Discover

'Pulau Pangkor' is an island off the coast of Perak in north-west peninsular Malaysia, reached by ferry from Lumut (a small coastal town that links to Ipoh, or from Sitiawan). It has a land area of only 8 square kilometers, and a population of approximately 25,000 islanders. It is heavily promoted as a low-key tourist destination by the Malaysia government, but fishing and fish products remain major industries.
Historically, Pangkor was a refuge for local fishermen, merchants and pirates. In the 17th century, the Dutch built a fort in an effort to control the Perak tin trade. In 1874, it was the location of a historic treaty between a contender to the Perak throne and the British government (The Pangkor Treaty), which began the British colonial domination of the Malay Peninsula.
Pangkor is famous for its fine beaches and a mix of low budget to 5 star accommodations. Teluk Nipah and Coral Bay on the north west of the Island is extremely popular with travellers from Europe.
Since the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami in Indonesia, Thailand and to a lesser extent the West Coast of Malaysia in December 2004, there has been less local tourists visiting Pangkor.
In the year 2006, a biotechnology centre, a joint venture of Global Hi-Q Malaysia S/B and Hi-Q Bio-Tech International (Taiwan) Ltd has began operations with initial investments of RM100million (USD30m). Their operations include fish farming, aquaculture and the first harvest is expected in 2009.
ACCESSIBILITY – Accessibility and convenience of travelling by road and by air to Pangkor will be progressively enhanced in the next two years (2006-2008) due to the completion of the upgrading workings of Simpang Pulai – Lumut 4-lane dual carriage highway (which is nearing completion), the West Coast Expressway and the introduction of more flights, including Air Asia services. It will certainly be possible to arrive at Lumut within 2 – 2 1/4 hours from KL, and much less if it is by air;
FERRY SERVICES – Ferry services are frequent, reliable and fairly comfortable. This has been well accepted as a special feature associated with commuting to and fro Pangkor;
POLLUTION FREE - Certainly no bridge because there exist a policy to control the number of vehicles on the island partly due to no real necessity and partly due to space constraints. This has brought about much positive effects in preserving a natural environment free from toxic fumes, dust, noise, congestion and traffic hazards. All these have contributed to the preservation of wildlife in the million year tropical rain forest where many rare spices still exist, including hornbills!
QUALITY OF SAND - The quality of sand is far more superior in the Pasir Bogak beach as compared to elsewhere on the Island. The sand is golden brown, quite similar to most leading prime beaches.

Contents

External links

External links

★ Pangkor Island page on the official site of Tourism Malaysia

★ Maps of Pangkor

★ Pulau Pangkor Island, tropical holiday paradise in Perak, West Malaysia

★ Attractions in Pangkor Island and the vicinity

★ Manjung Community eSpace District governing Pangkor Island