The Mystery of Tasik Pauh Janggi at Beting Beras Basah, Perak
Once upon a time, Tasik Pauh Janggi was said to be very popular among the Malay community due to its inexplicable mystical nature.
For the information of our loyal readers at orangperak.com, the exact location of Tasik Pauh Janggi is actually unknown, and many of its mysteries are said to be on par with the legendary battlefield where a great war once took place, namely
Antah Berantah in Beruas
. In the history of our society in Perak, passed down orally by the elders in Bagan Datuk, the whirlpool area at Beting Beras Basah is actually said to be the location of this mysterious lake, Tasik Pauh Janggi. The story goes that Tasik Pauh Janggi has been considered a mysterious area for centuries, long before the arrival of Sultan Mudzaffar Shah I (the first Sultan of Perak) in the state of Perak. According to local residents, the word "Pauh Janggi" actually refers to the name of the sea coconut (Lodoicea). Some also say it is closely related to Sepoh Janggi (as called in Brunei) or Pulau Janggi (as called in Sulu), which refers to the split seeds of the sea coconut that were given to the youngest Prince or Pangiran Shahbandar Maharajalela. These were sent to facilitate the ascension of the Sultan of Sulu around the year 1600, with the title Sultan Mawalil Wasit I. This heir to the Sulu Sultanate was a relative of the 9th Sultan of Brunei, Sultan Shah Berunai.
Sepoh Janggi / Pulau Janggi If we consider the arrival of Sultan Mudzaffar Shah I, who was the first Sultan of Perak in 1528, it does not align with the narrative that the mystery of Tasik Pauh Janggi existed before the arrival of the first Sultan of Perak, especially when linked to Sepoh Janggi or Pulau Janggi. Therefore, this narrative can be refuted and has no connection if we return to the original facts based on the timeline.
Sea Coconut or Pauh Janggi So, what is the actual mystery surrounding Tasik Pauh Janggi? Since long ago, the Beting Beras Basah area has often been a place for traditional healers, shamans, practitioners of black magic, occultists, martial arts practitioners, and many others—both good and bad—to carry out their activities. The area is said to be a location used to imprison spirits and supernatural beings. Have you, our loyal readers at orangperak.com, ever heard this story? Some say that this area is also a gathering place for all supernatural beings or jinn from all over the world. Others tell of a large, fast-moving whirlpool located deep beneath Tasik Pauh Janggi in the Beting Beras Basah area. At the bottom of Tasik Pauh Janggi, within that whirlpool, it is said that there is a kingdom ruled by seven powerful jinn. It is also described as the center for supernatural beings worldwide, regardless of whether they are Muslim or non-Muslim jinn. Could this be linked to the story of Sultan Mudzaffar Shah I (the first Sultan of Perak) having to dive to the seabed for 7 days and 7 nights to make a pact with the supernatural beings guarding the area?
illustrative image Regardless of the mysteries that may never be solved, the story, even if it is a myth, should be preserved as folklore for our children and grandchildren to see. There are too many mysteries, myths, and folktales from the elders that may be too metaphorical, leading to misinterpretations by our society today.
