The Orphan's Curse: The Myth of Ban Pecah, Tanjung Piandang
Ban Pecah, located in Tanjung Piandang, is a popular destination for anglers and a scenic spot for wedding photographers, thanks to its stunning sea views, especially during sunset.
Did you know that this popular weekend family getaway spot actually has a unique history? This unique beach receives many visitors almost every day. According to local residents, the area was a lush paddy cultivation site around the 1960s. According to local oral tradition, the curse of an orphan is said to have transformed a lush expanse of paddy fields into the sea. This story has never been forgotten by the residents of the district and nearby areas such as Bandar Baharu, Kedah, and Seberang Perai Selatan, Pulau Pinang. Among those who still remember this story is Masjuri Anang, 82.
A former imam in the village mentioned that the story was a common topic among villagers at the time. However, as time passed, the story gradually faded. "It is true that this coastal area was once a 'sea of paddy' that was very fertile, covering about 400 hectares. It belonged to the villagers, including two brothers who were from a wealthy family." "Almost two-thirds of the paddy land belonged to them. Before the elder brother passed away, he asked his younger brother to look after his children and his paddy land. However, as the children were growing up, their uncle betrayed that trust. All of the elder brother's share of the property was not handed over as entrusted, but instead, it was seized by the younger brother," said Masjuri.
He continued, saying that to make a living, the unfortunate orphan had to work hard every day just to put food on the table. According to him, local gossip at the time made the orphan realize that his uncle had betrayed his father's trust. "He confronted his uncle about the matter, but he was denied and chased away. Before leaving the village, the child prayed, 'Oh Allah, if what is happening is true, show me the retribution.' Since then, the waves began to rage, breaking the paddy field embankment or 'ban' that had been built." "The paddy fields and coconut groves turned into a beach, causing the villagers to panic. Every effort was made, such as building embankments and trying to divert seawater into ponds, but it was ineffective, leading some villagers to resort to using shamans and traditional healers," he said. This was confirmed by another village resident, Ahmad Mukri, 72. "I still remember the residents sacrificing a white cow at the request of a shaman. At that time, I was in my teens and saw the cow's bones scattered on the beach myself." Meanwhile, a stall owner, Hassan Mohamad, 46, admitted to having seen objects like a sluice gate in the middle of the beach during low tide. "I can still see the sluice gate far out at sea, about two or three kilometers from the shore. The sluice gate is clear evidence that the current sea area was once an embankment," he said. Ishak Cik, 62, a resident who often played in the Ban Pecah area during his youth, however, has a different view. He believes the incident was a natural phenomenon caused by coastal erosion and large waves that occurred around the early 1960s.
"Every day at that time, large waves hit the affected area. My late father's 1.61-hectare land also fell victim. What can you do? It used to be a paddy field, now it's the sea. Only the land grant remains in the drawer," he said. According to Ishak, due to severe erosion, the government reinforced the coastline with rocks for about four kilometers, starting from Sungai Baru to Sungai Burung and up to Kampung Nelayan Baru, Tanjung Piandang, Perak.
Whatever the story behind it, let's head to Ban Pecah in Tanjung Piandang, which is said to be an angler's paradise and a location for seafood lovers. Let's go!
