KELANTAN - KOTA BHARU & PENGKALAN KUBUR

HJ ZULHEIMY MAAMOR

6 MARCH 2024

Kelantan is located in the northeastern corner of Peninsular Malaysia, bordered by Thailand to the north. As a border state and former vassal state of Thailand, Kelantan has absorbed influences from Thai culture and traditions, as well as showcasing a rich Malay culture and traditions.

Kota Bharu In Kelantan, it was the first place to be invaded by the Japanese forces in Southeast Asia during World War II. Pantai Sabak was the landing spot of the Japanese troops. The Japanese invasion of Malaya began just after midnight on December 8, 1941, before the attack on Pearl Harbor, when troops landed on the beaches of Kota Baru.

How the Imperial Japanese Army Conquered Kota Bharu in 1941, As Told by a Japanese Soldier

My memories of Kota Bharu are that my family and I used to live here at Pengkalan Chepa Camp in the 1960s. My late father, who was in the army, was assigned to the 7th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment stationed at Pengkalan Chepa, which is about 8 km from Kota Bharu, Kelantan. 

While working with the Heart Foundation Malaysia, I used to organise the health screening program in Kota Bharu. 

Among the Programs held at:

1. 2012 - Dewan Rukun Tetanggan Ketereh, KB

2.  26 April 2016 - Kolej Poly-Tech MARA Kota Bharu

3.  21 July 2018 - Masjid Sultan Mansur, KB

4.  22 July 2018 - Kolej Poly-Tech MARA KB

KETEREH, KOTA BHARU

Ketereh District includes Peringat District, Pendek District, Salor District, Badak Mati District, and Kadok District. Then, on June 2, 2004, the area of this district increased by 49.04 square kilometers, including Beta District, Salor District, Lembu District, and Tiong District. The town was named after the local cashew fruit, Ketereh.

On 12 October 2012, my friends from the Heart Foundation of Malaysia and I traveled from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu, Kelantan, for a community program at the Rukun Tetangga Hall in Ketereh, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The distance from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu is 439 km, and it takes 6 hours and 42 minutes to drive.

On our way we passed through several districts and towns such as Gua Musang, Kuala Krai, Kok Lanas and others.

Kuala Lipis is a town in Pahang, it was a gold-mining centre before the British arrivee in 1887.

Gua Musang a town in southern Kelantan is the largest district in Kelantan. It is bordered by the state of Pahang to the south, Terengganu to the east, Perak to the West and the Kelantanese district of Kuala Krai and Jeli to the north. Gua Musang means "Civet Cat Cave", before it was known as Ulu Kelantan . 

In history, Gua Musang is famous for the "Battle of Sungai Semur" on 25 March 1950 where 17 members of the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment were killed in a battle with Communist terrorists, while 29 communist terrorists were killed by the Malaysian army.

Kuala Krai was originally part of Ulu Kelantan until it was split following a re-delineation in 1974. 

Kok Lanas federal constituency was created in the 1984 redistribution and was mandated to return a single member to the Dewan Rakya under the first past the post voting poing. 

COMMUNITY PROGRAM

KETEREH

KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

13 OCTOBER 2012

The Heart Foundation of Malaysia has organized the "Go Red for Women" campaign, which is a special campaign to raise awareness of the dangers of heart disease among women. This time, the campaign was held at the Rukun Tetangga Hall, Ketereh, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. The campaign took place on 13 October 2012 in collaboration with the Kelantan State Department of National Unity and National Integration, Ketereh Rukun Tetangga, Kelantan State Health Department, and Ketereh District Health Office. A total of 123 villagers attended the Health Screening Test throughout the campaign.

Puan Hjh Ainon bt Kuntom, Director of Go Red for Women and also a Board Member of the Malaysian Heart Foundation, is giving a speech at the Opening Ceremony.

The villagers worked together to prepare food for the guests and invitees.

The campaign was assisted by Volunteer Nurses from the Ketereh District Health Office, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Thank you to the Nurses who helped YJM in implementing this program.

DYNASTY INN, WAKAF CHE YEH, KOTA BHARU

During our stay in Kota Bharu, we stayed at the Dynasty Inn located on Jalan Sultanah Zainab, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. It is about a 15-minute walk from the famous Siti Khadijah market, where vendors sell local food and crafts.

MEETING AN OLD FRIEND  

Thank God, while I was in Kota Bharu, I had the opportunity to meet my old friend, Roseli Md Zin, who lives in Pintu Geng, Kota Bharu, Kelantan. Roseli was a friend from the same intake as me when I was in the Navy. We even served together on KD Ganas in Woodlands, Singapore, in 1981 and also at SKTLDM Kuantan from 1992 to 1995.

PASAR KHADIJAH

KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

On the way back to Kuala Lumpur, we took the opportunity to visit a famous market in the state of Kelantan, namely Pasar Siti Khadijah (or better known as Pasar Khadijah). The name of this market is taken in conjunction with the name of Siti Khadijah, the first wife of our Great Prophet Muhammad SAW, who was a successful businesswoman in her time. True to its name, the majority of traders in this market are women. Visitors have the opportunity to choose from various sales such as handicrafts, traditional cakes, and fresh produce. If you visit Kota Bharu, it is not valid if you do not stop by Pasar Khadijah.

RETURN TO KUALA LUMPUR

On 14 October 2012, we continued our journey back to Kuala Lumpur and stopped at the Gua Musang R&R for breakfast and pekan Hulu Dong in Rabu, Pahang for our lunch.

Patin Sangkar, scientifically known as Pangasius Sanitwongsel, a flavorful flesh lends itself to a myriad of culinary creations, making it a favorite in various cuisines. It is one of the most famous dishes in Malaysia and Temerloh is arguably it's home. The 'Patin' is actually a group of catfishes native to Southeast Asia waters. Patin fish is rich in EPA omega-3 fatty acids, important for heart health and brain health. 

Pekan Hulu Dong reminds me of my late uncle Win Bin Yasin, who used to teach at SMK Dong Raub, Pahang, around the 70s, and I used to spend the night with my family at his house at that time.

Dong is a mukim in the Raub district, Pahang, Malaysia. In 1993, the country was shocked by the news that Mona Fandey, her husband, and her assistant had killed a Pahang assemblyman in an unnumbered house around this mukim.

In this case, she, her husband, and their assistant were arrested for allegedly killing Datuk Mazlan Idris, a Pahang State Assemblyman, between 10 p.m. and midnight on 13 July 1993, in a house in Kampung Peruas Ulu Dong, Raub, Pahang.

Mona Fandey, her husband Mohd Affandi Abdul Rahman, and their assistant Juraimi Hussin were tried and found guilty by the Temerloh High Court in 1995. Their appeal to the Pahang State Pardon Board was rejected. They were sentenced to death by hanging between 6 and 6:30 a.m. on Friday, November 2, 2001.

KOTA BHARU

KELANTAN

2016

After completing the Health Screening  program at Kolej PTPL Kuala Terengganu on 25 April 2016, we continued our journey to Kota Bharu, Kelantan.

Our journey from PTPL College Kuala Terengganu to Dynasty Inn Hotel, Kota Bharu is 161 km and takes 2 hours 49 minutes.

KOLEJ POLY-TECH MARA

KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

26 APRIL 2016

The Health Program in Kelantan was held at Kolej Poly Tech MARA Kota Bharu, Kelantan on 26 April 2016. A total of 167 students and college staff attended the health screening test on that day.

Kolej Poly Tech MARA was previously known as Kolej Yayasan Pelajaran MARA (KYPM). Kolej Poly Tech MARA Kota Bharu Branch was established in 1994.

Photo taken from my hotel room at Dynasty Inn, Kota Bharu

Restoran Kak Ros in Wakaf Che Yeh is just a short walk from Dynasty Inn, where I often have my dinner.

After finishing the program at MARA Poly Tech College, Kota Bharu, we continued our journey back to Kuala Lumpur the next day on 27 April 2016.

On the way back, we stopped at the Gua Musang R&R which is located 186 km from Dynasty Inn, Kota Bharu.

Gua Musang is located in the south of Kelantan. The Gua Musang district borders Pahang to the south, Terengganu to the east and Perak to the west.

On the way, when passing through the town of Raub, Pahang, I had the opportunity to pass by a place that reminded me of the 70s, namely SMK Dong Raub, Pahang.

SMK Dong Raub, Pahang reminded me of my late uncle, the late Cikgu Win Bin Yasin, who was once the Headmaster of this School in the 70s. My family and I visited him who at that time lived in a special house for teachers in the school compound. Our family spent the night at his house at that time.

KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

YEAR 2018

Once again I had the opportunity to visit Kota Bharu, Kelantan on 20 July 2018 when I and the Awareness team from The Heart Foundation of Malaysia held a Health program there.

There are two Health Screening programs that will be held in Kota Bharu in 2018, namely the Sultan Mansur Shah Mosque and the MARA Poly-Tech College in Kota Bharu.

We stayed at the Diamond Hotel in Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bharu during the program.

The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu is 430 km and takes 6 hours and 42 minutes. We took the Karak Highway exit at Bentong and then the Central Spine Road (CSR) from Merapoh to Kg. Seberang Jelai straight to Kota Bharu.

We stopped at the Gua Musang Kelantan R&R for lunch.

2018 - DIAMOND HOTEL, KOTA BHARU

Diamond Hotel, located at Wisma Koop Guru, Jalan Pengkalan Chepa, Kota Bahru, is where we stayed in 2018 throughout our Health Program at Kota Bharu.

The food stall next to the hotel is where I often have my dinner while staying at the hotel.

MASJID SULTAN MANSOR SHAH

JALAN KG.SIREH

KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

21 JULY 2018

A total of 105 residents near the Mosque attended the Health Screening Test from 9 am to 2 pm.

After finishing the program at the Sultan Mansor Mosque, we returned to the hotel because the next day there was another program to be conducted.

During the Program, we were assisted by nurses from the Wakaf Che Yeh Health Clinic, Kota Bharu.

KOLEJ POLY-TECH MARA

KOTA BHARU, KELANTAN

22 JULY 2018

This is our second program at Kolej Poly Tech MARA Kota Bharu. The first time was held on 26 April 2016.

A total of 100 students and staff of Kolej Poly Tech MARA were present to conduct a health check-up from 09.00 am to 02.00 pm.

After the program, we will spend another night at the hotel and will continue our journey back to Kuala Lumpur the next day on 23 July 2018.

PASAR SITI KHADIJAH

Khadijah Market was named after Prophet Muhammad's wife, Siti Khadijah, who is known for her entrepreneurial skills. Uniquely, the market was run mostly by women. The market offers something for everyone, from fresh products to traditional crafts and foods. 

Originally established as Buluh Kasap Market in 1985, it was opened to the public by Sultan Ismail Petra. The market was later renamed Siti Khadijah Market by the then Menteri Besar Kelantan Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat in 1997. 

NASI ULAM CIKGU, KOTA BHARU

Located 200 meters from Pasar Siti Khadijah, one of the most popular lunch destinations. The menu offers Kelantan-style village food and the prices here are really reasonable. This food stall was recommended by my nephew, who had lunch here before.

WAR MUSEUM (BANK KERAPU)

The building was constructed by Mercantile Bank in 1912. It was utilized by Japanese troops during World War II as a Secret Police Station for war coordination. After the war, it continued to operate as a bank until 1977 when it was officially named The Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank Corporation (HSBC). In 1992, it was transformed into a War Memorial by the Kelantan Museum Corporation. It houses over 1,000 exhibits related to the war, including a variety of Japanese tools used during the Japanese Occupation. The term 'Kerapu' means 'rough surface'. The locals referred to it as 'Bank Kerapu' due to the uneven surface of the building's exterior wall.

PADANG MERDEKA

Located in the middle of Kota Bharu City Center, it is here at this Padang that Tok Janggut's (a Malay warrior of Kelantan) body was hung by the British and exhibited at the Padang for fighting against the greedy Colonial.

There is also a World War I Memorial Monument at the square built by the British in memory of those British soldiers who were killed during World War I. There are only 2 World War 1 Memorials in Malaysia, one in Kota Bharu, Kelantan and another one in Georgetown, Penang.

The new 150 meters of observation tower, also known as Menara Tambatan Diraja, offers a 360-degree bird's-eye view of Kota Bharu town and the long stretch of Kelantan river. The observation tower is also known as Menara Tinjau Tambatan D'Raja among the locals. It is located at the river bank of Kelantan river, near historical Padang Merdeka and Ridel Hotel on the left.

PANTAI CAHAYA BULAN (BEACH OF MOONLIGHT)

Just 10 km from Kota Bharu, there is a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach that is popular for family outings and picnics.

KB MALL

KB Mall, an award-winning shopping mall, is the city's first and favorite shopping mall in Kota Bharu. Opened in 2004, it has long since become a familiar landmark for both locals and tourists alike.

Kota Bharu or KB is pretty compact, and many of the tourist attractions are near each other. Kota Bharu, in general, has its own taste of delicious local food, plus the friendliness of the local community that makes tourists feel most welcome and sets off a remarkable journey.

On the way from Kuala Lumpur to Kota Bharu, we passed through several areas in Pahang and Kelantan, such as Kuala Krai and Kok Lanas.

PENGKALAN KUBUR

About 25.7 km from Kota Bharu, Pengkalan Kubur is a small coastal border town in the Tumpat District of Kelantan. Bordering Tak Bai in Narathiwat Province, Thailand, across the estuary of the Golok River. 

 

Tak Bai is a small town and is known as the "Deep South" of Thailand. This is the town that I often visited for rest and recreation after weeks of patrolling the South China Sea while serving with KD PANAH, the Royal Malaysian Navy 14th Squadron Patrol Craft, based at Kuantan, Pahang. 

CREW OF KD PANAH, 14TH SQUADRON PATROL CRAFT, ROYAL MALAYSIAN NAVY

Remembering the Tak Bai Incident on 25 October 2004, A demonstration of around 1,500 people gathered in front of the Police Station in Tak Bai to protest the detention of 6 men, which resulted in the death of 85 Thai citizens.

Compiled by:

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, KL

19/12/2024: 11.21 P.M