Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse, Cape Rachado, Malacca

Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


The Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (GPS: 2.40747, 101.85233) is the oldest still functioning lighthouse in Malaysia. It is located at the cape of the same name, which was formerly known as Cape Rachado, on an exclave of Malacca adjoining Negeri Sembilan. Cape Rachado Lighthouse, also called Rumah Api Tanjung Tuan, was built somewhere between 1528 and 1529 by the Portuguese to help guide ships to the Malacca port. The present structure, however, dates back only to 1863. It was built by the British to replace the original that was damaged beyond repair in earlier warfares. This tower is 24 meters (79 feet) tall.

In 1990 an addition tower of reinforced concrete was built for a MEASAT radar to monitor ship traffic on the Straits of Malacca.¹

Tanjung Tuan is located between Malacca and Port Dickson. Possession of the lighthouse switched to the Dutch in 1641 and then to the British in 1824 following their respective takeovers. Today it houses a MEASAT Rader for broadcasts and communications.

The forest around the cap where the lighthouse is located was gazetted on 5 January, 1971, as Hutan Simpan Kekal Tanjung, a forest reserve.

The road that leads up to the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Here I am at the flight of stairs going up towards the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Here I am at the flight of stairs going up towards the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Here I am at the flight of stairs going up towards the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Here I am at the flight of stairs going up towards the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


The Straits of Malacca as seen from the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Tanjung Tuan is 16km south of Port Dickson. Although it is located within Negri Sembilan, it is actually part of Malacca. At this point, the Straits of Malacca is a mere 40km in width.

Tanjung Tuan is where the Battle of Cape Rachado was fought in 1606, between the Dutch East India Company (Vereenigde Oostindische Compagnie) and the Portuguese. This is the initial foray mounted by the coalition of Dutch and Johor forces against Portuguese Malacca which ultimately led to the surrender of the Portuguese of Malacca to the Dutch in 1641.

Tanjung Tuan has been a forest reserve as early as 1921, when 80.97 hectares were gazetted as the Hutan Simpanan Cape Rachado. However 16.19 hectares were degazetted in 1969 for public use. On 5 January 1971, the balance 60.70 hectares were gazetted as a wildlife sanctuary. Tanjung Tuan is noted as an important birdwatching area. Migratory birds can be spotted here between September and March when they overwinter.

Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)


Here I am at the base of the Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse (29 December, 2006)

Tanjung Tuan Lighthouse is on the Map of Malacca

References

Discover Malacca; list of Lighthouses in Malaysia

 Latest updates on Penang Travel Tips

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