In the choice and dev~lopment of a site for a beach resort, many

I
In the choice and dev~lopment of a site for a
beach resort, many aspects of the coastal environ·
ment have to be considered. Although information
is available on how the coastal environment should
be evaluated (McHarg, 1966: H-15; Georgulas,
1970; Baud-Bovy & Lawson, 1977:74-78), many
existing beach resorts encounter various environ·
mental problems,.of which beach erosion is perhaps
the most common or pressing (Charlier & Haulot,
1982; Bird, 1985: 176). This is a reflection of inadequate attention or poor understanding of the
various aspects of the coastal environment prior
to the development of the resort. To overcome the
beach erosion problem, some resorts use elaborate
and expensive structures. Sometimes, it is the pre·
sence of the resorts on the coast that aggravates
the beach erosion (Moissec & Paskoff, 1979). Besides
beach erosion, there are other relevant issues related
to beach resort sites (Baines, 1977).
. .
In an earlier paper, Wong (1986) discussed some
of the geographical factors influencing the development of beach resorts on the east coast of Peninsular
Malaysia. In the course of continued field work to
relate these beach resorts to the coastal environment,
two site-related issues became evident. These were
the problem or threat of beach erosion and the
impact of the northeast monsoon.
This paper therefore examines the various aspects
of the coastal environment relevant to the existing
beach resorts on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia
(Fig. 1). The site of each resort in relation to the
beach erosion problem, if any, and the impact of the
northeast monsoon are highlighted. So far, the
problem of beach erosion of one resort on the
Kelantan deltaic coast has been studied (Jamaluddin,
1982). A national study on coastal erosion, which includes the east coast, has been carried out (McAlister
& Nathan, 1987), but the detailed results have not
yet been released.
To date, a wide range of tourist accommodation
with direct access to the beach has been established
along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.' These
vary from rented rooms in kampung (village) houses,
A·frame huts with shared basic facilities, chalets
with some modem facilities, to luxury beach hotels
and one resort complex with a variety of facilities.
Notwithstanding its limitation, and more for convenience, the term 'beach resort' in this paper refers
to one or more individually managed groups of such
accommodation, irrespective of their quality. Thus,
Ramada Kuantan and the Rantau Abang chalets are
both classified as beach resorts. This usage becomes
more acceptable when used with reference to the
sites, since beach resorts depend substantially on the
potential of their sites. The 'site' and 'location'
usage of 'beach resort' is also implicit in road maps
showing Peninsular Malaysia (e.g. TDC Road Map,
1980; Esso Panduan la/an, 1983), publicity infonnation put out by the Tourist Development Corporation
of Malaysia (e.g. Malaysia Beach Resorts, 1986) and
the hotels, and tourism development plans.
Following Goodall (1987:432), 'site' is defined
as the ground or area upon which a building stands
or on which an activity takes place in relation to
the immediate physical environment. In the case of
a beach resort, the site has to be considered in the
context of the coastal environment. It includes not
only the land on which the buildings and other
related structures and t~lcilities arc built but also the
adjacent water where thc rccreational activities
normally take place. The tcnninolo!'-Y for describing
the coastal environment follows the definitions given
in standard works on coastal engineering (e .g. Coastal
Engineering Research Center, 1984) and coastal
geomorphology (e.g. Schwartz, 1982).
This paper is organized into three parts: the first
outlines the general features of the east coast environment; the second examines the sites of all the beach
resorts, especially with reference to the beach erosion
problem and the northeast monsoon impact; and the
third discusses various site-related issues relevant to
present and potential beach resorts along the east
coast.
/
In the choice and development of a site for a
beach resort, many aspects of the coastal environment have to be considered. Although infonnation
is available on how the coastal environment should
be evaluated
(McHarg, 1966: 13-15; Georgulas,
1970: Baud-Bovy & Lawson, 1977:74-78), many
existing beach resorts encounter
various environmental problems, of which beach erosion is perhaps
the most common or pressing (Charlier & Haulot,
1982; Bird, 1985: 176). This is a reflection of inadequate attention
or poor understanding
of the
various aspects of the coastal environment
prior
to the development of the resort. To overcome the
beach erosion problem, some resorts use elaborate
and expensive structures. Sometimes, it is the presence of the resorts on the coast that aggravates
the beach erosion (Moissec & Paskoff, 1979). Besides
beach erosion, there are other relevant issues related
to beach resort sHes (Baines, 1977).
In an earlier paper, Wong (1986) discussed some
of the geographical factors influencing the development of beach resorts on the east coast of Peninsular
Malaysia. In the course of continued field work to
relate these beach resorts to the coastal environment,
two site-related issues became evident. These were
the problem or threat of beach erosion and the
impact of the northeast monsoon.
This paper thel·crore examines the various aspects
of the coastal environment relevant to the existing
beach resorts on the east coast of Peml1sular Malaysia
(Fig. I). The site of each resort in relation to the
beach erosion problem, if any, and the impact of the
northeast
monsoon
are highlighted.
So far, the
problem of beach erosion of one resort on the
Kelantan deltaic coast has been studied (JamaJuddin,
1982). A national study on coastal erosion, which includes the cast coast, has been carried out (McAlister
/.I:.. Nathan,
1987), but the detailed results have not
yet been released.
To date, a wide range of tourist accommodation
with direct access to the beach has been established
along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. These
vary from rented rooms in kampung (village) houses,
A-frame huts with shared basic facilities, chalets
with some modem facilities, to luxury beach hotels
and one resort complex with a variety of facilities.
Notwithstanding
its limitation,
and more for convenience, the term 'beach resort' in this paper refers
to one or more individually managed groups of such
accommodation,
irrespective of their quality. Thus,
Ramada Kuantan and the Rantau Abang chalets are
both c1assi fled as beach resorts. This usage becomes
more acceptable when used with reference to the
sites, since beach resorts depend substantially on the
potential
of their sites. The 'site' and 'location'
usage of 'beach resort' is also implicit in road ll\aps
showing Peninsular Malaysia (e.g. TDC Road Map.
1980; Esso Panduan lalan, 1(83). publicity 1I\for111ation put out by the Tourist Developmcnt Corporation
of Malaysia (e.g. Malaysia Beach Resorts, 1(86) and
the hotels, and tourism devclopment plans.
FollOWing Goodall (1')87:432). 'sIte' is delined
as the ground or area upon which a building stands
or on which an 'll.:tivity I:lk,'s pian' in rdation to
the immediate physical environment.
In the case of
a beach resort, the site has to be considered in the
context of the coastal envirollmenl. It includes rwt
only the land on which the huildings and other
related struclurcs and Elcilities arc huilt hut also the'
adjacent
water where the leclc,rtillllal
activitlcs
normally take place. The lcrminllloi~Y for desc/lbing
the coastal environment follows thi: definitions givcn
in standard works on coastal engineering (e .g. Coastal
Engineenng
Research Center,
191\4) and coastal
geomorphology
(e.g. Schwartz. j CJ8.":).
This paper is organized into three parts: the fil";t
outlines the gcneral features or the east coast environment: thc second examines thc sites of all the beach
resorts, especially with referencc to the beach erosion
problem and the northeast monsoon impact·, and the
third discusses various site-related issues relevant to
present and p(ltcntial beach Icsorts along the east
coast.
t\
(
.i\-
LEGEND
f
/
Pantai Seri
Tujuh
Long House Beach
\Hotel. Resort Pantai
\Cinta Berahi
\\~/
••
BEACH RESORT
@
STATE CAPITAL
TRUNK
ROAD
/~
\
I
/
\
\
I
\~
I -1'~
\
~Q
".;, Q
'..... ....- •./".......•. ./ ..•...•' "- •..•••
Rantau
Abang
VISitor
Centre
Rantau Aban'] Chalets
MerCl.nlau
Inn
I'] Jara Beaell Hotel
r Kg Ceratlng
\
, ·guesthouse
stretch
•.. \'
,'-
,
I
(
\....
'-',-
"
'-,
I
,
I
\
PAHANG\/
I
\,
,j
.L~_/
I
''''"
Desaru
View Hotel
Desaru
Golf Hotel
SINGAPORE
BEACH - RIDGE PLAIN ------
BEACH --~"~~~NEARSHORE
----~
ZONE
BEACH- RIDGE--LAGOON-PLAIN
Fig ~
BARRIER BEACH ------
NEARSHORE- - --ZONE
S<'!eclc'tf coastal em'iroll/ncllts relevallt to beach resorts. (A) Low beach-ridge
aggrading COllst. (B) Barrier beach along the Terengganu coast.
1he sp,lllal cxtent \,1' the coastal environment
relevant tll the beach resorls needs to be defined
IIrs1. For thc cast coast of Pelllnsular Malaysia, Swan
(1968) has identi fied d coastJl belt varying from
l) 13 km wide with more than
160 sequences of
coastal landforms. However, a narrower coastal strip.
but including the water, would suffice when considering tire site for a beach resort. This can vary
from a few hundred metres to ahout a kilometrc,
and somctimes
Illorc. to include the immediate
nearslwre zone, the beach (foreshore and backshole
zones) and part of the coast (Fig. 2).
The east coast is characterized
by a series of
bays in Johor and Pahang and straight sectors in
Terengganu altd Kehlfltan. More than 90 per cent
nf the coastline have beaches (Swan, 1968) whkh
are interrupted by headlands and estuaries. Mangrove
swamps arc few and linllted to the sheltered estuaries.
liKe most tropical coasts. the natural forests come
near 10 the COJst. especially where high relief ends
plaill
Of)
all
at the coast. A narrow belt of beach forest, characterized by the dominance of Casuarina, grows on
the sandy coasts. On the hackslwre of sandy heaches
is a herbaceous
belt, dominated
by Canavalia.
Ipomoea
and Spil1ljex. Littoral drift is dominantly
toward the south and southeast
with deviations
resulting from different coastal a1Jgnments. presence
of headlands and nearshore islands, and river discharges (Raj, 1982).
Almost the entire east coast is characterized by a
series of beach ridge-barrier complexes, the chronology of which has not been fully established. These
formations are known locally as permatang (sand
ridge). The formation of the barriers is related to the
Holocence sea-level fluctuations (Teh, 1980; 1985).
The ridges are separated by linear depreSSIOns which
can be seasonally wet, and when waterlogged, they
support a distinctive cover of vegetation. Active
ridge formation is in progress on prograding coastal
sectors; where fine sand is involved, the ridges have
aeolian cappings as at Kalllpung Kempadang (Wong,
1978).
The east coast IS npnseJ
tn the South China Sea.
During the northea'l
mOrlSnnn from Nnvember to
February the coast is exposeJ tn s!rung wave energy
\\ l11Ch is rl'sponsibk
for bl'ach erosinn. The beaches
hullJ up Junng the soullllwst
monsoon which is
from May to September.
Thus, a seasonal clement
IS present on the e:lst coast beaches which include
'cut and fill' sequences, formation of 'summer' and
'winter' berms, rapid changes in river mouth bars
anJ nearshore topography as well as spalial changes
in the herbaceous helt (Wong, 1978: 1981). During
the northeast
nwnsoon, high W:lves, dangerous rip
currents,
rapid he:\ch changes and heach erosion
prl'vall. The 1l1onsonn abo brings heavy rainfatl which
l'auses floods, and accessihllity hetween the coastal
and liVellnl' t,)wns and villag"s is occasio!1atly cut off.
Thl' Inaln k:ltlll"l'S nf the ,ill'S l'f the beach resorts
the ('ast co:\st of Peninsular Malaysi:1 are given
hl'il)lI. Thl' Sl'\jul'nee nf description is from north to
\,'uth :lIld, \\h"Il' Il'kl:lllt, thl' It'stlll, :Ire glOliped
,lcc')llling
1<1 hlC,llion.
nll' Il"Ulh ,Ill' lIn,'yenly
ulslribulcd among the f\Jlll east coast states. They are
concentrated
in seven slrelches, namely the I-:.elantan
uelta, Kuala Terengganu-Marang,
R:lIltau Abang-Paka,
(cl:ltillg,
Balok-KlJant:ln,
Teluk S:Hi, and Tanjung
I ,'1111',11--1
allllll1~ 1','11:1\1:11 (Iks:llll) (1·lg. I).
'11\
I hiS dl"L'llptlllll IS h:lsl'd 011 licld WOIk cal rled out
in 1986, 198- anu carly 1988. Where relevant,
available infolIl1ation
on the coastal environment
dating back to 1075 is alsl) 1I1cluded. The overall
quaht" of the resorts and their accommodation
is
c1csclibL'd by tillce general IcrlllS' 'basic' (rooms or
A-frame huts with public toilets, or at best, simple
chalets Idth basic facilities): 'nl\)dcrn' (rooms or
chalets equippeJ
with limiteJ
modern
facilities,
including some an-conditioning):
alld 'luxury' (airconJitioned
rlloms and chakts, :1 swimming pool
and a wide range of indoor and outdoor recleational
facilities). The basic resorts have an appeal to young
'budget
t ravelJers': the mode rn resorts cater to
tourists who want some modern t~l-:ilities but at a
reasonable price: and the luxury resorts would be
those approaching 1I1ternational stanuards. The beach
gradient is clas,ified as steep (nlllre than 8 degrees),
n1llderatcly steep (4 8 degree~) or gentle (less than 4
degrees).
former Pantai Laut sand spit, which in extending west
from the northern shore of the Kelantan delta, has
curved southwest
to attach itself to the mainland
at Pantai Tujuh, about 5 km northwest of Tumpat.
A lagoon was formed but with the subsequent breach
in the spit north of Tumpat, the lagoon is now open
to the sea. The resort consists of several modern
chalets, a longhouse with basic facmties and sever:.11
food stalls, and all these structures
are dispersed
linearly in two clusters on the landward side of
the spit, immediately
east of its attachment
t\J
the mainland.
Spit progradation
has led to the formation oj
beach ridges, which are separated by shallow depressions. Casuarina has stabilized the earlier sand I idges
at where the spit first reached the coast (Plate 1).
Progradation
continues
as long as the sand mass
continues to drift westward, Spits are highly variab1c
landforms and it would be difficult to predict the
stability of the Pantai Laut spit in the absence of
more detailed investigation,
The beach on the se,l\Vard side of the spit is moderately steep. Although
Ihe herbaeeuus belt is plesent, blowouts ale eVldL'll1
111lhe bare aleas on the seaward beach ridges.
During the northeast monsoon, overwash deposits
extend across the low areas of the spit to form sma!!
wash ove r fa lis in the semi-enclosed wa te r. SOlne 0 I'
the food stalls arc affected by the ovcrw<lshes. 011e
uthel Impact of the l10rtheast monsoon is that the
depressions between the s:Jnd lidges :Jre seasol1:Jlly
\lie
l.
Long House Beach Motel and Resort Pantai
Cinta Berahi. Still on the Kelantan deltaic coast
but 6 knl east of the river mouth, Kuala Besar, are
two modern resorts. Both arc located at the end of
a metalled
road leading from Kota Baharu to
Kampung Semut Api at the coast. To the west of
the road is Long House Beach Motel with 20 rooms
<lnd a dormitory,
On the opposite side is Resort
Pantai Cinta Beram consisting entirely of chalets
and a central building with the facilities. Both resorts
arc located toward the western end of the well-known
Pantai Cinta Berahi (Beach of Passionate Love) which
has developed
on this deltaic plain characterized
by a se 1 ies of low beach ridges, Two such beach
ridges are within the fenced-in grounds of the
chalets. The beach is steep and has coarse sand.
Erosion of Pantai Cinta Belahi has been a major
problem and has affected the beach resorts, The
beach retreated at an average of 5 111per year from
1977 - 1980. At the chalet>, coastal erosion had
affected the swimming pool which was closed down
and one chalet had to be moved inland (Jamalulldin,
J 982), Erosion has resulted ill the Long I louse Beach
Motel being Ie ft on the crest of the most seaward
beach ridge which has come within the reach of
overwash deposits during the northeast
monsoon,
causing sand to be depm,ited right at the doors of
the rooms (Plate 2). At the chalets, the overwash
deposits extend lip to sevelai metres landward of
lhl' se~I\\~llel fencl'. Ftll the pelloel IYS() to early
!l)bi'>. Iwac'h l'lll,IOil ~Jppl',II\ ttl he less ~evere along
the resorts.
Pal/wi Primula Hotel. This was formerly a modern
hotr! known as Pantai Motel consisting of a single. swrey stnlctun:
built sufficrently away from the
shoreline
and unaffeetl'd
by northeast
monsoon
\\ aves. The hotel became a luxury resort with the
addltlon of a high-rIse wing, a sWllllming p()ol and
facihtics
immediately
north of the single-storey
stl1lcture. The resort IS located on the nurthern end
of P,lntai Batu Buru\... which is hetween Sungai
Terengganu and Sungai Ihai. The heach IS moderately
steep.
rhl' reso It has been lllC reaslngly a ffccte d by
coastal erosion during the northeast monsoon. During
the 1985/86 northeast monsoon. metre-high scarps
were formed near the swimming pool. Sandbags
were deployed to protect the hotel property and the
fence had to be set landward of the scarps. Wave
action in the 1987(88 northeast 1I10nsoon affected
the lawn and reached the swimming pool and tennis
courts. A protective mat tress, which is angled at 20
degrees and built from pre-fabricated
interlocking
concrete blocks, was subsequently completed along
the entire seaward frontage and parts of the northern
and southem
ends of the resort (Plate 3). The
evidences of severe coastal erosion to the north and
to the south of the resort indicate that the entire
coast is still undergoing erosion.
Mare Nostlum alld Beach House. On the trunk
road one kilometre south of the bridge across Sungai
Marang, a metalled road branches seaward to Kam·
pung Seberang Marang and rejoins the trunk road a
kiJomctre south at Kampung Rhu Muda. Two resorts,
which offer a variety of basic to modem accommodation from A·frame huts to rooms and air-conditioned
chalets, are located at the southern entrance and on
the seaward side of this coastal road at Kampung
Rhu Muda. Beach House is on a 2-ha lot at the
southem curve of the coastal road. Less than 100 111
to the north is Mare Nostrum, on a 0.6·ha lo!. The
beach is moderately steep at both resorts.
Both resorts are sited on the upper part of the
landward slope of a broad and low beach Iidge that
dips towards the depression nearer to the trunk road.
The ridge peters out northward along the coast as a
small sand spit across the mou th of Sungai Ma rang.
The seaward slope of this ridge is conspicuously
absent at Marc Nostrum, an indication of its removal
through coastal erosion, Although erosIOn is presently
absent at Mare Nostrum, it is active at Beach liouse
and scarps up to a metre in heighl form along tire
coconut-fringed
coast. This erosion continues
to
the south. During the northeast monsoon. overwash
deposits affect the compound of both resorts.
Along the straight coast of Terengganu, the most
seaward ridge becomcs a barricr when separated by a
well-de fined linear depression occupied largely by
three rivers, Sungai Pulau Kerengga flowing southward
in the northern
sector, Sungai Merchang flowing
northward in the middle sector and sharing the same
outlet with Sungai Pulau Kerengga, and Sungai Kuala
Ahang, flowing southward in the southern scctor. The
waler level in all three rivers fluctuates seasonally,
with the highest water levels attained during the
northeast
monsoon.
The northern half of Sungai
Kuala Abang becomes an elongated lagoon when a
short stretch of its channel dries out south of Kampung Rantau Abang during the southwest monsoon.
The barrier beach has coarse sand and one of the
steepest gradients along the east coast. It s nearshore
slope is the steepest along the cast coast. This steep
beach is the main stretch along the entire east coast
frequented by several species of turtle for egg-laying
from May to September. Field evidence since 1975
shows that the beach is at dynamic equilibrium, with
no long-term erosion or deposition. Four reSOJts, of
which three are substantially landward of the depression, are established on the barrier coast.
Uza 1nn. Formerly known as Marang Inn, this
is a modern resort located at the northern end of
Sungai Pulau Kerengga. The resort site is rectangular in shape with the shorter sides ending at the
trunk road and the river. The chalets, mult i·room
units and the restaurant
are confined to about
half of the plot on the landward side of river.
A wooden footbridge across the rIver provides direct
access to the beach. The calm wa te r 0 f the rive r is
utilized
for pedal·boating.
During the 1987/88
northea~t nlUnsoon, overwash deposits overtopped
the crest ufthe barrier to reach the river.
Ralltau Abang Visitor Cel/rrc. This resort consists
of ten modern chalets and other facilities established
l'n an 8-ha stllp on the landward sIde of Sungai
Kuala Abanp.. Thl' layout \)1" the resort effectively
takes advantage of the narrow vegetated and sloping
land between the trunk road and the river. A wooden
footbridge aclOSS the river allows access to the beach.
The tr3mpling impact on the barrier is evident at the
Sl':I\\:ml end ,)f till' foothridge. The barner was not
In't'lt\)pped
b\ ovel\\.lshl's
during the 1qt.7 8~
nort1H'ast monSOOTl.
These are some 60 basic
chalets bullt on the barrier itself at Kampung Rantau
Abang. Along the crest of the barrier is an almost
(ontmuous
1"0\\ of chalets
and be3ch shelters which
arc easily affected hy the overwash deposits during
the northl'aq
monsoon (Plate 4). The second and
third rows of (hJlcts Me less regular and are on the
landward Side of the barrier. The channel running
parallel to the harrier is seasonally wet and access
to the barrier beach is provided by two wooden
footbridges.
When It is dry. the channel is firm
enough to he traversed hy cars.
Ramuu
..tballg chafers.
Meral/rall 11111. This resort is basically on the landward side of the depression. It comprises ofa number
of modem chalets and multi-room units spread out
on both sides of a central building with facilities.
Part of the deplession is used to form two fishing
ponds. In 1987 th ree modern chalets, which were
raised on cement bases, were constmcted
on the
barrier. The paved footpath in front of these chalets
was affected by overwash cleposib during the 1987
88 northeast monsoun. Casuaril/a and coconut have
been planted in front of these chalets to reduce sand
movement. Access to the barrier beach is provided
by a wooden footbridge.
Tanjung lara Beach Hare!. About 3 km north of
Kuala Dungun is the luxUly resort of Tanjung Jara
Hotel with its award-winning
architectural
style.
Its accommodation
units of double-storey
blocks
and bungalows, other buildings, a swimming pool
and other facilities arc spread out on a 31-ha site.
The site, which is a flat and elevated old beach,
extends along a slightly concave bay immediately
south of a rocky headland, Tanjung Jara. Although
moderately steep, the beach is one of the best on the
east coast and the nearshore gradient is moderate
and longshore bars are present. A small stream,
Sungai Jara, which enters the sea on the leeward
side of the headland, had been modified to enhance
the layout of the resort, with the restaurant built
over part of the channel. The outlet of the channel
however, is affected by beach drifting from the south
(Plate 5). This problem is aggravated during the
northeast monsoon as washover fans block lip the
channel thus resulting in localized flooding.
In
the 1987/88 nOliheast monsoon, the central sector
of the resort site was affected by coastal erosion
which was aggravated by rilling and backwearing
at the seaward margin of the elevated old beach.
Trans Motel. This modern resort is located abollt
1/2 km south of the Paka power station and occupies
an elongated plot with one short end facing the sea.
The resort retains its original character of a former
camp for personnel working in the petroleum exploration
industry.
All buildings are constructed
from containers and the resort i well guarded and
protected by a security fence. Only rooms are available for rent, while the bungalows are on long leases
to personnel in petroleum-related
industries. The site
is part of a narrow beach-ridge plain that had evolved
south of Sungai Paka. It is high enou g11 to escape
the overwash effects resulting from the northeast
monsoon. The beach has coalse sand and a steep
gradient.
Pahang
Chendor Motel.
Immedia1ely south of the state
boundary between Terengganu and Pahang is Tanjung
Geliga, which is the northern headland of a large
J-shaped bay that terminates south at TanJung Batu
Pak Mok. Towards the southern straight sector of this
bay is Chenclor Motel, one of the earliest resorts on
the east coast. It consists of modern chalets and other
buildings spread out on a site that is representative
of the low beach-ridge topography
along much of
the bay. The resort is set su fficiently landward 0 f
the berm. Overwash deposits from the northeast
monsoon waves extend only a few metres inland
from the berm crest. The beach has coarse material
and is steep. Longshore sand waves prevail along the
coast.
Club Mediterranee
Ccrating.
A couple of hundred
metres to the south of Chendor Motel is the luxury
Club Mediterranee
Cerating
which occupies
an
elongated
44-ha site. A forested
ridge (Bukit
Cerating) comes near to the coast and the beach
ridges are absent. The enclave character of the resort
Plare 1.
Plale
Beach
3.
Recent
cOl/crele-slab
ridge stabilized
by Casuarina, Palltai Seri Tujuh.
77ze Irecs alsu provide shade.
beach erosion has led to Ihe comlmetion
of a
maltress iI/ front of Pantai {'rillll/Ia //ole!.
Platc ]. Lung House Beach Motel is within reach of ovelWash
depusl/s during Ihe northeast monsoon. 17le sand has 10 be removed
regularly from its frontage.
/)lale 4. Chalels buill Oil the cresl of the barrier beach 01 Rantau Ahallg
are affected by oJ'cn\'ash deposils during the I/ortheast I/lO/ls()on.
IS I'hY~I,'all\ emphasi/cd by the fOle'sted ridg..: which
!lse, tll ll1ure than bO m and also restlxts access [(1
the resort flll!11 th(' !ll)Jth only. The a,,:co!11modation
hi 11C:
\;.S ,Ill' IJiseJ
thlee melll'S ahuVl' the ground
and spread :'.50 400 !11 along the COJst <Jway from
the '\\lill!11lng pllO! :llJd har :JI\'a where the recr<:atioii,d adl\itl~s Jrc c<:lltr<:u. A S!11<JU
hill with coastal
dlfts sqnl,lle\
the It";urt proper from <Juditioll,ti
fc!c:t1itie'S ;IILI!1JUl1g Iblu Pa\;. Mok which can be
Ic,lch<:u b\ <J shuttle selvic:e. The be<Jch is similar
Jnd COllIIIlIl<llIS Willi th:lt at Chcnuor Mot('l. Long,11l)I<:,JIle! \\dle\ plevail ,lIun~' Ihe coasl. The easteJl1
'I,k u! T,llllullg 13atu Pa\;. Muk has a steep beach
,Inilidl ti> 'he Ill,lIll UIlC. li1 COI!lldSt, thc westeln siue
IS ,heite'led
ha\ ,I finc-sanu hC:Ic:h With a gcntle
g."dleJit ,Jlld J le'W-lide l<:rraCe'.
I'hc lI11p:Il"t e)f thc Ilulthcast
IlIOIlSOvl1 is very
e'\lcklll elll lh<: IlU'!l1l'rIl slue vI' the small hill sepaI,'lllig The' t\\ll parts elf the resort. Ovelwash deposits
lUll' hulll
IIl.lilguLn d<:poslt of sand tapering
Ilorthward
anel this has prevellt<:d the outflow of
\l atl'l fruJ!) a challnel iJllJllt:lliately next In th<: hIlI.
rhc Ic'SIlII is L!ns<:d floJll t he first wed: nf NoveJllber
t,) Ih~ sec'()nd ,11" thild wee\;. nf ]'Inuary. uUling which
t h<: :llll\ ..1 ,quarc
and th<: accolllmodat ion blocks 10
thl' ';l1uth n1:1) he Iloodcl!.
.I
'(;u!'sr!luuSt.'
srrclc!l'
01
I\ampung
Cerating.
A
nUlllher uf estahlishments
offering a variety of basic
to modem looms and chalets are found along a small
seaward concave stletch between Tanjung Cerating
ilnu fhe mouth of Sungai Cerating. This is popularly
I-.nOlI·n a~ the Kampung Ceral1n~ 'gnesthouse stretch'
and chan es in ownership 0 I' the establishments
occur
frequently. On the landward side of the road along
lh~ stretch are Hussaeins Bungalows and Cerating
InJah. On the seaward side of The road are Cerating
Beach Recreation
Centre and Cerating M1I1i-Motel
to\\;l!ds thl' northern end, and Coconut Inn, Cerating
Bay Chalets and Kampung Inn tl)\vards tlte southern
Although more sheltered than the stretch of coast
south of Sungai Cerating, the resorts are affected in
various ways by the heavy rainfail during the northeast monsoon Surface runoff affects Cerating Beach
Recreation
Centre, which lies immediately
in the
lee of Tanjung Cerating, The outlets of the Jeplessions, which are immediately to the north ilnd south
of Cerating Mini-Motel, are dammed hy wc!shovcl
fUllS, causing localized flooding.
Ceroting IfuliJay Villa. This is a luxury 11llkl-cUllltimeshare resort with the apartments Jrranged ill a
LJ-shapc that opens to the sea and partially 5unoul1lb
a swimming puol. The site is part of the I()\\lymg
heach-ridge
plain that continues south of Sungal
('crating. The beach is moderately steep and has a
wide low-tide terrace. The lesort is su fficielltly set
b,ICK from the beach and tW!) rows of Casuarina trees
separate the resort from the beach. Overwash deposits
from the northeast monsoon penetrate a few mt:tres
landward of the beach-ridge plain.
Tilik Inn. About two ki10metres south of Cerating
Holiday Villa, is Titik Inn, the 'pioneer' nf the cast
cnast resorts. It consists of a priv<Jte house wi th two
rows of bask-modern chalets set in a wooded environment. The site is similar and continuous with that at
Cera ting Holiday Villa. Active erosion forms scarps
of 1-2 m along the Casuarina·fringed
coast. Overwash deposits from the northeast monsoon are confined to the first few metres inland from the
scarps.
Ramada Beach Resort Kuantan and Molel
Gclang.
About 16 km north of Kuantan
Tanfu.ng
end.
are the
newly opened luxury resort of Ramada Kuantan,
which is a three-storey building with 162 rooms, and
Motel Tanjung
Gelang (formerly
Simjifa Motel),
which consists of nine basic-modern
chalc ts on a
1.2-ha site. Apart from a swimming pool, the Ramada
Kuantan offers a wide range of outdoor and indoor
reerea tional facilities.
The sites of these resorts are on a lowlying beachridge plain which had formed along the coast exlcnding south tll Tanjung Celang. Th~ heach ridge
top,'graphy
bCC:lHl1eSevident sl1uth of (erating MiniMote! and at le,'st two linear depreSSions, which
become wet during the northeast
monsoon,
run
paralld to the coast. A wooden bridge crosses the
more landward depression at Coconut Inn, The beach
has fine material and a gentle gradient. Longshore
bar tupography
prevails at the 110rthern end of the
(,)asl, partlc:ularly \llT Cl'lating Mini-Motel.
Both resorts are located on the slight curve:: of a
prograding bay defined by Tanjung Gelang in the
north and Batu Hitam in the south. The beach has
fine sand <Jnd the gradient of the foreshore and
nearshore zones is gentle. Both resorts are weil set
back from the beach which is separated from them
by a well developed belt of beach vegetation <Jnd
Casuarina trees (Plate 6). Based on the position
of the shoreline at present and 15 years ago, the
rate of coastal advance is about 05 III per annum.
In Decembcl
1987, heavy monsoon
rains caused
Sungai Jara has to cut through the washol'er fans which
seasonally block its mouth.
~
...
J
,
f<•••
;>~•..•
;,.
;'
~-~.,
,"....
A"\:¥-
Well established herbaceous bell and Casuarina
aggrading coast at Morel Tar¢ung Gelang.
Plale 8.
Artijicial
0/1
lhe
,.-
,
(
Plate 6.
I
l>
"r.~~
~~"tj", ~.
•.•
)0.
~.~
Plate 7. Undulating sand surface along the riprap wall of the ffyarr
Kuaman which is within reach of the norlheast monsoon waves.
'backsliOre' pilrt iaily exposed alld eroded
Desant Golf !lote!.
(II
In th,~ context of the coastal environment, the site
pied by any beach resort can be considered in
terms of two basic physical aspects: the shape or
alignment of the coastline and the character of the
coast. For the east coast beach resorts, a variety
of site types based on these two criteria is evident
(Table ]).
()CCU
Each type of site has distinctive features which
1111plicatil)lb ,'\)[ the Illcatillil llf reSl)l!s. The
J·shaped ,)r C1enul.lt<' hay, which varies in sile, h~iS a
hC~ldlJnJ at its IWlthclIl end th;ll IS succeeded by a
curved secto! which straightens
out towards the
south. Exposure to "'ave action increases from the
northern end to the southern end of the bay. Rivers
tend to enter the sea in the lee of the northern headland where the wave energy is low. The non-crenulate
hay is usually small and characterized
by marked
"easonal beach changes at both ends of the bay. The
barrier beach is nal row, exposed and very steep. The
linear non-barrier beach is dllminated by low beach
ridges, and in the context of an erosional trend on
!l.!\l'
SITE
Mabysian coasts (Teh, ]985), it is among the first
to be erodcd. The spit tends to be a highly changeable
landform which is easily affected by changes in longshore transport and the impact of storms.
Although other factors are involved, the layou t of
the resorts is also influenced by the character of the
site. This is especially evident where available land
is confined to a strip parallel to the coastline, e.g.
landward side of a wet depression (Rantau Abang
Visitor Centre),
along a barrier (Rantau
Abang
chalets), along a spit (Pantai Seri Tujuh), restricted
by highlands near to the coast (Club Meditemnce
Ceratng). Except in the few more recently developed
resorts (e.g. Cerating Holiday Villa), the buildings
have not been oriented to minimize exposure to
the northeast monsoon. In fact, the resorts have a
byout to maximize the seaward view. Thus, they
are laid out parallel to the coast (Long House Beach
Motel, Pantai Primula Hotel, Ramada
Kuantan,
Kuantan Merlin, Hyatt Kuantan)
or curved along
the coastline (Desaru View Hotel) and not at right
angles to the coastline.
J.
R_E_S_O_RT
_
Tanjung
Jara Beach Hotel, Chen dol' Mote], Club Mediterranee
Cerating,
Kampung
Cerating 'guesthouse
stretch', Cerating Holiday Villa, Titik Inn,
Ramada Kuantan,
Motel Tanjung Gelang, Desaru View Hotel, Desaru Golf
Hotel, Desaru Chalets, Desaru Camping Ground
Hyatt
Kuantan,
Kuantan
Liza Inn, Rantau
Merantau Inn
Abang
Merlin, Teluk
Visitor
Sari PeJanchong
Centre,
Kampung
Rantau
Abang
chalets,
Long House Beach Motel, Resort Pantai Cinta Berahi, Pantai Pril11ula Hotel,
Mare Nostrum, Beach House, Trans Motel
While the sevelltv of the nlHtheast monsoon varies
frum year to year. its inl1uence on the resorts can
be ameliorated by the extent of protection available
at the site. For the crenulate bays. resort sites in
the lee llf the northern wcky headlands (Tanjllng
JaJ~ BClch !loteL Kampung Cerating 'guesthouse
slrekh·).
I'(\ldd be more protected than those on
e.\posed suuthern
sectuls (Chenuor
Motd, Club
M~Jiterranee
('crating). Sites on the barrier itself
(Rantau
Abanl.: chaleb) arc very exposed to the
lI11rtheasl ml)n~lllln .. \ ,ill' Idndl~ard llf a strip of
,·ll:ISt.d (,)rest 11; ((HI/orilla (l<am~I(1a Klianlan. Motel
LlnJlIng Gdang) \I'ouIJ be more prutccted than one
sea\vard of the furest belt. Also, a shalluw nearshore
LOlle (e.g. uff Teluk Sari Pelanchong,
Ramada
Kliantan. Motel T~lnjung. Gelang) would reduce the
:1 lI1tlllllt
llf 11:11,' l'nergy a~ compared 10 a deeper
ilearshllll' I,llll' (e.g. alllng the IJ'lrrier cllast).
In de 'eloping a be:lch lesort. it is obviously desirable tll d1l1ose a site that IS free from coastal erosion .
.\1 ple~ent.
only ~l few reS(lIts are affected by longtelm erosional trenu,. An Increasingly marked erosion
llr ovem ash problem frolll the northeast monsoon is
more common
at several resorts (Pantai Primula
HoteL Beach House. Rantall Abang chalets, Club
Mediterrance
Cerating, Titik Inn, Hyatt Kuantan).
The erosion problem faced by these resorts is partly
due to the difficulty or inability in determining the
long-term trend of coastal change and partly due to
the siting of resorts too close to the beach. The worse
course is to site part of or the entire resort on the
back shore which can easily be within the reach of
Wdves during the monsoon season. Insufficient space
is one of the reasons for this situation. As the
maximum reach of th~ northeast
monsoon waves
varies from site to site. there is no fixed distance for
a setback line for the east coast. On-site investigation
could determine a safe setback line. Observations
nver a longer period of time and on the adjacent
coa~t would bc able to provide some insight into
the long-term trend of coastal erosion or deposition.
As yet, there is no leglsbted setback line for the
resorts on the east coast and the locations of eroding
coasts and their severity have only bcen identified
recently (McAlister & Nathan.
1987). For some
resorts where there is sufficient land, the beach
ridges are levelled and depressions between the ridges
filled in to provide enough land for the hotel and its
recrc:ational facilities (e .g. Desaru Golf Hotel, Desaru
View Hotel, Ramada Kuantan).
Besides the comfoJt dnd the range of facilities
available. the physic:.!1 qualities of thc backshore,
the foreshore, and the nearshore zones are also important aspects of any beach resort seen from the
tourist's point of view. Gentle to moderately steep
beaches, safe water for swimming, suitable areas for
recreation arc some of the essential ingredients for a
successful beach resort (Baud-Bovy & Lawson, 1977 :
74 --76). In general, the extent of the foreshore zone,
which lies between the high and low water levels, is
a function of the foreshore gradient and tidal range.
For a given tidal range, a decreasing gradient means
an increasing area is available for beach users. On the
cast coast the mean tidal range is lowest at Tumpat
(0.76m),
increases to a maximum of 1.95 m at
Kuantan and then decreases southward to 1.62 m at
Tanjung Penawar .(Admiralty Charts 3839, 767, 770,
771). R:>r resorts on shallow coasts, more area is
made available with the exposure of the low-tide
terrace (e.g. Kampung Cerating 'guesthouse stretch'.
Cerating Holiday Villa, Ramada Kuantan, Teluk
Cempedak, Teluk Sari Pelanchong).
The backshore, foreshore, and nearshore zones are
also the most dynamic aspects of a beach resort site
and, on the east coast, these are strongly inf1ucnccd
by the monsoons. It is important to understand and
interpret correctly these zones for the layout of the
resort and for the tourists who usually have a poor
perception of the coastal environment.
Temporally,
each resort site can have distinctive seasonal beach
profiles to include features such as a northeast monsoon berm, a southwest monsoon berm, one set of
wider spaced beach cusps formed at the upper foreshore by northeast monsoon waves, another set of
narrower spaced beach cusps on the middle foreshore
formed by southwest monsoon waves, linear depressions, migrating bars, longshore sand waves, and
seasonally eroded features such as sand scarps and
truncated beach cusps. Although a positive relation
exists between grain size and graclient of the beach
face, there is a larger seasonal difference in gradient
for beaches with sand less than 0.5 mm as compared
to beaches with sand more than 0.5 mm (Wong,
1981). Apart from changing topography,
the nearshore zone has rapidly changing currents which can
be hazardous to swimmers during the northeast
monsoon. Thus, warning signs for swimmers have
been placed at some locations (e .g. Desaru, Te luk
Cempedak, Tanjung Jara).
The resolis have taken different approaches in
theil marketing to reduce the seasonality
factor
caused by the northeast monsoon. Many reduce their
tariffs or operate at a reduced capacity. A few close
during the northeast monsoon and use this period
lor malntl'n,lliee.
in oillel to ple\ent
r,lpld run-down
the
leSIHl.
Olle resurt
promotes
a 'weather
gUJL.IIite'c·· package.
Ovnall.
the luxury
resorts
are
eqUipped
\\ith J wide ran~e of indoor
facilities
to
leJuce
then dependence
on the monsoon
weather.
\)1'
Altilllu~:h e,Jeh site 11:1'>its 1lll1ltatiolls.
the various
aspecb
uf the coasul
1'IlVIrllllmellI
slHluld
be 1("
cugni/cd
Jlld the!1 pl)tentlal
utili/cd
\\hne
possihle.
A Wide lange 0 f ",Iter
and land-based
lccre"tlunal
,Ictiv!llc's
c',1I1 be dc'vI,juped
depending
on the local
reSOUICl'S. SuiLlbk
\\lIld alld nearshore
conditions
uiT Rlll1JI;J
h.UdllLlIl
,l!ld Motd
Tilnjullg
Gelling
ILI\e llk'lULlgcd
the deh'il)pl11l'nt
uf \\llll! surling
cllllll1l'lil.IlHIS
;It
Ihl'sl'
Il·'I)IIS.
Nl';lI!J}
ollShulc
IllCKS ,till! ISLLllb C,III be used fur Iishing, Jivillg ;lml
Sigh tSee ing. R"d. y headlands,
rivers, bal flC IS, Iagoolls.
,alld spi", beach ridges, coastal dUlles dllLl Illangruve
sv,;lmp,
,-,Iii be prt:ScrveJ
III developed
sdectively
as
part ul' Ihl' iecreatiunal
CnVlrlllllllent
fill " lesort or
within"
Ii:so,·t c:umple,.
ln thc devclopll1ent
of many
uf thl' modeln
and luxury resorts (e.g. Titik Inn. Lila
Inn, Rantall
Abang Visitor ('entre,
Club Mediterranee
(erating.
Desar\! rl'StHt complex,
Ramada
Kuantan),
the natural
ve!!etatlon
has been
retained
in the
re:',\ll S laYI)UI. H.ainforcsts
and CaSUarilll1 after all
c~!I1 he inL'ludcd in I.lIldscaping
sites and golfcollrscs,
uscd JS Wind breaks lH shade, or left fm the developmcnt oj tLlllIrc walks lIilhin a lesort complex.
Althl1UL~h undel
the overall
Inllucnc(;
of the
monsoons,
each beach
resort on the east coast of
Peninsular
Maldysi~1 has its own site limitations,
advantages
and character.
In general,
the beach resorts
occupy
several types of sites. The comments
for the
e:\lsting
resort
sites would
be relevant
to similar
potential
resort sites on the east co:.!st. However,
the
final choice and development
of a site would depend
on a detailed
field investigation
of the coastal
environment
inc1l1dmg an evaluation
0 I' the non-physical
factors
such as accessibility
from the Imin
road,
availability
of infrastructure,
labour,
t1nance
and
management.
Admiralty Charts 3839 (Ilorsburg Light to JJ,on Bay), 769
(Sungei Sedili Besar to Kual" Paha.ng), 770 (Kuala Pahang
to Trengganu), 7 71 (Trengganu to Tump"t), London.
Baines, G.K.B. (1977), 'The environl1lent;1!
demands
of
tourism
in coastal
hJi', in J .11. \\ inslow (cd.), The
Melanesian t:nl'iro/llnent,
C"nberra,
448 -·57.
M. & L"wson, F. (1977),
London.
Baud-Bovy,
tion
TOllrism
ami Recrea-
Development,
Bird, LC r. (1985),
Chichcster.
Coastline
Chan"es
,1 (;Iohill
Nevie""
Charlier,
R.n. & !laulot,
A. 11982), 'Tollrism',
in \1.L.
Schwartz (I'd.), lhe Lnc.\'c/op",iiil of Heilches ilnd COilstill
!:'m'ironme/lts,
Pennsylvania,
839 -42.
Coasl al Engineering Research Center (1984), Shore PrOtec·
tiu/I Mallual, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, (FRC,
Fort
Belvoir. Virginia, 2 volumes.
r:SSt)
Pallduall
Malilysiil
Ja/all Malaysiil
al/d
alld Sil/"apur"
(1983),
Sillgapore),
(/{oad
Kuala
Maps of
Lumpur,
\1alaysia.
O.;oq,,'1.11as,N. (1970),
To","
Goodall,
Plilllnil/~
'Toumt
illstilllte,
destination
areas', Journal
Vol. 56. 442 46.
H. (1987), The l'ell~1I11l LJi,tio/lary
England.
of JIll/nail
of
Ceo-
gwphy,
/
./
Jamaluddil1, MJ. (1982), 'DIe effect of beach erosion on the
potentiality
of Pantai Chinta Berahi, Kelantan,
as a
holiday/tourist
resort:
a preliminary
investif!ation',
in
Ismail Ahmad & MJ. Jamaluddin
(eds.), G'('i'xrapily ilnd
the Third World, Penerbit Universiti Kcbangsaan
\Ialaysia,
MaJaysi", 149-57.
Malilysia
Beach Resorts
poration
of Malaysia,
(1986),
Kuala
Tourist Development
Lumpur, ~la1aysia.
Cor-
McAlister, IJ. & Nathan, R.A. (1987), 'Mala) sian National
Coastal Erosion Study', Coaswl Zone '87, Proceedings of
tJle Fifth Symposium of Coastal and Ocean Managen~ent,
Amcrican Society of Civil Engineers, 45 -55.
Moissec, J. -M. & Paskoff, R. (1979), 'Evolution des pJagcs et
amenagement
touristiques
a J crba (Tunisic) ~ Ie cas du
littoral nord-est de l'ile', Mediterranee, Vol. 35,99-106.
Raj, J.K. (1982), 'Net directions
and rates of prcscnt-<lay
beach transport by littoral drift along the Fast Coast of
Peninsular
Malaysia',
BUlletin,
Geological
Society
of
Malilysia, No. 15,57-70.
Field work for this paper has been supported
by
the
National
UniverSity
of Singapore,
Research
Project
RP90/85.
Schwartz,
al/d
M.L. (1982, editor),
Coastal
Environments,
The Encyclopediil
Pennsylvania.
ofBraches
Swan, S.B. (1968 J, 'Coastal c1assificJtion with refcrcncc
tilt' cast cuas1 of \1aJaya'. /"itschrift
./iir C"olllorp!1olo!iie,
SuppI.Bd.7,11432.
to
IUC Road .lIar. C'!Hl'reh,,"si"e
SH'en VII·eclor." :: (1980),
r oum1 Development ('nrporation, ~linistr) 01 Trade and
Industry,
Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia.
feh, T.S. (1980). '\lorphos1ratlgraphy
of a double sand
barrier system in Pemnsular \lalaysia', MalaysilIli Journal
"J Trop,c"l
c;eograp!l.,·,
Vo!' 2, 45 56.
___
~t.l.
789
~11985).
Schwart?
95.
'l'enl1lsular
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~la.laysia',
!l'or"'''s
in Lei·. Bird &
New York.
COllstlille,
/
Wong, P. P. (1978),
'The herbaceous
geonlorphic role, east coast, Peninsular
Nawre
Journal,
Vol. 32, 129-41.
/
Peninsular
lHala.sia,
formation
~lalaysla',
and
its
Malayall
(198 I), 'Beach changes on a monsoon coast,
Malaysia',
Bulle till , Geological
Society
No. 14, 59-74.
or
______
(198 6), 'Tourism development
and resorts on
the cast coast of Peninsular Malaysia', Singapore
Journal
IIf Tropical
Geography,
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