Historical Places

The Minangkabau People of Sumatra came to settle in Negeri Sembilan in the 15th century. In its early history, Negeri Sembilan as a unified State did not exist. It was rather a loose confederation of nine fiefdoms which developed in the secluded valley of the region. They were under the protection of the Melaka Sultanate until its collapse in 1511 when the Portuguese arrived.







Thereafter they became the vassal of the Johor Sultanate until the 18th century when it had become weak. Attacks by the Bugis forced the Minangkabaus to seek protection from a prince from their homeland. Raja Melewar of Pagar Ruyong. This resulted in the proclamation of Raja Melewar as the first Yam Tuan or the 'Yang Dipertuan Besar' (meaning 'He who is Greatest') of Negeri Sembilan in 1773.



Map of Negeri Sembilan

The fiefdoms of Sungai Ujong, Rembau, Johol, Jelebu, Naning, Segamat, Ulu Pahang,
Jelai and Kelang were brought together under his rule. Subsequent civil wars among the nine Malay chieftains resulted in the intervention of the British and in appointing a British Resident in 1895. Today Negeri Sembilan is still not ruled by a sultan but by the Yang Di pertuan Besar.


Kota Lukut

Kota (fort) Lukut remains as one of the best-preserved Bugis forts in the country. Built in 1847 by Raja Jumaat bin Raja Jaafar to protect the valuable tin trade. Built on Bukit Gajah Mati (Dead Elephant Hill) It is a perfect example of a defense system used during the 19th century.



Kota Lukut

The fort was a vantage point where the Raja used as a base to oversee his thriving tin business and community. The fort is 607 feet long by 505 feet wide and had a ditch of 15 feet, which was defended by large muzzle loading guns with a clear view of the Lukut river valley ad was able to defend all sides of the square fort. The moat that surrounded the fortress was booby trapped with pointed bamboo sticks. Apart from that, Raja Jaafar also built a large two-storey house in the centre of the fort and raised a body of 22 Malay Uniformed Police to protect the fort.

Apart from the remains of rhe old fort are also the remains f a two-storey building in the middle and the royal well. The royal household however took their water from the royal well, which was watched over all hours by guards.
Raja Jumaat gained immense admiration and respect from his people and the neighboring rulers. He also gained total control of the local tin trade making him one of the more successful rulers.

The fort was further enlarged and fortified during the reign of Raja Bot, Raja Jumaat's son. Security was further tightened with the employment of 30 Arabian soldiers. It was said the Raja Bot faced tremendous opposition from Raja Sulaiman of Sungai Raya, who had refused accede his powers. Political instability and violent disturbances eventually eroded the powers of the rulers, and with it, the prominence of the Lukut Fort.

Location: 30km, south-easterly from Seremban.
From the North-South Expressway, exit at Port Dickson (Seremban) Interchange and proceed to Port Dickson through the Port Dickson highway. Lukut is only a few kilometres away from Port Dickson town.

Lukut Museum

At the bottom of the hill sits the Lukut Museum. Displays on the recovery of the sunk Dutch warships just off Cape Rachado gives a good idea of the historical significance of the area during the 16th and 17th century. Other displays show the culture, economy and history of the Minangkabau clan in Negri Sembilan.


Lukut Museum

Open - Tues to Thurs: 9am to 5 pm / Fridays:-9 am to 12 noon & 3 pm to 5 pm. Admission is free.

Sri Menanti Palace (Royal Museum)

The Sri Menanti palace was rebuilt to replace the former as it was burnt down by the British in 1875, during the civil war between Yam Tuan Antah and the British. This was replaced with the Istana of Sri Menanti, one of the few last remaining timber palaces in Malaysia. It was designed by two Malay carpenters; Tukang Kahar and Tukang Taib, and with the assistance of Mr. Woodford who was the head draughtsman at the Public Works Department. Completed in 1905 and occupied from Between 1908 and 1931 by uanku Muhammad Shah, the 7th Ruler or Yang Di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan.



Seri Menanti Palace

The four-storey palace Minangkabau "Rumah-rumah Adat" architecture, was constructed without nails, pieced together with hardwood dowels and rivets. 99 posts were used in the construction and the entire structure was raised on timber posts made of penak (cengal) wood, transported 64km from a forest in Bukit Perigi, Jelebu. Each post represents famous warriors from various groups. The four main posts at the centre of the palace rise 20 metres(60feet) from the ground to the central tower (the highest floor) and each post is made from a single cengal tree trunk.

Decorating the roof of the central tower are a pair of locked buffalo horns, regarded as a protective symbol for Minangkabau houses. The roof tiles or genting, are made from ironwood (kayu belian), a hardwood species that is extremely rare now. These were imported from Sarawak. Istana Sri Menanti was the official residence of the royal family until 1931 and was turned into
a Royal Museum in 1992.

Location: The turn off to Sri Menanti is about 13km from Kuala Pilah town. Signs to Sri Menanti are clearly marked. Once on this road, just head straight in. The old Palace is situated at the end of the village.

Tampin Museum
Situated on a hilly area close to the Tampin Recreational Park, surrounded by overhanging trees and shrubs, this single-storey museum building, built in the 1920's was originally the residence of a high ranking government officer. It was the first district museum to be developed in Negeri Sembilan.



Tampin Museum

The exhibition areas display various socio-cultural artefacts such as musical instruments, traditional Malay weapons and some regalia signifying the traditional and cultural practices of the Malay community including the traditional attire of dignitaries such as the Tunku Besar Tampin. Aside from the usual items connected with the history and development of the state, the museum also has some unusual and informative items on display such as agricultural tools from days of old.

Open: Tuesday ­ Sunday: 10am ­ 4pm Closed on Monday
Location: Jalan Bukit Tampin, Tampin

Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex

Pengkalan Kempas is a vet small town that is normally easily bypassed except for those historical buffs and those fascinated by mysterious artifacts. A short distance away on an oil palm plantation, lies a little known place called the Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex. The complex is famous for two things – the mausoleum of Sheikh Ahmad Majnun (the archrival of Sultan Mansur Shah who was the Sultan of Malacca from 1457–1477), and the megaliths.

A 1.2m pillar in front of the grave relates the story of the Sheikh Ahmad Majnum, a Islamic missionary and a holy man who came to Melaka in the 14th century, who was murdered by Tun Barah Kelang (believed to be Tun Perak) in 1467. He was probably killed after a quarrel with Sultan Mansur of Melaka and his followers erected the memorial, which is now also known as Keramat Sungai Udang Syeikh Ahmad Majnun. His grave is reported to be the oldest known Muslim grave in Malaysia.



Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex

Adjacent to the grave are three granite monoliths. There are part of a number of megalithic stones strewn around the area. Some fully carved and others left unfinished. These three strangely shaped stones were named - Batu Kemudi (the 'rudder'), Sudu (the 'spoon') and Pedang (the 'sword') after their shapes by the locals attributing to their shapes and are believed to be carved during the 2nd or 3rd century. Some of them have Arab and Sumatran scripts carved onto them but there is no evidence that the inscriptions were chiselled onto the stones later.

These megaliths are mysterious partly for their shape and also for the legends behind them. These ancient stones are revered by some local inhabitants as having special powers. The local myths say these large carved stones actually grow at night, earning them the nickname Batu Hidup (the Living Stone).

A headstone-like structure with a hole in the middle is believed to have been an ancient form of 'lie-detector'. The accused would put his arm through the hole and each time false answers to questions were given, the hole would constrict, tightening round the arm until the truth was told .

Location: 35km away from Port Dickson town.