Call for bridge linking isle and mainland
All-terrain vehicles will enable tourists to move around the island. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
VILLAGERS living on Pulau Tanjung Surat have long wished for a bridge linking them to the Johor mainland, a connection which will transform their daily lives and unlock the island's potential as a tourist destination.
Kampung Tanjung Surat village chief Amin A. Rahman said, 'Most of the island's inhabitants are coastal fishermen and rubber tappers, while about 25% of our population are senior citizens.
'On the island, we have a primary school, a preschool, and an Islamic religious school sharing the same premises.
'Our children are studying in a secondary school on the mainland, where they stay at a dormitory.'
Amin said not many villagers or youths were keen to find work off the island, and would typically follow their parents' footsteps by either becoming fishermen or rubber tappers.
Amin with sea cucumbers caught by the island's fishermen.
According to Amin, there are many stories of how Pulau Tanjung Surat got its name.
'The island was part of an important trade route. Thus, the island acted as a collection point for letters from east and west, which is why it is named Pulau Tanjung Surat,' he said.
With the mangrove forest flourishing, many people have been crossing Sungai Johor to visit the island.
'A bridge would help improve our lives. Villagers have been asking for a bridge for a long time now.
'The only way to go to the island presently is by boat,' he added.
Amin said depending solely on one boat for transport to and from the island, over the years, was hard on villagers.
A boatman operates the daily service between 6am and 9pm.
Amin said it was especially difficult when there was a medical emergency or death, as villagers had no choice but to go to the mainland by boat which would take a longer time.
'If there is an emergency, especially either late at night or in the wee morning hours, I have to call up the boatman.
'If there was a bridge linking Pulau Tanjung Surat to the mainland, it would make our lives easier.
'Having a bridge would also bring much-needed development to the island and infrastructure, such as better roads,' he added.
Amin said a bridge would make it easier to promote Pulau Tanjung Surat to domestic and international tourists.
He said the villagers' efforts included setting up a gallery on the mangrove forest and another one on the island's history to educate visitors.
'We also have a gallery on jong, a small traditional boat, to show visitors how these handicrafts are made.'
Amin said the islanders were working closely with a nearby ferry terminal operator who brought foreign tourists to Tanjung Belungkor.
'We are also working closely with a local university and the South East Johor Development Authority (Kejora) which has been very helpful and supportive.'
He said Kejora had been actively involved in Pulau Tanjung Surat's development, focusing on enhancing its tourism potential and supporting local livelihoods.
Last August, Kejora carried out a visit to monitor the progress of several tourism infrastructure projects on the island.
Amin said these projects included the completion of Laman Bakau, Galeri Bakau, Galeri Jong and Galeri Warisan, all aimed at promoting eco-tourism and preserving the island's cultural heritage.
'The island is about 20 minutes from Singapore and about an hour from Batam, Indonesia.
'As we are located near Singapore and Indonesia, foreign tourists including Japanese, Chinese and South Koreans come to Pulau Tanjung Surat from there.
'However, we would like to see more domestic tourists. A bridge would help to make that happen,' he said.
The islanders are promoting eco-tourism while developing products to attract more tourists.
'We are in the midst of getting all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) for the island, to make it easier for visitors to move around here.
'We will also be providing kayaks as we have identified a kayak route around Pulau Tanjung Surat where people can closely observe nature.'
Also being finalised is a tour package for visitors to see how traditional fishermen catch crabs and prawns along the island's coastline.
Amin said there were also suggestions to provide homestay for tourists to experience living in a traditional Malay village. — By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
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