THE HISTORY OF LANGKAWI KEDAH

THE HISTORY OF LANGKAWI KEDAH

The magnificent name, Langkawi, is believed to have originated from the abundance of eagles found on the island. The Brahminy Kite, a species of eagle fondly known as “Lang Merah” in Malay, and “Kawi”, meaning marble in Sanskrit, is also unique to the island. Another reference states that the name is a combination of two Sanskrit words, “Langka” (beauty) and “Wi” (innumerable), which means ‘The Place of Immense Beauty’. True enough, this island was also once known as the ‘Land of Bliss’ dating back 2,000 years ago.

                   

       Olden day shopshouses                             The old Jetty Kuah                          Frist bridges in Langkawi

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia, who is also recognised as the Architect of Modern Langkawi, initiated the move to transform the island into a celebrated beachside and recreational hub. Tun’s relentless effort and ingenuity gave rise to the creation of the Langkawi Development Authority, known as LADA. It was a simple but a far-sighted move from the legendary leader who foresaw an opportunity in a once-upon-a-time remote cluster of islands in the North-Western area of Malaysia. Since then, LADA, as one of the most prominent government agencies in the country known for its patron leadership, worked hard in developing Langkawi.

The island has seen many changes through the years, and an utmost transition occurred when it was granted duty-free status by the Malaysian Government in 1987, attracting many locals from across the country, and at the same time, becoming a prominent tourist destination in the region. Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, in his continued love for Langkawi as well as an incredible passion for horses and equestrian, has constructed a full-facility Perdana Stables, and a horse riding trail of over 70km long at Mount Machinchang, the longest mountain trail in the vicinage.

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad has since pioneered many projects in and around Langkawi. Amidst all the development, the natural beauty of Langkawi still remains - the sun, sea, tropical flora and fauna, and the beautiful geomorphology form the heart of today’s renowned first UNESCO-endorsed Geopark in Southeast Asia.

With an eye towards making Langkawi truly world-class, our current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched a tourism plan of action designed to boost Naturally Langkawi as a global top 10 island and eco-adventure destination by year 2015. The aspiration is for Naturally Langkawi to rise as a prime destination where stunning beaches, untouched enclaves, nature sanctuaries, rich traditional cultures and warm hospitality unravel the best of island living and offer an unforgettable getaway.

Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Prime Minister of Malaysia




Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak launched a tourism plan of action designed to boost Naturally Langkawi as a global top 10 island and eco-adventure destination by year 2015.