JOHOR
Situated at southern end of Peninsular Malaysia, the state
of Johor is also a neighbor of Singapore. It was named after the Sungai Johor (
Johor River) , the longest river in the state. Its capital city, Johor Bahru is
a vibrant and thriving commercial city, offering a host of sporting events,
pulsating nightlife, wide ranging accommodation and a myriad of restaurants. It
also offers shopping opportunities in the form of modern malls , arcades ,
handicraft centres, bazaars and open air markets. Johor is also known as a
golfers’ paradise as the state has the highest number of golf course in the
country. Johor Bahru is also linked to Singapore via its 1056 metre causeway
across Selat Tebrau or the Straits of Johor.
THE FURY OF LAKSAMANA BENTAN
Laksamanra or Admiral Bentan was a fearless warrior that
served under Sultan Mahmud Shah II of Johor who resided in the town of Kota
Tinggi. Legend has it the brave Laksamana was ordered to put end to a mounting
rebellion in the territory of Haru and Jambi. Although a loyal servant,
Laksamana Bentan hesitated because he was worried about leaving his pregnant
wife, Wan Anum alone. The Sultan understood Laksamana Bentan’s dilemma and
knowing the Laksamana would be risking his life for the royal Sultanate
promised to take care of Wan Anum in his absence.
One day, an old man came to the place with a huge jackfruit
from his first harvest. As fate would have it the Sultan was out attending to
royal duties. Wan Anum, heavy with child saw the jackfruit and desperately
craved for it. Unable to suppress her desire, she ate a piece. When the Sultan
returned to the palace and learnt of this transgression, he became very angry
as it was against custom for a subject to eat before the king.
Wan Anum repeatedly apologized to the Sultan and tried to
explain that she would not have eaten the fruit had it not been for the child
in her womb that needed it. Overhearing this, Tun Bija Ali, one of the
governors in court, who had previously failed to marry Wan Anum advised the
Sultan to cut open Wan Anum’s stomach to determine that it was her child that
really needed the fruit. So it came to be that Wan Anum was slain on her
stomach at the hands of Tun Bija Ali, who was assigned to execute the plan.
When Laksaman Bentan heard of this atrocity, he was filled
with fury and plotted revenge. He returned to Kota Tinggi and wreaked havoc in
the palace court and eventually killed the Sultan, while he was being carried
on the royal palanquin. Before the Sultan died, he flung a keris at Laksamana
Bentan’s feet and cursed his next seven descents to emit forth blood and die
should they ever come to Kota Tinggi. The locals believe that although the
Sultan was clearly in the wrong, his curse should not be taken lightly.
Sultan Mahmud II was laid to rest in Kampung Makam or Tomb
Village about 2 kilometers from the Kota Tinggi town centre. The tomb is
located within a magnificent complex of beautiful architecture. Nearby Sultan
Mahmud’s tomb is the quirky Makam Kuing Bertandak or Horned Cat’s Tomb,
reputedly belonging to Sultan Mahmud ‘s favourite cat .Visitors to Kota Tinggi
can also visit Kota Tinggi Historical centre to fully appreciate the historical
significance of the town as well as the relics that can be found there. For a
more relaxed and refreshing outing , visit the Kota Tinggi waterfalls.
Originating from the top of Gunung
Panti, the waterfall cascades down the rockface some 34 meters into a small
pool below. It is a favourite tourist spot with modern chalets, camping sites
and food stalls. The tomb of Laksamana Bentan is located at Kampung Kelantan in
Johor.
No comments:
Post a Comment