Pantai Merdeka
Pantai Merdeka is 18 kilometres (11 mi) from Tikam Batu off the Butterworth to Alor Setar trunk road. In the early 1970s the beach attracted swimmers, picnickers and campers from Kedah state and the city of Seberang Perai. Subsequent sea erosion made the beach less popular and visitors were lost to the newly-developed beaches at Pantai Murni in Yen and Pantai Bersih in Butterworth.
In 1989 facilities at the beach were upgraded and the seawall along the 760 metres (830 yd) shoreline, originally built in 1975, was subsequently replaced.
A ferry boat across the Merbok River links Pantai Merdeka to the small town of Tanjung Dawai, which is otherwise 80 kilometres (50 mi) by road.
The beach is a popular picnic spot for local residents. Wild monkeys from the nearby forest have been observed to visit the beach to scavenge from the litter bins. The nearby forest is popular with jungle trekkers.
References
- ^ Panda, Tapan K (2007). Tourism Marketing. ICFAI Books. p. 154. ISBN 9788131404690.
- ^ "Kota Kuala Muda". Sungai Petani Homepage. Archived from the original on 22 December 2010.
- ^ Rahman, Shukor (7 January 1991). "New Look for Beach to Lure Visitors". New Straits Times. p. 3.
- ^ Kathirasen, A. (15 December 1989). "Facelift for Pantai Merdeka". New Straits Times. p. 2.
- ^ "$2.75m Retaining Wall". New Straits Times. 21 November 1989. p. 4.
- ^ Said, Ramlan (1 March 1991). "Big city allure of a tiny town". New Straits Times (Times Two section). p. 1.
- ^ Mansor, Nur Syazwana (18 September 2021). "Segelintir pelancong buang sampai di Pantai Merdeka" [A Handful of Tourists arrive at Pantai Merdeka]. Utusan Malaysia (in Malay).
- ^ Singh, Sharanjit (7 Mar 1997). "Residents: Bukit Penjara Forest Cleared Illegally". New Straits Times. p. 7.