KOTA TINGGI: Established more than 18 years ago, the Tanjung Balau Fishermen’s Museum here is the best place for visitors to explore the area’s local fishery activities and its historic legacy.
Located on an 8ha site, it overlooks the South China Sea and was opened in 1992 by the South-East Johor Development Authority (Kejora).
Diorama: The typical traditional Malay fishing village in the east coast states.
Tanjung Balau was chosen for the museum as it is the oldest fishing village in Johor founded by fishermen who came from the east coast states of the Peninsula.
The museum’s assistant curator Muhammed Iqbal Rosli said its showcased the Kota Tinggi’s fishermen and their past and present livelihood.
It was the only museum in Malaysia dedicated to fishermen and their activities and it displayed artefacts obtained from all over the country, including antique shops, he said.
It was an uphill task to acquire the artefacts as some fishermen and their family members were reluctant to part with their possession despite monetary offers, Iqbal added.
“However, some were more than willing to hand over their heirloom, knowing it would be put on display for the benefit of museum visitors.”
Big display: A traditional fishing vessel known as the perahu payang on display near the entrance of the Tanjung Balau Fishermen’s Museum in Desaru, Johor.
The museum is divided into five galleries including the Fishermen’s Gallery showcasing the life of fishermen in the Tanjung Balau fishing village, their fishing vessels, rituals, tools and types of fishes they caught.
The Geology Gallery displays over 100 unique stones of different shapes, sizes and colours aged millions years and found in Tanjung Balau and its surrounding areas.
The Sea Safety Gallery provides knowledge to visitors on marine navigation and communication systems, including safety aspects at sea.
Among the more interesting sections of the museum is the Desaru Shipwreck Gallery that showcases the Desaru Ship – a Chinese junk that sank in the 1840s with a cargo load of blue and white Chinese porcelain, including 50,000 soup spoons.
Useful tools: The metal and glass buoys used by fishermen of olden days.
“The wreck is named after Desaru as it was found near this popular holiday area in southeast Johor. The vessel’s original name is unknown,” said Iqbal.
Although the porcelain recovered from the junk was attractive, its quality could not match that found on the Diana (1817) and Tek Seng (1822) which also sank off Desaru.
The last gallery is a Kejora exhibit showing the development and achievements of the authority since 1971.
Tanjung Balau Fishermen’s Museum is open daily from 9am to 6pm.
Entrance fees are RM3 per adult, RM2 per child, RM1 per student in school uniform and RM5 for foreign tourists.
For details, contact Iqbal at 012-972 6791 or send e-mail to qbal@kejora.gov.my
-News courtesy of The Star-
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