Pulau Perhentian- Whenever Pulau Perhentian is brought to mention, people may think of its natural beauty, including its sparkling beaches.
This island of 2,000 people, most of them, fishermen, is not only popular with the locals but has drawn the attention of tourists worldwide apart from making a major contribution to Terengganu`s tourism industry.
The island`s residents have benefitted economically from the arrival of tourists as they receive the extra cash by providing lodging and boats for angling and snorkeling activities.
Thanks to the government, there are also facilities like a school, clinic and police beat base on the island.
Serpent
Pulau Perhentian, which is surrounded by 20 smaller islands has an exciting legend. According to historian Yusof Awang Su in his book "Tempat Sejarah Di Terengganu" (Historical Sites In Terengganu) published in the 1995 issue of Berita Darul Iman, a huge serpent had lived on the island.
Villagers then named the serpent as the Naga Pulau Berjuang. The serpent was believed to have lived at a spot now known as Tanjung Basi, located at the Pulau Perhentian Besar.
This serpent was believed to have plunged into the sea to battle another huge serpent which had threatened the island`s existence. The `tract` made by the first dragon can still be seen on a hill on the island.
Islanders called this tract as Jalan Naga. The irony is that snakes found on the island are believed to be from the non-poisonous species.
The villagers also believed that the island has a kind of herb where its extracts can be used as the antidote to snake bites. This is known as `akar Cina putih`.
They also believed that the poisonous snakes are scared of this root, and that is why these reptiles cannot be found on the island.
Pioneer Residents
A resident on Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Awang Husin, 67, said Pulau Perhentian had its first residents in the late 18th century. The earliest settlement on this island is believed to be at Teluk Dalam, near a canal named as `Alur Cina`.
The island`s pioneer settlers are believed to be Batin Mina and his family from Riau in the Malay Archipelago.
Batin Mina and his family had been said to take refuge on Chinese junks to escape the Dutch authorities who wanted him for attacks on European merchant ships.
Stopover
In the old days, cargo vessels ferrying salt from Singora in south Thailand to Kuala Terengganu had used this island as a stopover. That was the reason why the island is known as Pulau Perhentian.
Batin Mina became the `chief` on Pulau Perhentian. Upon his death, the place was taken over by his younger brother who was known as Batin Jamal.
Batin Jamal later moved to Kuala Besut before making his return to the island, by setting up a new settlement at Pasir Hantu on Pulau Perhentian Kecil.
However not all of Batin Jamal`s followers stayed at Pasir Hantu, where quite a number of them went to Pulau Perhentian Besar and lived at Seberang Air Keruh, Seberang Mat Daham, Batu Jong and Teluk Pauh.
The last of the Batin chiefs at Pulau Perhentian, was Batin Sidek who died in the early 1990s. After his demise, Pulau Perhentian only has the `ketua kampung` as the village head.
According to history, residents of Pulau Perhentian are traditionally farmers and fishermen. During the Second World War, Pulau Perhentian was used as a staging point for the Japanese to attack Malaya and other southeast Asian nations.
Resorts On Pulau Perhentian
There are more than 20 resorts on Pulau Perhentian Kecil and Pulau Perhentian Besar. Among them are Perhentian Island Resort, Coral View Island Resort, Tropical Reef, Paradise Island Resort and Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort & Chalet.
Visitors can go to Pulau Perhentian for only six months a year, from March to August. As for the rest of the year, the waves are too strong and dangerous, particularly during the north-east monsoon.
Arwana Perhentian Eco Resort & Chalet, Saat Surif, said the peak tourism season at Pulau Perhentian is from May to July where the visitors go for activities like angling, scuba-diving, jungle-trekking and snorkeling. By Zabidi Ishar And Mohd Razman Abdullah
Source: http://www.bernama.com.my (June 30, 2008)