I was born in Batu Pahat, also known as Bandar Penggaram, in Johor. Johor is southern most state in the Peninsular Malaysia; on the west by the Straits of Melaka; on the east by the South China Sea; and on the south by Singapore. It is about 3 hours drive from Kuala Lumpur.The name Batu Pahat means 'chiselled rock' . The story goes, that the origin of this name can be traced back to a legend in the 15th century; when the invading Siamese troops were chiselling rocks at a rocky spot in the coastal village of Kampung Minyak Beku in hope to get fresh water during their retreat. They were being chased by the Melaka troops, led by Tun Perak, the famous Bendahara of the Malacca Empire. In fact, in around 1456, the Siamese army was led by Admiral Awi Di Chu camped in Batu Pahat before attacking Malacca.
Another legend has it that after capturing Melaka, the Portuguese built a fortress, 'A Famosa' of granite rocks taken from the mouth of Sungai Batu Pahat. The town acquired its name, which means "Chiselled Stone" from the quarries near the estuary.
Also renowned for its salted fish in the past, Batu Pahat was formerly known as Bandar Penggaram, which means town of salt-makers. In 1893, the present township was founded by Dato’ Bentara Luar, Salleh bin Perang, acting on the orders of the Sultan of Johor, Sultan Abu Bakar.
The ancient well can still be found in Minyak Beku, though little was done to maintain this ancient landmark which gave name to the town. For the town's centennial celebration in the early 90's, a quaint monument depicting a 'floating hand chiselling a rock' was built in the town square, which now has become the landmark of the town. There is also another square, known as Batu Bahat Walk, a popular place to spend the evenings with family and friends.
Batu Pahat is growing rapidly and has now developed to become the second major town in Johor, after Johor Bahru.
Batu Pahat district has 525 gazetted villages (kampung) and village-clusters (kampung rangkaian) where smaller villages were annexed to their bigger immediate neighbours for the purpose of administration. The villages are represented by Ketua Kampung (village heads), answering to the Penghulu (sub-district chief) administering the mukim. The mukim itself however is under the jurisdiction of the District Officer or Pegawai Daerah. The district office of Batu Pahat also has district engineers (Jurutera Daerah) to oversee all the sub-districts. Several kampungs have open their homes under the Homestay Programmes.
Apart from being known for its food and agricultural-based products, there are many small and medium industries such as textiles, garments and electronics, which has helped boost the development of Batu Pahat.
Talking about the variety of wild flora and fauna in Batu Pahat, it is almost every where, including my mother’s house. Our house is next to a school and part of our land has been taken away by the government, which is now a police station. Also, the areas in the neighbourhood have been developed into new housing areas. But not our small property is the only piece of land in the area covered by trees and more than 60 years old secondary forests.
I'd wake up to see a beautiful sun rise, birds, squirrels and a cup of tea while sitting at the veranda. We don’t have a big house but have leave it surrounded by trees, flowers and fauna, more than 20 species of birds, 3 species of monkeys (although we don’t really like them), monitor lizards, unwelcomed snakes, and other creepy creatures! The house has no fence, except for trees and bushes separate the properties from the neighbours and other developments. Since we have left the land covered by secondary forests and some fruits trees, we have no choice but to keep those animals as an extended family.
Because of the availability of land and open space, too, my mother has built a covered area, an extension from the back of the kitchen, an area for uninvited stray cats. My mother doesn’t like cat very much but people keep sending cats and kittens in front of our house when we are asleep. There are more than 20 cats, living at the 'back' of the house. There’s only one cage to keep the kittens until they are big enough to roam around. They would come back during meals but roam around or play in the grass or the ‘forest’ most of the time. So, we open part of the house to cats and make it an unregistered shelter home for the animals. We have also get a helper during the day to clean the cats' home.
Only one cat is allowed in to the house; and also because my mother has finally grown to like her. A female cat named Erra (because her of the ‘body’, long, thin and constantly clean herself like a beauty queen!). Erra has recently given birth to four kittens but somehow understood the rule that her kittens don’t live inside and will even help us keep the kittens out! Yes, Erra is a very smart cat. She ‘understands’ when we speak and even responds to it. The rest of the cats are given name after Malaysian singers, actors and mostly artistes of AF (reality show) so, I don’t know whether we like them or hate them for naming the stray cats after them! Even the monkeys and monitor lizards are named after AF past participants. Which make me wonder whether my family like the local reality shows or otherwise!
But I do know, it is always a joy to make a trip to Johor, especially the Chiselled Rock town.
Because of the availability of land and open space, too, my mother has built a covered area, an extension from the back of the kitchen, an area for uninvited stray cats. My mother doesn’t like cat very much but people keep sending cats and kittens in front of our house when we are asleep. There are more than 20 cats, living at the 'back' of the house. There’s only one cage to keep the kittens until they are big enough to roam around. They would come back during meals but roam around or play in the grass or the ‘forest’ most of the time. So, we open part of the house to cats and make it an unregistered shelter home for the animals. We have also get a helper during the day to clean the cats' home.
Only one cat is allowed in to the house; and also because my mother has finally grown to like her. A female cat named Erra (because her of the ‘body’, long, thin and constantly clean herself like a beauty queen!). Erra has recently given birth to four kittens but somehow understood the rule that her kittens don’t live inside and will even help us keep the kittens out! Yes, Erra is a very smart cat. She ‘understands’ when we speak and even responds to it. The rest of the cats are given name after Malaysian singers, actors and mostly artistes of AF (reality show) so, I don’t know whether we like them or hate them for naming the stray cats after them! Even the monkeys and monitor lizards are named after AF past participants. Which make me wonder whether my family like the local reality shows or otherwise!
But I do know, it is always a joy to make a trip to Johor, especially the Chiselled Rock town.
There are so much to see in this small town called Batu Pahat, just don't know what else I'd discover in my next trip!
Jaina Ibrahim
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