The History and Origins of Gerik, Perak

About a hundred years ago, the place now known as Gerik was still covered in dense jungle and was under the rule of the Raja of Reman.

In 1870, several people arrived from Patani, following the Hangai River to clear the forest at the mouth of the river to establish a village. They were led by a man named Tok Ad (Tok Saad). Not long after, the Raja of Reman, known as Tuan Jagong, came to hunt elephants at Gunung Tujuh, near Kuala Kenderong. They had heard rumors and stories that not far from there, a village was hidden in the middle of the forest. When the Raja of Reman attempted to approach and locate the village, he heard a strange sound coming from a clump of bamboo. He ordered his men to fence off the bamboo clump with woven mats and instructed them to dig there to discover what was making the peculiar noise.

After digging down to the base of the bamboo clump, they discovered dozens of large bamboo rats (a rodent-like animal, now an endangered species) gnawing on the bamboo roots. Because the bamboo roots were very hard, a creaking sound ('gerit-gerit') was produced as the rats gnawed on them.

The Raja of Reman named the place Kampung Gerit. The name Gerit was used for some time, but later generations changed the pronunciation and spelling from Gerit to Grik, and eventually to Gerik, as it is known today.

There are actually many interesting places in Gerik, including Pulau Banding, Tasik Temenggor, Royal Belum, Mount Kenderong and Mount Kerunai, the Gerik airstrip, and others. God willing, if we have the opportunity, we will share more with you in the future.