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Ghostly Tales: Spooky Malaysian Locations and Their Haunting Stories

October 3, 2023

Do you believe in ghosts? Malaysia, a country rich in history and diverse cultures, is no stranger to paranormal encounters and chilling ghost stories. From haunted hotels to eerie forests, this Southeast Asian gem boasts a variety of locations that have long been associated with supernatural occurrences. Join us as we embark on a spine-tingling journey through some of Malaysia’s most haunted places.

Haunting Legends of Penang’s Beaches

Penang, known for its pristine beaches and vibrant street art, is also home to several ghostly legends. One such tale revolves around the beach of Teluk Bahang. Locals believe that the beach is haunted by the spirit of a woman who tragically drowned many years ago. Visitors have reported hearing her mournful cries during the night, echoing across the shoreline. Some claim to have witnessed her ghostly figure wandering along the beach, clad in a traditional Malay costume.

The Ghostly Bride of Malacca’s Red Square

Malacca, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not only famous for its historic buildings and delicious cuisine, but also for its ghostly encounters. The haunting of Malacca’s Red Square centers around the ghost of a tragic bride who was jilted on her wedding day. Legend has it that she took her own life out of despair and now wanders the square at night, draped in a white bridal gown. Many have reported feeling a cold presence or catching a glimpse of her ghastly figure near the iconic Christ Church.

Supernatural Mysteries of Langkawi’s Pregnant Maiden Island

Langkawi, an archipelago of beautiful islands, is a popular tourist destination. However, one particular island, known as Pregnant Maiden Island, harbors a dark secret. Legend tells of a pregnant maiden who lost her life while sailing these waters. Locals believe that her spirit still resides on the island, crying out in the night for her lost child. Visitors have reported strange occurrences, such as unexplained footprints appearing on the beach or hearing disembodied cries echoing through the forest.

The Enigma of Sabah’s Crocker Range

Deep within the dense jungles of Sabah lies the Crocker Range, a mountain range cloaked in mystery and paranormal tales. According to local folklore, the mountains are home to various supernatural beings, including hantu pocong (shrouded spirits), orang bunian (forest dwellers), and even a ghostly tiger. Trekking enthusiasts and villagers have encountered inexplicable phenomena, such as eerie whispers, distant cries, and sudden spells of intense coldness. The Crocker Range remains an enigma, enticing adventurous souls with its spectral secrets.

Historical Hauntings at Malacca’s A Famosa Fort

Malacca’s history is rife with conquests and conflicts, making it fertile ground for ghostly encounters. One notable location is A Famosa Fort, a centuries-old fortress built by the Portuguese in the 16th century. It is said to be haunted by the spirits of soldiers who perished during battles fought around its sturdy walls. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions in old-fashioned attire or experiencing unexplained sensations, as if being watched by unseen eyes.

Malaysia’s rich cultural tapestry and intriguing history have given birth to countless ghost stories that continue to captivate both locals and visitors alike. From the haunted beaches of Penang to the ancient fort of Malacca, these spine-chilling tales remind us that there is still much we do not understand about the world around us. Whether you believe in the supernatural or not, these stories bring an extra touch of mystique to Malaysia, transforming its landscapes into an eerie playground of legends and ghostly encounters.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Are these ghost stories based on real incidents in Malaysia? While these ghost stories have become legendary, their origins stem from local folklore and accounts passed down through generations. Whether based on actual events or mere fabrications, they continue to intrigue and entertain.

2. Can visitors experience paranormal activities in these locations? Many visitors have reported strange occurrences and eerie experiences in these haunted locations. However, paranormal encounters are subjective, and not everyone may experience them.

3. Are these paranormal encounters dangerous? The reported encounters vary from harmless sightings to unsettling sensations. While the majority are harmless, it is advisable to approach these locations with respect and caution.

4. Is it possible to visit these haunted locations? Yes, most of these haunted locations are open to the public and welcome visitors. However, it is essential to follow any specific guidelines or regulations in place.

5. Are there any paranormal tours available in Malaysia? Yes, several tour companies offer paranormal tours that explore haunted locations and share ghost stories. These tours provide a unique and spine-chilling experience for those interested in the supernatural.

Remember, whether you believe in ghosts or remain skeptical, exploring Malaysia’s haunted locations can be a thrilling adventure into the unknown. Immersed in history and steeped in supernatural tales, these mysterious sites leave an indelible mark on those who dare to tread their haunted paths.

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Freaky Folklore: 5 Scary Ghost Stories In Malaysia To Give You The Chills

Love a good, scary ghost story ? Lucky you. Malaysia, being a melting pot of different races and cultures , has an abundance of spooky tales to tell all night, in the dark. We have all heard many horror stories and spine-chilling tales passed on through word of mouth, one generation to the other. From the most malevolent evil spirits to the creepiest places where these supernatural beings have been sighted , here are five scary ghost stories in Malaysia that most of us would have heard of at some point in our lives.

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5 scary ghost stories in malaysia.

A combination of 3 words – puan (lady), mati (dead) and anak (child), pontianak takes after a lady who lost her baby during childbirth. She is often dressed in white and sports long black hair; and is known to seek revenge against men. Many have said to have encountered this bitter being while on the road in the wee hours. If you smell the scent of jasmine flowers out of the blue, be very careful. That’s how you’d know this vengeful creature is in the vicinity. Pontianak rose to fame in movies like Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam and more recently, Revenge of the Pontianak (Dendam Pontianak) .

Watch Dendam Pontianak Here

Orang Minyak

Orang Minyak, a naked, supernatural being coated with oil, is said to be someone who is seeking superpowers to enable him to get into someone’s house to rob or rape without being detected. Legend has it that orang minyak learned the wrong teaching and turns black due to the mistake, he must rape 40 young girls to become normal again. Victims will find themselves hypnotised and their faces marked with an ‘X’ after the ordeal. Did you know there was a widespread complaint by female nurses in 2005 at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital that a knife-wielding orang minyak would appear and attack them when they were alone. There were also reports from Gombak several years later, where residents said households with young girls are being targeted. In 1958 alone, there were 3 orang minyak movies released and it proves that the obsession with this creature is not new.

This female ghost dressed in a flowy white dress is said to be the spirit of someone who committed suicide or murdered and was dressed in red for her funeral to seek revenge. She has similar traits with her Malay “sister”, the pontianak . She will scare the ladies but is very vengeful towards men. Ironically, Nan Gui, the male counterpart of Nu Gui is rarely spoken about or sighted.

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Pocong has a mummy-like appearance (by this we mean the creature is covered in white cloth and does not take after our beloved mums ) and is said to be a dead body covered in burial shroud. Usually before the burial, the knot on top of the head is untied to expose the face and word has it, if you don’t, it then becomes pocong . It will leave its grave and hop around looking for someone to untie the knot. Indonesia, a country that shares similar ghost stories with us, has seen some of the scariest ghost movies ever released and including some that never saw the day of light due to their highly disturbing and scary content.

Karak Highway

Who hasn’t heard the scary ghost stories of the infamous Karak Highway in Malaysia? This route that connects Kuala Lumpur with the East Coast has appeared in countless ghost stories, including sightings of pontianaks and one of the self-driven yellow Volkswagen which cannot be overtaken. There’s also one where a car in which a couple was traveling breaks down on the highway and the husband is forced to walk to the nearest emergency phone booth (this took place before the widespread existence of mobile phones) to get help but he never came back. A patrol car pulls up and asks the lady to step out and walk towards them. When she turns back to look at her car, she sees her husband’s headless body on the roof of the car.

Watch Karak Here

(Main image: Erik Muller/ Unsplash; Featured image: Kevin Escate/ Unsplash)

Dhakshaan Kumar

An enthusiastic writer with a keen interest in film studies, Dhakshaan Kumar has penned several film scripts of various genres and even dabbled in filmmaking. The communications degree holder harbours dreams of making it big as a writer and filmmaker.

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These 7 creepy, spine-tingling real-life malaysian ghost stories will give you the chills.

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Disclaimer: These are personal stories shared by readers and as such are anecdotal. 

We got a little inspired after the recent Hungry Ghost Festival and asked some readers to share their stories with us. This is what we got. Good luck!

1. The floating sleep-watcher – Mint, 28 

I was a chemist at a paint factory in Klang. This incident happened in 2016 when two other colleagues and I attended training at a hotel in Johor Bahru. We checked in around 6pm in the evening after the training, and then had dinner and a chit chat session before going to bed. The three of us decided to combine the two single beds, and slept together. I slept facing the sliding glass. Sometime after midnight, I wanted to switch sides and that was when I noticed a tall, slender female figure with shoulder-length hair and greyish skin staring at my friend who was asleep on the other end of the bed, near the toilet. What shook me the most was the fact that the figure was floating above my friend! I tried to ignore what I saw before my eyes, but it was too late when I realized the figure was now looking back at me!

I knew I was in trouble when she started to roam mid-air towards me and that was when I quickly shut my eyes. I tried hard to turn to the other side but to no avail as I could barely move. As I was struggling, I felt a slight pain on my forehead and I could tell that the figure was trying to turn my head towards her so that I could see her face. I attempted to recite some prayers but under the pressure, I couldn’t remember them. I decided to just open my eyes and I saw a long greyish arm right before my eyes. Oddly, it disappeared immediately. I turned to look at my two other colleagues, and they were sleeping so soundly. It was around 3 am in the morning. I knew I couldn’t bear to stay in the room anymore, so I quickly changed, grabbed my phone, and headed down to the lobby where I had a nap until 6.30 am. I returned to my room as if nothing had happened, and got ready for the second day of my training. I don’t think I’ll ever stay in that hotel again.

2. A couple even in death – V. Raj, 29

This happened to my uncle and his family back in the ’90s. They were travelling to Batang Berjuntai (now known as Bestari Jaya) using the trunk road. It was around midnight and my uncle was driving while his wife and kids slept in the car. He stopped the car at the roadside for a while to rest. There were hardly any vehicles around, just a few lorries that passed by. At a distance, he could see two figures walking at the roadside but he could hardly make out anything. After a few minutes, he started to drive again. He realized he was coming nearer towards the figures. As he approached them he realized what they were. It was a couple dressed in traditional Chinese clothing. Their faces were ashen white and they looked down as they hopped! My uncle quickly woke his wife up to witness what he had seen. She was shocked and in fear. My uncle proceeded to drive faster after checking on the kids. He checked his rearview mirror and saw the couple hopping away slowly. A few meters later he realized he had just passed a cemetery nearby. Till today, my uncle and aunty never forgot what they saw that night.

3. The highway worker – Arvind, 58

I have always had the ‘gift’ to see supernatural beings. This incident happened in January 2019, a few days after the New Year celebrations. My wife, kids and I were travelling back from KLIA to Ipoh. I was driving and it was close to midnight, everyone was asleep in the car. A couple of kilometres before the Ladang Bikam R&R, I felt as if I drove over a barrel. But when I checked my side and rearview mirrors, there was nothing. A few minutes later, my wife woke up and said she needed to use the restroom and so I stopped at the R&R. While I waited for her in the car, someone knocked on my window. It looked like a foreign worker and he was wearing the highway construction worker uniform. He was bloody and he just looked at me. I knew what it was. At that moment my wife came out of the restroom and I quickly urged her to get in. She couldn’t see anything that I saw even though the worker kept knocking on my window. I quickly drove off. When I got back on the highway, I realized there were police cars and ambulances on the other side of the road.

4. I shouldn’t have seen between my legs – Anne, 26

This actually happened about 10 years ago, but I will never forget the experience. It was around 9pm and I was outside my house feeding the dogs. I would usually wait for them to finish and wash their bowls immediately. As I bent down to grab one of the bowls, I unconsciously looked through my legs and saw my neighbour’s house. But something caught my attention. The best way I can describe it is, I saw this huge, oval white thing floating across the sidewalk of my neighbour’s house. The thing roamed towards the back of the house. Out of confusion, I quickly stood up to observe further but the figure had disappeared. I am always full of curiosity and what I saw definitely raised my desire to find out what it was. Before I could do so, my dogs that were chained fiercely barked non-stop towards the directions to which I last saw the figure headed. I started to sense something was off and that was when I remembered that it was the Hungry Ghost month, and what I saw through my legs was definitely one of “them”! I felt so stupid for looking through my legs.

*Anne explained that in Asian beliefs, it is taboo to see between legs as what we see are “things” that are not among us as they’re from different realms.

5. It grazed me in while I was asleep – Azri, 28

I knew it was the Hungry Ghost month, and while I acknowledge the existence of evil spirits and ghosts, I used to believe that they won’t do us harm as long as we stay out of their way. But I was proven wrong.

One night in 2018, my parents were overseas and I was at home with my elder sister. I was preparing to go to bed and I can never sleep with the lights on. That night, however, I felt like something was watching me in the dark. I ignored the feeling but it was hard for me to fall asleep that night, despite it being 12.30 am. Frustrated, I switched on the lights, and minutes later, I was sound asleep. I thought that solved the problem but then, “something” woke me up a couple of hours later. I jumped up immediately when I felt something was creeping on my left leg. Initially, I thought it was a cockroach or a lizard because I am terrified of them. I even shoved my blanket away to check if there’s anything underneath, but I couldn’t see anything at all. I tried looking for them because I knew I could never sleep peacefully knowing there were pests around. But fear immediately struck me when I realized that whatever I felt wasn’t a pest at all. This time, I was certain that it was the feeling of a long and sharp fingernail grazing the skin on my leg! I looked around the room as the feeling of being watched grew stronger. I checked the time, hoping it was near dawn or sunlight but the fear became immensely deeper when the clock showed 2.59am! I forced myself into sleep but to no avail. I can’t remember how long it took me to fall back asleep but the next morning, I woke up with a high fever.

6. Pregnant and seeing ghosts – Yvonne, 55

This feels like it just happened last year when it was in fact during the late ’80s. These 3 separate incidents took place in the same month when I was pregnant. All the times I encountered “them”, my husband was out for duty. He was a policeman back then, so it was common for me to spend the nights alone. I first experienced it when I was sleeping. I wanted to switch sides and when I did, there was this little girl standing right beside me and stared into my eyes. She looked completely humanoid, except her staring eyes were full of curiosity and her neck was bent. The second incident also happened when I was sleeping. I woke up from my sleep when I heard chatters right behind me. The thing is, my husband was away. It was the chatters of a man and a woman. I couldn’t remember what they were talking about, but the conversation got louder. Frustrated and afraid, I immediately called my husband and asked him to get home right away, to which, fortunately, he did. Last but not least, I was in the passenger seat in the car and I remember passing by a Chinese cemetery. Something caught my attention when I spotted an old lady sitting on the tombstone ! It was near dusk, and when I looked back again immediately, the old lady was nowhere to be seen.

7. Self-care, hair-loving spirit – Natasha, 24

People who are close to me know that I can see “things.” It happened since I was a kid so I don’t need to wait until the Hungry Ghost Festival to actually see them. In my experience, they usually take the form of a kid standing outside my house, or some weird creatures that I can’t even explain with words, which will usually sit at the stairs. But there was this one particular incident that took place during the Hungry Ghost Month. It happened 4 years ago and I had to burn the midnight oil as my assignments were nearing their deadlines. My bedroom is downstairs after the kitchen and there is a mirror on the wall of my kitchen which I sometimes use, until today. It was 2am and it was rather quiet. I was focusing on my assignments until something distracted me. I could hear a sound coming from the kitchen. I thought it was my cats as they sometimes play around there. But as the sound continuously distracted me, I realized that it wasn’t my cats, at all. What I heard was the sound of someone combing her hair in the kitchen, and from the way it sounded, the hair was way too rough. It was like “she” was struggling to comb through her hair, but she didn’t stop. My family members were asleep, and who would comb their hair in front of a mirror in the kitchen at 2 am in the morning? Fortunately, the sound disappeared as I ignored it. Only God knows how terrified I was!

Do you have any encounters of your own? Let us know in the comments below! 

Also read: Watch: ‘Pocong’ in Alor Setar Hitches A Ride On Motorcyclist’s Head, Freaks Out Netizens

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9 Famous Malaysian Ghosts & Where To Find Them

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E very culture has its own ghouls and ghost stories. Of course, growing up Malaysian (or if you’ve been in this part of the world long enough), you’ll have heard of these haunting creatures of the night! While many believe that there is no such thing as haunted spirits, there are others who swear to have encountered scary sightings. Stories about entities knocking in the night, from nature spirits to malicious devils, will send goosebumps down the spines of even the most sceptical person. If you’re not already familiar with Malaysian hantus, read on to find out about the kinds of ghosts we have, and more importantly, where to find them!

1. Pontianak

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Datai Langkawi (@thedatailangkawi)

Possibly the most well-known supernatural being, thanks to the variety of Malay movies featuring this creature, pontianak is believed to be the ghost of a pregnant woman. They are typically shown as long-haired, pale-skinned, jasmine-scented, and clad in all-white attire. Said to take on the appearance of lovely maidens to lure men, this creature’s non-threatening appearance is most likely how it draws its victims in before digging its long nails into their stomachs and consuming their organs. Pontianak is also infamous for dismembering male reproductive parts to exact vengeance! 

Where to find them According to legend, they prefer to hang out amongst banana trees or other large trees with plenty of shade and prey on unwary men. Tourists holidaying at The Datai in Langkawi have claimed seeing ‘strange’ images on their pictures taken in the rainforest, and in their hotel rooms.

2. Hantu pocong

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lindie ? 린디 • 琳迪 • リンコ (@lindiebotes)

Islamic tradition mentions that hantu pocong , also known as the shroud ghost, is the deceased’s spirit wrapped in a white cloth called the kain kafan (plain white cloth). Strings will be tied above the head, around the neck, and below the feet to hold the fabric on the body throughout the rite.

Many Malays and Indonesians believe that the body will emerge from the grave to remind people to release their souls if the knots are not removed during the burial or within 40 days. They can ‘teleport’ since they are not affected by gravity, and can be found ‘loitering’ anywhere from their ultimate resting place to their former houses.

Where to find them The Penang War Museum is host to all sorts of weird and creepy artefacts. Visitors have claimed the paranormal activity of ghosts and demons, which locals believe are the trapped souls of those tortured and murdered by the Japanese Imperial Army. It won’t be a surprise to see a pocong hopping around the area. A fun fact to note – it’s believed that you could become wealthy if you hug a pocong , though we don’t recommend this!

View this post on Instagram A post shared by imankhariman (@imankhariman)

Do you live alone and find that your money or things mysteriously vanish? That could be a toyol visiting your house stealing the possessions of others to enrich their masters.

Shamans or witch doctors (called bomoh ) call on the souls of stillborn babies or dead human foetuses known as toyol . These tiny creatures can be purchased from witch doctors for various purposes and are typically used by their owners to steal stuff or wreak havoc in others’ lives. Southeast Asians believe that a toyol is responsible for our money or jewellery disappearing mysteriously. Toyols are childlike: mischievous, a little clumsy, a little needy, and easily distracted. Not to be mistaken for your actual human babies running around your house!

Every morning, owners must feed the spirit milk, provide toys, light a black candle, play mantras, and occasionally put a piece of the owner’s blood on the statue to keep it happy. Toyols are said to be easy to deceive and distract, usually with mirrors and needles.

Where to find them The former Mandarin Pacific Hotel (now shut) in the centre of Kuala Lumpur is said to be haunted by these tiny creatures. Late at night, many reports hearing doors and chairs moving, as well as marbles dropping on the floor, and all evidence points to room 1102 as the primary suspect. Unless you’re incredibly brave, perhaps don’t venture into the now-closed property. 

4. Hungry ghosts

View this post on Instagram A post shared by ᴛʜɪɴᴀ ᴘʜᴏᴛᴏɢʀᴀᴘʜʏ (@thina.photography)

According to Chinese beliefs, the gates of hell will open on the seventh month of the Lunar calendar, and spirits will be released into our world. Like the existing spirits roaming our world, these souls from hell are often ‘hungry,’ as they rely on descendants to burn hell money and feed them.

Some spirits are said to be naughty and play practical jokes on humans. Others seeking vengeance will frequently visit people or locations. On the seventh month, there have been numerous reports of ghost sightings. Around this time, you may notice food offerings on the streets or at the front gates of some homes. A few of your friends may even warn you against spending too much time outside, believing that spirits will follow you!

So be cautious during this Lunar month: you never know when an ancestor might stop by to pay you a visit.

Where to find them Those looking for a ghostly adventure can check-in at First World Hotel, Genting Highlands . The ghosts of suicide victims who lost everything at the casino are rumoured to haunt this resort hotel. Stories claim that some children scream for no apparent reason and refuse to enter certain areas of the hotel. Guests who are otherwise healthy become unwell for no reason at all, and you can smell incense, which the Chinese believe is food for ghosts.

Some of the hotel’s 6,118 rooms are cursed, and the hotel never rents them out to guests, even when it’s at full occupancy. Widespread whispers say that the entire 21st floor is cursed, and the elevator always skips that floor for some reason.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amy’s Crypt | Haunted Explorer (@amyscrypt)

The mohini is said to be the spirit of a woman who killed herself without ever experiencing love. If a woman’s sexual urge was not satisfied while she was living, she will become a mohini after she dies. She’s enraged and is out to ruin the lives of happy couples. Creepy! 

To any man, they will appear to look gorgeous in order to attract them. Some folks are mortally afraid of these things, and so they should be. Someone who can tear you limb from limb while chilling in a coconut tree is not to be messed with. 

Aside from a homicidal aura and a fondness for coconuts, this demon has a lethal scent that can seduce you to your death.

Where to find them Tourists staying at the Amber Court Hotel and Ria Apartment in Genting Highlands said they have felt as though there were eyes constantly watching them, despite there being no one in sight! But profound haunting experiences include hearing a creepy voice howling like a hybrid of girl and wolf in the middle of an empty hallway, and people running amok inside the room.

6. Penanggalan

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Andri Said (@andri_said)

The penaggalan are usually female body-less heads with internal organs fluttering around. They are, without a doubt, one of the most heinous-looking demonic spirits on this list, thought to be miscarriage victims who feed on human blood to feed their dead kids. Some people even believe they died while giving birth. 

Another version claims that the penanggalans are midwives who agreed to deliver infants to the devil for youthful appearances. If the midwives mistakenly consume meat within the first 40 days, the devil will convert the midwife into a penanggalan .

Where to find them Shih Chung Branch School, the infamous haunted school in Penang was a slaughterhouse for Japanese soldiers during the Second World War. There are accounts of people experiencing hysteria and spine-chilling feelings when they stand near the property. There are no records of how many people died here, which makes it even more horrifying. The building has been abandoned since then and left to ruin.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Gary Wong Kee Meng (@gary_wong_kee_meng)

Two words: pet cemetery.  The mao gui , or cat ghosts, are malevolent feline spirits who seek vengeance on all humans for their crimes against cats. Cats were allegedly frequently sacrificed in ancient times, and as a result, the mao gui had an axe to grind. Though they may look like ordinary cats from afar, these fearsome felines have murder on their agenda, and will do everything in their power to make their tormentors’ lives a living nightmare. You may want to double-check if your cute little kitty cat is actually alive, and not a demon cat back from the dead hungry for revenge.

Where to find them The Nirvana Pet Memorial Garden is a one-stop funeral service that offers everything from pet funerals to cremation and burial services. While no ghosts seem to have been cited, the idea of a dead animal haunting you is still creepy enough.

8. Orang minyak

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Didie Dame (@didiedame)

The orang minyak (oily man) is a supernatural being summoned and controlled by malevolent bomoh , who primarily aim to cause havoc. The o rang minyak can cover his entire body in a black oily material that renders him virtually undetectable at night, difficult to catch, and makes breaking and entering extremely easy. 

They are believed to have made a deal with the devil to gain power or reclaim their loved ones. In exchange, the person must worship the devil and rape 21 virgins in one week. The orang minyak can also climb walls and the edges of big buildings and jump long distances on rooftops. Imagine waking up in the middle of the night to find some Venom -looking person on top of you. 

Where to find them What makes this hantu even more terrifying is that orang minyak is still terrorising people today. A knife-wielding o rang minyak was reported roaming about Kuala Lumpur Hospital in 2005, attempting to rape nurses. In 2012, residents of a village near Gombak, Selangor, claimed to have sighted these threatening creatures lurking around in the night.

9. Hantu Raya

No, this is not a ghost that haunts only during Hari Raya . The hantu Raya (when directly translated, it means ghost of Raya) is a powerful and terrifying ghost who is controlled by a human master. The hantu Raya is sometimes compared to a demon because he is the master of all spirits. These ghouls bargain with their human owners in exchange for power and certain life benefits, like riches. In exchange, the owner or master, must care for the ghost and find a new home before dying. The hantu Raya is frequently passed down from generation to generation because of this.

When its ‘master’ dies without untying its bond with the ghost, the owner will suffer tremendously while dying. The hantu Raya will then assume the shape of its previous owner while cruising the streets at night looking for food and a new home. 

According to another legend, if the owner does not break their relationship with the spirit, it will ‘live forever’. The haunted spirit will suffer and, like a zombie, turn into a living corpse. As for now, no one knows how to get rid of a hantu Raya , so if any of you do, please do not hesitate to be in touch! Until then, keep your fingers crossed that your family does not give you a ghost for your birthday. 

Where to find them Who knows, really? These ones can turn up at a fancy restaurant or even your next party pretending to be someone else. 

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A journalist by profession, self-proclaimed horror movie expert by passion. Danisha needs to spend more time watching sunsets than Netflix. Ultimately, she's just another girl figuring out her place in the world in between the multitudinous demands of adult life.

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The Island Drum

Southeast Asia based travel blog and information source for Langkawi, Malaysia and the surrounding areas.

Goosebump Moments from Malaysia and Beyond

April 24, 2018 by Vanessa Workman 28 Comments

Ghost stories are plentiful in Asia. And many are quite believable. Ghost stories in Malaysia alone are enough to make a believer out of the most skeptical. Mix the modern day it-happened-to-me narratives of ordinary people with cultural beliefs and legends and it does make one wonder which came first; An innate belief in the afterlife? Or mysterious, unexplainable occurrences that simply took on lives of their own?

A Ghost Story from Malaysia

In March 2015, I was casually crossing through the lobby of a popular mall in Kuala Lumpur. It’s adjacent to the hotel where I was staying. Suddenly a blackness filled my eyes. A blackness akin to a dark shadow or thick black smoke. It happened so quickly that I blinked my eyes and it was gone. With no issues the rest of the day (i.e. headaches, blurry vision, etc.) I thought nothing more about it as anything significant.

However, the next day, as I was once again crossing through the multi-story mall’s massive lobby, it happened again. This time the speed of the dark swirl was so intense that I physically jumped back. My heart skipped a beat and a WTF emerged from my silent mouth. Once again in the blink of an eye it was gone. I glanced to the people near me and apparently no one else saw ‘it’ nor had reacted to me jumping back and freezing for no particular reason. It had me wondering if it had happened at all.

Had my subconscious somehow create a visual hallucination? I certainly wasn’t thinking about ghosts at the time. But I was most certainly thinking about them now. Although there could be a scientific explanation for what I experienced, the odds of it happening two days in a row in the exact location made me skeptical. I also don’t believe in coincidences.

Later, a quick Google search and I got a hit. Not one, but two young women had jumped or fallen to their death in pretty much the exact spot I had crossed. One from 5 floors up. Further research came up with a slew of ‘ghost stories’ associated with the hotel. Some via Trip Advisor no less. It also turned out that the hotel was built near a now demolished prison which was quite famous for its hangings, back in the day.

Coincidence? Do I chalk it up to a lot of superstitious people with vivid imaginations?

This wasn’t my first ‘paranormal experience’ in Malaysia or other parts of Southeast Asia nor was it the last. I could easily write 5K words on my personal experiences in Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Pahang, Bangkok, Koh Samui and even a remote village in Songkhla . Why the increase in these experiences?

Being surrounded by cultures that are strong believers in honoring the dead on a regular basis could have something to do with it. Or my coming from a family of clairvoyants could be a factor. We apparently all have the ability to be more acutely aware of the world around us, it’s just that some people can be more ‘sensitive’ to it at different phases in their life.

At least I’m in good company in Southeast Asia as ghosts and the paranormal are celebrated in annual festivals, highlighted in movies, TV shows and even a few ghost museums. Researching the paranormal has even become a passion for some, like geography teacher Augustine Towonsing who posts his experiences on his website Malaysian Ghost Research.org

History of the Paranormal

Researching ghost stories in Malaysia and other paranormal experiences around the world led me to many who, what, where, when and why theories. However, the best explanation came from Christopher French, a professor of psychology and head of the Anomalistic Psychology Research Unit at Goldsmiths, University of London.

“What we have is people trying to make sense of something that, to them, seems inexplicable, so you get the misinterpretation of noises or visual effects that do have a normal explanation, but not one that people can think of. People assume that if they cannot explain something in natural terms, then it must be something paranormal.”

-christopher french phd, why do people believe in ghosts.

But there is also the connection between paranormal beliefs and animist beliefs. Animism is the world’s oldest religion. Animists believe that all things have a spirit; animals, trees, rocks, plants, rivers and seas, etc. Through the years, as practitioners had more contact with other cultures, beliefs overlapped and mixed with existing religions. Variations are still practiced in many societies today giving credence to stories of angry mountain gods and cursed islands such as Koh Hingham, the mysterious Thai island of black pebbles .

I asked a few travel bloggers if they were willing to share some of their own (if any) paranormal experiences overseas and the stories emerged. Skeptics for the most part, but these travel bloggers were left with memories of mysterious encounters none the less and were willing to share them.

Ghost Stories

Paranormal experience in tbilisi, georgia rahma khan: the sane adventurer instagram: thesaneadventurer.

Suffering a paranormal experience was not the adventure I planned to have during my visit to Tbilisi, Georgia. The hostel I booked on one of the most buzzing streets in Tbilisi looked straight out of an old English movie set. There were ceiling-high wooden doors and those creepy proximity sensor bulbs in the entire building which only lights up when someone passes through making the place look legit haunted. The first vibe of that hostel wasn’t too pleasing for me and to make the things worse I realized it was just me and my friend spending the night in the small hostel cum home owned by an old strange lady. Tired from a long flight I totally passed out to sleep that night when suddenly I woke up at around 3 am with a feeling as if something forcefully touched me to wake up.

Looking around I learned my friend was already asleep on the bed next to me and I tried to ignore everything and went back to sleep. However, in the next couple of minutes while I was still awake I saw someone or perhaps something sitting on the edge of my bed which disappeared as soon as I got up panicking from the bed. By this time, I knew there was something seriously not normal about the room or the hostel altogether. I woke up my friend and waited till 6:30 am in the morning when the sun came out and then checked out of the hostel in the next few hours.

I am still not sure was it just my imagination or that hostel was legitimately haunted. The only thing I knew is that was one of the worst nights and travel experiences I ever had.

Haunted House in Barrackpore, India Pujarini Mitra : My Soul Travels Facebook: My Soul Travels

Welcome to Barrackpore, the oldest cantonment in India’ said the board and the moment you cross it, you are transformed into a bygone era. The centuries-old buildings and walls speak of a time when Barrackpore was the center of British Raj. The old gothic style bungalows that housed the British offices and the officers situated on the riverside have witnessed the glory of British Raj and now lie forgotten in history. While some buildings are still used as cantonment offices and administrative buildings, some have paid the price of neglect. I stopped the car to photograph one of those houses.

As I crossed the road, strangely the temperature had suddenly dropped. While I looked around, I realized, this abandoned house was in between two well maintained colonial-style bungalows with landscaped gardens. However, this particular house had somehow been ignored and now had been well claimed by nature. The crumbled walls no longer seemed to have any life in them but while I was photographing the area, I had a constant feeling of being watched. By the time I had finished, I was quite spooked and left the area quickly.

Spooky Ghost Tour in Seoul, Korea Marie Boes: Unique Things to Do in Seoul

I have never believed in ghost and am not sensitive to it at all, but change my mind about this recently. About two months ago I took a ‘Ghost Tour’ of Seoul, which takes you to different sites where murders have taken place during the Joseon Dynasty (the last dynasty in South Korea). I came on the tour alone and three (very sensitive) other girls I haven’t met before also joined. Every time we came to a new spot the girls could immediately feel what happened, this didn’t freak me out so much until we came at the last spot.

One of the palaces with a very dark murder story, the palace was quite dark but had these lamp post providing enough light to feel comfortable walking around. The guide explained that many of the guests on the tour could see this girl roaming around the palace entrance, and the other girls on the tour could also see her. I couldn’t but when looking through my phone camera I could see these 2 bright shining dots that looked like eyes. That totally creeped me out. If you look at the picture, to the left of the roof of the palace you can see the two dots.

Thai Taxi Tales of Possession Nancy Kim: enSquaredAired

Growing up, ghost stories and ghost sightings were shared on a frequent basis. So, while I’m on the fence on whether I believe in ghosts, I love asking people if they believe in ghosts. Because ghosts are a common topic of conversation in Southeast Asia, it was natural for me to ask my tour guide on the ride back from Wat Rong Khun  to Chiang Mai if he believes in ghosts. What I wasn’t expecting were the scary ghost stories he told me that left me shivering as we drove through the mountain in total darkness.

Of all the ghost stories he shared with me, the scariest one was about how his friend’s possessed mom. Out of nowhere one day, she started to talk in a man’s voice. And not just a regular man’s voice, but one that sounded demonic. He imitated how she talked briefly to help me understand, which was not far off from the possessed girl in the Exorcist. Needless to say, I did not sleep a wink that night.

Getting the Chills in the Forbidden City in Beijing Piritta Paija: Bizarre Globe Hopper Instagram: bizarre globe hopper

The Forbidden City (Zijin Cheng in Chinese) has over 600 years of history full of assassinations and plotting, so it’s no wonder that it’s also said to be occupied by several ghosts. When I was there long ago, I didn’t know all the famous stories about ghost dogs running on the empty corridors or the eerie sounds and flute music echoing around the walls in the middle of the night. But when I walked inside these ancient walls, I did felt the ghosts of the Forbidden City .

I felt a couple of those famous “cold spots,” however, it was +30C on that day. And from time to time I got a feeling like something, or someone was watching me, even though I was alone in the room. That gave me the creeps. I’ve always been a sensitive person, so I know something was there, even though I didn’t see anything.

Also, the legend tells that the Forbidden City has been cursed since the days when its builder, the Ming Emperor Yongle in 1421 slaughtered over 2800 people in his harem when he was trying to suppress an alleged sex scandal at the official opening ceremonies which were held on the New Year’s Eve. Yongle also got an epithet “The Evil Emperor.”

So, I think it’s evident that the Forbidden City must be full of paranormal activity, right?! Believe it or not.

FORTUNE TELLERS

When oracles answer in china shara johnson: skj travel facebook: skj traveler.

In the small village temples in rural northern China, a small six-sided cylinder is used as a “fortune stick” or “oracle,” each side painted with Chinese characters. You ask the temple’s god a question, just inside your own head, and then roll the stick for the god’s response. I stayed in one of these villages as a volunteer ethnographic documenter in Shaanxi Province.

One day, Papa of our host family took us to the temple of the Holy Mother of the Ninth Heaven — the Dragon God’s mother. Our translator asked for her fortune. Papa rolled the cylinder two times, and each time something good came up and she was very happy. (I can’t read Chinese characters or interpret the stick, Papa was the one who did that.) Papa smiled and patted her back. I then asked if I could get a fortune.

Papa told me to ask the god my question (after burning some incense), then he rolled the fortune stick. When he spoke to our translator to tell her what it meant, he wasn’t quite so smiley as he had been with her fortune, and she didn’t tell me what the oracle said. Papa rolled it a second time, again no happy smiles, and then there was some confused discussion between the two of them.

She asked me if someone was waiting or expecting me at home, perhaps a spouse or other family. I said, “I do have a husband back home, I suppose you could say he’s waiting.” The translator explained, “Well, the fortune indicates that perhaps you need to hurry home, that someone is waiting for you.” It was the same message with both rolls of the cylinder, which apparently is unusual. Papa thought it could mean that my safety in the village was in danger, or I was needed back home.

Papa decided to roll the cylinder once more for me; he seemed to be trying to come up with something better. He didn’t say much about the third roll except to smile meekly and say it was good, or at least that’s what our translator told me. She and the principle investigator were concerned that I might not be happy with my fortune. But a fortune is a fortune — the oracle said what it needed to say, and I certainly didn’t expect that it had to be good.

But in fact, no one knew how eerily relevant the oracle’s answer was to the question I asked privately of the Holy Mother inside my head. I didn’t actually have in mind any particular topic when I asked to have my fortune told. But when I knelt down and was told to formulate something in my mind, a particular question immediately, almost forcefully, jumped from my heart, thrown out to the god like a fast ball. Not only was the oracle on the mark with the nature of my question, but as an answer, it was a very happy fortune. Someone is waiting for you. My dad had passed away two years earlier. Missing him and wondering about the afterlife, what I asked was, “Will I ever see my dad again?”

The Cold Indian Prediction Pari Alva: Traveling-Pari Instagram: traveling_pari

India is a considered to be a land of the mystical and I was born and brought up there.  Even though I come from a religious background, I have always been skeptical but curious. So, as a fun experiment one day, my husband and I set off to meet an astrologer/ palm reader in Mysore, India. We had never met him before. He asked us no other information but our birthdays and to have a look at our palm lines.

I was prepared to scoff at everything he said, but when he started to give a detailed background of my husband’s and my background, I was speechless as he was spot on. Then, he proceeded to tell us that we would move to a very far and very cold country. A month later, my husband and I were relocated to Canada by the company we were working for. We have since become permanent residents of Canada and continue to reside here.

HEALERS AND SHAMEN

Mystery ailment in siquijor, philippines ale werner: universo viajero.

Philippines is formed by thousands of islands, so it’s no estrange that each one of them has their own story and background. Many of them are today fully populated and other have being forgotten. Siquijor is an island where paranormal activity abounds. The belief is that this place is inhabited by witches, sorcerers, ghosts and other creatures like elf and gnomes.

When you first step the island, you will feel like stepping into somewhere stop in time. Here there are not big cities or many modern constructions. Many come only because of its legends and to try to contact one of the still living mangkukulam (warlocks) who practice sorcery and witchcraft, or the mananambal (shamans) who many believed can heal some incurable diseases.

On our trip to the island, we immediately felt this different vibe, and suddenly Ale got sick of her back. After traveling for more than 10 months, this mystical island was the exact place to get sick… Why? One night we start talking with another tourist of our hotel about this legends and myths, being both of us skeptics, even laugh a little bit about the people who believe in this kind of things… The next day Ale could not get up from the bed and our new tourist friend disappear, even though he told us would be staying for at least 3 more days in the hotel.

We felt the urgent need to leave the island, got scared that anything else could happen to us and felt guilty for talking bad about the spirits… maybe they got mad. We leave the next day and change our itinerary… never mess with this kind of things! Especially if even other Filipinos avoid coming to this beautiful island because of its multiple legends.

The Thai Witch Doctor is In Margarita Steinhardt: The Wildlife Diaries Twitter: @WildDiaries

I spent a few years living and rural Thailand and I got used to the idea that ghosts are part of daily life. One week there would be an ‘exorcism’ of a spirit out of a neighbour’s daughter, and the next, a farmer would see a headless ghost in the field while walking home at night. I haven’t personally spotted any apparitions, but I had a rather mystical experience that no medical professional would be able to explain.

I was in Khao Sok National Park in southern Thailand and one day, while tracking down a herd of elephants through some very rough terrain, I sprained my ankle so bad that my foot swell up to twice its size and I could not walk unaided for a few weeks. About a week into my handicap, a villager took me to the local healer/witch doctor. She was as old as she was grumpy, and I got a feeling she was not impressed to see a foreigner in her home. But she sat me down on her living room floor and proceeded to rub some thick ointment on my ankle, while mumbling some incantations under her breath in Pali (the ancient language of Thai Buddhist monks). Once she was done, she simply walked away. I got up to my feet and in utter disbelief realized that I could walk without the slightest limp.

My renewed walking ability lasted until the following morning, and then I was back on my crutches. A few days later, I visited her again, and walked home on my own just like the first time. Sadly, it wasn’t a long-term solution – it took another two weeks until I could walk well enough for good, but it was a little spooky and downright mysterious.

As you can see, even skeptics can have paranormal experiences. And what Dr. French says certainly rings true, “People assume that if they cannot explain something in natural terms, then it must be something paranormal.” But there is paranormal and then there is ‘not normal’ paranormal and I for one still believe there is more to it than that.

How about you? Had any paranormal experiences you’d like to share? I’d love to hear about them!

January 1, 2019 at 8:58 pm

The fortune teller story from China gave me some serious shivers down my spine! It was wonderful reading this post and glad to share my experience too with all the other skeptics here.

January 2, 2019 at 5:11 am

Thanks Rahma! And thank you so much for your own very spooky submission. :D

January 6, 2019 at 2:32 am

You have shared some spine wrecking ghost stories here. Don’t you want me to travel across Asia alone? Well I do not believe in ghosts but so many stories at one go make it hard for me to ignore as well. I have been to Wat Rong Khun in Chiang Rai but haven’t really felt anything weird about it. Plus your story from Malaysia scared me a bit more than usual.

January 7, 2019 at 8:07 pm

The ghosts are very friendly in Malaysia. I promise you they will only assist you positively in your travels. :D

January 6, 2019 at 1:50 pm

these are all fascinating experiences and places to visit. Although I never seem to have any experiences in this area outside of getting my fortune told with a local shaman or fortune teller as part of a do in a place type of experience.

January 7, 2019 at 8:05 pm

And your fortune tellers? Were they accurate?

January 7, 2019 at 1:15 am

I’m not really a big fan of ghost stories and the paranormal, but some of these stories really gave me the shivers. The haunted house in India sounds really spooky!

January 7, 2019 at 8:04 pm

Yes, nothing creepier than the feeling you are being watched. I think we have all had those odd moments.

January 7, 2019 at 4:33 am

I love Dr. Christopher French’s explanation. In other words, everything has an explanation. But, when we cannot explain it ourselves, we call it paranormal.

January 7, 2019 at 8:00 pm

Yes, it is a simple explanation. I was reading one article about cell phone photos and how some images can show up in peoples phone photos appearing as a ghost, because the phone owner had never seen them before. Which makes sense in a weird highly technical way. Like the information got scrambled in space and lands in a random phone.. or something like that. If it looks like a ghost, then it must be a ghost!

January 7, 2019 at 5:55 am

I am thinking of visiting Georgia this year and now I have stumbled on this post and found a ghost story from Tbilisi. Maybe I am a little bit superstitious, but I will pay attention not to book the hostel featured in the photo. Thanks! ;-)

January 7, 2019 at 7:56 pm

Ahh… just go there at least! See if it’s creepy and look for the old woman caretaker and ask for a selfie. ;)

January 7, 2019 at 8:12 am

I really don’t believe ghost stories. But it would freak me out if I had an experience at a spot where two women had fallen to their deaths. It is interesting that so many travel bloggers have had some kind of strange experience. Certainly when I visit the Forbidden City I didn’t feel any cold spots. Despite it being inhabited by the Evil Emperor.

January 7, 2019 at 7:55 pm

Hey Linda, it does make one scratch their head why some have experiences and others don’t. I’ve heard many stories from regular folks who you sometimes have to pry the info from, about their own odd experiences. Or someone in their family etc. My ‘ghostly’ experiences have been very random overall. The strong scent of Tiger Balm or beer suddenly in my house and then disappearing, an electric sander that went on by itself and jumped off a table, flapping hotel curtains and no wind anywhere. Who knows. I just chalk that stuff up to ‘ghost’. :D

January 7, 2019 at 11:47 am

Love this post and will probably come back to reread it someday when I want to spook myself! What a crazy story about that mall in Kuala Lumpur! I’m so curious and tried googling it but to no avail :( I am also fascinated about your paranormal experiences in Asia and hope you do end up writing your 5k words on your personal experiences :) What type of clairvoyants are in your family?

January 7, 2019 at 7:43 pm

Thank you Nancy, yes I already came too close to naming the hotel which I’m sure wouldn’t appreciate that kind of exposure. :D It’s difficult to discuss clairvoyance without sounding like a nutcase. I’ve heard the word all my life but it wasn’t until I was an adult that a few more relatives mentioned things that had happened to them. We aren’t a crystal ball family though by any means. For me it’s been more of a strong sense of knowing the truth vs a lie. Or seeing bits of scenarios in my head that in a couple of cases may have actually saved my life. Seeing something happen before it happens. Like I said it sounds nutty.

May 30, 2019 at 11:42 pm

Is it berjaya times square?? I read a few on that.

May 31, 2019 at 12:02 am

It was Geetha. The mall entrance (inside). I hadn’t found any other reported encounters, except about another nearby location.

January 8, 2019 at 10:41 pm

There should be some sort of required disclosure about haunted hotel rooms. I would be terrified and avoid at all cost but many would be drawn to it. It would even out and everyone would be happy!

January 9, 2019 at 10:30 pm

Ha! I did a small review of one hotel and showed a photo of a room number. The manager was all, “That’s not the room I put you in!”. I told him it had been the room I wanted because I had heard it was haunted. He scoffed of course. But I actually stayed in the room across from it and nothing happened at all. However!!! And I kid you not. I was using the hotel ironing board at the end of a corridor and there were some curtains next to the ironing board. They started moving as if a big gust of wind was passing through. But there was no wind. I even stepped into the adjacent hallway and nothing but stillness and mysterious flapping curtains. True story btw. I didn’t mention it in the blog post of course. :D

January 9, 2019 at 3:03 am

Wow!! What an interesting post! I’m definitely going to save it and come back to read it when I’m not as anxious and freaked out as I am right now 😱😅 What an interesting experience at the mall in Kuala Lumpur! In fact, all the ghost stories are so fascinating! The Thai Taxi Tals of Possession gave me ACTUAL chills!

January 9, 2019 at 10:22 pm

Right? Imagine you taxi driver impersonating a woman possessed. Scary!

January 9, 2019 at 10:03 am

I love any creepy stories like this about a place and ghost tours too! Superstitions are so interesting in how they’ve impacted different cultures. Your experience is so spooky, but also super cool how you were able to heal so quickly!

January 9, 2019 at 10:21 pm

Ha! I’ve had creepier experiences than that, but oddly enough they have not felt ‘evil’ so not really scary like my life is in danger (Hollywood style). Talk to people in Southeast Asia and so many have a story to tell, although at the same time will tell you they do not believe in ‘ghosts’ etc.. yet same same, we knock on wood just in case. ;)

January 9, 2019 at 1:11 pm

Coming from Indonesia, I’ve heard my share of ghost stories. It’s interesting that despite the strong Muslim religious beliefs in Malaysia, people still hold on to the pre-Islamic animist traditions. Some of these ghost stories were just a bit too creepy for me.

January 9, 2019 at 10:16 pm

Yes Astrid, the Malaysian (Malaya) animist aspects were especially interesting to read about while I was researching for this blog. Would have loved to have gotten a bit deeper into that.

June 3, 2023 at 10:40 am

Hello! I was browsing about the BWH when i came upon your post. So hear me out i also had a creepy encounter on this that i want to share. Me and my friend is currently on vacation and situated on the said hotel. When i had this eerie dream about exorcism and it was so detail ( note that i have not watching any ghost or exorcism movie lately) so i dont know why suddenly i dreamed about it not until i connect it to the said hotel which is the only place (currently) we’ve been too. So my the ending of my dream was a man was exorcising this girl and then the girl suddenly ran away from him the next thing i knew was the man is suddenly in stone then i tap his shoulder for him to look at me, then when he turned his eyes were all black and he smiled like he was the one who got possesed!!! Then all of a sudden (which i can say lucky enough) my friend woke me up that its time for us to get ready. Then when i woke up i just tried to brush it off like anyway its just a dream but these next things that happen just makes me believe that it exist!! (ghost or evil entity). Ok now i am preparing and getting ready to shower while my friend tells me that she wants to check the swimming pool if the place is nice which i just told her to go on. So left with me in the hotel, i get on the shower whislt hanging the towel on the big counter space near the sink when i heard a bang on the door (which im not sure if its in the bathroom door or on the entry way door) then i just immediately finish to take shower at this moment im already beginning to get scared when suddenly i saw the towel on the floor!!! 😱I got out and i saw my friend from the pool got a msg it was a video telling me that its scary on the swimming pool area because there is a lot of crows roaming around the area. 😨 After reading her msg i called her to go down and accompany me. Right now we are together but i have note tell her anything about it as i dont want to scare her or anything since we will still be staying her until tmr. 😓

June 3, 2023 at 12:50 pm

Wow, I believe it. There are also a couple of stories on Trip Advisor. I also read that some of the property may be built on an old grave yard… or jail. Can’t remember exactly. I keep meaning to go back to see if I have any more encounters, but haven’t yet. I don’t think everyone has encounters, so I think maybe it means ‘we’ are special? :D Stay safe and keep positive thoughts. <3

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Each culture in Malaysia has deeply ingrained customs and beliefs surrounding the supernatural. These stories of ghosts and monsters—and the ways to appease them—are passed down from generation to generation. Like many other folktales and superstitions, they also serve as cautionary tales against greed, lust, pride, and other undesirable traits.

One misstep or error in judgement and these spooky creatures, which allegedly roam amongst us, will seize the chance to wreak havoc and mischief. The five below are especially grotesque and terrifying in their ability to harm the living. Proceed to know more about them if you dare…

The nu gui  refers to any female ghosts who were tormented by abuse or raped while they were alive, leading them to commit suicide while wearing a red dress. Some stories also portray them as mistresses who, having met an unkind partner, killed themselves while dressed in red to symbolise that they’d come back as ghosts to haunt the men who wronged them. They get their vengeance by sucking out the life force of their victims—but still have some conscience left, as they refrain from killing other women.

2. Pontianak

Arguably the most well-known Malaysian spirit, the  pontianak is different from Western vampires in the sense that they’re exclusively women who died during pregnancy or childbirth. As a vampire-and-ghost hybrid, she now preys on the blood of young children, men and when she’s especially bloodthirsty, just about anyone who would make a tasty meal. They’re often said to lurk around banana trees, so that’s one way to steer clear of them. In villages, parents would often tell their children to come home before dusk to avoid crossing paths with a  pontianak .

If you ever have the misfortune of meeting one, they’re described as beautiful women with pale skin, red eyes, and long black hair. Each wears a long, white dress stained with blood. With the ability to fly, the pontianak is a terrible sight to behold when she’s suspended in mid-air, ready to swoop down and rip out your stomach with her razor-sharp nails. If you’re a guy, there’s more bad news: She’s said to remove male sex organs in an act of vengeance for the pain she suffered during pregnancy or labour.

Your only option to avoid a gruesome end is to defeat the  pontianak.  She supposedly can be fought off by driving a nail into the hole at the nape of her neck, which causes her to turn into a beautiful woman and a good wife until the nail is removed.

The single-minded  pocong  is relatively harmless unless you’re blocking its path—but it will hop after anyone who it chooses to follow, making it a ghostly stalker. Its existence stems from the Muslim burial custom of wrapping the deceased in a white cloth known as kain kafan . When the soul of a departed person isn’t released from this realm after 40 days, it’s ‘left behind’ and trapped in the body, turning it into a pocong . But beware if you encounter the red version of this spirit, which is said to be the souls of those who died with vengeance in their hearts. They’re far more vicious and will attack the living without any provocation.

Well-known among the Indian community, the mohini is a ghost disguised as a beautiful, long-haired woman dressed in a white. While they’re somewhat similar to the pontianak in that they also prey on unsuspecting men, the mohini is nevertheless believed to be the soul of a lonely unmarried female. In addition to enticing men to be with her until the victim’s death, she’s said to viciously kill couples who rendezvous in the forests she haunts.

5. Orang Minyak

The orang minyak gets its name from the belief that the creature is covered in oil, making it very slippery and hard to catch. It catapulted to mainstream infamy thanks to Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s 1959 film  Sumpah Orang Minyak. Till today, young women in rural communities are taught to fear this slippery monster that made a deal with the devil to gain power. As the story goes, in order to receive said powers, the  orang minyak has to worship the devil and rape 21 virgins within a week. Another version states that the creature is controlled by an evil practitioner of black magic.

SEE ALSO:   7 Spooky places in Malaysia known for myths, murders, and mysteries

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5 scary Malaysian folklore that will send shivers down your spine

With Halloween around the corner , you may be wondering about the scary ghost stories surrounding the eerie streets and abandoned homes in Malaysia.

Love a good, scary ghost story? Lucky you. Malaysia, being a melting pot of different races and cultures , has an abundance of spooky tales to tell all night, in the dark. We have all heard many scary stories and perverse tales passed on through word of mouth, one generation to the other. From the scariest evil spirits to the spookiest places where these supernatural beings have been sighted, here are five scary ghost stories in Malaysia most of us would have heard of at some point in our lives.

Are you ready to discover the iconic yet scary ghost stories in Malaysia?

A combination of 3 words – puan (lady), mati (dead) and anak (child), pontianak takes after a lady who lost her baby during childbirth. She is often dressed in white and sports long black hair; and is known to seek revenge against men. Many have said to have encountered this bitter being while on the road in the wee hours. If you smell the scent of jasmine flowers out of the blue, be very careful. That’s how you’d know this vengeful creature is in the vicinity. Pontianak rose to fame in movies like “ Pontianak Harum Sundal Malam ” and more recently, “Dendam Pontianak”.

Watch “ Dendam Pontianak ” on Netflix

Orang Minyak

Orang Minyak, a naked, supernatural being coated with oil, is said to be someone who is seeking superpowers to enable him to get into someone’s house to rob or rape without being detected. Legend has it that orang minyak learned the wrong teaching and turned black due to the mistake; he must rape 40 young girls to become normal again. Victims will find themselves hypnotised and their faces marked with an ‘X’ after the ordeal. Did you know there was a widespread complaint by female nurses in 2005 at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital that a knife-wielding orang minyak would appear and attack them when they were alone? There were also reports from Gombak several years later, where residents said households with young girls were being targeted. In 1958 alone, there were 3 orang minyak movies released, and it proves that the obsession with this creature is not new.

This female ghost dressed in a flowy white dress is said to be the spirit of someone who committed suicide or was murdered and was dressed in red for her funeral to seek revenge. She has similar traits to her Malay “sister”, the pontianak . She will scare the ladies but is very vengeful towards men. Ironically, Nan Gui, the male counterpart of Nu Gui is rarely spoken about or sighted.

Pocong has a mummy-like appearance (by this, we mean the creature is covered in white cloth and does not take after our beloved mums) and is said to be a dead body covered in a burial shroud. Usually, before the burial, the knot on top of the head is untied to expose the face, and word has it; if you don’t, it then becomes pocong . It will leave its grave and hop around looking for someone to untie the knot. Indonesia, a country that shares similar ghost stories with us, has seen some of the scariest ghost movies ever released and including some that never saw the day of light due to its highly disturbing and scary content.

Karak Highway

Who hasn’t heard the ghost stories of the infamous Karak Highway ? This route that connects Kuala Lumpur with the East Coast has appeared in countless ghost stories, including sightings of pontianaks and one of the self-driven yellow Volkswagen, which cannot be overtaken. There’s also one where a car in which a couple was travelling breaks down on the highway, and the husband is forced to walk to the nearest emergency phone booth (this took place before the widespread existence of mobile phones) to get help, but he never came back. A patrol car pulls up and asks the lady to step out and walk towards them. When she turns back to look at her car, she sees her husband’s headless body on the roof of the car.

Watch “ Karak ” on Netflix

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This story first appeared on Augustman Malaysia

An enthusiastic writer with a keen interest in film studies, Dhakshaan Kumar is August Man Malaysia’s new digital writer. He may be fresh out of uni but has penned several film scripts of various genres and even dabbled in filmmaking. The communications degree holder harbours dreams of making it big as a writer and filmmaker.

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