Pulau Duyong (Duyong Island) is a river island in the mouth of

Terengganu River The Terengganu River ( ms, Sungai Terengganu) is a river in Terengganu, Malaysia. Originated from Lake Kenyir, it flows through the state capital of Terengganu, Kuala Terengganu, and flows into the South China Sea. It is bridged by the Sultan Mahm ...

in the state of

Terengganu Terengganu (; Terengganu Malay: ''Tranung'', Jawi: ), formerly spelled Trengganu or Tringganu, is a sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia. The state is also known by its Arabic honorific, ''Dāru l- Īmān'' ("Abode of Faith"). ...

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

Etymology

The former name of this river island was Pulau Peria, peria being the

Malay Malay may refer to: Languages * Malay language or Bahasa Melayu, a major Austronesian language spoken in Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Singapore ** History of the Malay language, the Malay language from the 4th to the 14th century ** Indonesi ...

word that means ' bittergourd', alluding to the shape of the island. The name was changed to ''Duyong'', a

word that means 'mermaid', after the residents of the island were allegedly reported to see two mermaids landing on its shore.

Geography

Pulau Duyong is located in

Kuala Terengganu , image_seal = Seal of Kuala Terengganu City Council.png , image_flag = Flag of Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu.svg , image_skyline = , image_caption = From top, left to right:The Crystal Mosq ...

, and was previously divided into Pulau Duyong Besar and the smaller Pulau Duyong Kecil dan Pulau Ketam. Nevertheless, sedimentation and reclamation have united it as well as changed its coastline substantially. The area of the island now is 2.7 square kilometers. A seaward extension has been developed into the Heritage Bay Resort (now Duyong Marina & Resort) which previously hosted the annual

Monsoon Cup The Monsoon Cup was a yacht race in Malaysia, held in the state of Terengganu. Overview The Monsoon Cup was an annual event on the Alpari World Match Racing Tour calendar. It was also widely considered as the most formidable leg of the Tour. A ...

yacht race. This island is connected to Kuala Terengganu and Kuala Nerus via

Sultan Mahmud Bridge Sultan Mahmud Bridge or Jambatan Sultan Mahmud (Jawi: جمبتن سلطان مهمود) is a bridge in Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu, Malaysia, which crosses Terengganu River. Constructed in 1988, the bridge was officially opened by the late of S ...

Culture

Pulau Duyong used to be the residence of scholar Tok Syeikh Duyong (1802–1889), who was respected by the palace as well as the people, and his descendants, and was a seat of religious learning. The ''Kota Lama Duyong'' ( Duyong Old Fort) is a remnant of his era. Duyong Old Fort is an old Malay palace featuring a unique architecture influenced by Western and Egyptian Islamic elements. Due to its geographical shape and the locational significance in terms of religious scholarship, Pulau Duyong has been referred to as ''the tongue of Terengganu''. Duyong Island is also known for its traditional boatmaking and boat repairing industry, which has existed since before independence. These traditional boats are made without the use of nails. In its heyday, the boatmakers of Duyong Island received orders from a number of countries, although this industry is now declining.

References

{{coord, 5, 20, 00, N, 103, 07, 30, E, type:isle_region:MY, display=title Islands of Terengganu River islands of Asia

Etymology

Geography

Culture

See also

References