Other significantly large habitats are the coastal mudflats and sandy shores found here. These habitats together with the coastal waters are important for fisheries and food security for the littoral states. The largest aquaculture complex for the country is located to the south of Penang where production supply both the local market and is exported to the international markets of US and Singapore FAO, The Straits of Malacca provides access and livelihood to the coastal populations surrounding it.
Accessibility to the hinterland came through many of these littoral towns and it is no surprise that they are the main population centres lining the Straits of Malacca. These population centres grew inland but with the increasingly limited land areas, many coastal towns have relied on land reclamation to extend the boundaries into the sea.
Many of the issues of sustainability in these areas are closely linked to the coastal habitation and industries development here. With the advent of climate change and the resulting rise in sea level, many of the coastal areas lining the Straits of Malacca are under threat from coastal inundation and its related issues. Model predictions have shown that increasing sea level in the Straits of Malacca is proportionally linked to the areas that will be submerged.
This is true for the areas with low elevation such as the coastal plains and the low lying agricultural areas. Issues related to this are the potential of land submergence, coastal flooding, drainage, saline intrusion and the destruction of natural habitats.
Some of these are discussed below:. Land submergence and coastal flooding. As the sea level rise much of the low lying coastal areas will be submerged. With unchecked CO2 emission and the current trend in sea level rise, it is estimated that a 61 cm to 1.
Much of the coastal towns will be adversely affected as will the low lying agricultural areas. On peninsular Malaysia, the low lying coastal plains of Kedah and Perak are at risk. The drainage of natural systems such rivers and man-made discharges from towns and cities into the Straits of Malacca are related to the tidal elevation and geomorphology of the sea front. Changes in these as a result of sea level rise has a significant impact on the drainage system and river discharge, further increasing the risk of coastal flooding.
Saline intrusion. Agricultural crops such as rice are salt intolerant. Much of the rice growing areas on peninsular Malaysia and East Sumatra fronting the Straits of Malacca are in low lying area adjacent to the coastline.
Some of these areas such as in the state of Kedah, Perak and Selangor are areas with high potential for sea water inundation. In other areas such as in the Peninsular state of north Kedah and Perlis, where coastal erosion is also an issue, the risk is further magnified. Destruction of natural habitats. Much of the costal vegetation in riparian habitats along the banks of rivers and estuarine are sensitive to the salinity of the riverine and coastal waters.
The zonation of mangrove plants, for example, follow the saltwater regime that inundate the river banks. Changes in sea level will affect the areas influenced by this regime. In addition, expansion into the hinterland is restricted as often these areas are already taken up by coastal development. In areas where the underwater natural communities are affected by water depth such as that inhabited by coral reefs and sea grass beds, there will be a reduction in the photosynthetic potential as the light is reduced by deeper waters.
For coral reefs living near the upper threshold of reduced light such as in the corals reefs of Pangkor, Cape Rachado and Langkawi the rise in sea level is potentially harmful. It must be noted certain other environmental changes such as the increased sea temperatures will exert additional stressors on these natural ecosystems.
There are already increased incidences of coral bleaching due to elevated sea temperatures in Langkawi and Acheh in the Straits of Malacca in recent years. NOAA, We can consider two main anthropogenic sources of pollution in the Straits of Malacca.
Those that arise from the shipping activity and those that are introduced from land-based sources. The high volume of traffic transit in the Straits of Malacca meant that there is always a high potential of maritime accidents and introduction of pollutants into the straits.
Several major river systems flow through highly populated areas into the Straits of Malacca from both the Sumatra island and peninsular Malaysia. This introduce organic pollution from domestic wastes, agriculture and industries to inorganic pollution from electronic, chemical and heavy industries. In addition, pollution caused by terrigenous materials such as the introduction of sedimented waters increase the sediment load of the straits.
Other pollutants include oil and grease often discharged from vessels plying the Straits of Malacca. Malaysia is a signatory to several international conventions that try to prevent pollution at sea. Indonesia prohibits the disposal of waste in the sea from shipping and port activities. Singapore under her Prevention of Pollution of the Sea Act prohibits the discharge of not only oil but garbage and plastics into the sea Gard, Several initiatives have been implemented by the Marine Department of Malaysia to help prevent maritime accidents in the Straits of Malacca and in turn prevent marine based pollution.
This include the set-up of NAVTEX Narrow Band Direct-Printing telegraphy system for the transmission of navigational and meteorological warnings and urgent information to ships, the implementation of the AIS Automatic Identification System on ships and the provision of navigational aids in the straits.
Currently the traffic separation scheme operating here help ships navigate safely especially in the narrow portions of the One Fathom Bank. For land based pollution, entry into the marine waters is through the riverine discharge and introduction of pollution through coastal activities. Malaysia intends to clean up the marine areas by reducing pollution from its sources. Malaysia has also introduced a Roadmap to Zero Single-use Plastic which was initiated in and targeted to be achieved by The Department of Fisheries set up the first marine park for Malaysia at Pulau Payar in the Straits of Malacca in to ensure sustainable fisheries in the area.
This group of four islands is located about 15 nm from the main-land peninsular Malaysia. The island has a three nautical mile no-take zone surrounding them to protect fisheries habitats and fish stock Department of Marine Park Malaysia, Other areas planned for marine protected areas include the fringing coral reefs of Cape Rachado in Melaka. The diverse culture of Melaka is largely influenced by its historical association to the maritime tradition and the historical powers that administer the state here.
This influence gave rise to the varied communities found here both from the local littoral states to the European colonial powers and imperial China. Following the decline of trade in Melaka due to the development of Singapore and Jakarta the importance of Melaka weakened but the Straits of Malacca continued to play its role as an important international waterway.
Today the Straits of Malacca is the second busiest shipping lane in the world. The sustainability of this important trade route depends on the collaboration of the surrounding littoral states especially in managing the maritime congestion and ensuring security here. In addition the Straits of Malacca comprise of important natural habitats whose health are affected by the anthropogenic activities and pollution from the coastal cities and the international shipping activity.
There has been a significant effort in cleaning up the coasts and waters lining the Straits of Malacca encouraged by the establishment of the World Heritage Sites of Penang and Melaka in The sustainability of a strong tourism trade in Melaka depends on the conservation of its identity as a multicultural society with strong affinities to the sea. QR Code of this Article:. Figure 1. The geographical location of Melaka and the Straits of Malacca with the larger cities along the coasts in the present day.
Shaded area denotes the boundary of the Straits of Malacca. Source: d-maps. The historical setting of Malacca and maritime trade Figure 2 provides a timeline of the main events and government of Melaka from the late 15th century to the present day. Figure 2. Timeline of the main events and government of Melaka from the late 15th century to the present day. Maritime influence and early trade One of the early evidence of trade in the Straits of Malacca was found in an archaeological complex at Bujang Valley in the northern part of the Straits of Malacca indicating Indian influence dating from the early 5th century.
The European colonial powers in Melaka In the 14th century, the rival colonial powers in Europe wanted to extend the trade routes to the east. Cultures along the Straits of Malacca and ties to the maritime trade The main cultures of Melaka are described below. The Malay culture. The Baba-Nyonya culture. Indian and Middle eastern culture. Portuguese, Dutch and English culture. Current maritime trade and geopolitics Even though Melaka has declined as a trading maritime port, its legacy in the Straits of Malacca continues to be an important maritime passageway.
Figure 3. The oil and gas shipping traffic in the Straits of Malacca underlining its strategic importance.
The natural habitats and Straits of Malacca The International Hydrographic Organization frames the Straits of Malaysia in the geographical areas that stretches from the Southern extremity of Koh Phuket in the north to Tanjung Piai in the South and flanked by Sumatra in the west and peninsular Malaysia to the east.
The changing marine environment and issues affecting sustainable development The Straits of Malacca provides access and livelihood to the coastal populations surrounding it. Rising sea level in the Straits of Malacca With the advent of climate change and the resulting rise in sea level, many of the coastal areas lining the Straits of Malacca are under threat from coastal inundation and its related issues.
Some of these are discussed below: Land submergence and coastal flooding As the sea level rise much of the low lying coastal areas will be submerged. Drainage The drainage of natural systems such rivers and man-made discharges from towns and cities into the Straits of Malacca are related to the tidal elevation and geomorphology of the sea front. Saline intrusion Agricultural crops such as rice are salt intolerant. Destruction of natural habitats Much of the costal vegetation in riparian habitats along the banks of rivers and estuarine are sensitive to the salinity of the riverine and coastal waters.
Marine pollution and marine debris We can consider two main anthropogenic sources of pollution in the Straits of Malacca. The impact of this can also be seen from the high BOD levels near coastal towns such as Penang, Melaka and Kuala Selangor Kaur, In addition, pollution caused by terrigenous materials such as the introduction of sedimented waters increase the sediment load of the straits. Marine pollution prevention in the Straits of Malacca Malaysia is a signatory to several international conventions that try to prevent pollution at sea.
In Malaysia, there is an introduction of solid waste recycle programme and the clean river programme by the Ministry of Housing, Ministry of Land, Water and Natural Resources and Local Government and the Ministry of Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Department of Irrigation and Drainage, Malaysia has also introduced a Roadmap to Zero Single-use Plastic which was initiated in and targeted to be achieved by Marine parks in the Straits of Malacca for sustainable fisheries The Department of Fisheries set up the first marine park for Malaysia at Pulau Payar in the Straits of Malacca in to ensure sustainable fisheries in the area.
Conclusion The diverse culture of Melaka is largely influenced by its historical association to the maritime tradition and the historical powers that administer the state here. References 1. December 14, Climate Central. May 19, Country Profile Fact Sheets. February 1, Heng, Leong Sau.
In , a Sumatran prince by the name of Parameswara fled his country out of fear of the attacking Majapahit Empire. Landing in Temasek, he killed the local ruler and established himself over the island that is now known as Singapore.
A few years later, he was driven out by a Thai-controlled army and once again, was left scouting for a new piece of land. Eventually, he moved up the West Coast of Malaysia and founded Malacca.
Legend says that he was resting under a tree when he saw a mouse deer kicking his hunting dogs into the river and they attacked it.
Declaring the place to be auspicious, he decided to set up shop and named the place after the tree he was resting under Melaka. In , Parameswara converted to Islam, leading him become Sultan of Malacca. The city was also growing into a prominent trading ground for traders from across Asia, notably India, Arabia and China. As a result, many Chinese migrants settled here during this time, establishing the Peranakan culture for the future.
Malacca also established contact with the Chinese empire through the explorer Zheng He to protect their territory from Siamese forces, culminating in the marriage of Sultan Mansur Shah and Hang Li Poh. A century later, the Portuguese came, saw and conquered Malacca in This was a milestone for the Western colonists looking to extend their empire to the East Indies.
Malacca continued to prosper under Portuguese rule until the Dutch came into the picture. With the help of the Sultan of Johor descended from a Malaccan Sultan , the Dutch captured the port and ruled over it until , where Malacca was ceded to the British under an exchange programme for Batavia Jakarta In Indonesia. The British East India Company developed Malacca and spread their influence all over Malaysia, enforcing control over the trade industry and employing governors to rule each state.
The Company was eventually replaced by direct administration from the Crown Colony. Finally, Malacca, along with the rest of Malaysia received her independence in , paving the way for the future which is today. Locals believe that the princess was a fairy whom the Sultan desired to marry. She laid down several conditions jars of mosquito hearts and tears of virgins. However, the last condition demanded a cup of his son's blood. That which the sultan could not fulfil some accounts say he actually considered it but was reprimanded by the Princess was the last requirement and sadly, gave up his hope of marrying her.
During the time of Malacca's Sultanate, many legends and stories were created and recorded in the 'Sejarah Melayu', or Annals of Malay History. Chief among the legends is the story of Hang Tuah, a Malay warrior with superior skill and loyalty to the Sultan. It was said that one day, the Malaccan officials were jealous of Hang Tuah's favour with the Sultan.
They cooked up a story that he had slept with the Sultan's favourite consort. Indignant, the Sultan ordered Hang Tuah to be put to death. However, a minister by the name of Tun Perak hid him away instead, believing in his innocence.
One of Hang Tuah's friends, Hang Kasturi, was grieved when he heard the news of his friend's 'demise'. Going amok, he killed officials right, left and centre.
There were none who could compete with his fury and even the Sultan ran away from the palace in fear. Hang Tuah obeyed and despite the pleas from Hang Kasturi, the two fought for a month until Kasturi lost. Hang Kasturi was then renamed as 'Hang Jebat', implying a 'rotten stench' while Hang Tuah received accolades all over. USD 10 per adult. Duration 1h 10m. USD 41 per adult. Duration 2h. USD 7 per adult.
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