Along the quiet stretch of Kampung Kepala Jalan in Kota Kuala Muda, Kedah, 26 colourful fishing boats are stacked in an intricate manner.
To many visitors, the monument may look like an unusual piece of art.
For locals, however, it serves as a grim reminder of what took place in their hometown nearly 22 years ago.
The Tugu Sampan, also known as the Kota Kuala Muda Tsunami Memorial, commemorates the tsunami tragedy that took place on Boxing Day (Dec 26) in 2004, following a powerful 9.1-9.3 magnitude earthquake off the west coast of Aceh in Sumatra, Indonesia.
While the devastation was widely reported across parts of Indonesia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India and Maldives, younger Malaysians may not realise that the huge waves also struck coastal areas in Kedah, Penang and Perlis.
Kota Kuala Muda was among those hit the hardest.
At least a dozen people lost their lives here, with 10 villages affected.
“I remember it as clear as day. My relatives and I were in front of our home at the time and suddenly I saw a long white line coming from the middle of the sea.
“Upon a closer look, I saw this line growing bigger and immediately told my family members to quickly enter our home nearby.
“Before we knew it, we were hit by a big wave and swept away,” said Idris Husin, 73, adding that a second and bigger wave struck soon after.
In memory of that tragic incident, the Galeri Tsunami was erected along Kampung Kepala Jalan. A home once stood at the site of the gallery, but was swept away by the powerful waves.
Another painful reminder of the tsunami are remnants of the houses destroyed, located within the gallery’s compound.
Some had barely any walls left, while others had only specific rooms, like the kitchen, still standing.
At another house, a staircase remains awkwardly in place, leading nowhere.
Inside the gallery are photographs capturing the aftermath of the tsunami. Pictures of cars washed atop rubble, the debris of broken houses, and people standing in what used to be their home compounds, looking sorrowful or helpless.
Anas Ismail, a geoguide at Jerai Geopark, said there are plans to further upgrade and promote the gallery to the public.
“Many people do not know that the tsunami had also impacted us. So, we took the initiative to invite locals who survived the incident to relay their experiences (here at the gallery).
“There have also been discussions to incorporate more activities at the gallery so that visitors can better understand the lifestyles of local communities.
“Overall, we want our visitors to have an immersive experience here,” he said.
More than two decades later, the sea is calm again, but in Kota Kuala Muda, the memory of that fateful morning continues to echo along the shoreline.
You can visit the gallery, which is part of the Jerai Geopark Heritage Trail, located about 30 minutes from the Sungai Petani town. It is open daily from 8.30am to 6.30pm.
