Terengganu
Terengganu (Jawi: ترڠڬانو, formerly spelled Trengganu or Tringganu) is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, Darul Iman ("Abode of Faith").
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| Capital | Kuala Terengganu | ||||
| Sultan | Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin | ||||
| Chief Minister | Dato' Idris Jusoh | ||||
| Area | 12,955 km² | ||||
| Population - Est year 2001 | 879,692 | ||||
| State anthem | Terengganu State Anthem | ||||
It is situated on the north-eastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia, and is bordered in the northwest by Kelantan, the southwest by Pahang, and the east by the South China Sea. The Pulau Perhentian are also a part of the state. The state has a total area of 12,955 km².
The ethnic composition in 2001 was: Malay (809,315 or 92%), Chinese (61,578 or 7%), Indian (4,355), Others (4,443).
The coastal city of Kuala Terengganu, at the mouth of the broad Terengganu River, is both the state and royal capital and is the largest city in Terengganu.
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History
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 written by Raja Ali Haji, 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 Emperor of Siam in the form of bunga mas (a tree with flowers and leaves made of gold). 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 transferred Terengganu back to Siam, along with Kelantan, Kedah, and Perlis, but after the defeat of Japan, these Malay states returned to British control. Terengganu became a member of the Federation of Malaya in 1948, and a state of independent Malaya in 1957.
In 1999, following decades of rule by UMNO—the senior partner in the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition —the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) won the 1999 local election, making Terengganu the second state in Malaysia to be ruled by the islamist government of PAS (the first being neighboring Kelantan). However, in the general election of 2004 Terengganu was recaptured by UMNO.
The hereditary Sultan of Terengganu since 1998 has been Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin, who is concurrently Deputy Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia. The Chief Executive or Menteri Besar is currently Dato' Idris Jusoh of Barisan Nasional, a businessman.
Administration
Terengganu is divided into seven administrative districts, namely:
(Administrative towns are in parentheses)
- Dungun (Kuala Dungun).
- Besut (Kampung Raja).
- Setiu (Bandar Permaisuri).
- Kemaman (Chukai).
- Marang (Bandar Marang).
- Hulu Terengganu (Kuala Berang).
- Kuala Terengganu (Kuala Terengganu).
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Economy
Terengganu used to be Malaysia's poorest state until oil and gas was discovered off its coastline not too long ago. Terengganu's main industry now is petroleum and gas. There are huge petrochemical complexes near Paka and Kerteh, involving many joint ventures 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.
Culture and attractions
Terengganu did not receive many Indian or Chinese migrants, and therefore Malay 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. Terengganu has always had a reputation for being socially conservative and deeply Islamic in religion.
The major tourist attractions in the state include: Kuala Terengganu, the capital; Tasik Kenyir, a large artificial lake; Sekayu Waterfalls; Kuala Ibai Lagoons; Batu Burok Beach, Pantai Rantau Abang, Marang village, Kemaman 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.
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 sauce is also popular among the locals. It is often mixed with sliced onions and chillies as condiments.
Laksang (or Laksam), 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.
Sources, references and external links
- Terengganu State Government Information Portal
- Caves of Tasik Kenyir
- RoyalArk- Malaysia- Trengganu website on the dynastic history and traditions
 | Terengganu Darul Iman |  |
|---|---|---|
| Districts: Kuala Terengganu | Hulu Terengganu | Besut | Setiu | Marang | Dungun | Kemaman | ||
| Towns: Bandar Al-Muktafi Billah Shah | Bandar Ketengah Jaya | Bandar Permaisuri | Bandar Seri Bandi | Batu Rakit | Bukit Besi | Chukai | Gong Kedak | Jabur | Jerangau | Jerteh | Kemasik | Kerteh | Kijal | Kuala Besut | Kuala Berang | Kuala Dungun | Kuala Terengganu | Paka | Rantau Abang | Seberang Takir | Teluk Kalung | ||
| Islands: Bidong Island | Kapas Island | Lang Tengah Island | Perhentian Islands | Redang Island | ||
| States and Federal Territories of Malaysia |  |
|---|---|
| States: Johor | Kedah | Kelantan | Malacca | Negeri Sembilan | Pahang | Perak | Perlis | Penang | Sabah | Sarawak | Selangor | Terengganu | |
| Federal Territories: Kuala Lumpur | Labuan | Putrajaya | |
Categories
States of Malaysia | Terengganu