KEDAH -PULAU SAYAK & KUALA MUDA

By Hj Zulheimy Maamor

1 March 2024 : 7.12 pm

PULAU SAYAK

Kampung Pulau Sayak is located approximately 30 km from the hotel we stayed at, D'Vista Hotel Sungai Petani, Kedah. I can still remember the name of Kg Pulau Sayak because this is one of the places in Malaysia where the sighting of the new moon determines the start of the fasting month of Ramadan for Muslims in Malaysia.

I had the opportunity to visit Pulau Sayak when I was attending the Awareness Program Coordination Meeting at Central Square, Sungai Petani, on February 18, 2014. I never thought that I would be able to set foot in a place that I had often heard about before the beginning of the fasting month of Ramadan.

Thanks to my old friend Osman bin Desa, who resides in Tikam Batu, Kedah, for bringing me to Pulau Sayak to enjoy the famous Mee Udang (prawn noodles). Osman was my former shipmate at KD Ganas (RMN Ship) in Woodlands, Singapore, in 1981, when we both served with the Royal Malaysian Navy. Actually, this is not the first time I met Osman Desa. The first time I met him was in Gelugor, Penang, in 2012, and then in Kuala Nerang, Kedah, in the same year.

Usof Mee Udang is the best prawn noodles in Pulau Sayak, with a beautiful view near the seashore. The prawns are big and full on one plate, taste good at a reasonable price, and are highly recommended.

TSUNAMI MONUMENT

I took the opportunity to visit the historical place located in Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah, which is about 8 km from Pulau Sayak.

The Tsunami monument which was built in remembrance of the victims who lost their lives on December 24,  2004. Located at Kampung Permatang Katong, the gallery features haunting photographs of the disaster's aftermath, which resulted in the loss of life and property. The Kota Kuala Muda was the worst hit in Malaysia with 10 villages devastated while some coastal areas of Penang, Perlis and Selangor were also affected. 

The monument commemorating the event was constructed using 26 fishing boats that were damaged by the waves. The number 26 signifies the date of December 26, 2004.

A small museum called Galeri Tsunami contains information about tsunamis in general, including how they are caused and the damage suffered in various countries around the Indian Ocean during the 26 December 2004 Tsunami.

Wikipedia : Indian Ocean Earthquake and Tsunami

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

1/3/2024 > 20 Syaaban 1445H: 8.50 pm