Johor Coastal Trip 5 (Kota Lama Johor and Pengerang)

At the entrance of Kampung Kota Lama to the Kota Lama Fort on 220109.

Kota Lama Johor.

Teluk Sengat is where The Johor Lama Fort is. The locals called this palce, Kota Batu. It was built elongated from rocks and earth near the Johor River where oncoming of enemies could be clearly seen. This is also a new information for me. I faintly remember learning the history of Malacca Sultanate in school before but English and European history were taught in my secondary school where we had to sit for School Cambridge Examination. It is a shame that we don't know our own history but took pain to learn about others. I guess this is what colonialisation is. We have been colonised phyzically, emotionally and mentaly by the Portuguese, Dutch and the British - so much so, the indigenous people, the Malays became divided - just as it is now. The more divided we are the easier other races take advantage of us (menangguk di air keruh). We seem to allow a new type of of colonialisation to take place in our beloved country - by political pressure, economy and arrogance. We don't seem to learn from our neighbour who became the master of our own land and the Malays became melukut di tepi gantang. I just wish PAS, UMNO and PKR Malays could put aside their political differences and stand united to defend our dignity. It has been insulted and trampled on for too many years and too many times!!!

The Johor Lama fort was built by Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah the Second (the second Sultan of Johor 1528-1564) and had become the capital of Johor twice after the fall of Malacca in 1511. This was where the Malay worriers gathered to attack Malacca. ( see Blog on Historic Malacca - Perigi Hang Li Poh). They failed to recapture Malacca and Kota Johor Lama was destroyed. Here it seemed, the story of Sultan Mahmud mangkat dijulang happened, about the cruelty of the Sultan murdering his Admiral's (Laksamana Bentan) wife while he was fighting the pirates at sea for him. Upon his return he was devastated and the Laksamana Bentan (Megat Seri Rama) took revenge by stabbing the sultan. That was a sad story still told till today. It also marked the end of Malacca Sultanate and Johor royal bloodline was taken over by the Bendahara. Unfortunately there weren't many remains of the fort left except for a few rocks and trenches which reminded me of Kota Lukut. You can get the complete information on the history of Johor at the beautiful traditional Malacca house informataion centre there.

Sitting on the steps of rumak anak of the main rumah Malacca - the information centre at Kota Lama Johor.

The Information Centre of Kota Lama Johor.

We drove to Sungai Rengit, the sea-frontage town and stopped in front of the police station to take photo with the background of the unfinished bridge connecting Malaysia-Singapore. There was a crocodile farm to see but we weren't intereted to see the creepy creatures. So to Pengerang we went. I was really excited to see this place as I have been curious about it. Long time ago, it was said this place was unaccessable. It was a smooth drive with good road and few cars. Arriving at this small town facing the sea was fascinating. We had lunch at the beach restaurant and asked around for accomodation. If you go there during school or public holidays, please book accomodation in advance. Do not take chances as we did but we went there when the holiday season was over. We headed for Tanjung Kapal Beach Resort, just outside Pengerang town. It's quite new, quiet and attractive and we paid RM120.00 perday for a chalet and stayed 2 days.

The signboard of Tanjung Kapal Beach Resort and the phone numbers, if you are interested.

Relaxing at Tanjung Kapas Beach Resort, Pengerang, Johor.

Captivated by the signboard and the name. It's a security area-on the way to Tanjung Kapas Beach Resort.

Pengerang is Dato' Azalina's , Minister of Tourism, constituency and has such dirty beach. I wonder whether she ever visits and looks at the condition of her place she represents. Najidah and I trekked the beach, the condition was so appalling. The fishermen living there dumped everything at the beach - rubbish, construction materials, dirts etc. etc. so disgustingly dirty and smelly. It was such a shame as the beach is so pretty, enhanced by pinkish rocks beautifully carved by the sea. It could be a tourist attraction had it been taken care of nicely. I sent an email to the Minister but had no response so far. I have read many complaints from tourists about the state of cleanliness in our country but it fell on deaf ears. Knowing the mentality of Malaysians, we need a tough law to curb this irresponsibility.

On the red soil hill in Teluk Ramunia. This is distinctive of Teluk Ramunia, very pretty and attractive.

The red hills found in Teluk Ramunia.

While there, we drove to nearby places such as Teluk Ramunia and was fascinated by the red soil distinctively of Teluk Ramunia. The dark red soil is found around there only and some part have been cut barren and we do not know why. Further on, along the road, we saw smouldering underbush fires in the open field. I wondered whether the villagers there were worried that the fire might ravage their houses. Our curiousity took us to the coastal kampung road of Kampung Punggai
where we found Dato' Azalina's huge house ( as we were told). The beach around there is clean and beautiful. There are cute resorts too at a very reasonable rate. Is the beach clean because it is near her house? There are a few well-fed goats eating the grass peacefull near the beach - not local goats but nevertherless they are beautiful.

The beach at Kampung Punggai near the Minister's house.

The goats.

Fisheman's village at Kg.Punggai by the river.

Teluk Romania Nelayan Beach Resort is cute but the beach was littered with rubbish. We just don't understand why the operator does not extend his service in clearing the rubbish piled on the beach in front of the resort. However, the sunset view there is breathtaking.

Tanjung Pengelih is the most end of Pengerang. It's a jetty connecting the ferry to jetty Changi, Singapore. Most of the people in this quite remote place go shopping in JB which took about 3/4 hour by boat. So. it's not so isolated after all.
The photo shows the stony beach near the jetty with a local lady looking for sea clams.

Tanjung Pengelih jetty, an hour's ferry ride to Singapore.

Jetty Tanjung Pengelih, Pengerang.

There is a great need for our government to creat something like beach squads to patrol the beaches, to monitor and control the safety, cleanliness and behaviour of the people. Stiffer penalty should be imposed to those who abused the beaches and the sea.
We left Pengerang for Mersing on Saturday 24 January 2009.