Buddhist culture combined with animist traditional beliefs for hundreds of years before the arrival of Islam
Islam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
. Under the influence of Srivijaya
Srivijaya
Srivijaya was a powerful ancient thalassocratic Malay empire based on the island of Sumatra, modern day Indonesia, which influenced much of Southeast Asia. The earliest solid proof of its existence dates from the 7th century; a Chinese monk, I-Tsing, wrote that he visited Srivijaya in 671 for 6...
, Terengganu traded extensively with the Majapahit Empire, the Khmer Empire
Khmer Empire
The Khmer Empire was one of the most powerful empires in Southeast Asia. The empire, which grew out of the former kingdom of Chenla, at times ruled over and/or vassalized parts of modern-day Laos, Thailand, Vietnam, Burma, and Malaysia. Its greatest legacy is Angkor, the site of the capital city...
and especially the Chinese.
Terengganu was the first Malay state to receive Islam, as attested to by a stone monument dated 1303 with Arabic inscriptions found in Kuala Berang
Kuala Berang
Kuala Berang is the seat and largest town of Hulu Terengganu District, Terengganu, Malaysia. The town serves as a gateway to Lake Kenyir. The historical Terengganu Inscription Stone was found near Kuala Berang in 1899. The town of Kuala Berang once had been the capital of the state of Terengganu...
, the capital of the district of Hulu Terengganu
Hulu Terengganu
Hulu Terengganu is an interior district of Terengganu, Malaysia.- External links :*...
. Terengganu became a vassal
Vassal
A vassal or feudatory is a person who has entered into a mutual obligation to a lord or monarch in the context of the feudal system in medieval Europe. The obligations often included military support and mutual protection, in exchange for certain privileges, usually including the grant of land held...
state of Melaka, but retained considerable autonomy with the emergence of Riau-Johor.
Terengganu emerged as an independent sultanate in 1724. The first Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
was Tun Zainal Abidin, the younger brother of a former sultan of Johor
Johor
Johor is a Malaysian state, located in the southern portion of Peninsular Malaysia. It is one of the most developed states in Malaysia. The state capital city and royal city of Johor is Johor Bahru, formerly known as Tanjung Puteri...
, and Johor strongly influenced Terengganu politics through the 18th century. However, in the book Tuhfat al-Nafis
Tuhfat al-Nafis
Tuhfat al-Nafis is a work of Malay literature written by Raja Ali Haji in Jawi in 1885. It records and chronicles events, especially those of the 19th century, that occurred in several Malay states. Some of the events recorded in the work are the founding of the state of Terengganu and the murder...
, the author, Raja Ali Haji, mentions that in the year 1708, Tun Zainal Abidin was installed as the Sultan of Terengganu by Daeng Menampuk - also known as Raja Tua - under the rule of Sultan Sulaiman Badrul Alam Shah.
In the 19th century, Terengganu became a vassal state of Siam, and sent tribute every year to the King of Siam called bunga mas
Bunga mas
The bunga mas dan perak , often abbreviated to bunga mas, was a tribute sent every three years to the King of Siam from its vassal states in the Malay Peninsula - in particular, by Terengganu, Kelantan, Kedah and Pattani. The tribute consisted of two small trees made of gold and silver, plus costly...
. Under Siamese rule, Terengganu prospered, and was largely left alone by the authorities in Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
.
The terms of the Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909
The Anglo-Siamese Treaty of 1909 or Bangkok Treaty of 1909 was a treaty between the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Siam signed on March 10, 1909, in Bangkok. Ratifications were exchanged in London on July 9, 1909....
saw power over Terengganu transferred from Siam to Great Britain
Great Britain
Great Britain or Britain is an island situated to the northwest of Continental Europe. It is the ninth largest island in the world, and the largest European island, as well as the largest of the British Isles...
. A British advisor was appointed to the sultan in 1919, and Terengganu become one of the Unfederated Malay States
Unfederated Malay States
The term Unfederated Malay States was the collective name given to five British protected states in the Malay peninsula in the first half of the twentieth century. These states were Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Perlis, and Terengganu...
. The move was highly unpopular locally, and in 1928 the British used military force to suppress a popular uprising.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
occupied Terengganu and transferred sovereignty over the state back to Siam, along with Kelantan
Kelantan
Kelantan is a state of Malaysia. The capital and royal seat is Kota Bharu. The Arabic honorific of the state is Darul Naim, ....
, Kedah
Kedah
Kedah is a state of Malaysia, located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. The state covers a total area of over 9,000 km², and it consists of the mainland and Langkawi. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice...
, and Perlis
Perlis
Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. It is bordered by the state of Kedah to the south...
. After the defeat of Japan, British control over these Malay states was reestablished. Terengganu became a member of the Federation of Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
in 1948, and a state of independent Malaya
Federation of Malaya
The Federation of Malaya is the name given to a federation of 11 states that existed from 31 January 1948 until 16 September 1963. The Federation became independent on 31 August 1957...
in 1957.
Following decades of rule by the Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
(National Front) coalition, the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) came to power in the 1999 General Elections
Malaysian general election, 1999
The 1999 Malaysian General Election was held on 29 November 1999 as stipulated by the laws of Malaysia for general elections. As expected, the Barisan Nasional coalition maintained its majority in parliament, and thus, its grip on the post of Prime Minister....
, making Terengganu the second state in Malaysia to be ruled by the Islamist party (the first being neighboring Kelantan). However, in the 2004 General Elections
Malaysian general election, 2004
General elections were held in Malaysia on March 21, 2004. The incumbent National Front government of Prime Minister Dato' Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi was re-elected with an increased majority.-Election results:...
, Terengganu was recaptured by the Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
.
Politics and government
- See Also:Breakdown of State Seats Representatives elected 2008
Constitution
The Constitution of Terengganu came into force in 1911. It has a supplement that came into force in 1959. The official English title for the 1911 constitution is;- " The Constitution of the Way of Illustrious Sovereignty "
The 1959 constitutional supplement is divided into two sections. The sections' official English language titles are:
- "The Laws Of The Constitution Of Terengganu (First Part)"
- "The Laws Of The Constitution Of Terengganu (Second Part)"
The Sultan of Terengganu
The Sultan is the constitutional Ruler of the state of Terengganu. The State Constitution proclaims that the Sultan is "the Ruler and fountain head of all authority of government in the State and Territory of Terengganu", the Head of the Religion of Islam in the state and the source of all titles, honours and dignities in the state. He is also vested with the Executive Power of the State. The hereditary Sultan of Terengganu since 1998 has been Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.Regency
The current Sultan was elected as the 13th Yang di-Pertuan AgongYang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
or King of Malaysia. As per the Malaysian constitution and the State constitution, the King cannot reign both as the Head of State of the federation and as ruling monarch of his state. During his tenure as King of Malaysia the state ruler appoints a Regent to rule in his place. The Regent (Pemangku Raja) of Terengganu is now the King's eldest son, Tengku (Prince) Muhammad Ismail. As he is not yet of age suitable for the post (being only eight years old), the Prince co-reigns with the three-member Regency Advisory Council (Majlis Penasihat Pemangku Raja) headed by Raja Tengku Baderulzaman (the King's younger brother) as dictated by syarat (2) Fasal 16 AA Undang-Undang Bagi Diri Kerajaan Terengganu (Bab Yang Kedua) under the state constitution.
Chief Ministers
When Terengganu was an absolute monarchy, the Chief Minister was selected by the Sultan of Terengganu. Since the declaration of independence of Malaysia (then called Tanah Melayu) and the first general election, the Chief Minister has been the State Assembly (ADUN) member elected by a majority of all State Assembly members, who are themselves elected by universal adult suffrage of the citizens of their constituencies. Below is the list of the Chief Ministers of Terengganu from 1925.| Term Starts | Term Ends | Chief Minister | Party |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1925 | June 1940 | Dato' Seri Amar Diraja Ngah Muhamad bin Yusof | |
| June 1940 | May 1942 | Tengku Seri Setia Raja Tengku Omar bin Othman | |
| May 1942 | Dec 1945 | Dato' Jaya Perkasa Da Omar bin Mahmud | |
| Dec 1945 | Dec 1949 | Tengku Panglima Perang Tengku Muhamad bin al-Marhum Sultan Ahmad | |
| Dec 1949 | June 1959 | Dato' Perdana Menteri Di Raja Dato' Seri Setia Raja Kamaruddin bin Idris | |
| June 1959 | Nov 1961 | Mohd Daud bin Abdul Samad | PAS* |
| Nov 1961 | Sep 1970 | Tan Sri Ibrahim Fikri bin Mohammad | Perikatan Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence... |
| Sep 1970 | Sep 1971 | Dato' Mahmood bin Sulaiman | Perikatan Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence... |
| Sep 1971 | Aug 1974 | Dato' Nik Hassan bin Wan Abdul Rahman | Perikatan Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence... |
| Sep 1974 | Dec 1999 | Dato Seri Amar Diraja Tan Sri Wan Mokhtar Ahmad | Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence... |
| Dec 1999 | March 2004 | Dato' Seri Abdul Hadi Awang Abdul Hadi Awang Dato' Seri Haji Abdul Hadi bin Awang is the current President of the Parti Islam SeMalaysia, an Islamist political party in Malaysia... |
PAS |
| March 2004 | March 2008 | Dato Seri Idris Jusoh Idris Jusoh Haji Idris bin Jusoh was the former Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.- Crisis in Terengganu :... |
Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence... |
| March 2008 | Current | Datuk Ahmad Said Ahmad Said Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional... |
Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence... |
Note:* The state Government formed by PAS after the general election in 1959
Malayan general election, 1959
General elections were held in Malaya on 19 August 1959, the first since independence from the United Kingdom in 1957. It was the third national-wide election held in Malaya since the end of World War II. Malaya later formed Malaysia with three other states in 1963. Voter turnout was 73.3%.In the...
was turned over to Perikatan
Barisan Nasional
Barisan Nasional is a major political coalition in Malaysia, formed in 1973 as the successor to the Alliance . Along with its predecessor, it has been Malaysia's federal ruling political force since independence...
in Nov 1961, due to a vote of no confidence in the State Assembly and the fact that two PAS assemblymen switched parties
2008 Menteri Besar appointment crisis
Following the ruling party UMNO's return to power over Terengganu after winning 24 out of 32 seats in the 2008 general electionsMalaysian general election, 2008
The 12th Malaysian general election was held on March 8, 2008, in accordance with Malaysian laws for national elections, which states that a general election must be held no later than five years subsequent to the previous elections; the previous general election was held in 2004...
, Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Malaysia
The Prime Minister of Malaysia is the indirectly elected head of government of Malaysia. He is officially appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the head of state, who in HM's judgment is likely to command the confidence of the majority of the members of that House of Representatives , the...
(PM) Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
put forth the reappointment of Datuk Seri Idris Jusoh
Idris Jusoh
Haji Idris bin Jusoh was the former Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.- Crisis in Terengganu :...
to a second term as Menteri Besar
Menteri Besar
The Menteri Besar is the chief executive of the state government for states in Malaysia with hereditary rulers. For states without a monarch, the title Chief Minister is used...
. In what political analysts described as a possible constitutional crisis
Constitutional crisis
A constitutional crisis is a situation that the legal system's constitution or other basic principles of operation appear unable to resolve; it often results in a breakdown in the orderly operation of government...
, trouble began to precipitate after the Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu is the title of the constitutional head of Terengganu state in Malaysia. The current sultan, Mizan Zainal Abidin, is the seventeenth Sultan of Terengganu...
, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is also the current Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Yang di-Pertuan Agong
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong is the head of state of Malaysia. The office was established in 1957 when the Federation of Malaya gained independence....
(King) of Malaysia refused to re-appoint and swear in Idris as Menteri Besar. Similar problems occurred in the state of Perlis
Perlis
Perlis is the smallest state in Malaysia. It lies at the northern part of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and has Satun and Songkhla Provinces of Thailand on its northern border. It is bordered by the state of Kedah to the south...
where the PM's choice was also rejected, in which the latter eventually gave in to its Sultan.
The Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu
Sultan of Terengganu is the title of the constitutional head of Terengganu state in Malaysia. The current sultan, Mizan Zainal Abidin, is the seventeenth Sultan of Terengganu...
appointed Ahmad Said
Ahmad Said
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional...
instead for the job, with the Regency Advisory Council handing him the letter of appointment. The PM claimed that the appointment of Ahmad Said
Ahmad Said
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional...
was unconstitutional as it went against the wishes of the assemblymen and the Prime Minister's office who have supported Idris Jusoh
Idris Jusoh
Haji Idris bin Jusoh was the former Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional.- Crisis in Terengganu :...
candidacy for Menteri Besar.
In spite of threats to strip Ahmad Said
Ahmad Said
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional...
of his party membership "for disobeying the leadership", he went to the office in Wisma Darul Iman to begin the first day of his new appointment on 25 March 2008. The party announced earlier that they made good on their promise to remove his membership, which technically disqualifes him to be appointed as Menteri Besar in the first place. The ruling also planned to vote down the sultan's choice through a motion of no-confidence by 22 UMNO state assemblymen.
The opposition party Parti Islam SeMalaysia in the meantime promised that its assemblymen would support Ahmad Said as Menteri Besar.
On 26 March 2008 however, PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Abdullah Ahmad Badawi
Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi is a Malaysian politician who served as Prime Minister from 2003 to 2009. He was also the President of the United Malays National Organisation , the largest political party in Malaysia, and led the governing Barisan Nasional parliamentary coalition...
and Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin met at Istana Negara
Istana Negara
Istana Negara is the official residence of His Majesty, the Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. It stands on a 13 acre site, located at a commanding position on the slope of a hill of Bukit Petaling overlooking the Klang River, along Jalan Syed Putra.Another royal residence of the Yang di-Pertuan...
to resolve the deadlock. The Prime Minister reversed his stance and decided to accept the King's appointment of Ahmad Said
Ahmad Said
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional...
as Chief Minister of Terengganu. He also apologized to the King for the public spat over the appointment of the Menteri Besar, explaining that there was no intention to disparage or humiliate the royal household.
The apparent backdown was due to threat that the royal household would be prepared to dissolve the state assembly if the motion of no-confidence was initiated against Ahmad Said
Ahmad Said
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional...
, which would trigger another election in what is already a climate of discontent towards the ruling party and the possibility of dissenting assemblymen defecting to the opposition.
The UMNO Supreme Council proceeded to endorse Ahmad Said as the new Menteri Besar of Terengganu. With the resolution of the impasse, Ahmad Said expressed his gratefulness on his appointment and paid tribute to Idris, an old friend he has known since university, for the work he has done for the Terengganu people so far and to seek his advice. After the swearing in ceremony where the duties are handed over from Idris, he also expressed hopes in moving on to discharge his responsibility to the people and eradicate poverty within the state.
The State Executive Council
The state executive council (EXCO) is established by the constitution. It is composed of the Menteri Besar, who is its chairman, and ten other members. The Menteri Besar and the other members of the council are appointed by the Sultan ( or Regent ) from the members of the State Assembly. The Menteri Besar is currently Ahmad SaidAhmad Said
Datuk Seri Ahmad Said is the Menteri Besar of the state of Terengganu, Malaysia since 2008. He is a member of the United Malays National Organisation which is part of the nation ruling coalition Barisan Nasional...
.
The Terengganu EXCO (2004-2009) consisted of:
- Y.B. Dato' Dr. Abdul Latiff bin Awang, D.P.M.T.,K.M.N., P.K.T., P.J.K.(ADUN Bukit Payung, Marang)
(Chairman of State Education, Science and Technology and Human Resources Committee) - Y.B. Dato' Rosol bin Wahid, D.P.M.T., P.J.K. (ADUN Ajil, Hulu Terengganu)
(Chairman of State Islam Hadhari Development) - Y.B. Dato' Ahmad bin Said, D.P.M.T., A.S.M., P.J.K(ADUN Kijal, Kemaman)
(Chairman of State Housing and Local Government Committee) - Y.B. Dato' Mohamed bin Awang Tera,D.P.M.T.,D.I.M.P., S.A.P., A.M.P. (ADUN Chukai, Kemaman)
(Chairman of State Industry Development and Tourism Committee) - Y.B. Dato' Haji Wan Hisham bin Wan SallehWan Hisham Wan SallehDato' Wan Hisham Dato Wan Salleh is a member of Terengganu State Executive Council in Malaysia and holds the State Infrastructure Development, Public Service and Communication Committee portfolio...
, D.P.M.T., D.J.N., P.J.K. (ADUN Ladang, Kuala Terengganu)
(Chairman of State Infrastructure Development, Public Services and Communication Committee) - Y.B. Haji Din bin Adam, S.M.T.,P.J.K. (ADUN Bukit Besi, Dungun)
(Chairman of State Cultural, Youth, Sports and NGO Committee) - Y.B. Datuk Haji Mohd Jidin ShafeeMohd Jidin ShafeeDato' Mohd Jidin Shafee is a Malaysian politician and is currently the Member of the Parliament of Malaysia for the Setiu constituency in Terengganu...
, D.M.S.M., A.M.N. (ADUN Permaisuri, Setiu)
(Chairman of State Agriculture and Regional Development Committee) - Y.B. Datuk Abdul Rahin bin Dato' Mohd Said, D.M.S.M., A.M.N. (ADUN Teluk Pasu, Kuala Nerus)
(Chairman of State Entrepreneur Development Committee) - Y.B. Haji Wan Mohd bin Wan Hassan, P.J.K. (ADUN Kota Putera, Besut)
(Chairman of State Welfare, Women and Community Development Committee) - Y.B.Dato' Toh Chin Yaw ,D.P.M.T,P.P.N,P.J.K. (ADUN Bandar, Kuala Terengganu)
(Chairman of State Environment, Consumer Affair and Health Committee)
Economy
Terengganu used to be Malaysia's poorest state until oil and gas were discovered off its coastline not too long ago. Terengganu's main industry now is petroleumPetroleum
Petroleum or crude oil is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid consisting of a complex mixture of hydrocarbons of various molecular weights and other liquid organic compounds, that are found in geologic formations beneath the Earth's surface. Petroleum is recovered mostly through oil drilling...
and gas. There are huge petrochemical
Petrochemical
Petrochemicals are chemical products derived from petroleum. Some chemical compounds made from petroleum are also obtained from other fossil fuels, such as coal or natural gas, or renewable sources such as corn or sugar cane....
complexes near Paka
Paka
Paka is a coastal town facing the South China Sea in the state of Terengganu in Malaysia. Paka is now a busy town thriving on oil and gas activity near Kerteh. Paka is more popularly known as the home for the largest power station in Malaysia run by the national power company, Tenaga Nasional...
and Kerteh
Kerteh
Kerteh is a town in the district of Kemaman in southern Terengganu, Malaysia, about 30 km or 20 minutes' drive north of Chukai. Kerteh is the base of operations for Petronas in Terengganu, overseeing the oil platform operations off the state's coast as well as petrochemicals production and...
, involving many joint venture
Joint venture
A joint venture is a business agreement in which parties agree to develop, for a finite time, a new entity and new assets by contributing equity. They exercise control over the enterprise and consequently share revenues, expenses and assets...
s between the Malaysian national oil company, Petronas
Petronas
PETRONAS, short for Petroliam Nasional Berhad, is a Malaysian oil and gas company that was founded on August 17, 1974. Wholly owned by the Government of Malaysia, the corporation is vested with the entire oil and gas resources in Malaysia and is entrusted with the responsibility of developing and...
, and foreign multinationals
Multinational corporation
A multi national corporation or enterprise , is a corporation or an enterprise that manages production or delivers services in more than one country. It can also be referred to as an international corporation...
. Tourism and fishing are also major industries in Terengganu, a state with a long coastline. Agriculture also remains important, with banana
Banana
Banana is the common name for herbaceous plants of the genus Musa and for the fruit they produce. Bananas come in a variety of sizes and colors when ripe, including yellow, purple, and red....
, rambutan
Rambutan
The rambutan is a medium-sized tropical tree in the family Sapindaceae, and the fruit of this tree. It is native to Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and elsewhere in Southeast Asia, although its precise natural distribution is unknown. It is closely related to several...
, durian
Durian
The durian is the fruit of several tree species belonging to the genus Durio and the Malvaceae family . Widely known and revered in southeast Asia as the "king of fruits", the durian is distinctive for its large size, unique odour, and formidable thorn-covered husk...
, watermelon
Watermelon
Watermelon is a vine-like flowering plant originally from southern Africa. Its fruit, which is also called watermelon, is a special kind referred to by botanists as a pepo, a berry which has a thick rind and fleshy center...
, and various other fruits and vegetables available in season. Terengganu was traditionally famous for boat-building, with highly decorated carved wooden boats called bangau to be found in the harbor of every village and town in days not so long gone by, before electric motorboats became standard equipment for the state's fishermen.
| Income and Quality of life | 1995 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| GDP (RM Million) | 12,082.9 | 16,821.2 |
| GDP Per Capita (RM) | 13,636.1 | 13,642.6 |
| Average Household Income (RM) | 1,113.0 | 2,075.3 |
| Crude Birth Rate (Per Thousand) | 29.5 | 18.5 |
| Infant Mortality Rate (Per Thousand) | 10.4 | 6.5 |
| Number of Population Per Doctor | 2,803.0 | 1,930.0 |
| Number of Students Per Teacher | 17.6 | 15.1 |
| Motor Vehicles Registered (Per Thousand) | 181.0 | 212.5 |
| Number of Viewers Per TV | 11.4 | 9.0 |
Culture and attractions
Terengganu did not receive many Indian or Chinese migrants, and therefore MalayMalay people
Malays are an ethnic group of Austronesian people predominantly inhabiting the Malay Peninsula, including the southernmost parts of Thailand, the east coast of Sumatra, the coast of Borneo, and the smaller islands which lie between these locations...
cultural influences predominate. Traditional pursuits such as kite-flying contests, top-spinning contests, and traditional arts & crafts
Arts & Crafts
Arts & Crafts may refer to:* Arts and Crafts Movement, an aesthetic movement* Arts and crafts, activities related to making things with one's own hands and skill* "Arts & Crafts", a song by Red Light Company...
, such as batik
Batik
Batik is a cloth that traditionally uses a manual wax-resist dyeing technique. Batik or fabrics with the traditional batik patterns are found in Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, China, Azerbaijan, India, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal, and Singapore.Javanese traditional batik, especially from...
and songket
Songket
Songket is a fabric that belongs to the brocade family of textiles of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei. It is hand-woven in silk or cotton, and intricately patterned with gold or silver threads. The metallic threads stand out against the background cloth to create a shimmering effect...
are still very much alive. The people of Terengganu have always had a reputation for being socially conservative and devout Muslims.
The major tourist attractions in the state include: Kuala Terengganu
Kuala Terengganu
-Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river...
, the capital; Islamic Heritage Park
Islamic Heritage Park
The Islamic Heritage Park or Taman Tamadun Islam is a famous attraction in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia. This park is located at the island of Wan Man.-Notable mosques replicas:#Taj Mahal, Agra, India#Al-Masjid al-Nabawi, Medina, Saudi Arabia...
, Tasik Kenyir, a large artificial lake; Sekayu Waterfalls; Kuala Ibai Lagoons; Batu Burok Beach, Kemasik Beach, Rantau Abang, Marang, Chukai
Chukai
Chukai, also known by the name of Kemaman Town is the administrative seat of Kemaman District, in the state of Terengganu, Malaysia.The name "Chukai" means 'taxes' in Malay...
town and several offshore islands such as Pulau Redang
Redang Island
Redang Island, locally known as Pulau Redang or just "Redang" is one of the largest islands off the east coast of Malaysia. It is one of nine islands, which form a marine park, and which offer snorkeling and diving opportunities...
, Pulau Lang Tengah
Lang Tengah Island
Lang Tengah Island is an island off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia. It features crystal clear seawater, white beaches and an untouched tropical jungle...
, and Pulau Kapas
Kapas Island
Kapas Island or Pulau Kapas is an island 6 kilometers off the coast of Terengganu, Malaysia. "Kapas" is the malay word for cotton. It features crystal clear seawater, pristine powdery white beaches and untouched tropical jungle. It is promoted as a "snorkeling paradise", with several dive resorts...
, and the Pulau Perhentian
Perhentian Islands
The Perhentian Islands lie approximately 10 nautical miles off the coast of northeastern Malaysia inthe state of Terengganu, approximately 40 miles south of the Thai border....
, which attract beachgoers and snorkelers because of their picture perfect beaches. Many travelers find the relatively rural and tranquil atmosphere in the state conducive to a relaxing holiday.
Terengganu has recently been known internationally as the host of Monsoon Cup
Monsoon Cup
The Monsoon Cup is a yacht race in Malaysia, held in the state of Terengganu. The tagline for the race is: "You wouldn't want to miss it".-Overview:...
, which was first held in 2005 and then became an annual national sporting event. The event brought millions of ringgit
Ringgit
Ringgit mostly refers to the Malaysian ringgit, which is the local currency in Malaysia, but it can also refer to the Brunei dollar or Singapore dollar in the Malay language. The word ringgit was originally used to refer to the serrated edges of Spanish silver dollars widely circulated in the area...
of investment into the state from the private sectors and Malaysian Government. Tourists flocked to Kuala Terengganu
Kuala Terengganu
-Transport:The city is connected to other towns via a good network of roads and also some ferries that ply the Terengganu River. The Sultan Mahmud Bridge, a bridge over the Terengganu River, provides a road link to both banks of the river...
and Duyong to witness this event, held during the monsoon
Monsoon
Monsoon is traditionally defined as a seasonal reversing wind accompanied by corresponding changes in precipitation, but is now used to describe seasonal changes in atmospheric circulation and precipitation associated with the asymmetric heating of land and sea...
season, which had previously been low season for tourism in Terengganu.
| Basic Tourism Sector Data | 1999 | 2005 |
|---|---|---|
| Average Day of Stays of Foreign Tourist | 3.3 | 4.2 |
| Average Day of Stays of Domestic Tourist | 1.9 | 3.1 |
| Sectorial Contribution to the Economy (RM Million) | 298.9 | 1281.0 |
| Number of Registered Tourist Agents | 70 | 92 |
| Number of Tourist Guides | 21 | 37 |
| Average Hotel Occupancy Rate (%) | 55.9 | 58.3 |
| Domestic Tourist | 1,002,324 | 1,624,726 |
| Foreign Tourist | 146,713 | 197,952 |
| Total Tourist Arrival | 1,149,037 | 1,822,678 |
Events
- 2008 National Horse Show at Terengganu Equestrian Resort Oct 31 to Nov 2
- Monsoon CupMonsoon CupThe Monsoon Cup is a yacht race in Malaysia, held in the state of Terengganu. The tagline for the race is: "You wouldn't want to miss it".-Overview:...
- international sailing event - Sultan's Cup Terengganu Endurance Challenge - Horse Endurance Race
- Formula Future- speed boat racing for under 15
- Kapas-Marang International Swimathon- International swimming event
- Kenyir Motocross Championship
- Terengganu Masters- Golf
- Kenyir International Mountain Bike Challenge
- 'Candat Sotong' Fiesta - fishing conmpetition
- Kenyir Lake International Triathlon
- Terengganu Starhill Tasik Kenyir 4x4 Challenge
- Tasik Puteri Water Festival
- Terengganu Traditional Games Competition
- Terengganu International 4WD Rainforest Challenge 2007
- FEI World Endurance Championshiop 2008
Cuisine
The most famous local food is Keropok Lekor, which is made primarily from a combination of dough (sago flour) and pounded fish mainly from mackerel and sardines, fried and served with hot chilli sauce for afternoon tea. Keropok Keping (fish crackers) are made from sun-dried slices of Keropok Lekor. Numerous keropok stalls are to be found on the side of the highway that passes through coastal communities.Budu, a very pungent and salty anchovy
Anchovy
Anchovies are a family of small, common salt-water forage fish. There are 144 species in 17 genera, found in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. Anchovies are usually classified as an oily fish.-Description:...
sauce is also popular among the locals. It is often mixed with sliced onions and chillies as condiments.
Laksa
Laksa
Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup from the Peranakan culture, which is a merger of Chinese and Malay elements found in Malaysia and Singapore, and to a lesser extent Indonesia.- Origin :The origin of the name "laksa" is unclear...
m (or laksa
Laksa
Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup from the Peranakan culture, which is a merger of Chinese and Malay elements found in Malaysia and Singapore, and to a lesser extent Indonesia.- Origin :The origin of the name "laksa" is unclear...
ng in local Malay dialect), a modified version of laksa
Laksa
Laksa is a popular spicy noodle soup from the Peranakan culture, which is a merger of Chinese and Malay elements found in Malaysia and Singapore, and to a lesser extent Indonesia.- Origin :The origin of the name "laksa" is unclear...
, is made from rice flour (thick and soft slices). It is served in a bowl of light fresh coconut milk mixed with boiled fish flesh (mainly mackerel), finely chopped cucumbers, chillies, onions and long beans. It is eaten cold at breakfast.
Another Terengganu specialty is sata
Sata
Sata is a traditional dish from the Malaysian state of Terengganu, consisting of spiced fish meat wrapped in banana leaves and cooked on a grill.It is a type of Malaysian fish cake, or otak-otak...
, a type of otak-otak
Otak-otak
Otak-otak is a cake made of fish meat and spices. It is widely known across Southeast Asia, where it is traditionally served fresh, wrapped inside a banana leaf, as well as in many Asian stores internationally - being sold as frozen food and even canned food.-Distribution:Otak-otak is found in...
or fish cake wrapped in banana leaves and cooked over a grill.
Nasi dagang is also popular.