19/05/24 – 23/05/2024- We have held X-Plorasi Kepri- Johor 2024. Team X-Plorasi SW Planning Consultants Sdn Bhd led by TPr. Mohd Helimy bin Samat and assisted by Muhammad Aliff Nurhaqeem bin Mohd Helimy visited Bandar Tanjung Pinang and Pulau Penyengat, Kepulauan Riau. Also joined by Muhammad Amirul Afzan bin Adi Affendi, Muhammad Daniel Zakuan bin Tajuddin and Muhammad Afif Zaim bin Md Isa boarded the ferry from Berjaya Waterfront Jetty, Johor to Sri Bintan Pura International Jetty for 3 hours and 30 minutes.
In Tanjung Pinang, Riau Islands, we have visited Makam Almarhum Yamtuan Muda Riau II Opu Daeng Chelak ibni Almarhum La Tendri Borong Opu Daeng Rilakka (Daeng Chelak), Almarhum Yamtuan Muda Riau I Sultan Alauddin Riayat Shah ibni Almarhum La Tenri Borong Opu Daeng Rilakka (Daeng Marewah) and Istana Kota Lama. We have learned a lot here where we get a lot of input and knowledge related to the life and image of the Kingdom of Johor-Riau. In terms of urban planning, we have gained an interesting perspective where the impact of the Istana Kota Lama here shows how the Islamic Malay Kingdom such as the Johor-Riau Kingdom has sustainable land use. The palace as the center of government is placed on the banks of the Carang River to facilitate trade and the mosque is very close to the palace to facilitate the affairs of local people and traders to pray. This aspect can be applied in modern urban planning.
We have also visited another place rich in history which is Pulau Penyengat, Kepulauan Riau. Among the places we visited were the Masjid Raya Sultan Riau made of egg whites, the tombs of the Yang Di-Pertuan Muda Johor-Pahang-Riau-Lingga Kingdom, two of which are the tombs of national heroes Raja Haji Fisabilillah and Raja Ali Haji (Bapak Bahasa), there is also the Istana Kantor complex and the defense fort at Bukit Kursi as well as the Riau Islands Malay Customs Hall. Here, we can learn the customs and culture of the Malay people here. At the same time, we have also seen with our own eyes, the remains of history that prove the greatness of the Kingdom of Johor-Pahang-Riau-Lingga at that time.
An experience that enhances our identity as Malays and takes us to a new dimension, a dimension loaded with Islamic customs and culture. Throughout our time here, we have been welcomed by Abang Iskandar, Abang Iwan, Abang Imran, Abdullah, Pak Abu and not forgetting Yang Mulia Raja Ibrahim who was very helpful, shared knowledge and treated us like ‘lost’ brothers. Farewell, Tanjung Pinang and Pulau Penyengat, we miss you so much!
Selamat tinggal kita ucapkan,
Hati berat langkah diatur,
Jangan lupa kenangan kita simpan,
Moga bertemu di masa yang makmur.
Jalan-jalan ke Kota Lama,
Beli cenderamata buat kenangan,
Selamat tinggal sementara sahaja,
Jumpa lagi di lain kesempatan.
