1993: WITCH DOCTOR - MONA FANDEY

Mona Fandey (Wikipedia)

Wikipedia: Mona Fandey

On 2 July 1993, the Malaysian politician Datuk Mazlan Idris was reported missing. This date marks the beginning of one of the most sensational and gruesome criminal cases in Malaysian history, involving the pop singer turned bomoh (shaman), Mona Fandey.

Datuk Mazlan, a state assemblyman for Batu Talam, had sought supernatural help from Mona Fandey and her husband, Mohd Affandi Abdul Rahman, to boost his political career.

The Events of July 1993

• The Disappearance: On July 2, Mazlan withdrew approximately RM300,000 from various banks in Kuala Lumpur before traveling to Raub, Pahang, to meet Mona Fandey for a ritual.
• The Murder: During a "cleansing ritual" at a house in Ulu Dong, Mazlan was told to lie on the floor with his eyes closed to wait for "money to fall from the sky." Instead, he was beheaded with an axe.
• The Aftermath: Following the murder, Mona Fandey went on a lavish shopping spree in Kuala Lumpur, purchasing a Mercedes-Benz and undergoing plastic surgery.

Key Details of the Case

Detail	Information
Victim	Datuk Mazlan Idris (Pahang State Assemblyman)
Main Suspects	Mona Fandey, Mohd Affandi Abdul Rahman, and Juraimi Hussin (assistant)
Discovery	Police found Mazlan's body on July 22, 1993, buried in a concrete-covered pit. The body had been dismembered into 18 parts.
The Trial	One of the most publicized trials in Malaysia, noted for Mona's constant smiling and stylish outfits in court.
Execution	All three were executed by hanging on November 2, 2001, at Kajang Prison.

Famous Final Words: Before her execution, Mona Fandey famously uttered the words, "Aku takkan mati" ("I will never die"), which cemented her status as a chilling figure in Malaysian pop culture.

The case later served as the inspiration for the controversial horror film Dukun (2018).

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19January 2026: 10.42 p.m

1993: BENTONG KALI

On 29 June 1993, one of Malaysia's most notorious criminal chapters came to a violent end. P. Kalimuthu, better known as Bentong Kali, was shot dead by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) in a dawn raid.

Here is a breakdown of the events and the man who terrorized the nation:

The Final Showdown (Medan Damansara)

After a massive manhunt known as Ops Buncit, which involved over 200 police personnel and a RM100,000 bounty, the police tracked Bentong Kali to a double-story terraced house in Medan Damansara, Kuala Lumpur.

• The Raid: At approximately 6:30 AM, an elite team from the Special Actions Unit (UTK) surrounded the hideout.
• The Firefight: A fierce shootout ensued when Bentong Kali and his accomplices refused to surrender.
• The Outcome: Bentong Kali was killed by a gunshot to the head. Two of his close lieutenants, S. Gunalan (Billiard) and T. Gunasegaran (Raub Guna), were also killed at the scene.

Who was Bentong Kali?

Born in Bentong, Pahang, Kalimuthu rose to infamy as a "trigger-happy" gangster who led Gang 04 (and later Gang 08). He was known for his extreme volatility and lack of remorse.

• The Death Toll: He was officially implicated in at least 17 murders, though the actual number is believed by some to be higher.
• His Reputation: Unlike typical organized crime leaders who killed for business, Kali was known to kill for minor slights. He once famously crashed a child's birthday party and opened fire on the guests over a previous dispute.
• The Signature: He often used a German-made SIG Sauer P226 semi-automatic pistol. He was so bold that he reportedly called Tan Sri Zaman Khan (the CID Director at the time) to mock the police and challenge them to catch him.

Legacy and Modern Context

Bentong Kali remains a polarizing figure in Malaysian crime history. While most remember him as a ruthless killer who terrorized Kuala Lumpur, some within his local community tell stories of a "Robin Hood" figure who provided financial help to those in need.

His life and death were later chronicled in the book The Story of Bentong Kali: Crime and Society in 90s Kuala Lumpur by journalist Suganthi Suparmaniam.

OPS BUNCIT

Ops Buncit was the code name for the massive police manhunt launched in June 1993 to capture or neutralize P. Kalimuthu, better known as Bentong Kali.

By early 1993, Kalimuthu had become Malaysia's "Public Enemy No. 1," leaving a trail of at least 16 to 17 bodies in his wake. The operation was a direct response to his escalating violence and his brazen defiance of the law.

1. The Scale of the Operation

The operation was unprecedented in its scale and urgency for a single criminal:

• Personnel: Over 200 police officers from the Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, and Pahang police contingents were mobilized.
• Command: It was overseen by the legendary CID Director, Tan Sri Zaman Khan, who took the case personally after Bentong Kali reportedly called him to taunt the police and issue death threats.
• Bounty: A reward of RM100,000 was placed on his head, a massive sum at the time.
• Publicity: For the first time, police saturated the country with "Wanted" posters, distributing them not just in Malaysia but also across the border into Thailand.

2. The Turning Point

The catalyst that turned the manhunt into an "all-out" war was a series of ruthless killings in early June 1993:

• The Birthday Party Massacre: Kali and his gang crashed a child’s birthday party in a flat in Balakong. They opened fire on the crowd simply because someone had previously confronted Kali for urinating in public. Four people died.
• Point-Blank Execution: He shot a stall owner, Abdul Samad Abdul Hamid, in cold blood when he couldn't find a rival he was looking for.

3. Intelligence and Tactics

The police used "Intelligence Led Policing" to tighten the net. A breakthrough occurred during a raid on a drug lab in Taming Jaya, where Kali narrowly escaped but left behind his passport. This allowed the police to see that he had surgically altered his appearance and grown a mustache to evade detection.

4. The Conclusion

The operation reached its climax on 29 June 1993. Based on a tip-off, the Special Actions Unit (UTK) and CID officers surrounded a house in Medan Damansara.

• The Standoff: Despite being surrounded, Kali and his two lieutenants (Billiard and Raub Guna) chose to fight.
• The Fatal Shot: Legend has it that Kali was attempting to escape through a balcony or rooftop when he was neutralized by a police sharpshooter.

Legacy of Ops Buncit

The success of the operation significantly boosted the reputation of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) and cemented Tan Sri Zaman Khan's status as a "super cop." It also led to more aggressive tactics against the "Gang 04" and "Gang 08" triads that Kali had led.

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19 January 2026: 8.37 p.m

1983:JALIL IBRAHIM MURDER AND BMF SCANDAL

The murder of Jalil Ibrahim on July 18, 1983, is one of the most significant and haunting events in Malaysian corporate history. It was the catalyst that exposed the Bumiputera Malaysia Finance (BMF) scandal, then the largest financial scandal in the world, involving the loss of approximately RM2.5 billion (roughly $1 billion USD at the time).

Who was Jalil Ibrahim?

Jalil Ibrahim was an assistant general manager at Bank Bumiputera Malaysia Berhad (BBMB). In late 1982, he was sent to Hong Kong to serve as the internal auditor for BMF, a subsidiary of the bank. His mission was to investigate a series of massive, unsecured loans that had been funneled to the Carrian Group, a rapidly expanding property conglomerate led by businessman George Tan.

The Events of July 18, 1983

On the day of his disappearance, Jalil told his staff at the Regent Hotel in Hong Kong that he was leaving to meet a "Datuk." He never returned.

• Discovery: His body was found several days later (July 21) in a banana plantation in Tai Po Kau, a remote area in the New Territories of Hong Kong. He had been strangled.
• The "Unfinished Letter": Following his death, an unfinished letter to his wife and children was discovered. In it, he expressed his deep frustration and fear, stating:

"The problems in Hong Kong are not my making... I have sacrificed enough and suffered enough for their blunders."

The BMF Scandal Connection

Jalil’s murder blew the lid off the BMF scandal. His audit had uncovered that BMF was continuing to pump money into the failing Carrian Group despite clear signs of insolvency. It was later revealed that the "Datuk" he intended to meet was likely related to the high-level political and corporate figures involved in the loan approvals.

• Financial Collapse: Shortly after the murder, the Carrian Group collapsed, leading to the largest bankruptcy in Hong Kong's history.
• Convictions: A Malaysian businessman, Mak Fook Than, was eventually convicted of the murder and sentenced to life in prison. During his trial, Mak made several conflicting claims—at one point alleging he was acting on behalf of the Malaysian Ministry of Finance to collect money for a high-ranking official, before later retracting it.

Aftermath and Legacy

The scandal shook the Malaysian government, then led by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. While several BMF executives were eventually jailed for corruption and fraud, many Malaysians believe that the "unseen hands" or the ultimate masterminds behind the scandal were never truly brought to justice.

Jalil Ibrahim is often remembered as a martyr—a "true patriot" who lost his life attempting to protect the integrity of the nation's financial institutions against systemic corruption.

He was awarded the "Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa" Medal by the Malaysian Government, the only civilian in Malaysia to be awarded the Medal of Courage.

Jalil's murder has not truly been solved as the real brains behind his killing has not been brought to justice. 

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19 January 2026: 8.02 p.m

1982: MALAYSIAN MINISTER CONVICTED MURDER

Credit : Cilisos

Source: Soscili

On April 14, 1982, a shocking political murder occurred in Malaysia that would eventually lead to the conviction of a sitting Cabinet Minister. Dato' Mohamad Taha Talib, the Speaker of the Negeri Sembilan State Legislative Assembly, was shot dead outside his home in Kampung Seri Asahan, Gemencheh.

The case remains one of the most high-profile legal battles in Malaysian history. Here is a summary of the key details:

The Incident

• Time and Place: Around 1:30 AM outside Taha Talib’s residence.
• The Victim: Mohamad Taha Talib was a prominent politician and the incumbent Speaker of the State Assembly.
• The Motive: The prosecution argued that the murder was driven by political rivalry within UMNO. Taha had been nominated to defend his Gemencheh state seat in the upcoming 1982 general election, a move allegedly opposed by his rivals.

The Accused

Several individuals were arrested and charged, but the central figure was:

• Dato' Mokhtar Hashim: At the time of his arrest, he was the Minister of Culture, Youth, and Sports and the MP for Tampin.
• The Weapon: Ballistics evidence eventually linked the bullets that killed Taha to a Walther automatic pistol owned by Mokhtar Hashim.

The Legal Battle

The trial lasted 76 days and was, at the time, the longest murder trial in Malaysian history.

• Conviction: On March 5, 1983, Mokhtar Hashim was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death.
• Appeals: His appeal to the Federal Court was dismissed in July 1983.
• Clemency: In 1984, his death sentence was commuted to life imprisonment by the Pardons Board.
• Royal Pardon: In 1991, Mokhtar received a full royal pardon and was released from prison after serving nine years.

Legacy

The "Mokhtar Hashim case" is often cited in Malaysian legal studies regarding the independence of the judiciary and the use of the Essential (Security Cases) Regulations (ESCAR). Mokhtar Hashim lived as a private citizen until his death on November 18, 2020.

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18 January 2026: 11.51

1977: MH 653 TRAGEDY (TG.KUPANG,JOHOR)

On 4 December 1977, Malaysia Airlines Flight MH653 (then operated by Malaysian Airline System) became the center of a tragic and enduring mystery. It was the first fatal crash for the airline and remains the deadliest aviation disaster to occur on Malaysian soil.

The Flight and Hijacking

The flight was a routine domestic service using a Boeing 737-200. It departed from Penang at 19:21, bound for Kuala Lumpur.

• The Incident: Around 19:54, as the plane was descending toward Kuala Lumpur, the crew reported an "unidentified hijacker" on board. Shortly after, the pilots were forced to divert the aircraft toward Singapore.
• The Cockpit Recordings: Cockpit Voice Recorder (CVR) data later revealed a tense atmosphere. The hijacker(s) reportedly shot both Captain G.K. Ganjoor and First Officer Karamuzaman Jali after an argument about the plane's fuel levels, leaving the aircraft "professionally uncontrolled."
• The Crash: At 20:36, the aircraft slammed into a swamp in Tanjung Kupang, Johor, at a near-vertical angle and very high speed. All 100 people on board (93 passengers and 7 crew) were killed instantly.

Notable Victims

The flight carried several high-profile individuals, which added to the national shock:

• Dato' Ali Haji Ahmad: The then Malaysian Agricultural Minister.
• Mario García Incháustegui: The Cuban Ambassador to Japan.
• Dato' Mahfuz Khalid: The Public Works Department Head.

Unresolved Mysteries

To this day, the identity and motives of the hijacker(s) remain unknown.

• Japanese Red Army (JRA): While some reports at the time suggested the involvement of the JRA (a far-left militant group active in the 70s), this was never officially confirmed.
• The Gunman: A popular theory suggests a bodyguard of one of the VIPs might have been involved, but no weapon was ever recovered from the muddy crash site.
• The Struggle: The CVR captured sounds of a struggle and someone other than the pilots trying to pull the plane up in its final seconds, but the aircraft's trajectory had become unrecoverable.

Legacy

A memorial stands today in Johor Bahru at the site of a mass burial for the victims. The tragedy led to the establishment of the Aviation Security Unit in Malaysia to prevent future occurrences.

Field	Details
Date	4 December 1977
Aircraft Type	Boeing 737-2H6 (Registration: 9M-MBD)
Flight Path	Penang $\rightarrow$ Kuala Lumpur (Subang) $\rightarrow$ Singapore (Paya Lebar)
Casualties	100 (93 passengers, 7 crew)
Crash Site	Tanjung Kupang, Johor, Malaysia ($1.3887^\circ\text{N}, 103.5314^\circ\text{E}$)
Investigation	Conducted by Malaysia DCA with help from Boeing and the NTSB

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18 January 2026: 11.36 p.m

SARAWAK FOLKLORE : PUTERI SANTUBONG AND PUTERI SEJINJANG (SARAWAK)

The legend of Puteri Santubong and Puteri Sejinjang is one of the most famous folk tales from Sarawak, Malaysia. It explains the origins of Mount Santubong, Mount Sejinjang, and the various islands off the coast of Kuching.

The Celestial Mission

The story begins in the celestial kingdom (Kayangan). Two beautiful princesses, Santubong and Sejinjang, were sent down to Earth by their father, the King of Heaven. Their mission was to bring peace to two feuding villages on the Sarawak coast: Pasir Kuning and Pasir Putih.

The King gave them one strict condition: they must never quarrel. If they fought, they would be severely punished.

Harmony and Talents

Under the guidance of the princesses, the villages thrived:

• Puteri Santubong was a master weaver. She taught the villagers of Pasir Putih how to weave beautiful fabrics that attracted traders from far and wide.
• Puteri Sejinjang was skilled at pounding rice. She helped the people of Pasir Kuning produce the finest, tastiest rice in the region.

For a long time, the villages lived in prosperity and harmony.

The Conflict: Jealousy and a Prince

The peace was shattered when both princesses fell in love with the same man, Prince Serapi (Putera Serapi).

What started as a small disagreement soon escalated into a fierce, violent battle of magic and jealousy. Forgetting their father’s warning, they attacked each other with their tools:

• Sejinjang swung her rice-pounder (alu) and struck Santubong in the cheek.
• Santubong retaliated by throwing her weaving loom beam (belida) at Sejinjang, hitting her with such force that her head shattered.

The Curse

Witnessing their broken promise, the King of Heaven became furious. He cast a curse on both of them, transforming them into stone:

• Puteri Santubong became Mount Santubong. If you look at the mountain today, its jagged peak is said to be the scar on her cheek from Sejinjang’s blow.
• Puteri Sejinjang became Mount Sejinjang. The pieces of her shattered head fell into the South China Sea and became the nearby islands, including Pulau Kera (Monkey Island), Pulau Satang, and Pulau Talang-Talang.
• Prince Serapi, the cause of their rift, was also turned into a mountain, now known as Mount Serapi (Gunung Serapi).

Cultural Significance

Today, this legend is immortalized in a popular folk song titled "Puteri Santubong," which is often performed at cultural events in Sarawak. The story serves as a moral lesson about the destructive nature of jealousy and the importance of keeping one's word.

Fun Fact: If you visit Damai Beach near Kuching, locals will point out that Mount Santubong looks like a woman lying on her back, watching over the sea.

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18 January 2026: 11.22 p.m

TUN TEJA : MALACCA'S TRAGIC BEAUTY

Tun Teja Ratna Benggala is one of the most celebrated and tragic figures in the history of the Malacca Sultanate. Her story, recorded in the Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) and the Hikayat Hang Tuah, is a blend of historical fact and romantic legend, symbolizing beauty, loyalty, and the turbulent end of an empire.

Identity and Origin

Tun Teja was the daughter of Bendahara Seri Amar Diraja, the Chief Minister of Pahang (then known as Inderapura).

• Renowned Beauty: She was famously described as the most beautiful woman in the Malay Peninsula, with a reputation that reached far across the Malacca Strait.
• Royal Engagement: Before her involvement with Malacca, she was already engaged to the Sultan of Pahang.

The Legend of Her "Abduction"

The most famous part of her history involves her journey from Pahang to Malacca. There are two primary versions of how she became the consort of Sultan Mahmud Shah:

• The Hikayat Hang Tuah Version: To regain the Sultan’s favor after being falsely accused of a crime, the legendary warrior Hang Tuah traveled to Pahang. He used a "love potion" (hikmat pengasih) to charm Tun Teja into following him. Once they reached Malacca, he gave her a "hate potion" (hikmat pembenci) to make her forget him and accept the Sultan's hand in marriage.
• The Sejarah Melayu Version: In this account, it was Hang Nadim who successfully wooed Tun Teja and brought her to Malacca. Regardless of the version, she eventually became the beloved consort of Sultan Mahmud Shah.

Role in the Fall of Malacca

Tun Teja was not just a symbol of beauty; she was a patriot during the Portuguese invasion of 1511.

• Resistance: Historical accounts suggest she remained loyal to the Sultan and helped boost the morale of the Malaccan forces during the siege by Afonso de Albuquerque.
• The Retreat: When Malacca fell, she accompanied the Sultan and the royal court as they retreated toward Muar and Johor to escape the Portuguese.

Death and Legacy

Tun Teja passed away in 1511 during the difficult retreat from the Portuguese.

• Cause of Death: It is believed she fell ill due to the hardships of the journey through the jungle.
• Makam Tun Teja: She was buried in Merlimau, Malacca. Her mausoleum (Makam Tun Teja) still stands today as a historical monument, located in a quiet area surrounded by paddy fields. It is a popular site for those looking to honor the memory of the "Jewel of Pahang."

Key Historical Facts at a Glance

Aspect               Detail

Father                 Bendahara Seri Amar Diraja (Pahang)

Consort               Sultan Mahmud Shah (8th Sultan of Malacca)

Title                    Tun Teja Ratna Benggala

Death                  Year 1511 (During the Portuguese invasion)

Burial Site            Merlimau, Malacca

Tun Teja’s life reflects the themes of duty and sacrifice that defined the final days of the Malacca Sultanate. Would you like me to find more details about her tomb in Merlimau or perhaps more about her husband, Sultan Mahmud Shah?

MAKAM TUN TEJA

Located in a serene rural setting, the Makam Tun Teja is the final resting place of Tun Teja Ratna Benggala. It serves as a poignant reminder of the Malacca Sultanate's final days, marking the spot where she passed away during the royal family's retreat from the Portuguese in 1511.

Atmosphere and Location

The tomb is situated in Kampung Pengkalan Samak, Merlimau, roughly 24 kilometers from Malacca town. Visitors often describe the area as peaceful and evocative of traditional Malay village life.

• Surroundings: The mausoleum is set amidst scenic rice paddy fields, providing a quiet and reflective environment.
• Approach: Access to the site is through a formal archway followed by a long path lined with tall temple pillar trees (frangipani).

Historical and Architectural Features

While the current structure has been refurbished, it retains historical significance as a "heritage site" associated with the legendary accounts of the Sejarah Melayu.

• The Mausoleum: The tomb itself is a whitewashed structure housed within a covered pavilion to protect it from the elements.
• Information Boards: Several educational panels are erected near the tomb to detail Tun Teja's life, her journey from Pahang, and the events of the 1511 retreat.
• Nearby Landmarks: The site is close to other historical points of interest in Merlimau, such as the Portuguese Well and the Galeri Demang Abdul Ghani.

Visitor Information

The site is generally accessible to the public at any time, though it is most often visited during daylight hours to appreciate the surrounding views.

• Etiquette: As this is a burial site, visitors are expected to dress modestly and maintain a respectful, quiet demeanor.
• Admission: There is no entrance fee, and the gates are typically left unlocked for visitors.
• Facilities: The area is family-friendly and includes basic amenities for those stopping by as part of a historical tour of the Jasin district.

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18 January 2026: 10.58 p.m