Batu Ferringhi, a renowned tourist destination in Penang, continues to entice visitors from both domestic and international locales with its unspoiled beaches and stunning natural landscapes. In recent years, however, coastal erosion has increasingly marred the area, raising significant concerns among locals and tourists. The sand, previously used as breakwaters, is now dispersed along the shoreline, underscoring the severity of the issue. This ongoing erosion urgently requires attention from authorities to preserve Batu Ferringhi’s status as one of Malaysia’s premier tourist destinations.
A Bernama survey at Batu Ferringhi found that coastal erosion is escalating in several areas near prominent hotels, impacting the holiday experience for visitors and posing potential risks. Stall trader Siti Khadijah Kalsom, 52, noted that the worsening erosion has made many tourists anxious about their safety, directly impacting her business, which has seen a noticeable decline. “Many tourists are now more cautious when visiting, and this has significantly impacted our business. Sales have slowed down,” she explained.
Siti Khadijah added, “Many people used to come to this part of the beach (eroded area) for picnics, but now, no one wants to. When they see the condition of this area, they turn back and look for another spot because they feel unsafe, and the place is no longer appealing,” as she spoke to Bernama in Batu Ferringhi. Selling picnic equipment at her stall, she is particularly concerned about the ongoing erosion, especially during the rainy season, which could further exacerbate the situation and affect local businesses.
Tourist K. Arvind, 30, noted how the erosion has made him and his family wary of having a picnic, stating that safety has become a major concern. Admitting he was somewhat “caught off guard” by the situation, the engineer, on a five-day holiday in Penang since last Saturday, said he had no prior knowledge of the erosion issue. “I was staying at a nearby hotel and had brought all our picnic gear, but after seeing the eroded condition of the beach, we had to find another spot. It’s really disappointing because we weren’t aware of this problem before coming,” he said.
Meanwhile, Penang Consumers Association president Mohideen Abdul Kader expressed deep concern over the aggressive coastal erosion affecting several areas of Batu Ferringhi Beach. He stated that residents, traders, and CAP are all alarmed by the worsening situation. Although the state government has implemented short-term measures, such as using sandbags to combat the erosion, the problem continues. Strong waves persist in washing away the sand, and several beachside structures are being eroded.
Mohideen added that according to the state government, the federal government has approved RM61 million under the 12th Malaysia Plan for long-term coastal erosion mitigation measures. “In addition to mitigating the erosion, the state must also address the factors contributing to it to ensure lasting effectiveness,” he said. For the record, a 10-metre-high lookout tower belonging to the Penang Malaysian Civil Defence Force collapsed in January 2022, an incident believed to have been caused by erosion.
Located just outside George Town and only five kilometres from Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi remains Penang’s most famous beach, celebrated for its international-class hotels and resorts.
