Little is know about the early history of the lighthouse. Some sources suggest it goes as far back as 1511 when Melaka, the state to which the exclave of Tanjung Tuan belongs to, was conquered by the Portuguese. It is said that the first Portuguese government vested interest in the construction of a lighthouse to guide its ships through the narrow Straits of Malacca. This would explain "Cape Rachado" (meaning "Broken Cape") the name used by Portuguese in reference to this cape.
It is claimed that a second version of the lighthouse was built in 1817, during the temporary rule on behalf of the Dutch by the British under William Farquhar, several years before Melaka was officially handed to the British by the Dutch in 1826.
What is known for sure is that the current lighthouse was constructed in 1863, during Malacca's status as a British-ruled Straits Settlement. A second, concrete tower was built next to the lighthouse to accommodate a MEASAT radar station. Completed in the 1990s, it is designed to monitor ship traffic in the Strait of Malacca and aid in communications. You know you're near when you hear its distinct "hum".
The lighthouse tower stands at 24-metre (79 feet), with a focal height of 118 metres (387 feet). It's light beam reaches 23 nautical miles (43 kilometre / 26 miles). The building is a traditional circular tower with a lantern and gallery with adjoining double storey keeper's house at the base. Interestingly, the lighthouse is entirely based on a fort-like foundation.
The lighthouse platform is only opened during the annual bird-watching event.
Malaysia's oldest lighthouse stands guard at Tanjung Tuan
(Source: Jee Boon Photography, 2016)
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