KUANTAN

 

Overview

The capital of the Pahang state on the east of the peninsula, Kuantan is said to be the commercial, social and economic hub for the entire east coast, mostly attributed to its strategic location.

From its humble historical beginnings of small businesses and the fishing trade in the 1850s, and then tin mining and rubber plantations, the city was earmarked by the government in the National Physical Plan in 2005. Since then it has seen a tremendous amount of development encompassing tourism, trade, transportation and commerce projects.

Kuantan has always been a popular tourism destination in Malaysia, particularly for its beaches. As such, the August 2013 opening of the Terminal Kuantan Sentral – a public transportation terminal – in Bandar Indera Mahkota, enables easier ferrying of visitors and domestic travel. The RM50 million project is a state-of-the-art transportation hub and is set to be the station for the expected high-speed train that will connect Kuantan to Kuala Lumpur.

Property Developments

Among the massive projects that have emerged in Kuantan include Putra Square, Bukit Gambang Water Resort, Pahang Tech Park and Kuantan Port City. Also the 2009 launch of the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the state capital is projected to boost growth within the east peninsula region. The SEZ is expected to generate some RM90 billion worth of investments and offer incentives to investors ranging from import and export duties exemptions to a full investment tax allowance. There are numerous other projects in the pipeline, including tourist villages and a commuter service to modernise and develop the state, and region.

Among the new townships that have been constructed around the suburbs of Kuantan are Alam Perdana, Bukit Istana and Astana Permai within Indera Mahkota; D'Marina Kuantan and Bandar Kuantan Puteri in Tanjung Lumpur, Beserah and Balok's Bandar Baru Gebeng and Bandar Damansara Kuantan as well as the Halal Park, Cybertech City and Science Park, all within Gambang.

Places of Attraction

Tourist activities have extended from just the Teluk Cempedak beach stretch and Cherating, which are still popular. There are the Sungai Pandan, Jerangkang and Sungai Berkelah waterfalls and themeparks – Gelora Park, Gambang Safari Park, Teruntum Mini Zoo and Agriculture Park. Kuantan is also famous for its batik, keropok or fish crackers and salted fish.

Travellers to Kuantan are offered accommodation options from homestay to five-star rooms in the many hotels that are located in the state capital. There are also boutique and budget hotels available.

Accessibility and Transportation

By road, Kuantan is accessible via the East Coast Expressway from Gombak in Selangor, and the Karak Expressway. The 250 kilometre journey is achievable in about three-and-half hours. It is also possible to reach Kuantan through the coastal route that offers scenic routes and passes small towns and quiet beach stretches. Express buses options are available from most major towns and cities, including Kuala Lumpur. For local travel, the bus services, including RapidKuantan, depart from the bus stop at Kuantan General Market and serves routes to Cherating, Pekan and other destinations. There are also taxi services available.

Kuantan is also reachable via airline companies of Malaysia Airlines, Firefly and Malindo. The Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Airport is the only airport in the state. Kuantan is also expected to build the Kuantan International Airport soon.

Amenities and Facilities

There are several shopping attractions in Kuantan where malls are concerned. From its earliest Teruntum Complex which is undergoing refurbishing the 1,000,000 square feet East Coast Mall is the latest addition hosting many popular retail brands and a cinema complex. Other complexes are Kuantan Plaza, Mydin, Kamdar and a Giant Hypermarket in addition to other smaller supermarkets.

There are many medical amenities in Kuantan with the main hospital being the government's Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan that is fully equipped with state-of-the-art tools. It is also the teaching hospital for the International Islamic University Malaysia's (IIUM) Kulliyyah of Medicine. Private medical centres in town include Kuantan Medical Centre, Kuantan Specialist Hospital and Darul Makmur Medical Centre. Smaller clinics and health centres cater to suburbs and other rural areas. Future plans include two more private health institutions in Indera Mahkota and Tanjung Lumpur.

Kuantan houses a host of tertiary education institutions including public universities and higher public learning institutes. This includes the Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah Polytechnic which was set up in 1976 on a 105 hectare site. The IIUM – a branch of its main campus in Gombak – has two campuses in Kuantan that focuses on medical related degree programmes. There is also the Kolej Komuniti Kuantan, Universiti Malaysia Pahang and other private colleges and institutions. National primary and secondary schools are also available in Kuantan.

Food and restaurants are aplenty in Kuantan, including street food like keropok lekor, sata, otak-otak, satay that can also be found in food courts and other eateries.