NEGERI SEMBILAN - KUALA PILAH

Kuala Pilah in Negeri Sembilan is 36 km from the state capital of Seremban and 101 km from Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Pilah is known for its lush greenery and laid-back asmosphere. 

Some of my memories of Kuala Pilah are as follows:

On 2 June 2013, my family and I, along with my mother-in-law, attended a wedding ceremony in Kampung Mampas, Kuala Pilah. The journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kuala Pilah took approximately 1 hour 34 minutes with a distance of 116 km. It is located 25 miles from Seremban.

Negeri Sembilan is also the state where my late father was born. My late father's village was in Kampung Nerambai, Lubok China, N. Sembilan.

Returning from the wedding, before heading back to Kuala Lumpur, we took the opportunity to wander around the Kuala Pilah district. First we stopped for the Zohor prayer at the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque. 

Royal Mausoleum of Seri Menanti, the final resting place for Negeri Sembilan royalty. Located next to the Tuanku Munawir Royal Mosque. 

Masjid Diraja Tuanku Munawir a.ka. the Royal Mosque of Seri Menanti was completed in 1964. Located in the State Royal town of Seri Menanti, the mosque sits right next to the Old Palace of Seri Menanti and the Royal Mausoleum. The mosque is named after Almarhum Tuanku Munawir, the 9th Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan (1960-1967).

After the prayer, we visited the Istana Lama Seri Menanti Museum which was built in 1902 to replace Istana Pulih which was burned by the British Army during the Bukit Putus War.

This 4-storey palace was built without using any nails, the nails were made from wood called pegs (pasak). This palace was once left empty without occupants until 1992, when it was gazetted as a museum.

The Istana Lama Seri Menanti is indeed a symbol of resilience, as it was commissioned by Tuanku Muhammad (the 7th Yang di-Pertuan Besar) specifically to restore the royal prestige after the original palace was lost during the Bukit Putus war in 1875. The war pitted the forces of Yamtuan Antah against the British, who were supporting a rival chief (Dato' Kelana of Sungei Ujong).

After the British and their Gurkha reinforcements breached the Malay fortifications at the Bukit Putus pass, they advanced into the Seri Menanti valley. During the pursuit of Yamtuan Antah, Istana Pulih was burned to the ground by British troops to prevent it from being used as a stronghold and to demoralize the resistance.

After the destruction of Istana Pulih, a temporary residence known as Istana Baroh was used.  It wasn't until 1902 that Tuanku Muhammad decided to build the "Old Palace" we see today. He wanted a structure that was not only grand but also showcased the pinnacle of Malay craftsmanship, perhaps as a silent statement of cultural endurance after the war.

REPLIKA BATU BERTIKAM (STABBED STONE)

This stone replica is based on the original stone found in Kacamantan Lima Kanun Batu Sangkar, West Sumatra, Indonesia. This stone is said to have a keris stab wound by Dato Perpatih Nan Sebatang as a sign of the oath of allegiance and peace that ended the dispute in the Perpatih Customary System.

BATU KASUR (BATU TIMBANG)

This replica of the stone is based on the original form found in West Sumatra, Indonesia. This stone is used as a test stone for the king's children and they must pass before being crowned King in N. Sembilan. The future King must sleep for 7 days and 7 nights on this stone which is covered with very itchy nettle leaves in addition to other disturbances. King Melewar is said to be the first King to undergo this test.

The name Kuala Pilah was once immortalized in a song by the Malaysian Blues group "The Blue's Gang", the first Malaysian band to perform at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall, London in 1989. The singer, Ito said that the lyric "Being a teacher in Kuala Pilah" was a salute to his parents who were both teachers. 

THE BLUES GANG

KG. DIOH KECIL

KUALA PILAH, N.S.

8 APRIL 2018

The first time I set foot in Kampong Dioh was on 14 March 2018 when I attended a program coordination meeting with my colleague Puan Aida.

Kg Dioh is a traditional Malay village located south of Kuala Pilah Town, covering an area of ​​approximately 5 square km. Among the famous industries of the residents here is the Azan Bread Factory. After the meeting, we continued our journey back to Kuala Lumpur.

On 7 April 2018, the Awareness Team and I from Yayasan Jantung Malaysia started the journey from Kuala Lumpur to Kg Dioh Kecil, Kuala Pilah, for a health program that would take place the next day. We went to Kg Dioh Kecil to deliver banners to the Kg Dioh Kecil Committee. However, we decided to stay at One Garden Hotel, located in Pusat Bandar Senawang, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, because we were familiar with this hotel. The distance from Kg.Dioh Kecil to One Garden Hotel is only 34.8 km. 

Before going to the hotel, we stopped for lunch at a Zaini Salai House located not far from the Ulu Bendul Recreational Forest.

In 2018, Zaini Salai House is very famous for its traditional smoking technique that uses charcoal wood and coir for 4 to 5 hours to get a deep smoke aroma.

Daging Salai Masak Lemak Cili Api: This is the most popular menu. The thick, golden yellow broth, and the level of spiciness that will make your ears "sizzle" are their main identity. The meat is tender with a strong smoky flavor.

For those who prefer a chewier texture and rich in fat, their smoked duck often runs out early, especially during peak lunch times.

A meal is incomplete without fresh village ulam and appetizing sambal belacan.

On the morning of April 8, 2018, we left the Hotel for Kampong Dioh Kecil for the Health Screening Program.

The program which lasted from 9 am ended at 2 pm. A total of 65 Kampong residents were present to undergo the Health Screening test.

After the program, we continued our journey back to our Hotel in Senawang. Thus ended our program in Kg Dioh Kecil, Kuala Pilah, Negeri Sembilan. Next, our program was at Sek. Men. Keb. Seremban 2 on 10 and 11 April 2018.

We stopped at a stall in Ulu Bendul, Negeri Sembilan before continuing our journey to Kuala Lumpur. Located on the main Seremban-Kuala Pilah route. Its location surrounded by large trees and fresh forest air makes the experience of eating cendol even more enjoyable, especially on a hot afternoon.

Ulu Bendul Recreation is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Kuala Pilah, situated in the Angsi Forest Reserve. Joseh Cendol (often associated with Joseh Kopi) in Ulu Bendul is one of the increasingly popular dessert destinations in Kuala Pilah, especially for those who want to quench their thirst after climbing Mount Angsi or taking a dip in the Ulu Bendul Recreational Forest.

Like most "legendary" cendols in Kuala Pilah, the main strength of Cendol Joseh is the use of Gula Anau (original sugar cane) which gives it a fatty sweetness and a more fragrant aroma than regular gula melaka.

If you've tried the Daging Salai at Zaini Salai House, Cendol Joseh is the perfect dessert to complete your road trip in Kuala Pilah!

Wellcome to Kuala Pilah....

Hj Zulheimy bin Maamor

Lembah Keramat, K.L

28/11/2024 : 11.08 p.m