a holistic approach in coastal management

CAFEO 28 Hanoi, Vietnam (18-22
nd
Dec 2010)
Coastal Management - Beach Rehabilitation At Pulau Tioman, Malaysia
1
A HOLISTIC APPROACH IN COASTAL MANAGEMENT – THE EXPERIENCE IN
THE BEACH REHABILITION AT PULAU TIOMAN, MALAYSIA
Khor Chai Huat
1
and Dr. Lim Foo Hoat
2
Managing Director
1
and Director
2
,
Angkasa Consulting Services Sdn Bhd, Malaysia
Email: and
Abstract
Tioman island is one of Malaysia’s premier tourist locations and a National Marine Park. Teluk
Tekek is its main entry point by air and water. This project to rehabilitate the Teluk Tekek
coastal area is significant in that for the first time in Malaysia coastal management issues have
been addressed concurrently in an integrated manner. It represents a major shift in approach in
coastal management in the country. The solutions adopted have resolved a host of engineering,
environmental and social issues in one single turnkey project.
Tioman island is a Marine Park surrounded by sensitive coastal ecosystem with coral reefs. It is
located in the South China Sea subjected to high waves, current and storm surge. The project
calls for a high degree of understanding of the coastal processes and sound engineering
judgment. It has employed soft engineering approach to ensure the long term sustainability of
the beach, minimize the impacts on the marine environment and preserve the natural beauty of
the coastline. The Project has resolved the beach erosion, river mouth, siltation, river pollution,

navigation and boat mooring problems. The successful implementation of the project has
dramatically changed the image of Teluk Tekek and has improved the socio-economic condition
of the local community.
1 Introduction
Pulau Tioman is one of Malaysia’s premier tourist locations and is well known internationality. In
the 1970s, TIME Magazine selected Tioman as one of the world's most beautiful islands [source:
Wikipedia].The island was gazetted as a National Marine Park in 1994 and accorded a duty free
island status in 2002.to boost the tourism industry.
Teluk Tekek is the main entry point by air and sea to Pulau Tioman. There are chalets, private
properties, jetty, customs and immigration offices etc. located along the beach front and airport is
located nearby. Teluk Tekek faced severe coastal erosion. The construction of flex slabs
revetments along the beach had rendered the beach unsuitable for recreational activity (Plate 1).
The conditions had degenerated to a poor state due to uncontrolled developments, squatters, river
and sea pollution problem (Plate 2).
Hence, instead of being awed by breathtaking scenic beauty upon their arrival by sea or air, the
tourists are greeted with the untidy scene of boats scattered randomly, solid wastes, and unsightly
squatters clustering along the Tekek river banks. These problems are detriment not only to the
beach for recreational purpose but also detriment to Pulau Tioman as an island of tourism.
CAFEO 28 Hanoi, Vietnam (18-22
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Coastal Management - Beach Rehabilitation At Pulau Tioman, Malaysia
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Plate 1 - Erosion has caused loss of
beachfront and endangered properties
In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and also to assist in the development of
tourism industry in Pulau Tioman, the Government has decided to implement the project to
rehabilitate the beach and coastal areas. Figure 1 shows the project location and Figure 2 the
satellite image of project site.
Teluk Tekek is bounded by Tg. Mesoh headland in the north and Tg. Said headland in the south.

It has a total catchment area of 7.5km
2
, consists of four very small river catchments, namely, Sg.
Air Hantu, Sg. Tekek, Sg. Batang Sabut and Sg. Tanjung Said. Figure 3 shows the zoning and
layout of the project respectively
Figure 2 Satellite Image of Project Site
Plate 2 - Mudflat and Pollutants
Figure 1 Project Location
CAFEO 28 Hanoi, Vietnam (18-22
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Dec 2010)
Coastal Management - Beach Rehabilitation At Pulau Tioman, Malaysia
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Figure 3 – Layout Plan of Project
2. Solutions Identified and Implemented
The project’s vision is to rehabilitate the coastal zone and restore the beauty of the natural
environment at Teluk Tekek.After rigorous study, investigation and detailed design
including numerical modeling the following measures were identified and implemented.
-Rehabilitate the sandy beach along Teluk Tekek suitable for recreation
-Provide solution to overcome the beach pollution caused by polluted discharge into the
river and sea
-Enhance the aesthetic of the beach zone incorporating landscape features
-Overcome river mouth siltation problem to allow free access for boats entering or
exiting the river mouth
-Carry out river improvement works at Tekek river and Batang Sabut river.
-Provide proper, safe and sheltered berthing and mooring facilities for tourist boat
operators
2a Zone 1
Land form is narrow and steep and close to Marine Park centre where coral reefs are
present. In zone 1 approximately 600m long seafront promenade was created (Plate 3). A

two tier seawall using a combination of retaining wall and Labuan Block was designed in
an optimum manner to achieve the following objectives :
- protect the coastline from erosion
- avoid impact to the coral reefs at the Marine Park Centre.
- create an upper and a lower walkway to allow tourist to get near to the water.
- reduce the reflection of waves to create a calmer sea condition at the Marine Park Centre
CAFEO 28 Hanoi, Vietnam (18-22
nd
Dec 2010)
Coastal Management - Beach Rehabilitation At Pulau Tioman, Malaysia
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- reduce the overall structural dimensions and construction cost
- increase the recreational and aesthetic values of the seafront promenade.
Figure 4 - Zone 1 Layout Plan
At the Marine Park Centre an elevated promenade platform of 5m width has been
constructed along the beachfront to create a motorcycle track and parking space for the
marine park visitors which has resolved the congestion problem at the area.
2b Zone 2 (Sg. Air Hantu to Existing Revetment)
Zone 2, approximately 600m long of beach was restored with imported sand from the
mainland. A 20 to 40 metre wide beach berm was designed to create a sandy beach to
enhance its recreational value (Plate 4) The beach nourishment terminates at the groyne
adjacent to the Sg Air Hantu river mouth.
Figure 5 - Zone 2 Layout Plan
Plate 4 - Zone 2 Restored Beach (Looking
toward Taman Laut)
Plate 3 - Two Tier Sea wall In
Zone 1
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Coastal Management - Beach Rehabilitation At Pulau Tioman, Malaysia
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2c Zone 3 (Sg. Tekek river mouth to TNB Jetty)
The Tekek Jetty is located in this Zone. Tourists arriving by sea will be presented with their
first impression and experience upon setting foot on the island. The length of shoreline is
approximately 770m. Many restaurants, stores and chalets are located along this stretch of
beach.
The beach was nourished with imported sand to provide a 30m berm. The old precast
flexslab was covered by the sand nourishment to create a sandy beach conducive for
recreational purposes as illustrated in plate 5.
Figure 6 - Zone 3 Layout Plan
A low crest groin (plate 6) was constructed
to prevent the beach sand in Zone 3 from
spreading into the Tekek river mouth. The
groyne head was designed to control the
longshore sediments transport and also to
meet navigational clearance for ferry
berthing at Tekek jetty.
Plate 6 – Groin in Zone 3
2d Zone 4 (Tg. Said headland to Marina)
Zone 4 is isolated from the rest of the zones by the Marina. The 740m beach is stabilized
by PEM-system to reduce the rate of beach erosion. There are corals in this stretch of
beach, no structural or reclamation works was proposed to avoid impact to the corals.
Plate 5 - In Zone 3 approximately 700 m
nourished beach covers up the Flex Slab.