Padang jerangau: The site of Mat Kilau's fort at Padang Jerangau, Kampung Pasir Raja, has been identified as a potential heritage site for gazettement and future development as a historical tourism destination. East Zone Department of National Heritage director Nor Fairus Nizam announced that the historical site has been included in the department's inventory for assessment and research, aiming to consider it for gazettement as a heritage site under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the process involves detailed research and careful assessment before any location can be considered for such status. 'The process of gazetting a site also requires consent from the state authorities and involves various technical and documentation requirements, including checks on land ownership status and other related issues,' Nor Fairus explained during a site visit.
The visit also saw the participation of senior museum assistant at the Terengganu State Museum Saifol Nahrain Hashim, Malaysian Historical Society Dungun branch honorary secretary Wan Mohd Rosli Wan Ngah, and Terengganu Insaf Malaysia representative Othman Omar. Nor Fairus mentioned that his department plans to propose the reconstruction of the Mat Kilau Fort, complemented by amenities such as parking facilities, public toilets, and a surau, to enhance tourist appeal.
He noted that the original fort was built from an earth mound measuring 14.6 metres wide and 17.2 metres long, located on the Pahang state border. 'In historical terms, the fort site holds strong evidence of having served as a hideout for Mat Kilau and a gathering place for Malay warriors, giving it considerable heritage significance,' he stated.
The site holds potential to transform into a historical tourism destination, appealing to both local visitors and international tourists interested in Malaysia's heritage and resistance history. Nor Fairus also highlighted the new road linking Kampung Pasir Raja, Hulu Dungun to the Terengganu border, which is nearing completion and will facilitate tourist access to the site.
A report by Bernama on July 18 emphasized the neglected state of Mat Kilau Fort, indicating the urgent need for conservation work to preserve its historical value. Kampung Pasir Raja Federal Village Development and Security Committee chairman Adnan Apil, 72, expressed concern that the fort could vanish entirely without redevelopment efforts.
Mat Kilau, born Muhammad Khatib Rasu Abd, was a famed Pahang warrior and historical figure who resisted British colonial rule. He passed away on Aug 16, 1970, at the age of 104, and was remembered for his profound religious knowledge acquired under notable Islamic scholars, including Pahang's first mufti Uthman Senik, Sayyid Abdul Rahman Sayyid Muhammad Al-Idrus (Tokku Paloh), and Haji Abdul Rahman Limbong of Terengganu during his time in hiding.