By: Shahar Yaakob

Tanjung Piai is as far south one can ever get of the Asian continent.

While some people climb the highest peak, dive the deepest ocean or walk to Antarctica for self-accomplishment, getting to the southernmost tip of Asia is weekend excursion for many. As such, there is no exhilarating feeling on reaching the destination.

Nonetheless, because of its location and accessibility, Tanjung Piai is among Johor’s main tourist attractions.

A stone marking greets visitors, telling them that they are standing at the southernmost tip of Asia ( approximate latitude 1.3⁰north and logitude 103.5⁰ east )

The state recently gazetted Tanjung Piai and the nearby Pulau Kukup as national parks to conserve its wetlands.

Millions of ringgit have been spent to upgrade roads from Serkat town leading to the wetlands, including the building og buggy tracks, and on an information centre, a jetty, and a landmark monument.

Currently under construction is a mangrove museum.

Tanjung Piai is home to the world’s largest mangrove swamps and resting place for several species of migratory birds.

Tourist guide Abu Bakar A. Samad said 17 species of mangroves could be found in the swamps. Among them are Bakau Kurap, Bakau Minyak, Tumu, Api-Api, Bernas, Udat Hitam, Udat Putih, Bukas, Baru-Baru, Pandan, Ketapang, Jeruntas, Lakum, Serunai, Nyirih Batu and Teruntum.

He said between September and February, migratory birds such as Burung Pucung, Burung Botak, Burung Bangau and Burung Kedidi and local birds such as RajaUdang, Helang Winston and Lang Siput could seen visiting the area.

And the marine life found in the area include fishes such as Belanak, Belacak, Serikeng and Belukang, a variety of molluscs such as Siput Mata Merah, Siput Timba, Siput Belongkeng, Siput Lokan, Kerang and Siput Berangin, and crabs like Ketam Nipah, Ketam Rama-Rama, Ketam Bakau and Ketam Angin.

Abu bakar said the swamps also play host to the Lingzhi mushroom, which has commercial potential.

“ This shows that Lingzhi mushroom can be cultured and grown here and hopefully a government agency will conduct research and studies.

“ A few foreigners have approached me to buy the mushrooms but I have rejected the offers as they are rare,” he said.

Visitors to the area have the option of staying at chalets by the waterfront or the numerous homestay services provided by villagers.

Piai Cope Holidays Sdn Bhd managing director Md. Hazib Atan said he had been promoting and selling Tanjung Piai for more than 15 years.

“I am happy that the government has realised that Tanjung Piai can become a major tourist attraction spot for the country.

“ In order to draw tourists to the site it is insufficient just to provide the essential infrastructure because the product needs to be sold aggressively.

“ There must be close co-operation and understanding between the related government deoartments and agencies and those in the private sector such as tour operators and travel agents to market the product,” he said.

But Tanjung Piai now threatened by oil and chemical pollution from tanker-cleaning activities.

According to local residents, the area was ten times larger a decade ago.

Being close to international waters, the sea off Tanjung Piai has been a favourite spot for ocean vessels to dump oil before docking for repairs at the Jurong shipyard in Singapore.

Constant deposit of the pollutants over the years had begun to kill the vegetation in addition to erodin the coastline.

If the area is to remain one of Johor’s top tourist draws, then it is imperative that the authorities act to prevent further degradation of the environment.