TERENGGANU
Terengganu, known by its Arabic honorific Darul Iman ("Abode of Faith"), is a vibrant Malaysian state renowned for its breathtaking islands, deep-rooted cultural heritage, and incredible geographical landmarks. Located on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, it beautifully balances traditional Malay lifestyles with rapid modern development
1987: PULAU BIDONG
Patrolling the area of Pulau Bidong in 1987 with KD Sri Negri Sembilan. Officially opened as a refugee camp for Vietnamese refugees on 8 August 1978. About 250,000 refugees passed through Pulau Bidong from 1978 to 1991.
It is officially closed on 30 October 1991, as the remaining refugees moved to Sungai Besi Transit camp in KL and were then repatriated. Final repatriation was 28 August 2005. Today, it houses the Universiti Malaysia Terengganu Marine Research Station.
1987: PULAU PERHENTIAN
A place to rest and relax after several days of conducting EEZ patrol duties with RMN Patrol Craft in the South China Sea. RMN patrols were covering the east coast for Vietnamese boat people moving toward Pulau Bidong.
Pulau Perhentian, off Besut District, about 21 km from Kuala Besut jetty. In 1994, it was declared part of Pulau Redang National Marine Park.
Today, it is famous as a diver's haven and protected marine park. Coral view, Perhentian Island Resort, etc.
1994: TASIK KENYIR
Tasik Kenyir is Malaysia's largest man-made lake, 260 sq km, created when Sungai Kenyir was dammed for the Sultan Mahmud Power Station.
Air Terjun Lasir or Saok
1996: MASJID TERAPUNG, KUALA TERENGGANU
Officially Masjid Tengku Tengah Zaharah, officially opened in July 1995 by Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah. The first real floating mosque in Malaysia, located in Kuala Ibai, about 4 km from Kuala Terengganu.
.jpg)
2013: KEMAMAN
Kemaman is a district in Terengganu, Malaysia. It is bordered by Dungun District to the north and the state of Pahang to the south and west. It is the southern gateway to the state of Terengganu. Located 302 km from Kuala Lumpur and takes 4 hours to travel.
Kemaman is one of my favourite spots in the 80s when I was serving in Kuantan, Pahang. Kemaman borders Kuantan, so sometimes my colleagues and I would wander around the town of Kemaman. Kemaman is famous for its delicious Keropok lekor, a traditional Malay fish cracker snack originating from the state of Terengganu in Malaysia.
Keropok Lekor – It is a traditional fish cracker made primarily from ground fish meat (usually ikan tamban or ikan selayang) mixed with sago flour and salt. The mixture is rolled into long, sausage-like shapes and boiled before being served.
Yayasan Jantung Malaysia, in collaboration with the Lions Club of Chukai, Kemaman, organised a Heart Disease Awareness Program which took place at SRJK (China) Chukai, Kemaman, on 26 October 2013. The programme, which ran from 9.00 am to 3.00 pm, was attended by a total of 111 people nearby.
SRJK (China) Chukai is a Chinese national type school located in Jalan Jakar, Chukai, Terengganu.
Lebuhraya Pantai Timur, or East Coast Highway, is an interstate controlled-access highway running parallel to the northeastern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. The currently operational 433 km segment of the expressway through Karak, Pahang and Kuala Lumpur.
The LPT begins from the eastern end of Kuala Lumpur - Karak Expressway at Karak, Pahang, then runs through Lanchang, Mentakab, Temerloh, Chenor, Maran, Sri Jaya, Gambang, Kuantan, Jabur, Cheneh, Chukai, Kijal, Kerteh, Paka, Dungun, Bukit Besi, Ajil and Telemong, ending in Kampung Gemuruh near Kuala Nerus in Terengganu.
2015: TAMAN TAMADUN ISLAM & MASJID KRISTAL
Both are located at Pulau Wan Man, Losong, Kuala Terengganu. Masjid Kristal was built in 2006-1008 inside the Taman Tamadun Islam. Taman Tamadun Islam was created to house Masjid Kristal as its centrepiece, which includes Monument Park with 22 replica mosques such as Masjidilharam, Masjid Nabawai, Alhambra, etc.
.jpg)
-horz.jpg)
2015: STATE MUSEUM OF TERENGGANU
Located at Bukit Losong, Kuala Terengganu, it was founded in 1996 and acclaimed as the largest of its kind in Malaysia.
9 main galleries—Natural History, Textiles, Royal, Crafts, Petroleum, Islamic, Historical, Fisheries & Marine, and Seafaring & Trade. It also houses the original Batu Bersurat (Inscribed Stone) from 1303 — the earliest evidence of Islam in the Malay Peninsula.
HEALTH SCREENING AT KUALA TERENGGANU
Several health screening programmes organised by the Heart Foundation of Malaysia have been carried out in Kuala Terengganu.
On 14 February 2015 at the Tiong Hua Assembly Hall, Kuala Terengganu, the Malaysian Heart Foundation in collaboration with Lion Heart of Terengganu organised a Health Screening for the public. This programme received an encouraging response from the local residents.
The Community Program, in collaboration with the Lions Club of Kuala Terengganu, took place at SJK (Chinese) Chung Hwa Wei Sin in Kuala Terengganu on 22 July 2016.
SJK (Chinese) Chung Hwa Wei Sin, located on Jalan Sultan Mohamad in Kuala Terengganu, was established on 1 May 1915 under the name of Chung Hwa Wei Sin. A total of 119 people underwent the health screening throughout the programme.
The Health Screening Programme by Yayasan Jantung Malaysia was held at MSU College Kuala Terengganu (formerly Kolej PTPL) in 2016, 2017 and 2018. It is one of the 10 key collegiate branches of Management & Science University.
2015: PASAR PAYANG & BAZAR WARISAN
Pasir Payang, located at Jalan Sultan Zainal Abidin, built in the 1960s, my photo in 2015 was of an old building. The new building complex was completed in 2024.
The Bazar Warisan, which is directly in front of Pasar Payang, was built as an extension shopping complex.
Pasar Payang in 2015
Pasar Payang in 2026
BATU BUROK BEACH RESORT, KUALA TERENGGANU
Batu Burok Beach Resort is located approximately 20 minutes from Kuala Terengganu Airport. This is where we stayed throughout the programme in Kuala Terengganu. It is a resort located near the famous Batu Burok Resort Beach in Terengganu.
Batu Burok Beach Resort and Pak Maidin Restaurant in front of this resort belong to the late Kamaruddin Maidin, a former Malaysian athlete who once represented the country in the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960 with Shahrudin Mohd Ali and M. Jegathesan. The late Kamaruddin Maidin once won 4 consecutive gold medals in the long jump event at the SEAP Games (now SEA Games).
INTAN BEACH RESORT, KUALA TERENGGANU
We stayed at Intan Beach Resort in Pantai Batu Burok, Kuala Terengganu, throughout our Health Screening programme. The hotel offers a tranquil resort for travellers seeking a peaceful getaway, a perfect spot for relaxation, just a few steps away from the beautiful beach.
2015: PANTAI PENARIK, SETIU
Setiu is bordered by Besut to the north, Hulu Terengganu to the south and Kuala Nerus on the east.
Pantai Penarik, or Pantai Rhu Sepuluh, is located on the coastal route from Kota Bharu to Kuala Terengganu. For seeing islands like Pulau Lang Tengah, Pulau Redang, and Pulau Kapas, Pantai Penarik is the ideal location.
A worthy quick stop for a stroll of an evening breeze, a photo-taking session or snacks in one of the seafood restaurants by the beach. Recommended for watching sunset.
Along Pantai Penarik, there are dozens of stalls selling the Udang Celup Tepung, Maggi Telur Sotong, Nasi Sup, etc.
Pandan Laut Beach Resort is a tranquil 2-star beachfront accommodation located along the quiet Terengganu coastline in Setiu, Terengganu, Malaysia. Positioned directly near Pantai Rhu Sepuluh, the resort is popular among families and travellers looking for a laid-back, traditional kampung-style coastal getaway
Peladang Setiu Agro Resort, a peaceful nature-themed eco-resort located in Setiu, Terengganu. About 89 km from Kuala Terengganu, next to Hutan Simpan Gunung Tebu. The resort features classic wooden chalets and bungalow-style buildings built on stilts, reflecting traditional Malay design elements.
Our Health Screening Programme held at University College Bestari in 2015, 2017 and 2018. University College Bestari is a Private Higher Learning Institution (IPTS). It is the first university college that strives to uphold the unprivileged Malay kids, PPRT (Program Pembangunan Rakyat Miskin), and all orphans throughout Malaysia that are capable academically to get a chance to further their studies to a higher level.
2015: KAMPUNG LOSONG, KUALA TERENGGANU
Kampung Losong, Kuala Terengganu, is the birthplace of Keropok Lekor, Terengganu's most famous snack, that chewy fish sausage, fresh fish meat blended with sago flour and salt, hand-rolled into long sausage shapes.
The Sariah Ismail's stall was among the pioneers and became so famous that her frozen keropok is now sold all over Malaysia and even overseas.
2017: KUALA BERANG & MARANG
Kuala Berang is the largest town of Hulu Terengganu District. 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 was the first of the modern Sultanate of Terengganu before moving to Kuala Terengganu.
There is no programme in Kuala Berang, only a night stopover before departing for Marang the next day.
After breakfast, we continue our journey to SJK (China) Chung Hwa, which is located in Wakaf Tapai, Marang, Terengganu. The distance between Kuala Berang and Marang is 12.9 km, and the journey takes only 16 minutes.
Marang is a famous coastal district and town in Terengganu, located on the South China Sea coast right between Kuala Terengganu and Kuantan. It is a tranquil destination traditionally powered by fishing and tourism, a gateway to Pulau Kapas.
BATU BUROK BEACH
The most famous beach in Kuala Terengganu, about 1 km from the city centre, stretching along the South China Sea coast. It's not really a swimming beach, currents are strong and swimming can be dangerous. People go for picnicking on mats, watching the sunset, sea breeze, etc.
It's considered one of the best beaches in Kuala Terengganu city for families and a popular place for strolling, especially in the evening.
MASJID 8 KUBAH
Located at Kampung Lapan Kotak, Jerteh, Besut, Terengganu, about 8 km from Bandar Jerteh. The official name is Masjid Al-Muttaqin, but it is better known as Masjid 8 Kubah or Masjid Russia, as the 8 onion domes are inspired by St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, Russia. Built in 2017 through public donations plus an initial RM500,000 from MAIDAM (Majlis Agama Islam dan Adat Melayu Terengganu). Capacity can accommodate about 500 congregants at one time.
PULAU LANG TENGAH
Located between Pulau Redang and Pulau Perhentian, about 40 km northeast of Kuala Terengganu, 22.5 km from Tanjung Merang Jetty. Accessible by ferry from Merang – Summer Bay Jetty Mangkuk is the main gateway now.
Activity: Snorkelling & diving, island hopping, etc.
KUALA TELEMUNG
Inland gateway town – everyone stops at coming off LPT. 2. Located at Hulu Terengganu district, about 20 km south of Kuala Berang. We stopped here for petrol on our way to Kuala Berang.
Kuala Telemong is famous because the LPT2 (Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2) highway alignment had to be diverted to avoid the grave of Wali (Saint) of Tok Ku Pulau Manis, whose real name is Sharif Abdul Malik Sharif Abdullah, an ulama considered a wali (saint) who died in 1736.
Local people say that heavy machinery broke down or workers fell ill when trying to clear the graves, so the engineers finally chose to lencong (divert) to avoid the graves of the Wali.
Makam 12, the graves of 12 warriors of Terengganu who died in the 1928 anti-British uprising. Because it's inside the mosque compound (Masjid Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong), the LPT2 exit and the Telemong interchange road had to be curved around it.
HENTIAN REHAT PERASING
2017 – one of our favourite R&R and the most talked-about R&R in Malaysia for 2 reasons: the design and the ghost stories.
Located at Chukai, Kemaman, Terengganu, near the border of Pahang and Terengganu. This is among the R&R that was listed as one of the top 5 most haunted R&R in Malaysia. There are many hauntings shared by drivers who stopped and passed by this R&R, such as the woman in a black robe with no face, whistling sounds inside empty toilets, a voice of a woman singing while changing a baby diaper, but toilet empty, and many others.
Because the location is surrounded by thick forest, it was a former communist mass grave area during the Emergency at the Perasing stretch, according to local oral stories, and it's very isolated at 2-4 am with no other buildings for kilometres.
HENTIAN REHAT PAKA
On Lebuhraya Pantai Timur 2 (LPT2) E8, the extension of LPT1, northbound to Kuala Terengganu and southbound to Kuantan/KL.
Located at Jalan Kemaman-Dungun, the LPT2 has 10 toll plazas: Cheneh, Cukai, Kijal, Paka, Dungun, Bukit Besi, Ajil, Telemung & Kuala Terengganu.
HENTIAN REHAT BUKIT BESI
Just north of Paka, Jerangau-Talong, the nearest Plaza Toll Bukit Besi, a famous mining town with an old iron ore mining history.
There are rumours, and people talk about the whole LPT2 stretch, Paka-Bukit Besi, as the famous "Haunted Corridor".
According to Radio Senyap compilations of LPT2 stories, the mistik cases mostly happen at 4 R&R, such as R&R Ajil, R&R Bukit Besi and Susur Ajil, R&R Perasing and between Paka and Bukit Besi.
Bukit Besi was the biggest iron mine in Southeast Asia and a deserted ghost town after the 1970s. They report many accidents in the same spots.
KUALA TERENGGANU DRAWBRIDGE
The Jambatan Angkat Terengganu, also called Ghetok Congek Tranung. The first drawbridge was built in Malaysia and Southeast Asia. It was opened to the public in 2019.
The tower drawbridge is 638 metres in length, while its 76-metre bascule can be raised & lowered using counterweights to allow vessels to pass. It connects Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus – it carries motor vehicles and pedestrians.
The 4 towers with sky bridges are inspired by London's Tower Bridge, but with Terengganu motifs.
These photos not only serve as a reminder of the stunning landscapes and rich culture of Terengganu but also of the wonderful memories created with friends and family. Each snapshot tells a story, making my time in this beautiful state truly unforgettable.
Others:
- Travel: Hotel Memories (Terengganu).
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
30 October 2026: 1:46 p.m.
.png)
