Redang Island history

Settlement and First Mentions

Unlike mainland cities, Redang Island does not have an exact founding date recorded in official decrees. Its history is a process of gradual settlement of the archipelago by maritime peoples.

• First Settlers: Historically, it is believed that the first permanent inhabitants of the island were the Bugis people (originally from Sulawesi, Indonesia), who migrated to this region several centuries ago.
• Settlement Status: For a long time, Redang remained a quiet place with small, scattered settlements, known mainly to seafarers as a landmark in the South China Sea.

Key Factors of Establishment

The development of life on the island was determined by its natural features and location:

• Geography and Resources: Redang is the largest island in the archipelago of the same name. The presence of fresh water sources and dense vegetation made it suitable for permanent residence, unlike the neighboring smaller islands.
• Natural Harbor: The island's bays served as a reliable shelter for ships during storms, which facilitated periodic contact with traders and travelers.
• Isolation: The distance from the mainland (about 45 km) contributed to the formation of a closed, close-knit community that was largely independent of the political intrigues of the mainland sultanates in the early period.

Early Culture and Economy

Before the arrival of mass tourism, the way of life on Redang was traditional and community-focused, completely dependent on the gifts of nature.

• Fishing Industry: Coastal fishing was the basis of the economy. Residents provided food for themselves and exchanged surplus catch for essential goods from the mainland.
• Agriculture: The cultivation of coconuts and the raising of livestock (goats and chickens) for domestic consumption were developed to a limited extent.
• Architecture: Early settlements were classic Malay villages (kampongs), often built on stilts near the water, reflecting the close connection of the inhabitants with the sea.

Key Development Milestones

• Late 19th Century — Settlement of the island by the Bugis people from Sulawesi, who founded the first permanent fishing villages.
• 1985 — The Department of Fisheries Malaysia designated the archipelago's waters as a zone requiring special conservation status.
• 1991 — Official declaration of the Redang archipelago as a Marine Park to protect unique coral reefs and biodiversity.
• 1993 — Establishment of the SEATRU research station at Chagar Hutang Bay to study and conserve the sea turtle population.
• 1994 — Legislative confirmation of the reserve status, banning commercial fishing and coral harvesting within a radius of two nautical miles.
• 1996 — Opening of the first major resort complex and airstrip, marking the beginning of the era of organized tourism.
• 2000 — Release of the popular movie "Summer Holiday", filmed on the island, which brought international fame to Redang.
• 2001 — Completion of the relocation of residents from the historic water village to a new, well-equipped settlement in the island's interior to protect coastal ecology.
• 2004 — Modernization of Redang Airport, allowing for direct air connections with Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.
• 2010s — Implementation of strict rules for divers and snorkelers, as well as the launch of programs for artificial reef restoration.
• 2022 — Resumption of active tourist flow after the pandemic with a new focus on sustainable eco-tourism and nature conservation.

Key Stages of the Island's Transformation

The development of Redang is a story of the transformation of a secluded fishing community into one of Malaysia's most popular resorts. Several fundamental changes can be highlighted that defined the modern appearance and economy of the island.

• Creation of the National Marine Park.

  Granting the archipelago protected status in the 1990s was a turning point. The ban on industrial fishing and coral mining forced the local population and businesses to reorient towards the service sector. Significance: This decision laid the foundation for eco-tourism, which today constitutes 100% of the island's economy, and allowed for the preservation of reef biodiversity.

• Relocation Program (Kampung Baru Project).

  The largest social and urban planning change in the island's history. Authorities moved the historic stilt village, located directly over the water, inland to a specially built settlement with modern infrastructure. Significance: This solved the problem of coastal water pollution from household waste and significantly improved the quality of life for local residents by providing them with electricity and running water.

• Airport Construction and Transport Accessibility.

  The appearance of a runway and the launch of flights (predominantly charter and by Berjaya Air) opened the island to the premium tourist segment. Significance: Redang ceased to be a difficult-to-reach spot for "wild" recreation, turning into a world-class resort with quick access from Kuala Lumpur and Singapore.

• Cultural Phenomenon of the film "Summer Holiday".

  The release in 2000 of the popular Hong Kong film, shot on Pasir Panjang Beach, caused an explosive interest in the island from Chinese tourists. Significance: This media success led to a sharp increase in tourist flow, which stimulated the large-scale construction of major hotels replacing modest bungalows.

• Development of Large Hotel Infrastructure.

  Transition from simple wooden chalets to the construction of multi-story concrete complexes (such as Laguna Redang or The Taaras). Significance: Increasing the resort's capacity allowed for hosting thousands of guests simultaneously, but also presented the administration with new challenges in waste and fresh water management.

Architectural Appearance and Development Stages

Due to geographical isolation and its status as a nature reserve, Redang Island lacks classical European styles like Gothic or Baroque. The architectural development of the island is a story of transition from the traditional Malay way of life to modern resort infrastructure.

1. Era of Traditional Settlement (Pre-1990s)

The period when the island was inhabited exclusively by fishing families. Construction was spontaneous and eco-friendly.

• Style: Malay Vernacular (folk) style.
• Characteristics: Wooden houses on stilts (for protection against tides and for air circulation), covered with palm leaves (atap) or zinc.
• Location: Historically located directly over the water at the mouth of the Redang River (now dismantled for ecological purposes).

2. Era of State Planning (From 2001)

Associated with the implementation of the program to relocate residents inland to protect the reefs. This is the only example of regular urban planning on Redang.

• Style: Functional utilitarianism.
• Characteristics: Uniform concrete single-story and two-story houses organized in a clear street grid. Presence of centralized infrastructure (school, clinic).
• Landmark Building: Redang Mosque (Masjid Redang). The main architectural dominant of the settlement, executed in a modern Islamic style: concise forms, a white facade, and a green dome symbolizing Islam.

3. Era of Tourism Development (From late 1990s)

Development of resort zones on the coast, forming the current "facade" of the island for travelers.

• Early Tourist Style: Simple wooden chalets and bungalows blended into the forest landscape.
• Resort "Fusion" (2000s): Construction of large complexes imitating traditional forms using concrete. A vivid example is the Laguna Redang Island Resort. The building is stylized as traditional Malay architecture with elements of Chinese decor, inspired by the "More More Tea Inn" building from the movie "Summer Holiday".
• Modern Tropical Style: Represented in premium segments, for example, at The Taaras Beach & Spa Resort. Distinguished by the use of natural stone, panoramic glazing, and minimalism that harmonizes with nature.

Urban Planning Features

• Zoning: The island is clearly divided into a "local" zone (Kampung Baru in the center) and "tourist" enclaves (Pasir Panjang and Teluk Dalam beaches).
• Height Restrictions: According to marine park rules, buildings must not exceed the height of coconut palms (usually no more than 2-3 floors) so as not to disturb the visual natural landscape.

Personalities Who Influenced the History and Development of the Island

The history of Redang Island is inextricably linked not so much with generals or politicians, but with those who revealed its beauty to the world, fought to preserve its nature, and created a tourism legend.

Science and Nature Conservation

• Dr. Chan Eng Heng
  Professor, Zoologist, Conservationist
  Known in Malaysia as the "Turtle Lady". In 1993, she founded the SEATRU (Sea Turtle Research Unit) research division at Chagar Hutang Bay in the north of Redang. Her many years of work and beach patrols played a decisive role in preserving the population of green turtles and hawksbill turtles, making the island one of the most important nesting centers in the South China Sea.

Culture and Popularization

These artists turned Redang from a local vacation spot into a resort of international renown, especially among tourists from East Asia.

• Jingle Ma
  Film Director (Hong Kong)
  Director of the movie "Summer Holiday" (2000). It was he who chose Pasir Panjang Beach as the filming location. The success of his picture triggered a real tourist boom: thousands of fans rushed to the island to see the famous "colorful house" (More More Tea Inn), built specifically for the filming.
• Richie Jen
  Actor and Singer (Taiwan)
  Lead actor in the film "Summer Holiday". His image in the film became so iconic that many tourist attractions on the island exploited the movie's theme for years. Richie Jen became the unofficial face of the island for the Chinese audience in the early 2000s.
• Sammi Cheng
  Actress and Singer (Hong Kong)
  Richie Jen's co-star in the film. The popularity of her character contributed to the romanticization of Redang Island as an ideal destination for couples and honeymoons.

Business and Infrastructure Development

• Vincent Tan
  Entrepreneur, Founder of Berjaya Corporation
  One of Malaysia's most influential businessmen. His company played a key role in transforming the island into an elite destination by building the first and only airport on Redang, as well as a premium resort (now The Taaras). This ensured direct air connectivity between the island, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore.

Administrative Management

• Sultan Mahmud Al-Muktafi Billah Shah
  Sultan of Terengganu (1979–1998)
  The ruler of the state, during whose reign (in the early 90s) key decisions were made to grant the archipelago Marine Park status. His support for environmental initiatives allowed for the creation of a legislative framework to protect coral reefs from industrial fishing.