Call to preserve island
PENANG folk want to preserve Pulau Jerejak. So do most Malaysians.
We want to save Pulau Jerejak from destruction, and also secure its ecosystem. This 362ha island has been the natural laboratory for Universiti Sains Malaysia students, particularly those from the School of Biological Sciences. The students are exposed to island ecology and biodiversity, coastal ecology and evolution.
Since 1985, with the construction of the Penang Bridge, two manmade islands have emerged adjacent to Pulau Jerejak. The hydrological system of Pulau Jerejak is interesting, in that it is the shallowest part of the Penang coastal ecosystem. It is 5m in depth and was separated from Penang Island 500 years ago.
Dipterocarp canopy species, such as meranti (Shorea spp), mersawa (Anisoptera spp) and keruing (Diptrocarpus spp), are major landscape vegetation on the island, providing a characteristic habitat and special niche that need to be scientifically unveiled. It should be noted that these timber species fetch a high price.
Pulau Jerejak was once known as the “Alcatraz of Malaysia” due to the infamous Jerejak Prison, where the notorious Botak Chin was jailed. The leper colony was also located there. It is possible that due to these reasons, the island is not popular among local tourists.
It is crucial to understand the natural processes occurring among species on the island, and be able to predict the consequences of habitat and niche changes and transformation, based on spatial and temporal disturbances. Pulau Jerejak can act as an important ecological model for a larger area. A long-range view on
occurring among species on Pulau Jerejak. spatial or regional environmental factors, as well as temporal views, could indicate an evolutionary capacity and global climate shifts.
The scientific community can help decision-makers and society provide measures, including economically valuable species, island landscape and mangrove habitats, that are beneficial for ecological goods and services, and aesthetical value.