Directory_and_Chronicle_1934 — Page 1464

TRENGGANU

With a territory of about 5,000 square miles, an extensive sea-board, and a popula- tion at the 1931 census of 179,664, Trengganu is the least developed of all the Malay States. It lies between latitude 4° and 5° 55′ North longitude and the meridians of 102° 20′ and 103° 20′ East Longitude. The capital is Kuala Trengganu situated on both banks of the mouth of the Trengganu River, with a population of 13,972.

There are 145 miles of road open to traffic. Communication with the interior is by good native paths and rivers. The latter, however, are not navigable beyond a certain point from the sea owing to rapids. There are no railways (except for 3 light railways on Mines).

A sixty six-mile trunk road from Kuala Trengganu to the Northern boundary of the State has been completed and opened to traffic.

Regular steamship communication is maintained with Singapore and Bangkok, and locally built motor-boats maintain a passenger service along the Trengganu

coast.

During the North-East Monsoon, from November till March, the weather is at times such as to close the coast to shipping for short periods. The rainfall and temperature conditions are similar to those in the other Malay States.

Telegrapli communication was established with Singapore in 1922. Telegraph offices are at Kuala Trengganu, Kretai, Dungun and Kemaman. There are small

local telephone exchanges at Kuala Trengganu, Kemaman and Besut.

The total net value of trade of the State in 1932 was $6,338,353 as against $6,618,440 in 1931.

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The chief exports in 1932 were:-

Copra

Dried Fish

Tin Ore

Haematite

Manganese

Para Rubber

Arecanuts

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The chief imports in 1932 were:-

Rice

Sugar

.....

Tobacco, Cigarettes and Cigars Cotton Stuffs

Petroleum ..........

$ 88,148

851,351

444,016

855,839

73,824

277,160

111,805

$192,147

182,163

157,373

315,408

94,238

The Malays are ingenious and industrious, and excel as boat-builders and fishermen. They also engage in silk and cotton weaving, net making, and iron, brass and nickel manufacturing.

The revenue of the State for the year 1932 A.D. (22/8/50 to 4/9/51 A.H.) amounted to $986,601 and the expenditure to $1,095,584, the corresponding figures for 1931 (part) 8 months, being $676,338 and $845,556.

By an agreement between His Majesty's Government and the Government of Trengganu, dated 24th May, 1919, the then Sultan agreed to receive a British Adviser in place of an Agent, whose advice must be asked and acted upon in all matters affecting the general administration of the country.

Three loans totalling $3,500,000 for development purposes were granted by the Straits Settlements Government in 1922, 1925 and 1928. These have enabled the State (by resumption of concessions) to recover control of

recover control of important natural resources, and to incur large expenditure on essential works of development- surveys, machinery, buildings and roads.

The reigning Sultan is His Highness Sir Suleiman Badru'l-alam Shah, K.C.M.G. ibni almerhum Sultan Zainalabidin. He was installed Sultan on 26th May, 1920 and he governs the State in consultation with his State Council.