Terengganu

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States and Territories of Malaysia
ترڠڬانو دار الإيما Terengganu Darul Iman
Flag Coat of arms
State anthem: Terengganu State Anthem
Capital (and royal capital)	Kuala Terengganu
Ruling party	Barisan Nasional
- Sultan	Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin1
- Menteri Besar	Idris Jusoh
History
- British control	1909
- Japanese occupation	1942
- Accession into Federation of Malaya	1948
Area
- Total	12,955 km²
Population
- 2000 estimate	898,825[1]
- Density	67.9/km²
National calling code	09
National postal code	20xxx to 24xxx
License plate prefix	T
Website:	http://www.terengganu.gov.my
1 Elected and reigning as the 13th King of Malaysia. The Regent of Terengganu (Pemangku Raja), Tengku Muhammad Ismail (eight-years of age) co-reigns with the three-member Regency Advisory Council (Majlis Penasihat Pemangku Raja) headed by Raja Tengku Baderulzaman (the King's younger brother)

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"). 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.

[edit] Etymology

There are several theories on the origin of the name 'Terengganu'. One theory attributes the name's origin to terang ganu, Malay for 'bright rainbow'. ^[2] 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.^[2]

[edit] Geography and Demographics

Terengganu is situated in north-eastern Peninsular Malaysia, and is bordered in the northwest by Kelantan, the southwest by Pahang, and the east by the South China Sea. Several outlaying islands, including Pulau Perhentian, Pulau Kapas and Pulau Redang, are also a part of the state. The state has a total area of 12,955 km².

Terengganu has a population of 898,825 (2000 census), of which Malays make up 92% of the population, Chinese 7%, while Indian and other ethnic groups the remainder 1%. The state's population is only 48.7% urban; the majority live in rural areas.^[1] Terengganu is divided into seven administrative districts, of which the respective names, population and district seats are shown in the table below:

[edit] History

The Terengganu Inscription Stone. The Jawi inscriptions are of local laws influenced by the Shariah and thus one of the earliest proof of Islamic influence in Malaysia

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 the Barisan Nasional (National Front) coalition —the Islamic Party of Malaysia (PAS) came to power in the won the 1999 General Elections, 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.

[edit] Politics and Government

[edit] Constitution

The Constitution of Terengganu came into force in 1911, it has a supplement that came into force in 1959. Both the original document and its 1959 supplement are in full force. 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)"

[edit] 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. The hereditary Sultan of Terengganu since 1998 has been Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin.

[edit] Regency

The current Sultan was elected as the 13^th Yang di-Pertuan Agong 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.

Sultan Mizan would not allow his brother to occupy the sultanate in Terengganu because he was worried that his brother would not give back the position. He trusts nobody because his own grandfather, Sultan Ismail, did not relinquish the position to its previous official, Sultan Ali, when he had taken it through a deal with the British. Some believe the sultan defers to his wife in decision making, who is said to be attempting to steer the sultanate into her side of the family rather than his. Some also suggest that if the kingship of Terengganu is occupied by Sultan Mizan's son, this would be improper as the Sultan's wife is not of royal blood, which would prevent their son from being Anak Gahara.

[edit] The State Executive Council

The state executive council 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 apionted by the Sultan ( or Regent ) form the members of the State Assembly. The Menteri Besar is currently Dato' Idris Jusoh of the Barisan Nasional, who is a businessman.

[edit] 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.

[edit] Culture and attractions

Kemasik Beach, in the town of Kemasik, Kemaman District.

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 devout Muslims.

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, 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.

[edit] Cuisine

Sata being cooked on a grill.

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.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Terengganu State Government Information Portal
• Caves of Tasik Kenyir
• RoyalArk- Malaysia- Trengganu website on the dynastic history and traditions
• Terengganu Royal Family Genealogy
• Terengganu page on the official portal of the ministry of tourism malaysia

v • d • e

Terengganu Darul Iman

Districts: Kuala Terengganu • Hulu Terengganu • Besut • Setiu • Marang • Dungun • Kemaman Towns: Ajil • 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 (capital) • Marang • Merchang • Paka • Rantau Abang • Seberang Takir • Teluk Kalung • Wakaf Tapai Islands: Bidong Island • Kapas Island • Lang Tengah Island • Perhentian Islands • Redang Island

v • d • e 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