Tanjung Tuan (Cape Rachado)
Those who seek a somewhat different experience, an alternative away from the commercial hustle and bustle of city life, might find it at Melaka’s exclave, the Coastal Forest Reserve of Tanjung Tuan. Pristine nature, cultural and historical heritage, lore and legend, all meet here at this famous cape.
To reach the peak of this cape, where the Tanjung Tuan lighthouse is located, you need to walk through the forest reserve. Luckily the climb is made easier by the paved road leading all the way to the top and along the way a number of hiking trails will allow the more adventurous to explore the more remote areas of the cape. Here you are free to discover a well-hidden, yet very diverse fauna and flora, secluded beaches, quartz ridges, mangroves and even a small tidal island.
Tanjung Tuan also has a rich cultural and historical heritage. It is said that the legendary Malay warrior, Hang Tuah, left his footprint there. There are several old wells to be found, a shrine, a few Muslim graves and of course the lighthouse. Tanjung Tuan has been home to a lighthouse since the 18th century. The current lighthouse has guided sailors safely along the Straits of Malacca since 1863. It recently celebrated its 150th anniversary, and it is the oldest functioning lighthouse in Malaysia.
History
Tanjung Tuan is also known by its Portuguese name; Cape Rachado, meaning 'Broken Cape'. The name is best known through its connection to one of the largest naval battles of its time, which took place off the cape’s shore on August 16th, 1606, the ‘Battle of Cape Rachado’. The battle was fought between a Dutch fleet of 11 ships under command of Matelief de Jonge, and a Portuguese fleet of 20 ships led by the Viceroy of Goa, Dom Martim Afonso de Castro. After a fierce battle the Portuguese initially emerged as victors. Dutch and Portuguese shipwrecks still lie on the bottom of the sea near this promontory. The nearby Bambek Shoal is named after the Bambeek, one of the Dutch ships that sank here as a result of this battle.
Tanjung Tuan was first gazetted in 1921 as a Permanent Forest Reserve. However, part of this was later excised for development and the remaining 60 hectares given full protection in 1953 when it was declared a Virgin Jungle Reserve. In 1971, the site received increased legal protection when it was gazetted as a Wildlife Reserve. This legislation recognizes the conservation importance of Tanjung Tuan as a stop-over point for migrating raptors and as a sanctuary for wildlife threatened by encroaching resort development in the surrounding areas.
The sea off Tanjung Tuan is also rich in corals and marine life such as sea turtles and the endangered Dugong Dugon, prompting the state authorities to gazette the off-shore areas adjacent to the site as a coral conservation zone in 1988.
Quick fact
While an actual encounter is very unlikely, the coast at Tanjung Tuan is occasionally visited by stray 'saltie', Estuarine Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) originating from the Linggi-Rembau River south of Port Dickson. In recent years, some crocodiles measuring roughly 2.5 meters in length were spotted; these were probably females or young adults. More frightening is the rumour that the cape is said to be the home and happy hunting ground of a male adult crocodile measuring approximately 5.7 meters, boasting a weight of nearly 1,100 kilos. Welcome to Tanjung Tuan?
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