NEGERI SEMBILAN : JALAN BUKIT PUTUS & BAHAU

Have you ever been through Jalan Bukit Putus which is located between Kuala Pilah and Seremban.

During its heyday, Jalan Bukit Putus was the only road that could get you between Kuala Pilah and Seremban. It's dubbed "serpentine road" by locals for its infamous 32 twists and turns and is still used by cars and cyclists. 

The Bukit Putus road has a pretty rich history as in 1875, the area saw the legendary Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, Yam Tuan Amtah and his 4,000 men force take on British to fight back against colonial rule. The battle eventually let to the British establishing a "Resident" system in the state, fundamentally changing the political landscape of Negeri Sembilan.

The travel distance from my office in Petaling Jaya, Selangor to Bahau is 157 km and takes 2 hours 32 minutes.

I once had the experience of driving alone along Bukit Putus Road (sorry, I don't remember the exact year). I was on my way back to Kuala Lumpur after attending the Mechanical Engineering Technical Division meeting at the ERA Hotel at Bahau, Negeri Sembilan. It was before the new road was constructed. It was around 11.30 p.m and I was alone driving through the quite street at night. 

For decades, Bukit Putus was notorious among drivers for its narrow, dangerous, and "never-ending" curves (over 30 sharp bends).

• The New Road (FT51): Opened in 2009, this modern highway replaced the treacherous old path. It features the Bukit Putus Viaduct, which stands at 48 meters tall, making it one of the highest road bridges in Malaysia.
• The Old Road (FT361): Now largely bypassed by main traffic, the old road is a favorite for cyclists and joggers who enjoy the quiet, shaded forest canopy. However, it is also the subject of many local urban legends and "ghost stories" due to its history of accidents and isolation.

Town of Bahau

I've heard and read many horror stories about this Bukit Putus road. But I dared to continue driving in the dark, lonely night with no other cars except mine.

If you are driving within the area, there are several notable spots within a 10-15 minutes drive such as the Ulu Bendul Recretional Park, Istana Lama Seri Menanti and the town of Kuala Pilah. 

Thank God, I finally reached my destination without any scary interruptions.

Hj Zulheimy Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

28/12/2024: 9.32 p.m