PULAU REDANG(EXCITING PLACES TO BE)

Redang island,locally known as pulau redang or just "redang'' is the one of the largest island off the east coast of Malaysia.It is one of nine islands,which form a marine park and which offer snorkelling and diving oppurtunities.Access is from Merang or Kuala Terengganu on boats operated by the results,there is also a small airport with service operated by Berjaya Air from Singapore(selected airport) and KualaLumpur (SultanAbdul Aziz Shah Airport).

The island also important conservation site for sea turtles.Previously,the indiscriminate economic exploitation of turtle eggs had caused fewer turtles returning to nest of the island.This had lead the Terengganu state goverment to set up the Koperasi SetiaJaya Pulau Redang in 1989,a cooperative aiming to develop and manage sosio-economic programmes that could improve the lifehood of Pulau Redang locals without endangering it's natural resources.

The waters around Pulau Redang also contain two historic shipwrecks:HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse.The ship were sunk here at the start of World War II,setting the stage for the Japanese occupation of Malaya.

The Pulau Redang arplilago comprises Pulau Redang,Pulau Paku Besar,Pulau Ekor Tebu,and many more.Pulau Redang is the biggest of all the islands in the Marine Park,measuring about 7km long and 6km wide.It's highest peak is Bukit Besar at 359metres above sea level.The boundary of the Pulau Redang Marine Park is established by a line linking all points 2 nautical miles(3.7km) from the shores of Pulau Redang. The others nearby island of Pulau Perhentian Besar,Pulau Lang Tengah,and Pulau Susu Dara are also gazetted and protected as Marine Parks. Today only the bigger islands like Redang,Lang Tengah,Perhentian,and Kapas have resort facilities for visitors.The management of Marine Park primaly involves protection of sensitive marine terrestrial of ecosystems by controling the impact from human activities.These include waste& pollution management and conservationof coral reefs and terrestrial habitats.

The 2000 film,Summer Holiday was filmed on the Laguna Redang resort,and a replica of the tea house now serves as the resort's gift shop.