Historic Malacca - Reviving Old Memories 1

At Taming Sari Tower, Malacca.

I spent my young days in Malacca, at Kampung Kelongkong, Tanjung Keling since my father retired in 1952. My secondary school and my sixth form days were in Malacca town (Blog on My Adolescent and Early Adulthood). At that time Malacca was known as the 'Sleepy Hollow'. The town was uncomplicated and very accessable. But now I find it a nightmare going round the city of Malacca. I cound't even find my old school - High School which is now tucked and sandwitched by new buildings and the school ground is so congested with buildings - the spacious padang has gone!

I have been back to Malacca every now and then but it was totally for visits or weddings. I decided to devote 2 days of my in early 2009 to see the place where I grew up and experienced such unforgetable memories. But 2 days weren't enough to cover the interseting places and internalise the changes in Malacca. My trip from Port Dickson was 0n 5 January 2009 took almost 2 hours in leaisurely drive through the kampung route to Linggi, Masjid Tanah, Sungai Udang, Tanjung Minyak and to Lorong Pandan to pick up my sister-in-law, Juriah, to be my guide.

The old Chinese temple at Hang Li Poh Well, belived to be the earliest temple built and used by the Chinese who came to Malacca during Sultan Mansor Shah's marriage to Hang Li Poh.

The Hang Li Poh or King's Well at Bukit Cina, Melaka.

At Hang Li Poh's well - sealed, though we can still see the well water.

An amazingly huge old bunga tanjung tree at the Chinese temple and the Hang Li Poh's well.

Our day started with a visit to Hang Li Poh or King's Well in Bukit Cina. This well was dug by the order of Sultan Mansor Shah for his Chinese wife Hang Li Poh (1458-1477) for her daily use.It seemed the well water has never dried even during draught. Legend has it that whoever drinks the water, no matter where one goes, he/ she will return to Malacca. However, the well is sealed now - sorry, no more such priviledge! In 1551, the Malay worriers fought against forengn invaders, the Portuguese, and poisoned the well water killing a number of Portuguese in 1551. The same tactic aws used by the Dutch when they wanted to conquer Malacca (1606) from the Portuguese. When the Dutch conquered Malacca, they realised the importance of the well and subsequently built a wall, guardhouses and put cannons to protect it. Unfortunately when the British defeated the Dutch and ruled Malacca, the well was neglected. But today it is well-maintained and has becoame a tourist attraction. If you visit and drive during high season (school and public holidays, weekeneds), it is better to come early morning as there are no proper parking place - the road is narrow.

The Selat Mosque of Pulau Melaka.

The Selat Mosque tower for azan.

Juriah at the side of the Selat Mosque of Pulau Melaka.

I wanted to see Pulau Melaka, a reclaimed land connecting to the mainland by a bridge. Though it is ready a long time a go, there is still no takers and the rows and rows of shop buildings are still unoccupied. But there is a beautiful mosque, the Selat Mosque of Pulau Melaka is being used especially during Friday prayers. The mosque juts out into the sea and the beautiful architecture is so pleasing to the eyes.

The unoccupoied shophouses of Pulau Melaka.

Malacca river from Dataran Merdeka opposite Pulau Melaka.

View of Malacca from the deck of Taming Sari Tower.

Menara Taming Sari is a new attraction in Malacca. We paid RM8 for senior citizens to go into the rotating viewing deck to 80 meters high. From the top, the view of Malacca is quite breathtaking which we can see as far as 5 km, including theiEye On Malaysia which is about 25 meters high. But I hardly recognised the old landmarks which were familiar to me once upon a time. For further inquiries, you can visit website http://www.menaratamingsari.com/ or call 06 2881100/06 288 3366.

My Sibling 7

The photos shows me (right) with my three younger sisters. Left is Rai (Zuraimah) the youngest in the family, my younger sister, Anah (Zurainah) and my immediate younger sister, Ani (Guraini).

My younger sisters are so different from me. When we were young, they behaved like girls, ladylike and obendient to my parents, whereas I was more like a boy, free-spirited and rebellious. Next to me is my younger sister, Ani. Her name was registered by my father as Zuraini but when her birth certificate was lost, her new certificate showed Guraini, much to my parents' dismay. Ani was not happy too but she got no choice and has to stick to it. To us, she is Ani or Mak Utih to her neices and nephews.

Ani is quite a favourite with my parents and brothers. She is gentle and as a young girl, she and my other younger sister Anah are the ones who helped my mother - cooking and cleaning the house. So they were much more appreciated than me. She attended the Malacca Girls High School, Malacca and completed form five. At home my mother did not have to ask her to do housework as she would do it voluntarily.

When she finished form five she went to stay with my second brother, Bang Fudin, in Kuantan for a while. There she got a job in Telekom and stayed on her own with her friends. I remember visiting her there when I was in my second year at University Malaya. At that time going, to Kuantan was a big deal as road was not good and transport was difficult. At one time she had an admirer - a British army sargent, Bob, who was so keen on her. On hari raya day, she came back to Tg. Kling with Bob who stayed at a motel in Kelebang. By then my parents have become more relaxed and not so strict as he was with me before. The kampung folks also have changed somewhat in their attitude, especially when I went to university. So, when Bob came for raya, my parents packed for him ketupat and rendang to be taken back to his motel. The next day, I was tickled pink when Bob said that he ate the ketupat without getting rid of the daun kelapa. He didn't know how to eat it in a proper way. He enjoyed the rendand even though it was hot for him. Poor Mat Saleh! We took it for granted that he knew how to eat ketupat and rendang and didn't bother to explain how. But my sister, Ani, was not really keen on him as she has met another guy, Rahman, in Kuantan who later became her husband.

Tall, fair and good-looking, Rahman was quite a romeo. The marriage was good at first but turned sour years later. I knew Ani was being abused by her husband but she was so protective over him. I used to get so irritated by her total devotion to him. Many times while she was complaining on how Aman treated her shabily, but the moment Aman came she became all meek and ready to serve. I was so disgusted. She let herself being trampled over and over again until now.

He is bed-riddeen now and his young second wife abandoned him. She demanded divorce but he couldn't even pronounce the divorce. Padan muka! That's the result for prostituting herself with another woman's husband. I definitely do not admire my sister for her blind devotion but feel sorry for her. I would have kicked him out of my life the moment he abused me. At our family gatherings or weddings, Ani was not able to attend because of her bed-ridden husband. We missed her. All of us feel that his second wife should take some responsibility too. Now Ani's in-laws realised that my sister is an angel. They have been badmouthing her before and supported their brother for taking a second wife. Why don't his brothers or sisters take over the caring? At least Ani has time for herself. Nobody wants to offer help but good at finding faults. I would kick out not only the husband but also the whole family!!!But that's me and I definitely have done exactly that. But Ani is always the soft one and I am the hard member of the family. Tolerance, patience and faithful are her positive qualities.

One instant that I remember well was when Ani wanted to quit her job to stay home raising her children. Knowing her husband, my mother cried and forbid her from quiting her job. She said her income gave her freedom to do what she liked and not to have to beg from her husband. 'Husband is easy to find but job is hard to come by'. That was her saying as she had an inkling on how her daughter was being ill-treated by her husband. Thank God, she listened to my mother's advice.

Now, she has retired and I hope she will find happiness in her own way. I love her and want the best for her.

Another wedding

The hantaran from Jozuan, carried by his cousins and aunties.

The wedding lunch.

My youngest sister, Rai (left), Juriah (the groom's mother) and I going to the bride's house.

The groom was being made up before the bersanding.

Jozuan and family

Merenjis pengantin at the bersanding ceremony.

Another nephew, Jozuan, tied the knot on 20 Dec 2008 with Nurulazwa (Mawa) in Malacca. Wedding on the groom's side is not so messy as in the bride's side. The family members grouped at Juriah's house waiting for the appointed time to be at the bride's house ie at 1 pm. We had rendang and nasi impit first as wedding lunch at the bride's house would be late. Of course, my brother Zul was not present at his son's wedding today. He was with his young wife in Penang and I guess, this side of his family is not important. That made me mad but thankful that he didn'r show up as it would not be pleasant for Juriah especially if he were so thoughtless to bring his new wife. I have no desire to accept that woman as a family member as I thought she prostituted heself and destroyed a family.

Part of the family attending the wedding. Left is newly wed Yanti with mother Zainun (my sister-in-law) and my younger sister, Anah.

None of my children attended their cousin's wedding, a point which made me feel alone and unappreciated. Ika and Justin went to Laos and Maz to Kota Kinabalu for holidays. Izrin was at home sleeping all day. Anyway, I didn't want to entertain this feeling. They are old enough to understand which I have much doubt.

I met an ex-student, Mismi at Ju's house. She was my student at Sekolah Aminuddin Baki, Kg. Pandan in 1969, and a neighbour to Juriah. Imagine, my ex-student has also retired as a school principal. Anyway, it is a pleasure meeting ex-student and we spent time reminised the old days, me as a very garang teacher. She quoted a few incidents which left me in giggles. God, was I so terrible? Anyway she told me that every time when I came to class, everybody would be prepared with their reading for I would questioned them one by one! Sorry to all my ex-students for making your life miserable when I was teaching you. But one thing I remember her telling me was that everyone in the class was successful individuals. I am happy and proud that they did well in their lives.

After the ceremony at the bride's house, I left Malacca for Port Dickson. I didn't want to stay in PD. The resort and hotel was fully booked by holiday makers. It would be so noisy and finding a parking space would be a nightmare. I can imagine the amount of rubbish left by irresponsible people which would disgust me. Since Ika and Justin are in Vientienne, I must go back to cat sit. Poor Mok and Raisa. Even though Izrin is at home, the cats would be hungry in the morning as he gets up really late to feed and clean their trays. I Don't want my spoilt cats to be miserable, so I have to go back to PJ. Mok is going to merajuk and jual mahal when Ika comes home.

I stopped at PD to see Ung to pick up my notebook. He is reformating it as I have problem uploading pictures. But after checking, the problem is still there. I have to take my scanner for him to check when I come back to PD next year. It's going to be along holidays for everybody and I intend to stay in PJ until 2 January 2009 - away from the noise and the stupid drunk people (mostly Indians) who came to stay there, I hate long public holidays in PD. I have no peace. The place becomes disgustingly dirty and the workers take their time to clean it.

I arrived at my house (Ika's house) in PJ at 8.30pm. Hugged Mok and Raisa. Izrin wasn't home.

Deerland and Mek Su

With Muda, the honeybear at Deerland Park, Kuala Gandah.

Playing with Siput, the orphant female baby elephant found in Sg. Siput.

Foreground is Berabung.

With Berabung or Mek Su when I first met him. He was the male 3 year old baby elephant found in Rompin, Johor.

It was a wonderful day for me and Najidah on Christmas day. Being a public holiday, we decided to go to Kuala Gandah again, this time specially to visit Deerland Park and to see my sweetheart 'Mek Su' again. I brought a bunch of bananas specially for 'Mek Su'.

Feeding the deer at Deerland park.





It was drizzling but since we were early, we entered the park for RM 5 (too cheap!) and fed the deer. Boy, it was so exciting!! The deer came in group to 'attack' you as you brought their food provided by the park. We had to lift the food high above our heads and the deer stretched themselves standing on 2 feet to reach for the food. Some were even taller than us. I got a few paws marks on my white blouse. Since there was only one family with us, we had the deer attention and they surrounded us for food. Unfortunately, as more people came, the drizzle turned to rain and the ground became slippery. You see, the hundred over deer there ate up all the undergrowth and the grass, leaving the ground bald. The park has to be closed when it rains, turning away visitors who plan to see the elephants in the afternoon after Deerland.

Muda, the male honeybear at Deerland Park.

Najidah and I with Muda, the male honeybear at Deerland Park.

Najidah with a baby python. Eeeeks, I won't touch it!

The little white hechhog at the Deerland Park.

Beside deer, there were also other animals which visitors can play with such as the baby python, the flying fox, the ostrich, the beautiful paraquets from Brazil and the most awesome was Muda, the male honeybear. Touching, hugging and feeding Muda was an amazing experience. He licked at the condensed milk smeared on your hand by the ranger and you can feel the rough tongue. He was so obedient sitting at the short stump of trunk waiting for more milk and enjoying looking at the curious onlookers. Small children were encouraged to touch him and to feed him. But they should be reminded that they can only do it here but not in the wild or other places unsafe.

The rain stopped us from any other activities and we moved to Kuala Gandah Elephant Snactuary. The place was packed wth visitors. I was wondering why the government does not earn money out of this venture. Why must the government supports these activities for so many visitors coming with free entrance.It is high time, for Jabatan Perhilitan to shift over the burden of financing this place by earning some money. I noticed there was a room to give donation but nobody seems to bother. I can see if entrance was charged at least RM5 per person, the governement can make over a thousand ringgit per day. Charging car parking is another source of income. Usually people demand everthing free but they will not appreciate it. The parking place was littered with rubbish. At least the parking fees can pay for somebody to clean it. I saw the video on Perhilitan staff translocating wild animals to a safer environment like the National Park. It was eally a hard and expensive work. So money should be collected to support part of this effort. Why is it not done? One day goevernment policy might change especilly when the kitty is low, what will happen to this sanctuary?

Anyway, my trip to the elephant sanctuary had a purpose. I have fallen in love with 'Mek Su' as I described it in my old blog. I went there just to see her bringing a bunch of banans as her present. But it seems I have fallen in love with right baby elephant but got the name all wrong. One of the staff told me that 'Mek Su' is actually an elephant command, meaning 'sit down'. The elephant that I came to see is actualy Berabung or Bong the 3 year old baby male elephant found abandoned in Berabung Felda in Rompin. So I have to change and align my thinking and feeling to Berabung, not Mek Su.

Berabung and Siput frolicking in the river with visitors.

Walking Berabung and Siput to the river.

I met Berabung, thanks to Suhaimi and the other 2 mahoots who explained about Berabung. I was introduced to Siput, the female 3 year old baby elephnat found in Sg. Siput. She is just as good-looking as Berabung and so very adorable. But my attention was on Berabung whom I have refered to and loved as Mek Su and a he not a she. I hugged, talked and rubbed him and told him that he is just as amazing as I have met him before. With the mahoots, Najidah and I walked together with Berabung and Siput to the river for their bath with the visitors. Both elephants and visitors seemed to enjoy frolicking in the river. I stayed on the bank watching the activity waiting for Berabung and Siput to come up. Najidah has bought peanut as the mahoot said they love peanuts. The peanut feeding was thrilling. Both Berabung and Siput didn't seem to have enough, to the delight of the onlookers. It was such a thrilling experience as I hugged goodbye to both of them.

This is not going to be my last visit as I have promised Berabung and Siput to see them again. My attempt to volunteer my sevice was turned down by Jabatan Perhilitan. They responded to my email to say they don't need volunteers. I think they do, the least they can ask me to help is picking loads of rubbish left by the irresponsible visitors. I would do it. Well, I tried but was not welcomed.

Berabung and Siput saying goodbye as they were led to their shed.






For further information on Deerland Park, you can call En. Abdullah, mobile 013-9676242 or office line 09-2797249 or fax: 09- 2779305.

email: kraunaturepark@yahoo.com

Deerland Park, thank you for a very exciting day. Berabung, I still love you no matter what your name is and Siput too.

Najidah and I really had a great time and I thank God for giving me the time and the energy to see the greatness He has created.

My early adulthood

The conflict with my parents eased greatly when I completed my Senior Cambridge and joined sixth form in High School Malacca in 1963. I guess, I matured a bit and my parents have accepted the fact that I was serious about my study. The village people still couldn't accept that I still went to school and my parents didn't care much about their opinions even though their remarks were quite degrading.

One of the changes that I saw in my parents was the beginning of him trusting me and my judgment. Previously, I was always angry at my father for opening all my letters. I was so frustrated, I sent in my name and address to a magazine for their pen-pal column. I received quite a number of letters all wanting to be friends with me - girls and boys. He got tired of censoring so many letters and finally dumped them on my table and said, 'Do as you like.' From then onward, there was no censoring, no cross-examining. I stopped responding to those letters. I wasn't keen spending my money on buying stamps and taking precious time writing unproductive letters. I didn't realised I was using Flooding Technique in my early life - in a simpler form!




The photograph showed my close friends in sixth form at Malacca High School in 1963-1964. Center is Padma and right is Alice Chee.


















I have 2 close friends in sixth form - Alice Chee or Chee Lan Neo and Padma. Alice later became the Editor of Her World magazine (retired now) but I have not heard of Padma. I wonder where she is now. Most of my friends in sixth form were well-to-do Chinese boys and I got invited to most of their parties. I was one of the two Malay girls in the Arts class. But our parties at that time were clean and straight - no drugs, no excessive drinking, no sex or any behaviour that were unaccepatable. We just talked, ate and danced. My father gave me curfew time - I have to be home latest by 1 am. The boys came to pick me up at home at 8 pm. By 12. 30 am I was already restless and reminded my friends to send me home. Of course they said I could go back a bit later but I insisted to be sent home before 1 am or I would walk back. They were good boys who respected me and took me home. My mother was waiting and I guess she must be so relieved to see me safely home.



A year senior to me was Zubaidah Abdul Rahman, formerly from Sekolah Tun Fatimah. There weren't many Malay girls and boys in sixth form that time. We became friends and sometimes people mistook us for sisters as we shared the same father's name. Both of us had different personalities - Zubaidah was more quiet and calm and I was more sociable and outgoing. Bedah was an artist, a poet and a commanding writer in Malay. I used to admire her paintings which were mostly scenery with dark sombre colours which in some way reflected her personality. She worked as a reporter, later became the editor of Berita Harian in women's section after graduation. Our friendship survives until today and her children accept me as their aunt and called me Mak Itam as my nieces and nephews do. Other Malay boys in my class were Johari Mat (formerly Director General of Ministry of Education), Hasmi Agam (formerly an ambassador) Said Awang ( formerly police chief in the police force). They did well in their careers with titles of Tan Sri and Dato'.

I had no particulr boyfriend at that time though I had a few admirers. I was never serious with anybody and pulled myself away once I had an inkling somebody was serious with me. I kept my distance and enjoyed the attention given to me. I had no intention to get entangled with a boy for I had a goal to achieve - to graduate. I know I hurt a few hearts but it wasn't my fault. So to those guys who felt that I was unfair, forgive me. This went on until my Diploma year in university when I decided to end my singlehood days.


Mr. Goh Keat Seng was my History teacher in sixth form. Later he became my boss in Bahagian Pendidikan Guru as the Deputy Director. I met him recently after so many years. I was so excited to see him and gave him a big hug. We exchanged news. I will remember him as the calm and rasional boss who was like a saint to us. When I was angry or upset, I used to go and see him for a brief chat to calm myself down. He had that effect on most of us and so he became the Wali Cina in the office. He was a fantastic listener, attentive and understanding. So when I was under stress, it was him I went ot talk to. Thank you Mr. Goh.

I learned a lot of good values that my parents taught directly or indirectly. One that I practiced and believed in, is trust. My father talked about him trusting me and hoped I made good decisions. They taught me that once people trust you, never betrayed that trust. That's the reason why I cannot tolerate betrayal. I am unfogiving when my trust is broken - by anyone including my children, siblings, relatives, co-workers or friends. Once I am betrayed, I'll withdraw and never have the desire to mend fences. I am trustworthy and will not betray the trust that is given to me. Reinforced by counsellor trainig, keeping someone's trust is utmost important to me. Another valuable value that was instilled in my mind was self-respect. My father told me that nobody will respect you if you don't respect yourself. Self-dignity or maruah diri was instilled in me frequently. I am eternally grateful to my parents for making me what I am today and was able to go through life with much courage no matter how hard it was for me. I have gone through so many tests in life - disappointments, betrayal, back-stabbing, false accusations, gossips, emotionally abused, and cheated. My parents taught me strength, believing in myself and the power of Allah. I made a number of major decisions in my life and never regretted them for they were good decisions. No one was able to change my mind once my mind was made up and I dared to face the risk whatever it was.





This photo showed my two police constables friends in Malacca. left is Ramlah and right, I am sorry I have forgotten her name. In 1964.














While in sixth form I made friends with 3 women police constables and learned about working life. There were not many women in the police force at that time. I loved to see them preparing their crisp uniforms, polished their shoes and walked with confidence. Unfortunately I have forgotten their names but I befriended them when I was staying at my uncle's police quaters in Bandar Hilir (Bang Mat, a police sargent) when the Putt Hup bus was on strike. It was a walking distance from the police quarters to High School. At weekend, I would cycle back to Tg. Kling which was about 8 miles to see my parents. My aunt (Kak Bedah) didn't like me cycling back as it was not becoming for a young girl to do so. No Malay girls cycled that far at that time. She even punctured one of my bicycle tyres once but that didn't stop me from doing what I wanted to do. I just had it repaired and cycled home.

During my adolescent years, my father threatend to stop me from schooling whenever I did something against his wishes but I responded back by threatening to run away from home. I knew they loved me and they feared that I really would do it for they understood me well enough. I would do whatever I said. So the threat fell flat. They didn't win when arguing with me as I don't win when arguing with my adult children.

The two years in sixth form were the space given to me to grow up. My parents were proud of me and even allowed boys to visit me at home - something that was not done at that time. I got a teaching scholarship to Universiti Malaya but required 2 guarantors to sign my agreement. I vowed to myself I would never put myself in such a pathetic situation as my father had to go through. He had to see so many people to plead to be my guarators as required by the government. Finally my brother-in-law and a Chinese friend agreed. I saw how disappointed he was when he requested his trusted former student in politic to help but was turned down. I hated to see him begging but we had no choice. He couldn't afford to pay for my university studies. I remember a few years before this, he had to borrow money from a chettyer (Indian money lender) to pay for my 3 brothers' Senior Cambridge examination fees and he took some time to settle the debt. Silently I told myself I would never put myself in that situation. Hence, I saved early and supported my children through their studies with no help from anybody.

When I left for UM, the village people began to look up at my parents and slowly they allowed their daughters continue schooling. I guess they were also relieved that I wasn't around to guard my parents and the family belongings like a hound. At High School, I was still the State Speaker in Bulan Bahasa and a school prefect. I was a very average student but passed my Higher School Certificate in one sitting.

My parents had a respite with less conflicts when I was in sixth form and life was more peaceful.

Lukut Fortress and the Muzeum

I have been living in Port Dickson for almost a year. Every time I passed Lukut, I saw the brown signboard indicating Kota and Muzeum Lukut and wanted to go and see for myself. Idon't want to postpone going there anymore and decided to take a drive there. So on Friday afternoon, after meeting Ung to look at my laptop to reformat it, I drove there. It's just about 8 km from my apartment.

The place is very well-kept and attractive. From far I was intimidated by the endless flight of steps up the hill where the fortress was supposed to be. I debated whether to climb up or just go and see the muzeum. I haven't been exercisong seriously for a while and I thought the climb is a good way to loosen my stiff muscles. So, slowly I climbed up the steps at leisurely pace while enjoying the beautiful view of Port Dickson from the hill.

The poison well at Lukut Fortress.

The trench around the fortress.

The old remains of the fortress.

Makam DiRaja built by Raja Jumaat Bin Raja Jaafar in 1855. It's along Lukut road.

The burial ground of the royal family including Raja Jumaat Raja Jaafar - Makam DiRaja at the Muslim burial ground in Lukut road, near Port Dickson.

The fortress was built by Raja Jumaat bin Raja Jaafar in 1847 on Bukit Gajah Mati or popularly known as Bukit Raja. It was rectangular in shape with 200 meters long and 170 meters wide, surrounde by 3-5 meters deep trench to keep off enemies. Raja Jumaat put 4 cannons from Melaka from the Dutch and put them at the wall of the fortress. The fortress was a proof that Malay power existed here. However, there were very little remains of the fortress now except a few historical marks such the poison well, the brick walls and the trenches.

But the hill is so tranquil with lots of chirping birds. Birdwatchers would love this place. The scenery from the top was fantastic and the area is clean, green and serene. It's a nice place to relax, read books or just do nothing. I hope visitors will help to keep this place clean by not throwing rubbish everywhere except in the rubbish bins provided.

The Lukut Muzeum







The gallery of the muzeum is under renovation. The National Muzeum is going to put in more exhibits. So I went upstairs to see what they have up there. It's interesting to read the histoey of how Negri Sembilan was formed. It's the only state in Malaysia using a digit for its name - Sembilan /Nine. The people who lived here long time ago was from Minagkabau, western Sumatra. Originally there were 9 districts ie Jelebu, Sg.Ujong, Rembau, Johol,Naning, Segamat, Ulu Pahang, Jelai and Kelang. There are only 4 districts now, the others have gone to Selangor and Pahang, the districts are Rembau, Jelebu, Johol and Sungai Ujong which are ruled by the Undangs.

Pagar Ruyung in Sumatra was a place where th Undangs looked for a ruler and Raja Mahmud or Raja Melewar, in 1773 came to settle in Sri Menanti and became the Yam Tuan Sri Menanti who eventually became the ruler of Negeri Sembilan. So, Sri Menanti is known as the Royal Town.

Negeri Sembilan is unigue in its culture and tradition. The only state in Malaysia practices matrilineal system of inheritance which is called Adat Perpatih. The women are the heads of the families. They also have adistinct dialect originated from Minangkabau. In earlier time, they have 12 clans or suku. Since both my parents came from Adat Perpatih system, which I don't practice, they belonged to their clans. As I remember, my father's clan was Suku Tiga Nenek and my mother's was Suku Anak Acheh. All my family members have lost this culture even though as the oldest girl in my mother's side, I have the biggest say. Since I don't understand the system and have not been practicing it, I just let it go. It would be nice to trace my ancestors but there wasn't any written record.

If you visit Port Dickson, do not forget to visit this place as I can tell you, you will not be disappointed.