Discoverers of Perhentian

The people of Perhentian and Redang Islands are descendants of the Bugis who were the first to establish a settlement here. They were seafarers and traders who initiated trade links between the Malay Archipelago, Siam and the Khmer Empire. Among the islands along this coast, Perhentian Island has always been a stop over venue for sailors seeking shelter from foul weather as well as protection from piracy. Many of the first traders married locally and later became trade agents for their compatriots who visited these areas.

At the height of trading, spice and trepang (sea cucumber) was the main commodity. Trepang in particular is much in demand by the Chinese and is was trafficked through Perhentian to the ports in the Khmer and Siam. During the Dutch colonization of Makassar, bigger and stronger vessels were used enabling voyages across the South China Sea and reduced travel time by many days. Now sailing along the coast is no longer feasible for trading purposes, thus the role of Perhentian as a commercial stop-over diminished and the people of Perhentian resorted to fishing as means of livelihood.

Pulau Perhentian