History of Development in Kerteh [past and present]

Kerteh's location in Terengganu, Malaysia

Kerteh is one of the area (mukim) that’s located in Kemaman District, Terengganu, Malaysia. Kerteh is located at Terengganu coast and there has 15 villages in area of Kerteh. Long time years ago, Kerteh is a swamp area. Then, some years later, the swamp become dry and become land but the area still have nothing without any development. But there is agriculture area which has some coconut tree area in amid village area.

Later, on 1920 century, the traditional food industry such as shrimp paste, dried fish, and pickled was existed. Because of Kerteh located at Terengganu coast, fishery activity becomes one of the main activities for people in area Kerteh. Some of the people have skill to built fishing boats and from time to time fishing boats become bigger than usual to achieve ability to sail further into the middle of sea. Besides that, Kerteh also known as trade centre because the place becomes stopover for bigger boats and other fishery from others place.

Old traditional fishery village in Kerteh, Terengganu.

On 1960 century, rural environment in Kerteh area seen obviously with traditional house roof made by zinc and thatched. On 1970 century, South China Sea beaches along 225km are land turtles appeared calm and quiet rather than current situation which quite polluted and less nature with development at Terengganu coast. Since 1979, Petronas worker starting measuring site in Kerteh area for construction of new airport, housing schemes gas pipeline route and meteorological stations. In 1980 century, Kerteh experienced a lot of changes because of finding the natural resources which is petroleum.

In other word, Kerteh developed because of “black gold” or petroleum which found it in the bottom of the South China Sea, overlooking the Kerteh beach. Kerteh become one of the important places because of high population and having good facilities. Kerteh also known as “City of Light” among tourist because of spillover of light from Industrial Area of Petroleum Petronas which give lighting to Kerteh on the night.

 Coast of Kerteh from top view which show petroleum industry or as known as "black gold".

“City of Light” of Kerteh as known by tourist

Now, there are a lot of changes can see in Kerteh. The town becomes developed and advanced as well and many activities happened around there. There are industry areas, commercial area and residential area which can give job opportunities to peoples around there. Presently, we can see that the rural area such as Kerteh can develop as well to be a attractive town just because having the natural resource which is petroleum.