Mysteries in Malaysia

Before this mansion reached its fame and became a well-known attraction for visitors in 2000, it was left abandoned for over 80 years after the owner, Scotsman William Kellie Smith passed away due to pneumonia before the construction is complete. 

Mysterious reputation we racked up as it is reported about the discovery of 4 hidden tunnels under the house where over 70 workers were said to have died from the Spanish flu while working on them.

Many visitors had claimed, Smith’s restless spirit has been seen roaming a balcony that’s now marked with a plaque that reads “Ghostly Cloister Balcony”. Even though he didn’t die in the house, his spirit is said to remain here because his dream of building a mansion was never completed and later neglected.

3 other haunted spots in the mansion are known for unsightly encounters too. Smith’s 6-year-old daughter has also been seen wearing an all-white ensemble and running around her abandoned bedroom. A worker of Smith’s who died in the house is also said to haunt the laundry room, while the wine cellar that leads into the mysterious tunnels is also home to unidentified entities.

As tourists have often gotten lost while exploring the underbellies of this mansion, the tunnels are no longer explorable by visitors. But that hasn’t stopped many from getting spooked out and feeling an eerie presence while walking along the corridors of this mansion.

Address: 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak

This magnificent vessel, which is often (mis?)spelt Frol de la Mar, was the flagship for the Portuguese fleet in the Indian Ocean under command of the famous conqueror Afonso de Albuquerque.

Although he only had a small force of 700 Portuguese and 300 Indian soldiers, he set about defeating the Sultan’s army with his usual ruthless efficiency and Malacca was conquered in 1511.

The city was plundered and Albuquerque, leaving a small force behind, set off with his loot for India aboard the Flor de la Mar accompanied by two other vessels, the Trinidade and the Emxobregas.

Some accounts, possibly exaggerated, say he had 60 tonnes of gold and 200 chests of precious gems intended as gifts for the Portuguese king and queen as well as a jewel encrusted table, a pair of bronze lions and a rare map drawn by a Javanese showing the routes to China and other lands.

When stormy weather struck off the coast of north Sumatra, the Flor de la Mar anchored in four fathoms of water to ride out the storm.

Heavy seas pushed her onto a reef where she ran aground and broke into two with only the superstructure visible above the waves.

Albuquerque and a few other survivors managed to escape the wreck and were taken aboard the Trinidade.

Many of his crew and a number of slaves were not so lucky and were lost along with the treasure.

With the ship sinking in shallow waters close to the shore you would have thought something would have been found by now.

Numerous wreck divers and salvage companies have tried to find the location of the Flor de la Mar wreck in the hope of recovering some of the lost treasures but it was all in vain.

Address :  Jln Merdeka, Bandar Hilir, 75000 Melaka

Why It’s Terrifying : This museum in Bukit Batu Maung used to be a British fort in the 1930s. Fast forward to World War II, and Japanese soldiers took over the site and converted it into a prisoner-of-war base. A lone soldier by the name of Tadashi Suzuki is said to have carried out gruesome beheadings and the torture of over 100 individuals with a samurai sword here.

This spot, now known as “Ghost Hill” for the atrocities that took place here, was even included in a National Geographic documentary “I Wouldn’t Go There” on the 10 scariest places to visit in Asia. Penang War Museum is now located on the hill, with dark tourism attractions such as displays of plastic corpses and guillotines recreating haunting experiences for guests.

Paranormal Encounter: The presence of photos depicting the horrors of war and bunkers ridden with dark tales is sure to send shivers down your spine. But not just that, visitors of the museum are said to have heard sounds of humans screaming echoing down the hills and some have even seen apparitions of Suzuki wandering in tunnels in the museum.

During the restoration of this area, employees have reportedly heard sounds of victims being tortured and disembodied voices echoing down the bunkers too.

Address: Lot 1350 Mukim 12, Daerah Barat Daya, Batu Maung

Why It’s Scary : Known as Bukit Larut, this hill is a popular spot amongst hiking enthusiasts and those looking to have a unique getaway. Its ghastly history lies around the fact that the road was built by the blood, sweat, and lives of prisoners who were forced into labour during the Second World War.

Paranormal Encounter : Unexplained loud thuds on the doors, footsteps, and an eerie presence. Some have even reported feeling that they were “touched” by something they could not see.

How to get there: This spot is located in Perak, near Taiping. On the North-South Highway, take the exit to Taiping. After the toll, follow the signs leading to Taiping. From here, head towards the lake gardens, where there are signs that’ll show you to Maxwell Hill.

The story: This small island off the coast of Penang, which is now a popular weekend getaway, used to house people infected with leprosy in the late 19th century. From 1969 to 1993, it was turned into a prison-rehabilitation centre to house those who were supposedly the most hardcore criminals. The island was said to be surrounded by sharks, and any inmates who tried to escape were eaten by the marine animals.

Why It’s Scary : This small island off the coast of Penang, which is now a popular weekend getaway, used to house people infected with leprosy in the late 19th century. From 1969 to 1993, it was turned into a prison-rehabilitation centre to house those who were supposedly the most hardcore criminals. The island was said to be surrounded by sharks, and any inmates who tried to escape were eaten by the marine animals.

Paranormal Encounter : Fishermen and visitors have reported numerous sightings of spirits unable to find peace after suffering an unwilling departure from this world. Many people also reported feeling shrouded in an unsettling aura after stepping foot in the area.

How to get there: Head to the Penang Island Jerejak Resort Jetty at Persiaran Bayan Indah in Penang. You’ll need to get a ferry ticket to get to the island.

History has it that this bridge also known as ‘Lover’s Bridge’ was built based on the sacrifice of a beautiful Sumandak woman named, ‘Solungkoi’ by her lover, a British Officer named Robinson in the 1950s during the British Colonial Rule in Sabah. Back then, Officer Robinson was in charge of building a bridge to allow vehicles to pass through so that the British and locals are able to connect with the outside world.

However, each time they built the bridge, it will be destroyed by the floods. So Robinson asked Intang, a local worker to find out why and what is going on. Intang, who believes in Tombuakar (water ghost) consults a Shaman who practiced mystical beliefs for advised. The Shaman then told Intang that the Tombuakar is mad for disturbing their home and she advised Intang to hold a ceremony as an apology. They did as told but still, they encounter problems as they built the bridge. Then, the Shaman told Intang that the Tombuakar actually wanted the life of a beautiful Sumandak woman as a sacrifice. There are no other woman as beautiful as Solungkoi. So Intang, who happens to also like Solungkoi, but whose love wasn’t reciprocate, decided that Solungkoi will be the best person to be sacrificed but the Shaman disapproves of it as she is innocent.

Filled with revenge, Intang went on to share the news to Robinson and he managed to incite Robinson who was torn between the choice of his career or the love of his life. After much thought, Robinson chose career over the life of his loved one. They held another ceremony to celebrate the Tamparuli bridge with an alibi of having the sacrificial ceremony without the knowledge of anyone. While everyone was drunk, including Solungkoi, Robinson tied her up and when she came around and realised that she was tied up, Solungkoi begged Robinson to let her go. But Robinson was adamant with his decision so Solungkoi stop begging and instead cursed at the bridge, saying that it will never be able to stand strong unless Robinson’s blood spilled the river.

Once the ceremony ended and Robinson was sober, he felt guilty and decided to take his own life. Before he drowned himself in the river, it was said that he carved Solungkoi’s name on a metal plate and had it placed near the very first pillar of the bridge where Solungkoi was submerged to her death as a sacrifice. Thus, the reason why this bridge remained strong to date. Some people believes that this is just a myth but some divers claimed that they were able to find the metal plate in the river.

But while thrill-seeking Malaysians who are always up for a good hantu story may want to drop by these haunted places in Malaysia for their own tales to tell, it’s always best to play it safe and not wander too far into the unknown.

What do you think? Did we left out other places that gives you the heebie-jeebies? If yes, let us know the place in the comments below!

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