Museum a treasure trove of information

Mersing Museum built in the 1920s is one of the oldest buildings in the district.

MERSING: Local and foreign holidaymakers en route to the nearby islands off South China Sea, should spend some time visiting Mersing Museum.

They can do this while waiting for the ferries to their destinations.

The museum located a short walking distance from the Mersing Ferry Terminal and Mersing Harbour Centre, houses artefacts and items related to the district.

Among the artefacts on display are fishing tools, wooden boats and equipment used by local fishermen, and armaments during the Second World War.

“Mersing was one of the important holding forts for the Japanese army from 1940 to 1943 due to its strategic location by the South China Sea,’’ said Mersing Museum caretaker Ahmad Izham Ahmad Kamal.

The single-storey museum built in the 1920s is one of the oldest buildings in the Mersing district. It was once used as the district office and also housed the Agriculture Department.

Ahmad Izham said the museum was opened by Johor Ruler Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar on May 15, 2016, in conjunction with Kembara Mahkota Johor, which is an annual royal motorcycle tour programme held to enable Sultan Ibrahim to meet the people throughout Johor.

Most of the olden-day items are related to the daily life of local fishermen as fishing was one of the main economic activities in the district,’’ he added.

Ahmad Izham said Mersing used to be the main trading sea route and stopover for Chinese traders travelling from Kelantan, Terengganu and Pahang to other parts of Johor.

The district located on the north-east of Johor, about 150km from Johor Baru, has 40 unspoilt islands in South China Sea and the

Endau-Rompin National Park which is a protected tropical rainforest.

Mersing is one of the two towns on the eastern part of Johor and lies on the main trunk road connecting southern and eastern Johor to the east coast of Pahang including Kuantan. The other town is Kota Tinggi.

Johor Women Development and Tourism Committee chairman Liow Cai Tung said the state was banking on its attractions, namely sandy beaches, delicious food and unique local culture to attract tourists from European countries.

“We have so much to offer and most would find Johor a perfect holiday destination.

Mersing is the main departure point for ferries to nearby islands such as Pulau Tioman in Pahang and more than 40 islands on the Seribuat Archipelago in South China Sea.

-thestar online.