The newly reclaimed area near Sungai Paka estuary in Dungun has the potential to become Terengganu’s next tourist attraction, drawing more visitors to Kuala Paka.
Kuala Paka Federal Village Development and Security Committee (JPKKP) chairman Zamri Zakaria said the area offered scenic views of the river estuary and South China Sea, making it suitable for development as a recreational spot that could also stimulate the local economy.
However, he said the area remained underdeveloped and underutilised despite growing weekend crowds.
“We need to provide basic facilities such as roads, lighting, a food court, walkways and sheltered seating so that visitors can relax and enjoy the scenery,” he told Bernama.
Zamri, who also heads the Kuala Paka Kawasan Rukun Tetangga (KRT) neighbourhood committee, said an earlier proposal was made to develop the site into a tourist attraction following completion of a breakwater project, but plans had yet to materialise.
The RM132.25mil breakwater project, which began in 2019 and completed in 2023, involved construction of six T-shaped groynes spanning about 600m to protect the Sungai Paka river mouth from coastal erosion.
Kampung Cacar Baru JPKKP chairman Kamarudin Puteh said the area’s natural beauty and scenic location would be suitable for a hotel.
“As Paka currently has only one three-star hotel, a new one would provide more accommodation options for tourists, helping meet the needs of visitors to the district.”
He said a new tourist jetty could also be built to make it easier for visitors to board boats to Pulau Tenggol, the island known for its diving spots and underwater scenery.
The reclaimed area currently had only a private jetty used by local boat operators, he said.
“These facilities would help boost tourism in Paka and create business opportunities for local residents through tourism-related services,” he said.
In a related development, Terengganu Tourism Department director Datuk Tengku Mohd Arifin Tengku A. Rahman said the department would seek technical advice from the Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID) and other relevant agencies to evaluate the site’s suitability for development.
“The proposed site comprises reclaimed land and breakwater structures, which require careful assessments of soil stability, structural safety, coastal erosion and the risk of flooding.
“Such assessments are important to ensure that all safety concerns and potential risks are taken into account before any development plans are considered,” he said.
Aerial view of the reclaimed area along the breakwater at the Sungai Paka estuary, which holds potential for development as a new tourism destination.
Reclaimed area offers scenic views of the river mouth and South China Sea, making it ideal for development into a recreational spot.
The RM132.25mil breakwater project to protect Sungai Paka river mouth from coastal erosion, completed in 2023.
Zamri: Reclaimed site remains underutilised despite growing weekend crowds.
