Akhirnya, Masjid Brunei di Danau Tok Uban! (At last, the Brunei Mosque at Danau Tok Uban!)

Nota: Artikel in mengandungi terjemahan bahasa Inggeris daripada cerita Melayu yang dibuat di CATATAN SI MERAH SILU siang Khamis. Untuk maklumat, ini adalah artikel terakhir yang ditulis dengan cara sebegini... Maksudnya, cerita yang sama dibuat dalam tiga versi, masing-masing untuk blogspot dwi-bahasa ini, blogspot berbahasa Melayu CATATAN SI MERAH SILU dan blogspot berbahasa Inggeris BERPETUALANG KE ACEH. Selepas ini, setiap blogspot akan ada pengkhususan ceritanya sendiri. Harap maklum!

Note: This article includes the English translation for the Malay version written at CATATAN SI MERAH SILU during the day on Thursday. For information, this is the last article to be written in this manner... That is, the same article written in three versions, one each for this bi-lingual blogspot, the all-Malay CATATAN SI MERAH SILU and the all-English BERPETUALANG KE ACEH. After this, each blogspot will have its own particular stories. Do take note!

Mula-mula tengok gambar ini... Jeng jeng jeng!!! Siapa sangka di sebuah kawasan ceruk di dalam negeri Kelantan ada masjid secantik ini... Malah siapa sangka, masjid yang indah di dalam kawasan Rong Chenok (walaupun di tepi Danau Tok Uban, orang sini kata Tok Uban tu belah seberang), jajahan Pasir Mas ini telah didirikan oleh Sultan Brunei, individu yang pernah dikatakan orang paling kaya di dunia suatu masa dahulu! Sebelum kedudukannya dalam senarai kekayaan harta benda dipotong oleh Bill Gates, tuan punya Microsoft...

Start by looking at this picture... Jeng jeng jeng!!! Who would have thought in this no man's land in the state of Kelantan lies such a magnificent mosque... Come on, who would have thought, the beautiful mosque inside the area of Rong Chenok (Although it is beside Danau (the lake of) Tok Uban, the immediate locals say Tok Uban is on the other side), province of Pasir Mas was built by the Sultan of Brunei, the individual once said to be the world's richest man! Before his position in the list of wealth was taken over by Bill Gates, the owner of Microsoft...

Perhatikan tulisan di atas... Masjid Brunei Darussalam... Serta-merta saya teringat nama kerajaan lama Samudera Darussalam yang diasaskan oleh Sultan Malikus Salih di Aceh abad ke 13 Masihi... Apakah ada kaitan?

Look at the inscriptions above (in Jawi)... The Mosque of Brunei Darussalam... At once I remembered the old kingdom of Samudera Darussalam founded by Sultan Malikus Salih in Aceh in the 13th century AD... Is there any connection?

Yang pasti, dalam sejarah Islam dunia, tempat pertama memakai nama Darussalam adalah Madinah Darussalam setelah diperintah Nabi Muhammad Rasulullah SAW... Dan di Tanah Melayu pula kerajaan Samudera Darussalam lah yang mula-mula dikenali dengan nama Darussalam yang bermakna daerah yang aman sejahtera, juga kerana penduduknya masuk Islam tanpa dipaksa atau perlu diperangi. Kemudian baru muncul Pattani Darussalam juga Brunei Darussalam.

What is sure, in the world history of Islam, the first place to use the name Darussalam is Madinah Darussalam, after it was ruled by Prophet Muhammad Rasulullah SAW... And in the Malay Archipelago, Samudera Darussalam is the first to be known with the name Darussalam which means abode of peace, also because the populace embraced Islam without being forced or having to wage war against. Then only came Pattani Darussalam, also Brunei Darussalam.

Maka apakah kaitan semua ini? Cukuplah kalau dikatakan, semua tempat-tempat Darussalam ini melibatkan para Ahlul Bait anak cucu Nabi sebagai para penguasa yang berwibawa serta pendakwah Islam yang membawa kesejahteraan di manapun mereka berada!

So what is the connection between all these? Enough if said, all these Darussalam places involve the presence of Ahlul Bait, the offsprings of the Prophet as competent rulers and administrators also as Islamic missionaries who brought peace wherever they go!

Sekarang fikirkan, kenapa pula Sultan Brunei boleh mendirikan masjid di Rong Chenok ini, di sisi sebuah tasik agak luas yang dikenali sebagai Danau Tok Uban. Apakah sebab-musababnya? Kenapa tak dibina di Kota Bahru, ibunegeri Kelantan? Kenapa tak di Kuala Lumpur atau Putrajaya yang jauh lebih terkenal dan glamour?

Now think, why must the Sultan of Brunei built a mosque in Rong Chenok, besides a wide expanse of water known as Danau Tok Uban. What is the reason? Why not built it at Kota Bahru, the capital of Kelantan? Why not in Kuala Lumpur or Putrajaya which are far more well-known and glamorous?

Untuk pengetahuan, tak ramai orang yang tahu pun bahawa masjid ini wujud. Jalan untuk masuk ke sini pun agak berbelit-belit melalui perkampungan orang, agak jauh daripada mana-mana jalan besar. Nak masuk ke situ pun satu hal... Kenapa pula perlu bersusah-payah mendirikan masjid sebegitu indah di tempat sebegitu ceruk? Nama pun Rong Chenok... Nasib baik bukan Rong Tenuk.

For information, not many people know the mosque even existed. The road to get there is also rather difficult meandering through backwater villages, quite far from any main road. To get inside is already a problem... Why go through all the trouble to built such a beautiful mosque in such a place? Even the name Rong Chenok sounds very funny, almost sounding like tenuk, the Malay word for the rather funny-looking animal known as tapir.

Oh... Pada sesiapa yang tak tahu pasal cerita Danau Tok Uban ni, silalah menjengok di Danau Tok Uban pula...

Oh... For those who don't know about Danau Tok Uban, do have a look at Now, Danau Tok Uban...

Tu dia... Papan peringatan masjid dalam tulisan Jawi... Baca sendiri da... Saya setakat boleh menyatakan Masjid Brunei Darussalam ini didirikan tahun 1992 berserta sebuah madrasah (masjid ini dalam kawasan madrasah mengaji Quran) atas nama almarhum Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, ayahanda kepada Sultan Brunei sekarang. Dan ia dirasmikan oleh Sultan Kelantan!

There... The mosque's commemorative plaque written in Jawi... Try to read it yourself.... I can only clarify the Brunei Darussalam Mosque was built in 1992 along with a religious college (the mosque is within a Quran learning college yard) in the name of the late Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddin, father to the present Sultan of Brunei. And it was officiated by the Sultan of Kelantan!

Setelah membelek papan peringatan masjid tadi, timbul gerak hati untuk meletakkan poster promosi buku "Berpetualang ke Aceh" di sini! Malah ia dibiarkan di situ selama saya berada di masjid ini sampai tengahari keesokannya. Siapa pula nak tengok poster ini di tempat terpencil yang jarang didatangi orang ya tak?

After studying the plaque, there came the urge to put up the "Berpetualang ke Aceh" poster here! In fact it was left up there as long as I was at the mosque until noon the next day. Who on earth would look at this poster when the place is so off the beaten tracks and hardly receive any visitor?

Kebetulan semasa saya sampai petang Jumaat itu, ada sekumpulan guru sekolah dan keluarga serta anak murid juga baru sampai untuk membuat sedikit majlis makan-makan di rumah-rumah penginapan di sebelah masjid milik madrasah. Boleh kata hampir semua mereka yang datang ini baru pertama kali menjejakkan kaki ke Danau Tok Uban walaupun mereka semuanya berasal daripada daerah Pasir Mas!

It happens that when I arrived Friday afternoon, a group of school-teachers, their families and students have just arrived for a small dining function at the college-owned rest-houses beside the mosque. You can say, it was the first time most of them stepped foot at Danau Tok Uban although all of them came from Pasir Mas!

Dalam pada itu, kelihatan anak-anak kecil bermain berlari-lari riang-ria meneroka segala ceruk rantau masjid ini. Nampaklah anak tangga berpusing naik ke atas... Apa lagi saya... Ibarat beruk diberi pokok suruh panjat le jadinya... Hehe!

At the same time, one can see small children running up and down happily exploring every nook and cranny of the mosque. That's when I realised there's a spiralling staircase to get to the top... What do you expect I did... Like a monkey given a tree to climb do I become... Hehe!

Menara masjid setakat yang mampu ditangkap oleh kamera digital murah yang tidak ada wide view...

The mosque's tower as could be captured with a cheap digital camera without wide view...

Kawasan rumah penginapan di sebelah... Nampak meriah juga dengan kehadiran pelawat-pelawat daripada Pasir Mas ini... Kalau tak kawasan ini boleh dikatakan jarang ada orang kecuali para pelajar madrasah, itupun mereka selalu berada di kawasan lain dalam lingkungan madrasah yang boleh tahan luas ini, madrasah yang menurut ceritanya ditanggung sepenuhnya oleh Sultan Brunei termasuk kos pembiayaan pelajar!

The rest area besides... Seemed so happening with the presence of visitors from Pasir Mas... Otherwise this area rarely has people around except for college students, even then they mostly spend their time elsewhere within the rather wide compounds of the college, a college reputedly fully supported by the Sultan Brunei who also pays the student bills!

Jeti tepi masjid ke Danau Tok Uban dilihat daripada satu sudut yang cuma 'beruk-beruk' macam saya sahaja boleh sampai. Orang lain yang melihat kedudukan saya ketika itu terus rasa seriau... Gilo ke hapa budak ni bertenggek kat sudut atas masjid cam ni weehh??

The jetty besides the mosque for Danau Tok Uban seen from an angle which could only be taken by 'monkeys' like me. Others who saw where I was then immediately felt queasy... What the heck? Is this guy mad perching up like that at the corner of the mosque??

Subhanallah! Ternyata Danau Tok Uban jauh lebih indah apabila dilihat daripada Masjid Brunei berbanding dengan di seberang!

Praise be to God! It's obvious Danau Tok Uban looks much more beautiful seen from the Brunei Mosque compared to from the other side!

Oh... Lupa hendak beritahu. Sebenarnya sebaik sahaja nampak bangunan Masjid Brunei daripada teksi yang dinaiki dari Pasir Mas, terus saya rasa satu macam kejutan eletrik di badan. Ah... Saya deja vu lagi... Seluruh reka bentuk masjid ini, kawasan sekelilingnya, malah-malah pagar kecil juga bangunan rumah penginapan di sebelah pernah saya lihat dalam mimpi atau bayangan lama dahulu... Tak pasti bila tapi memang saya pernah nampak semua ini walaupun secara fizikalnya, baru kali inilah saya sampai di sini!

Oh... Forgot to tell. Actually, as soon as I saw the Brunei Mosque from the taxi taken at Pasir Mas, immediately I felt a kind of electrical current rushing through the body. Ah... I had another deja vu... The overall design of the mosque, its surrounding, in fact the small gates also the rest houses besides have already been seen in a dream or a vision long ago... Not sure when but I did saw all of these although physically, that is the first time I got there!

Apakah makna semua ini? Ah... Relaks.... Bagi suspense sikit lah... Hehe!

What is the meaning of all this? Ah... Relax... Let there be a bit of suspense... Haha!

Mimbar masjid dengan kubah di atas ini mengingatkan saya pada topi perang orang Islam dahulukala... Mungkin ada kena-mengena?

The mimbar (small building for giving sermons) with the dome above reminded me of war headgear worn by Muslim warriors of old... Maybe there is a connection here?

Adapun pada malam itu, seorang ustaz kanan madrasah dengan seorang anak muridnya telah datang menemui saya. Tujuannya adalah untuk memastikan siapakah saya ini sebenarnya... Lawyer? Majistret? Atau cuma Kasim Selamat! Kerana ada juga pengunjung (orang-orang Pasir Mas yang menyewa rumah di sebelah) risau akan kehadiran seorang manusia yang tidak dikenali di situ... Takut saya ini perompak ataupun penyangak?

As it is, that night, one of the college's religious teacher came with a student to see me. They want to find out who I really was... Lawyer? Magistrate? Or just Kasim Selamat! (Sorry, only those who followed the Malay movies acted by P. Ramlee would understand the pun). Because the visitors (the Pasir Mas folk who rented the rest-houses) were worried with the presence of an unknown figure... Are they scared I might be a thief or a gangster?

Ah... Saya dah biasa dengan semua ini. Malah sepanjang pengembaraan kali ini, ramai orang beranggapan saya adalah seorang anggota Special Branch polis Bukit Aman, yang ingat saya military intelligence pun ada, mungkin keluar menyamar untuk meninjau keadaan sekeliling... Kalau saya kata bukan pun, sesetengah orang dah buat kesimpulan lebih awal... Mana ada orang berani mengembara seorang diri masuk ceruk rantau kampung orang seorang diri macam saya dengan penuh keyakinan diri kecuali orang itu ada kaitan dengan pihak berkuasa ya tak?

Ah... I am used to all these. In fact along this current travel, many thought I was a member of the police Special Branch from Bukit Aman, some even thought I was military intellegence who came in disquise to observe the going-ons around... Even if I say I'm not, some of them had already made their conclusions... Where does exist anyone so brave the way I look with confidence and all venturing deep inside other people's territories alone all by himself unless he is connected to the authorities?

Apapun, ustaz itu sedikit lega setelah melihat kad pengenalan saya serta membuat sedikit temu-ramah. Apa yang menarik adalah temu-ramah lapisan lain yang dibuat secara batin... Nampaknya ustaz muda yang umurnya mungkin tak sampai lagi 40an ini pun bukan orang sembarangan. Ya lah... Takkan hantar orang 'kosong' untuk bertemu orang asing yang mungkin boleh membahayakan ya tak...

Whatever, the teacher was relieved after examining my identity card and making a little interview. What is interesting is the interview made at another level using spiritual means... It seems the young religious teacher who might not have reach his 40s is not just a nobody. Of course... Would you sent a 'zero' to meet a stranger who could be dangerous to you?

Dalam perbualan itu saya berterus-terang mengaku suka menziarahi makam para wali, raja-raja dan tempat-tempat berkaitan demi menelusuri sejarah Melayu Islam terutama yang berkaitan dengan keluarga. Saya tahu ustaz ini juga meneliti saya secara batin untuk memastikan samada saya bercakap benar ataupun tidak...

In our conversation, I was frank enough to admit I like to visit the graves and tombs of saints, royalty and related places all to study the Malay Islamic history especially those related to family. I know the teacher was also verifying me spiritually to see if I'm telling the truth or not...

Yang menarik adalah apabila ustaz ini mengaku masjid itu malah seluruh Danau Tok Uban terletak di dalam lingkungan kawasan sebuah kota lama yang masih boleh dilihat dengan mata batin... Hmm... Tak boleh cerita sangat tentang ini. Cukuplah kalau dikatakan dalam Danau Tok Uban itu terdapat banyak harta peninggalan dahulukala, cukup banyak... Kata si ustaz, ada juga beberapa pihak cuba menarik harta ini tetapi tidak berjaya. Yang menarik, ustaz ini tahu bahawa harta tersebut adalah harta untuk belanja perang akhir zaman... Hmm... Cukuplah...

What's interesting is when the teacher admitted, the mosque in fact the whole Danau Tok Uban is situated within an ancient walled city which could still be seen using the spiritual eye... Hmm... Can't talk much about this. Enough if it's said inside Danau Tok Uban, there's plenty of treasures of old, plenty plenty... Said the teacher, there are those who tried to pull out the treasure with no success. What's interesting, he knows that the treasure is meant for the expenses incurred for the end of times war... Hmm... Enough...

Oh, untuk menjawab soalan para pembaca terutama Kak Tim, apakah kaitan Brunei dengan Kelantan. Le... Ingatkan ramai dah tahu... Bukankah Sultan Kelantan itu dikatakan berasal daripada keturunan Sayyid Hussein Jamadil Kubra yang pernah mengetuai kumpulan Wali Tujuh datang ke Tanah Melayu abad ke 14 Masihi dahulu? Sultan Brunei pula adalah keturunan Sharif Mekah yang nasabnya sampai pada Saidina Hassan, cucu sulung Rasulullah SAW! Masing-masing berpunca daripada darah daging Nabi Muhammad SAW jua... Allahumasali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad!

Oh, to answer questions by readers especially from Kak Tim, what is the relationship betwen Brunei and Kelantan... La... Thought most already knew... Isn't the Sultan of Kelantan said to have originated from the offsprings of Sayyid Hussein Jamadil Kubra, the head of the group of Wali Tujuh (the seven saints) who came to the Malay lands in 14th century AD? The Sultan of Brunei dsecends from the Sharif of Mekah whose genealogy reaches up to Saidina Hassan, the eldest granchild of Rasulullah SAW! Each came from the blood of the Prophet Muhammad SAW... Allahumasali ala Muhammad wa ala ali Muhammad!

Sekarang fikirkan apakah kaitan semua ini... Di manakah anak cucu Nabi ini pernah berkumpul di Tanah Melayu ini sehingga Sultan Brunei terpanggil untuk mendirikan masjid di sini setelah mengalami sebuah mimpi... Ada cerita lain pula menyebut, ada penduduk lama di Rong Chenok mendapat mimpi tiga malam berturut-turut lalu mencari jalan untuk menghadap Sultan Brunei demi menceritakan pesanan yang diberi dalam mimpi.

Now think what is the relations between all these... Where did the progenies of the Prophet met in the Malay Archipelago such that the Sultan of Brunei was called to built a mosque here after experiencing a dream... Another story said, there's an old folk in Rong Chenok who had the same dream three days in a row and so sought ways to meet the Sultan of Brunei just to relate the message from the dream.

Apapun, masjid ini didirikan setelah seseorang (atau mungkin banyak orang?) mendapat mimpi yang misteri tapi penuh makna. Yang pasti, kehadiran Masjid Brunei di tempat terpencil ini menimbulkan banyak tanda-tanya lalu menjadi asbab atau sebab-musabab untuk pihak-pihak tertentu dipertemukan lalu saling kenal-mengenali ni sini... Peh... Tiba-tiba teringat nama Tok Kenali...

Whatever, the mosque was built after someone (maybe many?) had a mysterious dream full of questions. What is sure, the existence of the Brunei Mosque in this backwater place raised much curiousity and so became the reason and excuse for some parties to meet and get to know each other here. Fuh... Suddenly the name Tok Kenali came to mind... (The nick-name of the famous late Kelantanese saint rhymes with the Malay word for getting to know, that is mengenali)

OK... Cukuplah ya... Dah lama saya menulis ni... Perlu bergerak meninggalkan Alor Setar sekejap lagi... Teringat pula ustaz yang menemu-ramah saya dan anak muridnya dua-dua orang Kulim. Macam nak suruh saya pergi situ pula... Insyaallah jumpa kita di lain waktu. Wassalam!

OK... Enough ya... I've spent plenty of time writing this... Must go and leave Alor Setar soon... Suddenly came to mind the teacher who interviewed me and his student, both originated from Kulim. As if asking me to go there next (which I did as I'm writing this English translation in Kulim at night!)... God willing, we'll meet again another time. Peace!

Makam diraja Perak (Perak royal mausoleum)

Assalamualaikum kawan-kawan dan para pembaca sekalian. Saya kini berada di Kulim, menginap di rumah seorang kawan. Saya pun tidak pasti apakah saya pernah sampai ke bandar di Kedah ini ataupun tidak, mungkin pernah suatu ketika dahulu ketika mengembara menggunakan motor besar, mungkin tidak. Ini kerana apabila keluar mengembara ke sebelah utara Semenanjung, saya selalu menggunakan laluan Seberang Prai/ Butterworth sedangkan Kulim terletak sekitar 40km ke timur laluan itu.
Greetings dear friends and readers. I am currently in Kulim, staying at a friends house. I myself am not sure whether I've ever been to this town in Kedah or not, maybe I did sometime ago when travelling using a big bike, maybe not. This is because when travelling up north of the Peninsular, I often use the Seberang Prai/ Butterworth route while Kulim is situated some 40km east of that.
Apapun, kali ini saya menulis untuk menyambung gerak hati yang muncul di Sungai Petani semalam, gerak hati yang membuat saya mahu bercerita panjang lebar tentang Masjid lama Perak yang terbiar (An old and abandoned mosque in Perak)... dan Masjid lama Batak Rabit (The old mosque of Batak Rabit).... Untuk makluman, saya merancang untuk masuk ke Perak esok hari... Rasa tidak lengkap jika tidak disajikan terlebih dahulu sebuah cerita bergambar tentang makam diraja Perak yang dibuat berdasarkan lawatan terakhir saya ke sana September lepas. Sila... :]
Whatever, this time I'm writing to continue a wave of inspiration which came at Sungai Petani last night, inspiration which made me want to expand some stories on Masjid lama Perak yang terbiar (An old and abandoned mosque in Perak)... and Masjid lama Batak Rabit (The old mosque of Batak Rabit).... For information, I plan to enter Perak tomorrow... Feels uncomplete if a story on the royal mausoleum of Perak is not served based on my last visit there last September. Come... :]

Bersebelahan Masjid Ubudiyah yang terkenal di Bukit Chandan, dalam bandar diraja Kuala Kangsar. terletak makam diraja Perak yang mengandungi makam-makam serta kubur para pemerintah dan kerabat diraja terdekat sejak bandar ini dibuka sekitar tahun 1880s. Kalau tak salah ingatan, terdapat makam 7 orang Sultan Perak di sini!

Just beside the famous Masjid (mosque) Ubudiyah at Bukit Chandan in the royal town of Kuala Kangsar, there lies the royal mausoleum of Perak which houses the tombs and graves of rulers and close members of the royalty since the town was opened sometime in the 1880s. If memory serves right, there are tombs of 7 Sultans of Perak here!

Kawasan pemakaman ini tidak terbuka kepada orang awam memandangkan ia adalah makam diraja. Saya pula sering melawatnya apabila berada Kuala Kangsar kerana ada kaitan tertentu dengannya...

This area is not open to public as it is after all the royal mausoleum. On the other hand, I often visit it when in Kuala Kangsar because of certain connections to it...

Ini adalah makam Sultan Idris I (memerintah 1887-1916), Sultan Perak yang pertama dimakamkan di sini. Sultan Perak yang ke 28 ini memecah tradisi sejarah keSultanan Perak yang meliputi hampir 500 tahun kerana merupakan pemerintah pertama keturunan ini yang membuat ibunegeri di tebing kiri Sungai Perak.

This is the tomb of Sultan Idris I (ruled 1887-1916), the first Perak Sultan buried here. The 28th Sultan of Perak broke the Perak Sultanate tradition which covers almost a period of 500 years by being the first ruler of this bloodline to built a capital on the left side of the Perak river.

Menurut perjanjian lama Sultan pertama Perak, Sultan Muzaffar Shah (1528-1549) dengan seorang pembesar perempuan penuh misteri yang dikenali sebagai Tok Temong, anak cucu baginda akan memerintah di kawasan tebing kanan Sungai Perak sementara anak cucu pembesar itu memerintah di sebelah kiri. Sebab itu makam-makam Sultan Perak sebelum kemunculan Sultan Idris terletak di tebing kanan. Menurut satu cerita pula Sultan Idris I telah mendapat kebenaran pihak tertentu untuk turut memerintah kawasan tebing kiri. Maka bandar diraja Kuala Kangsar pun dibuka lalu menjadi tempat bersemayam Sultan-sultan kemudian.

According to the old treaty between the first Perak Sultan, Sultan Muzaffar Shah (1528-1549) and Tok Temong, a mysterious female noble, his offsprings would rule the area on the right side of the Perak river while her offsprings rule the left. That's why the tombs of Perak Sultans before Sultan Idris are situated on the left bank. According to one story though, Sultan Idris have received the approval of certain parties to also rule the left side. And so the royal town of Kuala Kangsar was opened and became the place of residence for later Sultans.

Kalau tak salah ingatan, ini pula adalah makam Sultan Idris II (memerintah 1963-1984), Sultan Perak ke 33. Baginda ialah anakanda Sultan Alang Iskandar (1918-1938) ibni Sultan Idris I.

If not mistaken, this is the tomb of Sultan Idris II (ruled 1963-1984), the 33rd Sultan of Perak. He is the son of Sultan Alang Iskandar (1918-1938) the son of Sultan Idris I.

Adapun, bapa Sultan Idris I adalah Raja Bendahara Alang Iskandar. Maka nama pemilik makam ini ialah Idris bin Alang Iskandar bin Idris bin Alang Iskandar!

As it turns out, the father to Sultan Idris I is Raja Bendahara (something like a royal prime minister) Alang Iskandar. So the name of the person buried here is Idris bin (the son of) Alang Iskandar bin Idris bin Alang Iskandar!

Ini adalah makam Sultan Abdullah Muhammad II (1874-1877), lebih dikenali sebagai Sultan Abdullah yang dibuang ke Pulau Seychelles kerana dikatakan terlibat dalam pembunuhan resident Inggeris J.W.W. Birch tahun 1875. Sultan Perak ke 26 ini sempat kembali ke Perak lalu meninggal dunia di negeri asalnya setelah menerima 'pengampunan' pihak penjajah Inggeris.

This is the tomb of Sultan Abdullah Muhammad II (1874-1877), better known as the Sultan Abdullah who was exiled to the Seychelles Islands because he was said to be involved in the murder of the English Resident J.W.W. Birch in 1875. The 26th Sultan of Perak managed to return to his native state after being 'pardoned' by the English colonialists.

Al-Fatihah untuk almarhum Laksamana Raja Mahkota Muhammad Amin yang jenazahnya dikembalikan ke Perak setelah 'melangut' hampir seratus tahun di Singapura. Seperti Sultan Abdullah, beliau juga dikaitkan dengan pembunuhan Birch lalu dibuang negeri ke Seychelles. Tetapi beliau tidak dibenarkan kembali ke negeri asalnya lalu meninggal dunia dalam buangan. Syukur kepada Tuhan, jasadnya telah dikembalikan penuh istiadat di sini 9 September 2006. Untuk cerita bergambar tentang ini, klik Pengembalian jenazah Laksamana Muhammad Amin ke Makam Diraja Perak (The return of Admiral Muhammad Amin's remains to the royal mausoleum of Perak)

Al-Fatihah to the late Laksamana Raja Mahkota Muhammad Amin whose remains was returned to Perak after languishing in Singapore for almost a hundered years. Like Sultan Abdullah, he was also implicated in the murder of Birch and was exiled to the Seychelles. But he was not allowed to return to his native state and thus died in exile. Thank God , his body was ceremoniously returned here on 9th September 2006. For a pictorial story on it, click Pengembalian jenazah Laksamana Muhammad Amin ke Makam Diraja Perak (The return of Admiral Muhammad Amin's remains to the royal mausoleum of Perak)

Semasa meninggalkan makam diraja Perak hari itu, timbul rasa tertarik untuk mengambil gambar ini. Kelihatan dengan terang kawasan lapang di sebelah kanan. Apakah ia bakal menyambut 'tetamu' tidak lama lagi? Sekian gerak hati untuk cerita-cerita mengenai Perak buat masa ini. Wassalam!

While leaving the royal mausoleum of Perak, came the urge to take this picture. The clearing on the right is so apparent. Will it receive a 'guest' soon? That's it, enough stories on Perak for the moment. Peace!

Masjid lama Perak yang terbiar (An old and abandoned Perak old mosque)

Beberapa waktu yang lepas, saya pernah membuat sebuah artikel di sini mengenai sebuah masjid lama yang agak misteri di Perak. Masjid itu ditemui dalam sebuah kawasan terbiar, ketika sedang mencari makam seorang kerabat diraja Perak bernama Raja Ahmad pertengahan bulan September. Ceritanya serta kisah yang berkait ada dalam Petunjuk untuk masjid misteri (Clue for mysterious... , Masjid lama misteri (The mysterious old mosque) dan Petunjuk kewujudan bandar Melayu lama (Clue to the....

Some time ago, I made an article on a rather mysterious old mosque in Perak. The mosque was found in an abandoned area, while looking for the tomb of a Perak royalty by the name of Raja Ahmad mid September. The story and related tales are in Petunjuk untuk masjid misteri (Clue for mysterious..., Masjid lama misteri (The mysterious old mosque) and Petunjuk kewujudan bandar Melayu lama (Clue to the... .

Hari ini, saya ingin berkongsi sedikit gambar-gambar yang diambil Disember lepas, kali ini dalam satu lawatan bersama seorang rakan. Lawatan yang dibuat dalam hari yang lebih terang berbanding lawatan lepas yang dibuat hampir waktu Maghrib mungkin akan menerangkan lebih lanjut akan misteri atau apa-apa makna yang tersirat di sebalik kewujudan masjid ini, Insyaallah!

Today, I want to share some pictures taken last December, this time in a visit with a friend. The visit made on brighter day compared to the last one made almost at dusk might enlighten more on the mystery or whatever hidden meanings behind the existence of the mosque. God willing!

Lihat gambar ini. Kelihatan masjid ini rupanya jauh lebih buruk berbanding dalam gambar lepas di Masjid lama misteri (The mysterious old mosque).

Look at this picture. It seems the mosque is in much more bad shape compared to in the last picture in Masjid lama misteri (The mysterious old mosque).

Dalam pada itu, terfikir dalam hati, mengapa ia nampak begitu buruk berbanding dalam lawatan yang lepas? Mungkin kerana kali ini ia dilihat dalam hari yang lebih terang? Hari yang akan menerangkan dengan lebih tepat akan sejarah sebenar masjid ini?

At the same time, there occured in my heart, why does it look so bad compared to in the last visit? Maybe because this time, it is seen on brighter day? A day which will show a more accurate picture of the history of the mosque?

Apabila diteliti lebih dekat, kelihatan pula notis ini terpampang di pintu masjid. Notis ini memberitahu sebuah ceramah agama akan (pada masa itu ia akan datang le...) diadakan pada hari Jumaat 26 September 1997 di surau Kampung Tersusun, Teluk Memali. Terus saya terfikir apakah bangunan penuh misteri yang selama ini saya anggap sebagai sebuah masjid lama sebenarnya cuma sekadar sebuah surau sahaja. Maka perkiraan saya tentang sejarah tempat sebelum ini adalah salah belaka? Lihat pada Petunjuk kewujudan bandar Melayu lama (Clue to the existence of an old Malay town...untuk memahami maksud saya...

When looked closer, one can see this notice at the door of the mosque. The notice said that a religious lecture will (at the time of course it will...) be held on Friday, 26th September at the surau (small praying hall) at Kampung Tersusun, Teluk Memali. At once I thought, is this mysterious building which I always consider as an old mosque is actually just a surau? And so all the ideas I had about the history of this area is all wrong? Do refer to Petunjuk kewujudan bandar Melayu lama (Clue to the existence of an old Malay town...for what I meant...

Kemudian apabila difikirkan balik, mungkin juga surau yang dimaksudkan adalah di tempat lain, bukan di sini?

Then when I think again, maybe the surau meant is at another place, not here?

Maksud saya, papan-tanda ini memang menyebut nama kawasan ini sebagai Kampung Teluk Memali dan itulah yang disebut penduduk kampung lain terdekat sebagai nama tempat ini. Notis dalam gambar sebelum ini pula menyebut ceramah itu diadakan di Kampung Tersusun, Teluk Memali.

I mean the signboard here did say this is Kampung Teluk Memali and that's what the locals from the nearest populated area said is the name of the place. The notice in the previous picture on the other hand did say the lecture was to be conducted at Kampung Tersusun, Teluk Memali.

Ah... Betullah itu. Kenapa pula perlu meletakkan notis sebegitu kalau betul ceramah memang ingin diadakan di sini. Cukuplah sekadar menyebut ceramah akan diadakan di masjid ini ya tak? Kenapa perlu disebut di surau Kampung Tersusun? Bermakna telahan awal saya bahawa bangunan ini adalah sebuah masjid lama memang boleh dipakai!

Ah... That's right. Why put up such a notice if the lecture was to be held here. Enough just saying a lecture is to be held at this mosque isn't it? Why need to mention the lecture was to be held at the surau of Kampung Tersusun? This means my early argument that this building is an old mosque does hold water!

Ya, memanglah... Lihat sahaja pada rekabentuknya yang penuh seni. Bangunan ini mungkin telah menjadi sangat buruk... Dan ia tidaklah begitu besar untuk melayakkan ia dikira sebagai sebuah bangunan yang mengkagumkan oleh setengah orang. Tetapi kesan-kesan 'kebesarannya' masih boleh dirasai oleh mereka yang cukup peka untuk melihat!

Yes, of course... Just look at the intricate design. The building might be badly out of shape... And it is not so big as to be considered so grand by some. But the remnants of its old grandeur can still be felt by those sensitive enough to see!

Tengok... Cuba rasakan aura di sebalik ukiran ayat Quran ini!

Look... Try to feel the aura behind this carving of Quranic verses!

Lihat lagi... Apakah rekabentuk sebegini indah layak dipakai jika ia sekadar surau biasa?

Look again... Does such a beautiful and intricate design deserves to be used on just a small praying hall?

Tidak! Ini adalah rekabentuk sebuah masjid lama yang mempunyai kaitan rapat dengan keluarga diraja! Lagipun, seperti disebut dalam Petunjuk kewujudan bandar Melayu lama (Clue to the existence of an old Malay town...., memang terdapat makam seorang Sultan Perak tidak jauh daripada situ. Ini menandakan bahawa masjid ini atau tapak masjid (mungkin masjid lama yang dilihat ini dibina atas bekas tinggalan masjid yang lebih lama) ini pernah menjadi pusat utama aktiviti agama Perak suatu masa dahulu!

No! This is the kind of design for an old mosque associated with royalty! Furthermore, as shown in Petunjuk kewujudan bandar Melayu lama (Clue to the existence of an old Malay town..., there does exist the tomb of a Sultan of Perak not far from there. This is a sign that the mosque or the site (maybe this old mosque seen here was built on top of the remnants of an older mosque) was the main place of religious activities in Perak once upon a time!

Lihat... Gambar inipun mengiyakan telahan saya. Panahan cahaya yang kelihatan seperti gambaran dalam filem fiksyen Star Trek bukan ditambah malah terjadi dengan sendirinya. Cukuplah cerita tentang masjid ini ya! Saya perlu bersedia untuk solat Jumaat di Sungai Petani!

Look... Even this picture agrees with me. The streak of light seen like something out of an episode of Star Trek was not added or edited but somehow appeared on its own. Enough telling story about this mosque ya! I have to get ready for Friday prayers at Sungai Petani!

Masjid lama Batak Rabit (The old mosque of Batak Rabit)

Assalamualaikum para pembaca sekalian. Dua hari lepas, saya telah meneliti gambar-gambar lama dalam koleksi saya... Timbul gerak untuk mengatur gambar-gambar ini dalam susunan tertentu supaya dapat dikongsi bersama dalam ketiga-tiga blogspot saya iaitu blogspot dwi-bahasa ini, blogspot bahasa Melayu CATATAN SI MERAH SILU dan blogspot bahasa Inggeris BERPETUALANG KE ACEH.
Greetings dear readers. Two days ago, I had a look at my old collection of pictures... Came the urge to arrange them in a certain manner so it can be shared at all my three blogspots, that is this bi-lingual blogspot, the Malay CATATAN SI MERAH SILU and English BERPETUALANG KE ACEH.
Setelah memikirkan segalanya, saya membuat keputusan akan menulis 14 cerita baru di blogspot ini berdasarkan gambar-gambar yang dipilih. Kebanyakan gambar lain akan digunakan untuk blogspot BERPETUALANG KE ACEH kerana ia lebih relevan dengan keadaan semasa.
After deliberating the issue, I made the decision to write 14 new stories on this blogspot based on some chosen pictures. Most of the other pictures will be used for the blogspot BERPETUALANG KE ACEH as it is more relevant to current condition.
Cerita demi cerita bergambar akan dipaparkan di sini bergantung pada kesempatan dan keluangan masa... Biar dimulakan dengan sedikit kisah sebuah masjid lama yang ada kaitan peribadi dengan keluarga saya... Berdasarkan gambar yang diambil bulan Disember. Sila...
Story after story with pictures will be shown here depending on opportunity and time... Let us start with one on an old mosque which has personal connections with my family... Based on pictures taken in December. Do have a look...

Sekitar 6km daripada bandar Teluk Intan menghala ke Hutan Melintang juga jalan ke Lumut dan Manjung, kelihatan sebuah masjid lama di tepi jalan yang mempunyai sejarahnya yang tersendiri. Inilah Masjid Batak Rabit, masjid utama Perak suatu masa dahulu...

Some 6km from the town of Teluk Intan heading towards Hutan Melintang, also the road to Lumut and Manjung, can be seen and old mosque beside the road which has its own history. This is Masjid Batak Rabit, the main mosque of Perak once upon a time...

Sepanjang pembacaan dan pengkajian saya tentang sejarah Perak, tidak pernah ada sesiapa pun menyatakan masjid ini pernah menjadi masjid utama Perak. Yang peliknya, semasa menulis artikel ini di sebuah Internet Cafe di Sungai Petani, Kedah, tiba-tiba terpacul kenyataan yang boleh dikira agak besar ini. Bila masa pula masjid ini pernah menjadi masjid utama Perak? Kenapa saya berkata begitu sedangkan setahu saya, tidak pernah ada pihak yang mengatakannya? Apakah gerak hati yang muncul tiba-tiba ini?

In all my readings and research regarding the history of Perak, not once have I found anyone stating the mosque was one of the main mosque of Perak. Strangely, while writing this article at an Internet Cafe in Sungai Petani, Kedah, suddenly the rather big statement came out. When did this mosque ever become the main mosque of Perak? Why did I say this despite the fact that as far as I knew, nobody else have said so? What is this inspiration which suddenly came about?

Subhanallah! Memang sebelum ini saya pun tidak pernah terfikir bahawa masjid ini pernah menjadi masjid utama Perak. Yang penting bagi saya, ia mempunyai kaitan peribadi dengan diri ini kerana kawasan makam di sebelahnya adalah kawasan untuk keluarga sedangkan mengikut cerita orang-orang tua, masjid itu didirikan dalam kawasan wakaf tanah keluarga saya, keluarga Laksamana Raja Mahkota Perak. Maka cerita ini asalnya ingin dikeluarkan sebagai nostalgia peribadi ke atas masjid ini yang ingin dikongsi bersama. Tak sangka pula tiba-tiba arah cerita bertukar menjadi begini!.

Praise be to God! Before this, I never thought the mosque used to be the main mosque of Perak. What's important to me, it has personal connections to myself as the cemetery next to is an area reserved for my family members while the mosque itself was built within a land given out by the family, the family of Laksamana Raja Mahkota (Royal Admiral) of Perak. And so this story was original started as a nostalgic reflection on the mosque to be shared here. Never thought the narration could suddenly change direction like this!

Ah! Baru saya teringat kenapa saya berani berkata begitu. Adapun memang diketahui pengkaji sejarah, kawasan sekeliling Kampung Batak Rabit ini pernah menjadi pusat pemerintahan Perak semasa pemerintahan Sultan Abdullah Muhammad II (1874-1877). Sayangnya baginda dibuang negeri ke Pulau Seychelles di perairan Afrika kerana dikatakan terlibat dalam pakatan pembunuhan Residen Inggeris di Perak, J.W.W. Birch tahun 1875... Peristiwa yang terjadi akibat orang Melayu tidak berpuas hati dengan Perjanjian Pangkor 1874 yang memberi ruang untuk Inggeris bermaharajela di Tanah Melayu.

Ah! Now I remember why I dare said that. It is known by researchers on history, the area around Kampung (the village of) Batak Rabit was once the centre of Perak's administration under the rule of Sultan Abdullah Muhammad II (1874-1877). Too bad, he was exiled to the Seychelles Islands in the waters of Africa as he was said to be involved in the killing of the English Resident to Perak, J.W.W. Birch in 1875... An incident which happened because the Malays were not happy with the Pangkor Treaty of 1874 which gave the English the room to hold sway in the Malay lands.

Peristiwa ini serta perang Melayu-Inggeris yang berlaku menyebabkan kota Sultan Abdullah, istana serta banyak bangunan berkaitan dimusnahkan oleh Inggeris. Sejarah rasmi yang tercatat sekarang seolah-olah meminggirkan kenyataan bahawa Batak Rabit pernah menjadi ibunegeri Perak zaman itu. Fokus cerita terlalu banyak dialihkan pada perjuangan pihak Datuk Maharajalela, pembesar Melayu yang dikatakan paling bertanggungjawab dalam pembunuhan Birch. Lalu tak ramai yang tahu bagaimana tentangan Melayu terhadap Inggeris telah dirancang di Batak Rabit oleh pihak Sultan Abdullah, terutama orang kanan paling rapat baginda, Laksamana Raja Mahkota Muhammad Amin yang merupakan moyang kepada datuk saya!

This incident and the following Malay-English war saw the fort of Sultan Abdullah, the palace and many related buildings destroyed by the English. Official history as noted now seemed to pass by the fact that Batak Rabit was the Perak capital of the time. Too much focus was given to the fight of Datuk Maharajalela, the Malay noble said to be most involved in the killing of Birch. And so not many know about how the Malay's crusade against the English was planned in Batak Rabit by the side of Sultan Abdullah, especially by his closest aide, Laksamana Raja Mahkota Muhammad Amin who was the great-grandfather to my grandfather!

Bagaimanakah rapatnya mereka? Salasilah rasmi menyebut Sultan Abdullah dan Laksamana Muhammad Amin adalah saudara tiga pupu daripada pihak perempuan. Tetapi salasilah tidak rasmi yang diceritakan orang tertentu pula menyebut mereka adalah saudara sepupu di pihak lelaki malah Laksamana memang boleh menjadi raja! Ah... Kata-kata ini mungkin tidak akan menyenangkan setengah pihak yang mahu agar Laksamana cuma dianggap sebagai pembesar biasa sahaja! Biarkan... Suatu hari orang akan tahu kebenarannya... Sama seperti di Aceh dahulukala di mana seorang bakal raja sering terlebih dahulu menjadi laksamana yang turun ke padang terlibat dengan peperangan membela rakyat.

How close are they? The official genealogy said that Sultan Abdullah and Laksamana Muhammad Amin are third cousins from the female side. But the unofficial one mentioned by certain people says they are first cousins on the male side, in fact the Laksamana can become the king! Ah... This words might not please certain people who wants the Laksamana to considered as just another noble! Let it be... Some day people will know the truth... Just like in Aceh during the olden days when a king to be often becomes an admiral (the Laksamana) first to go on the ground and get involved in the fights for the people.

Allah! Saya dah terlalu banyak terluah kata-kata... Berbalik pada peranan Masjid Batak Rabit sebagai masjid utama Perak suatu masa dahulu. Memang sudah menjadi aturan adat Melayu dahulukala, di mana terdapat kota tempat raja memerintah, di situlah mesti ada sebuah masjid yang menjadi masjid utama raja juga masjid utama negeri. Maka itu apa hendak dihairankan jika benar Masjid Batak Rabit ini pernah menjadi masjid utama Perak?

Good Lord! I've already said too much... Back to Masjid Batak Rabit's role as the main mosque of Perak once upon a time. It is in the old Malay custom, where there is a fort or city in which the ruler resides, there also must exist a mosque which becomes the king's and the country's main mosque. So what is so strange if it's true Masjid Batak Rabit was once the main mosque of Perak?

Seterusnya, kalau sudah ternyata, masjid ini pernah menjadi masjid utama di Perak, maka apakah maknanya pada kawasan makam di sebelahnya? Dalam susunan pentadbiran Melayu lama, sepertimana berdekatan istana raja mesti ada masjid utama, begitu juga mesti ada kawasan pemakaman diraja di sebelahnya... Rasanya cukuplah kata-kata ini... Siapa yang faham, tahulah akan kebenarannya dan taraf sebenar keluarga Laksamana Raja Mahkota...

So it follows, if it is clear, the mosque was once the main mosque in Perak, so what does it say about the cemetery besides it? Under the old Malay administration and building code, just like there must be the main mosque next to the king's palace, there also must exist a royal burial ground besides. Methinks, enough of this words. Those who understand would know the truth and the true status of the Laksamana Raja Mahkota family...

Biar saya keluar daripada keadaan semangat berapi-api yang tiba-tiba muncul semasa mengarang cerita ini. Dalam gambar di atas ini terdapat makam bapa kepada bapa saya...

Let me get out of this mood of fiery spirit which came suddenly while writing this story. In the picture above is the grave to my father's father...

OK... Dalam gambar inipun orang mula beransur pergi meninggalkan masjid. Internet Cafe tempat saya menulis pun dah nak tutup. Wassalam!

OK... In this picture, even the people are leaving the mosque. The Internet Cafe where I'm writing this is also closing. Bye!

Danau Tok Uban pula... (Now, Danau Tok Uban...)

Note: Another adaptation of the Malay version at CATATAN SI MERAH SILU. The English parts are an almost direct translation of the Malay one made yesterday in a rush!

Masa semakin suntuk sedangkan saya ada lagi 2-3 cerita untuk diluahkan sebelum mendapat rasa lega. Ah... Buat aje le...

Time is running out while I still have 2-3 stories to let out before I can feel satisfied. Ah... Just do it...

Adapun selepas meninggalkan Bukit Panau pada Rabu lalu, saya telah mendapatkan bas sampai ke simpang untuk masuk ke Tok Uban... Tak sangka pula rupanya Danau Tok Uban, destinasi penuh misteri yang mahu dilawati seterusnya terletak agak jauh daripada situ, hampir 10 km atau lebih jauhnya sedangkan saya tidak nampak apa-apa kenderaan awam masuk ke situ. Maka terpaksalah saya berjalan jauh mengheret segala barangan yang dibawa.... Lama kemudian baru dapat menumpang sebuah lori yang katanya hendak ke Danau Tok Uban...

After leaving Bukit Panau last Wednesday, I got a bus up to the junction to get to Tok Uban... Never thought Danau Tok Uban, the mysterious destination next on my list is rather far from there, almost or more than 10km away while I can't see any public transport coming in. So I have no choice but to walk far dragging all my goods... Quite a while later then I got to hitchike a lorry which is supposedly headed for Danau Tok Uban...

Dalam perjalanan, si pemandu lori memberitahu perlu singgah di sebuah kampung untuk mengambil beberapa pekerja. Katanya selepas itu baru ke Danau Tok Uban.

On the way, the lorry driver said he must stop at a village to pick-up some workers. He said, then they will go to Danau Tok Uban.

Saya menurut sahaja. Rupanya bukan sahaja saya perlu menunggu lama sebelum pekerja-pekerja yang dimaksudkan muncul. Saya telah dibawa ke sebuah kampung lain di mana mereka hendak memotong sebuah pokok getah tua untuk dijadikan kayu perabot. Kalau nak tunggu kayu dipotong kecil sehingga boleh dibawa naik ke lori, entah bila pula siapnya... Maka terpaksalah saya berjalan kaki jauh lagi...

I just obliged. As it turns out, not only I have to wait long before the workers in question showed up. I was then taken to another village where they want to cut down an old rubber tree to be used as furniture wood. Don't know how long all these will take if I want to wait until the tree is cut into pieces small enough to be carried up the lorry... And so I had to walk far again...

Jalan punya jalan, lalu lah di pekan Tok Uban... Pelik orang-orang melihat saya berjalan seorang diri mengusung rucksack besar serta menarik 'kereta' membawa kit promosi siri buku "Berpetualang ke Aceh" dalam panas terik matahari...

Some time later, arrived at the small town of Tok Uban... The people there were amazed to see me walking alone carrying a big rucksack while dragging along the carriage which is part of "Berpetualang ke Aceh" book series promotion kit under the hot blazing sun...

Posing seketika di depan sekolah... Selepas beberapa lama barulah ada orang menumpangkan saya ke Danau Tok Uban... Daripada sekolah ini, saya telah berjalan hampir 2 km sebelum mendapatkan kenderaan... Rupa-rupanya ada lagi 3km sebelum sampai ke sana!

Posing a minute in front of a school... After some time, someone took me up and drove me to Danau Tok Uban... From the school, I've walked almost 2 km before getting transport... As it turns out, there's another 3 km to go before I got there!

Lihat pokok-pokok di sekitar Danau Tok Uban ini... Rasa macam di luar negeri pula! Kata orang sebab banyak pokok Tembusu. Saya mengangguk sahaja... Bukan saya tahu pun yang mana satu pokok Tembusu yang mana bukan... Yang saya tahu, memang pokok-pokok di sini kelihatan lain macam!

Look at the trees around Danau Tok Uban... Feels like somewhere overseas! They say because there's a lot of Tembusu tree. I just nodded... Not that I know which one is Tembusu which one is not... What I do know, the trees here do look different!

Adapun saya pertama kali sampai di sini tahun 2004 apabila mengikut seorang kawan membuat shooting drama... Kononnya, cerita yang dilakonkan itu sedang berlaku di England. Maka Danau Tok Uban dipilih sebagai salah satu lokasi 'luar negeri'...

The first time I arrived here was in 2004, following a friend who was shooting a local drama there... The story-line involves scenes which are supposed to happen in England. And so Danau Tok Uban is chosen as one of the 'overseas' location...

Tu dia, tasik luas yang dikenali sebagai Danau Tok Uban... Tapi mungkin orang tak sedar keluasan sebenarnya disebabkan kebanyakan permukaan tasik diselaputi pokok kiambang...

There, the wide expanse of lake known as Danau Tok Uban... But maybe most people don't realise how big it is because of the kiambang (a kind of growth on water, sorry can't find the English word off-hand) covering most of the surface...

Kelihatan di belakang Bukit Panau dalam jajahan Tanah Merah. Danau ini pula terletak di dalam wilayah Pasir Mas.

Apparent behind is Bukit (the hill of) Panau in the province of Tanah Merah. The Danau (lake) is situated in the region of Pasir Mas.

Masjid putih yang dibina Sultan Brunei di seberang danau meninggalkan banyak tanda-tanya... Mengapa pula dibina di situ? Apakah ada rahsia tertentu?

The white mosque built by the Sultan of Brunei across the lake leaves a lot of questions... Why built it there? Is there a secret behind it?

Danau dilihat daripada sudut lain...

The lake seen from a different angle...

Sebahagian daripada satu-satunya restoran di kawasan ini...

Part of the only restaurant in the area...

Poster "Berpetualang ke Aceh" 'bersidai' di sebelah jeti...

"Berpetualang ke Aceh" poster 'hanging-out' beside the jetty...

Restoran dilihat daripada jauh...

The restaurant seen from far...

Gambar yang diambil daripada bahagian restoran yang terapung di atas air, sebaik sahaja bangun daripada tidur petang...

A picture taken from a part of the restaurant floating on water, immediately after waking up from an afternoon nap...

Ambik gambar pokok sat... Kit promosi pun nak posing sama, hehe!

Snap a pix of this tree... The promotion kit also wants to pose along, haha!

Gambar atas dan bawah ini diambil daripada Masjid Brunei tapi ini cerita lain.... :]

The picture above and below were taken from the Brunei mosque but that is another story... :]