I was supposed to go to Ulu Tiram but my Waze brought me to Kampung Makam instead. I wonder what this symbolizes, you know, finding Tomb Village. But I'm glad to have stumbled upon such a beautiful place that is rich with the history of the Johor Sultanate.
The main feature of the village is the Tomb of Sultan Mahmud Shah, who was the last ruler of Johor who had descended from the Sultans of Malacca.
Legend has it that In 1699, during the reign of the Sultan, pirates were attacking southern Johor, from Mersing to Pulau Penyengat and Riau Laksamana (Admiral) Megat Seri Rama, known as Laksamana Bentan, named after his origin, Bintan Island, was ordered to stop the menace. He left behind his beloved pregnant wife, Dang Anum, to fight the pirates.
His absence presented an opportunity to a former palace officer, who was jealous of Megat Seri Rama, to plot against him. Wan Anum eagerly craved a piece of jackfruit, taken from the palace orchard, that was on its way to be presented to the Sultan. The penghulu or the head of a sub-district, who was sending the fruit to the palace sympathised with Dang Anum. He stole a piece of jackfruit and gave it to her. The Sultan, who noticed that the fruit had been cut, before he tasted the fruit, was so angered with the penghulu's action. His thoughts were also poisoned by the jealous palace officer who said that Dang Anum's action had obviously brought shame to the Sultan, leaving the Sultan to eat the rest of the fruit after her.
The Sultan ordered that Dang Anum be brought to the palace. Desperate for her life and that of her child, Dang Anum told the Sultanthat the fruit that she ate was for her child. The Sultan asked for proof and that her belly be cut open.
The murder was kept a secret but Laksamana Megat Seri Rama found out about it upon his return.
One day on a Friday afternoon, during Friday prayers, while the Sultan was lifted up (julang) by his men, he was ambushed and stabbed to death by the Laksamana. Before he drew his last breath, he cast a curse which forbade the sons of Bintan to touch the grounds of Kota Tinggi for eternity. If not, all of them will vomit blood to death.
Sultan Mahmud Shah, known then as Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang, was buried in Kampung Makam, while Laksamana Megat Seri Rama at Kampung Kelantan, also in Kota Tinggi. To this day, people still believe that the curse still exists and most Bintanese still feared to come to Kota Tinggi. However, some say the curse would last only 7 generations. - source Wikipedia
The village today attracts a lot of anglers. A villager told me there are ikan keli (catfish) and prawns in this part of the Sungai Johor.
Boat rides can be arranged at RM10 to RM40, RM50 or RM60 per person depending on the type of boat, the villager told me. Forgot to ask whether a life-jacket will be provided for the ride. Better to be safe than sorry. Anyway, maybe I'll come back here another day to try the boat ride. Another question, got crocodile or not?
Now you see why I don't get out much.
Very hard to post comment. My comment just now went to wrong post. Then I want to post again cannot go through. Thanks for deleting it. By the way I never heard of this place Ladang Basir Ismail. No wonder your Waze also cannot find it.
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