This historical Negeri Sembilan location is called the Fort Kempas Historical Complex or Pengkalan Kempas and it has three or four main attractions.
There is a tomb containing Sheikh Ahmad Majnun who was a Muslim theologian and missionary who was believed to have been killed in a battle against Sultan Mansor Shah of Malacca in 1476.
This tomb alone makes Fort Kempas a destination for history buffs as it is possibly one of the oldest in Malaysia.
Beside the tomb are a collection of ancient stones or megaliths, dating back to the second or third century AD.
Megaliths are known as ‘Living Stones’ as believers swear that they grow taller by one or two inches every year.
The most well known megaliths are nicknamed the rudder, spoon and sword due to their distinctive, similar shapes.
Perhaps the most interesting stone though is the one covered in Arabic or Jawi calligraphy with a hole bored through it.
This stone is said to function as a lie detector and was used by authorities in the past to interrogate criminals. The accused would be told to insert his arm in the hole during interrogation. If he/she told a lie, the hole would tighten like a vice around the suspect’s arm.
Entry to the Pengkalan Kempas Historical Complex is free and and appears to be open all day.
Pengkalan Kempas also has a wonderful small indoor museum area that has some incrediblely detailed pictorial and typed posters hanging on the wall explaining the stones history and is readable in both Bahasa and English, on the posters.
Museum staff member Jafihaizat bin Jantan is on hand to answer any questions you have.
There is also posters showing more information about where you can see other megalithic sites in Negeri Sembilan.
It is well worth a visit to Port Dickson to see this rich historical reserve that is well-kept.
Across the road from the historic Pengkalan Kempas Complex there is also a Chinese Methodist Church that looks interesting due to its aged look but the gate was closed when I arrived there so perhaps it is open on Sundays.
