[1][2] The lighthouse is believed to be the oldest in the country, its history allegedly dating back to Portuguese rule of Malacca during the 16th century, although the present structure is obviously a 19th-century construction.

[1] The Portuguese government in Malacca vested interest in the construction of a lighthouse to guide its ships through the narrow Straits of Malacca, completing the first iteration of the structure on Cape Rachado (a name given by the Portuguese, meaning "Broken Cape"[4]) in the 16th century.

[1] The present lighthouse was constructed in 1863, during Malacca's status as a British-ruled Straits Settlement, and remains active as of 2008.

[1][3] The current lighthouse erected in 1863 consists of a 24-metre (79 feet) high circular tower[5] with a lantern and gallery, and adjoining double storey keeper's house at the base, both constructed of masonry and whitewashed.

[1][3] An additional tower completed in 1990 was constructed using reinforced concrete, and holds a MEASAT radar,[6] designed to monitor ship traffic in the Strait of Malacca and aid in communications, at the top of the structure.