INTRODUCTION TO LANGKAWI
Where the beautiful Andaman Sea meets the Straits of Malacca, Langkawi Island positions itself as one of the region's best island paradise destinations. Since 1990, Tourism Malaysia has dedicated itself to promoting the island and developing it as an ideal travel spot. Now, after almost 2 decades of work, the island has proven itself as one of this country's best holiday gems.
This small island also claims a Hollywood credit, as it was the backdrop for the 1999 film Anna and the King. Langkawi played the role of Thailand to Jodie Foster's Anna Leonowens and Chow Yun-Fat's King Mongkut (Rama IV). The Thais wouldn't allow the filmmakers to shoot on location in their kingdom, so Hollywood turned to neighboring Malaysia.
There are two island areas. The Southern Islands, with a heavy tourist population and the islands to the North East which are more secluded without tourist traffic. Langun Island has a fresh water lake like Pregnant Maiden Lake only without the tourists and has Sand Spit Beach on its South facing orientation. Dendang Island next to it form a spectacular bay popular with Langkawi sailing yacht tour operators who favour the area for its natural beauty and peace.
Some of the most popular beaches are Pantai Cenang, Pantai Tengah, Burau Bay, Pantai Kok, and Datai Bay. Pantai Cenang is a picturesque beach with seemingly unending stretches of fine white sand.It has numerous restaurants and bars for evening entertainment, several hosting live music and for watching the sun set. The beach is contoured by tall coconuts and casuarinas. Pantai Tengah is separated from Cenang by a small cape. It too faces the setting sun and is populated more by hotels than bars making it less busy in the evening. Burau Bay, fringed by rocky outcrops, is the favorite place of migratory birds in Langkawi. Pantai Kok is a peaceful beach with the backdrop of limestone hills. Datai Bay has a combination of forests and sea. The milky beach is backed by lush forest.
HISTORY OF LANGKAWI
The legendary island of Langkawi that comprises of 99 islands has stirred the imagination of innumerable people who have taken keen interest in the history of the land.
The land which presently belongs to the Malaysia's Kedah state has innumerous legends and folk tales associated with it.
The land which presently belongs to the Malaysia's Kedah state has innumerous legends and folk tales associated with it.
Origin of the name
The name Langkawi can be divide into two parts that includes 'Lang' and 'Kawi'. The word 'Lang' comes from the Malaya word 'Helang' which means eagle. In the past days the land was a home to innumerable eagles. 'Kawi' is the Sanskrit word for marble, which is found in excess in this part of Malaysia. Both these words together joined to form the word 'Helangkawi' which ultimately became as Langkawi.
Another reference found in the book of Tun Mohamed Zahir's named 'The Legends of Langkawi' refers that the place got its name from the twin words 'Langka' and 'Wi'. While the former means beauty in Sanskrit, the latter stands for innumerable. As such the word actually stands to signify many beautiful islands.
Langkasuka kingdom
Langkawi is believed to have its relation to the kingdom of Langkasuka which has its connections with the Malaya 'negeri alang kah suka'. Though scanty record can be found wit regards to the origin of the dynasty, a Chinese Liang dynasty records states that the kingdom of Langgasu had its origin in the 1st century AD.
The capital of the kingdom is located in the foothills of the Kedah Peak. Popular belief is that the kingdom came to existence when the Hindu king Bagatta paid a tribute to the Chinese king.
Langkawi is believed to have its relation to the kingdom of Langkasuka which has its connections with the Malaya 'negeri alang kah suka'. Though scanty record can be found wit regards to the origin of the dynasty, a Chinese Liang dynasty records states that the kingdom of Langgasu had its origin in the 1st century AD.
The capital of the kingdom is located in the foothills of the Kedah Peak. Popular belief is that the kingdom came to existence when the Hindu king Bagatta paid a tribute to the Chinese king.
Mahsuri
Many acknowledge Mahsuri to be the sole reason for the success of Langkawi. As known from the legend the rule of Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah II saw the arrival of a man named Pandak Maya. After eating some magical grain his wife gave birth to a beautiful daughter who was named as Mahsuri. But after marrying Mat Deris, the son of the chief of Langkawi, she was
Many acknowledge Mahsuri to be the sole reason for the success of Langkawi. As known from the legend the rule of Sultan Abdullah Mukarram Shah II saw the arrival of a man named Pandak Maya. After eating some magical grain his wife gave birth to a beautiful daughter who was named as Mahsuri. But after marrying Mat Deris, the son of the chief of Langkawi, she was
accused of adultery. False accusations led her to the death bed.
It is believed that when she was stabbed white blood gushed out just to prove her innocence. As such the land was cursed. To counter it a mausoleum was erected and the family was welcomed back to the island.
It is believed that when she was stabbed white blood gushed out just to prove her innocence. As such the land was cursed. To counter it a mausoleum was erected and the family was welcomed back to the island.
Siamese attack
The years following Mahsuri's death saw the Siamese attack the land in 1821. In order to fight the enemies Dato Kerma ordered the burning of a village granary, remnants of which are still present today. This incident was succeeded by a host of misfortunes that fell on the land.
The years following Mahsuri's death saw the Siamese attack the land in 1821. In order to fight the enemies Dato Kerma ordered the burning of a village granary, remnants of which are still present today. This incident was succeeded by a host of misfortunes that fell on the land.
British rule
After the Sultan of Kedah ruled for a long time the land came under the British rule for a brief spell of time during the colonial period. The Anglo- Siamese treaty of 1909 transferred the land to the British who retained as rulers till Langkawi achieved its independence.
After the Sultan of Kedah ruled for a long time the land came under the British rule for a brief spell of time during the colonial period. The Anglo- Siamese treaty of 1909 transferred the land to the British who retained as rulers till Langkawi achieved its independence.
Thai monarchy
When the bloody World War II was continuing, Langkawi came under the control of Thai influence. When the war ended the land was resided by a large number pf pirates who find the forests of the land an excellent hide-out.
When the bloody World War II was continuing, Langkawi came under the control of Thai influence. When the war ended the land was resided by a large number pf pirates who find the forests of the land an excellent hide-out.
Recent developments
Progress till the 1970s was to a limited extend. In the mid 1980s when the land was relieved of its curses of seven generation, the government took special promotional plans and programmers to promote the place as a popular tourist destination.
Today boasts of its modern infrastructure and advanced technology that are a major driving force of the land.
Progress till the 1970s was to a limited extend. In the mid 1980s when the land was relieved of its curses of seven generation, the government took special promotional plans and programmers to promote the place as a popular tourist destination.
Today boasts of its modern infrastructure and advanced technology that are a major driving force of the land.
Though the land has been relieved of its curses, the legends and the tales associated with the land shall continue ever to fascinate the people.
Tourism
On June 1, 2007, Langkawi Island has been given a World Geopark status by UNESCO.[4] Three of its main conservation areas in Langkawi Geopark are Machincang Cambrian Geoforest Park, Kilim Karst Geoforest Park and Dayang Bunting Marble Geoforest park.(Island of the Pregnant Maiden Lake). These three parks are the most popular tourism area within Langkawi Geopark.
The Kilim Karst Geoforest Park (The Kilim River)
This area actually consists of three river estuaries that stretch from the Kisap village approximately 10km to Tanjung Rhu and they are all interconnected. They are rich in wild life and tourists may see hairy nosed sea otters, brown winged kingfishers, monitor lizards and swimming macaque monkeys. Limestone, inherently porous forms caves and there are several in the mangroves. One of Langkawi's natural beauty spots is the Pirate Lagoon just outside the river. Technically this is a collapsed cave (hong) consisting of a cave entrance from the sea emerging into a hidden lagoon with towering, limestone escarpments and smaller caves. In the days when Kedah formed the gateway into China for the silk route, pirates on Langkawi used these caves to secure their profits.
Pregnant Maiden Lake
Pregnant Maiden lake lies on Dayang Bunting Island and is an extremely popular tourist attraction playing host to thousands of tourists a day. With most of the resorts and budget accommodation more readily accessible to the Southern islands this area receives the bulk of pressure from exploitative tourism.
Langkawi Islands
The Langkawi Cable Car takes visitors up to the peak of Gunung Mat Chinchang, where the Langkawi Sky Bridge is located.
Tourists can enter the island via ferry from Kuala Perlis or by flight from Kuala Lumpur. AirAsia provides budget connections to the island.
POLITICS
Federal Parliament
Langkawi district representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat)
| Parliament | Seat Name | Member of Parliamen | Party |
| P4 | Langkawi | YB.Datuk Paduka Abu Bakar bin Taib | Barisan Nasional (BN) |
State Assembly Seats
| Parliament | State | Seat Name | State Assemblyman | Party |
| P4 | N1 | Ayer Hangat | YB Mohd. Rawi Abdul Hamid | Barisan Nasional (BN) |
| P4 | N2 | Kuah | YB Dato' IR Nawawi Ahmad | Barisan Nasional (BN) |
Economy
An agro-based economy of padi and rubber cultivation and fisheries is fast being overtaken by a tourism-driven economy, taking into consideration the natural, unspoiled, ecological beauty of the island and major governmental emphasi
The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) development program is a Malaysia Government initiative to accelerate economic growth in the north of Peninsular Malaysia – encompassing the states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and the north of Perak.
To enhance Langkawi’s position as a world-class tourist destination,the NCER is working to attract further world-class hotels and holiday resorts to the island.
The target for NCER is to achieve increased tourism receipts per visitor from MYR1,890 (US$600) in 2005 to MYR3,034 (US$963) by 2012.Annual tourist expenditure is targeted to increase from MYR9.0 billion (US$2.86 billion) in 2005 to MYR21.8 billion (US$6.9 billion) in 2012 and MYR64.5 billion (US$20.4 billion) in 2020.
