WEST COAST OF PENINSULAR MALAYSIA

The West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is known mainly for its mountains, colonial towns and islands. The coastal areas on the Andaman Sea are marshy and don't really have any nice beaches (the islands do though) or many towns. The rainy monsoon season is from April to October and the dry, hot season is from November to March.

The West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia is more urban and developed than the more Malay, Muslim and rural East Coast. The capital of Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, and the new administrative centre of Putrajaya, are located in this region.

The West Coast states (from north to south) are: ; 1) Perlis — Malaysia's smallest state; 2) Kedah — the rice paddy (padi) state, also contains Langkawi island; 3) Penang — popular resort island, with the charming capital George Town; 4) Perak — once rich in tin; 5) Selangor — Malaysia's most populous and developed state; 6) Negeri Sembilan — for traditional Minangkabau culture; and 7) Malacca — for history stretching back to the 15th century. There are two Federal Territories are: 1) Kuala Lumpur — the nation's capital; 2) Putrajaya — new administrative center of Malaysia.

West Coast Cities: 1) Kuala Lumpur — capital and largest city in Malaysia, located in the Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur which is surrounded by Selangor state; 2) Putrajaya — this planned city is the new administrative centre of the Federal government; 3) Kangar — the tiny capital of Perlis; 4) Alor Star — capital city of Kedah; 5) George Town — capital of Penang , charming and very popular with travellers, and famous for its hawker food; 6) Ipoh — capital of Perak, which is famous for its food; 7) Seremban — capital of Negeri Sembilan; 8) Malacca — historic city, and capital of Malacca state.

Negeri Sembilan State

Negeri Sembilan is a state in Malaysia which lies on the western coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Home to around 1 million people, it covers an area of 6,686 square kilometers and has a population density of 149 people per square kilometer. It borders Selangor on the north, Pahang in the east, and Melaka and Johor to the south. It is known for it Minangkabau culture brought to the state centuries from Sumatra. The capital is Seremban. The royal capital is Seri Menanti in Kuala Pilah District. Other important towns are Port Dickson, Bahau and Nilai. The Arabic honorific title of the state is Darul Khusus ("the Special Abode"). [Source: Wikipedia]

The name Negeri Sembilan is believed to derive from the nine (sembilan) villages or nagari in the Minangkabau language (now known as luak) settled by the Minangkabau, a people originally from West Sumatra (in present-day Indonesia). Minangkabau features are still visible today in traditional architecture and the dialect of Malay spoken.

Unlike the hereditary monarchs of the other royal Malay states, the ruler of Negeri Sembilan is known as Yang di-Pertuan Besar instead of Sultan. The election of the Ruler is also unique. He is selected by the council of Undangs who lead the four biggest territories of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol, and Rembau, making it one of the more democratic monarchies.

Government and Customs of Negeri Sembilan

Negeri Sembilan has the distinct uniqueness of culture and tradition. It is generally known that the uniqueness stems from its tradition of Adat Perpatih (or Perpatih Laws) which is handed down from generation to generation. Negeri Sembilan is ruled by the Yang di-Pertuan Besar Negeri Sembilan and the monarchy system is modelled according to Adat Perpatih. During the 18th Century, the Minangkabau people from Sumatera emigrated to Negeri Sembilan bringing their family along. In this new land, they lived in groups according to familial relationships. The name Negeri Sembilan means nine states, but it was agreed that this name did not mean that Negeri Sembilan is comprised of nine specific regions. [Source: Negeri Sembilan government]

According to Adat Perpatih, Negeri Sembilan is divided into territories that are called luhak or luak. Traditionally, there has always been four major districts that are controlled by dignitaries called Undang Berempat (the four dignitaries). The four original territories are Sungai Ujong, Rembau, Jelebu and Johol. There are a few lesser dignitaries for small regions that are associated with the four districts. The Undang Berempat are leaders of their respective luak and the leaders for the other luak are called Penghulu (chiefs). Dignitaries under the Undang are known as Lembaga, Buapak and Perut. Lembaga are the leaders of local tribes. There are 12 tribes in total with one luak having around 4 tribes. The Lembaga is responsible for their respective tribes pertaining to peace, resolving conflicts between tribes, controlling and refereeing the division of inheritance as well as being an intermediary between tribe members and the Undang.

The Buapak community consists of members that are called Perut. The members of each Perut will choose a leader which is the Buapak. There are quite a few Buapak and they have the same tasks as a Lembaga. The only point of difference being that Buapak can only assert their power on the members of its Perut. A Buapak is also responsible in performing customs related to marriage, shaving of a childs head, circumcision and divorce. Negeri Sembilan is made up of nine states which is Sungai Ujong, Rembau, Johol, Jelebu, Jempol, Seri Menanti, Inas, Terachi and Gunung Pasir.

Below is the list of districts in Negeri Sembilan which has a dignitary: 1) Sungai Ujong: Divided into two, with the inland region ruled by Datuk Kelana and the middle of Linggi River ruled by Dato’ Syahbandar. 2) Sungai Linggi: Small district that was taken from Sungai Ujong. Ruled by Datuk Muda Linggi. 3) Sungai Raya Lukut: Both regions were explored by the Bugis people. 4) Rembau: Only has one dignitary, which is an Undang. 5) Tampin: A district that was taken from Rembau and is ruled by Tuanku Besar Tampin. 6) Inas and Gemenceh: Two small districts that was taken from Johol. Datuk Inas and Datuk Gemencheh recognizes the Undang Johol as their leader. 7. Jelebu: Has one dignitary which is called Undang.

According to Adat Perpatih¸ “Customs bring out the good and eliminates the bad”. That is what it tries to portray and it serves as a systematic rule based on community harmony. The Adat Perpatih that started in the 13th century was practiced in order to negate conflict and shape develop a community that is harmonious, integrated and developed. Customs are not just about marriage, eating and coronations, but it is a way of life that should be nurtured and protected until today.

Minangkabau

Negeri Sembilan has a strong Minangkabau influence and has traditionally been a matriarchal state, where women inherit rights over property and land to the exclusion of men. The Minangkabau live in West Sumatra across the Strait of Malacca from Malaysia. Also known as the Menangkabau or the Minang for short, they are a Muslim people and regarded as culturally similar to their neighbors, the Malays, except that they mark descent through the female line and are really into water buffalo. They are also known as being hospitable and clever, and celebrate colorful festivals. Minangkabau means “water buffalo victory.” [Source: Encyclopedia of World Cultures, East and Southeast Asia edited by Paul Hockings (G.K. Hall & Company, 1993) ~]

The Minangkabau are the largest matrilineal culture in the world and the fourth largest ethnic group in Indonesia. Tribe, clan (or suku) titles, properties and names are all handed down through the female line. The grandmother is the ultimate matriarch and a power figure. Although the Minangkabau are Muslim, their customs are unique and unusual in a state with a predominantly Muslim culture. Most such matriarchal customs are justified by tradition, although they are sometimes supported by examples from the sira of the Prophet Muhammad, especially stories revolving around the centrality of Muhammad's first employer and subsequent wife, Khadija. [Source: Wikipedia]

The Minangkabau make up 2.7 percent of the population of Indonesia. They are the predominate group in West Sumatra, which has traditionally had the highest education and literacy rates in Indonesia, in part because of the Minangkabau’s strong family support system and emphasis on education. The Minangkabau have produced many prominent Indonesian figures in politics, literature and religious leadership. There are about 9 million Minangkabau, with about half of them in West Sumatra. They are well represented in Indonesian cities and several hundred thousand of them live in Malaysia. ~

Seremban

Seremban (between Kuala Lumpur and Melaka in southern Malaysia) is the capital and largest city in Negeri Sembilan and has a population over 133,000. Linked by rail with Port Dickson on the Strait of Malacca, Seremban is the commercial center in the middle of rubber-growing region with some tin mines nearby. Of interest are Lake Gardens and the State Museum which features a Malay house built without the use of a single nail. West of Seremban is the royal town of Sri Menanti, where the Istana, or ruler's palace, is located. [Source: Cities of the World, Gale Group Inc., 2002, adapted from a October 1994 U.S. State Department report]

Local Tourism Office:
Pejabat Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan,
Tingkat 1,
Seremban Plaza,
Jalan Dato' Muda Linggi,
70100 Seremban,
Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Tel: 606-762 4488, Fax: 606-763 8428

Negeri Sembilan
Tourist Information Centre
Pusat Penerangan Pelancongan Tourism Malaysia,
Kawasan Rawat & Rehat Mambau Arah Barat,
Lebuhraya PLUS Seremban-Port Dickson,
70300 Mambau,
Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, Tel: 606-672-2726

Port Dickson

Port Dickson (100 kilometers southeast of Kuala Lumpur, about 1½ hours by car) is a seaside resort, consists of the town itself and a series of sandy bays stretching 17 kilometers south along the coastal road. Facilities are available for swimming, fishing, water skiing, windsurfing, tennis, and golf. Unfortunately, many areas of the beaches are no longer scenic and have pollution problems. Despite this, clean and picturesque coves can still be found. Several rest houses and hotels provide meals and accommodations. Company-owned bungalows can be rented for a weekend or several days at reasonable cost, but they have become harder to find.

The town of Port Dickson grew up around port linked to a railroad that brought in rubber and tin from plantations and mines on the interior of Malaysia. Port Dickson (PD) is said to have been named after a British officer, Sir John Frederik Dickson in 1889. Others mention that the place was named after another British officer who supervised the British ports handling ore in Lukut, a district of Port Dickson at the time.

Port Dickson is more famous for its attractive beaches, ample amenities and good infrastructure. There are also various types of accommodation for those wishing to holiday here. The beaches of Port Dickson (PD) is a famous weekend retreat for city dwellers. Among the famous beaches here are Teluk Kemang and Blue Lagoon. There are also infrastructure for watersports dan beach activity.

Getting There: By Car: It takes just over an hour by car to travel from Kuala Lumpur to Port Dickson along the North-South Expressway (PLUS). Contact: Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan, Address: Seremban Plaza, Jalan Dato' Muda Linggi,70100 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Tel: 606-763 5388 / 762, Fax: 606-763 8428, Email: mtpb.negerisembilan@tourism.gov.my

Seri Menanti Royal Museum

The Seri Menanti Royal Museum (50 kilometers from Seremban, in the royal town of Seri Menanti) was built in 1902-1905. Originally a palace for the Negeri Sembilan Royal family, this five storey wooden palace, was built using no nails or screws. The carpenters at the time used wooden pegs so that the palace would be able to withstand the times.

It also uses 99 solid timber pillars, soaring 65 feet. Black in color, the palace also has intricate flower motifs beautifying the regal palace.Visitors can find costumes, weaponry, bed chambers as well as documents on the royal lineage on display in the museum

Getting There: By Car: The turn off to Sri Menanti is about 13 kilometers from Kuala Pilah town. Signs to Sri Menanti are clearly marked. Once on this road, just head straight in. The old Palace is situated at the end of the village. By Bus: From Kuala Pilah bus station, there are daily buses to Sri Menanti or you could hire a taxi from the taxi stand at the bus. Contact: Tourism Malaysia Negeri Sembilan Address: Seremban Plaza, Jalan Dato' Muda Linggi,70100 Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Tel: 606-763 5388 / 762, Fax: 606-763 8428, Email: mtpb.negerisembilan@tourism.gov.my

Kedah State and Bujang Valley

Kedah state is located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia. Nicknamed Malaysia’s rice bowl because of its vast paddy fields, it is home to around 2 million people, covers an area of 9,500 square kilometers and has a population density of 199 people per square kilometer. The state consists of the mainland and the Langkawi islands. The mainland has a relatively flat terrain, which is used to grow rice, while Langkawi is an archipelago, most of which are uninhabited islands.

Kedah was previously known as Kadaram by the ancient and medieval Tamil people, Kataha or Kalahbar by the Arabs, and Syburi by the Siamese when it was under their influence. To the north, Kedah borders the state of Perlis and shares an international boundary with the Songkhla and Yala provinces of Thailand. It borders the states of Perak to the south and Penang to the southwest. The state's capital is Alor Setar and the royal seat is in Anak Bukit. Other major towns include Sungai Petani, and Kulim on the mainland, and Kuah on Langkawi. [Source: Wikipedia]

The Bujang Valley (in Merbok, 17 kilometers from Sungai Petani) sometimes referred to as the Ancient Wonder of Kedah, is a rich, sprawling historical site covering an area of about 400 square kilometers and bounded by Bukit Coras (Choras Hill) and Gunung Jerai. This archaeological area was the site of an ancient Hindu-Buddhist kingdom that ruled the region from the A.D. 4th century. The valley is located near Merbok in the state of Kedah, bounded by Mount Jerai (1,217 meters) to the north and the Muda River to the south. It is regarded as the richest archaeological region in Malaysia.

The Bujang Valley, or Lembah Bujang, was once the site of a major center of the Srivijaya Empire, an ancient Malay kingdom based in Sumatra dating back from the first few centuries to the 12th century, and kingdoms before that. it is the richest archaeological area in Malaysia. Over the years, numerous artefacts have been uncovered in the Bujang Valley — celadon, porcelain, stoneware, clay, pottery, fragments of glass, beads and Persian ceramics — evidences that Bujang Valley was once a centre of international and entrepot trade in the region. More than 50 ancient Hindu or Buddhist temples, called candi, have also been unearthed, adding to the spirituality of the place. The most well-preserved of these is located in Pengkalan Bayang Merbok, which is also where the Bujang Valley Archaeological Museum is located.

Perak State and Lenggong Valley UNESCO Prehistoric Man Site

Perak is fourth largest state in Malaysia. Also known by its honorific Darul Ridzuan or "Abode of Grace", it is home to 2,258,428 people, covers an area of 21,035 square kilometers and has a population density of 107 people per square kilometer. It borders Kedah at the north; Thailand's Yala and Narathiwat provinces to the northeast; Penang to the northwest; Kelantan and Pahang to the east; Selangor to the south, and the Straits of Malacca to the west. [Source: Wikipedia, Perak Tourism]

Perak means “Silver,” a named derived from silvery tin ore found in the state. It is the second largest state in Peninsular Malaysia and is famed for its natural tropical beauty and rich cultural history. During the British colonial period it was the home of large tin mining operations and rubber tree plantations, the remains of which are still visible today. Perak’s capital is Ipoh, known historically as a tin-mining center until the price of the metal dropped, severely affecting the local economy. The royal capital is in Kuala Kangsar, where the palace of the Sultan of Perak is located.

Archaeological Heritage of the Lenggong Valley (240 kilometers north of Kuala Lumpur) was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012. According to UNESCO: “Situated in the lush Lenggong Valley, the property includes four archaeological sites in two clusters which span close to 2 million years, one of the longest records of early man in a single locality, and the oldest outside the African continent. It features open-air and cave sites with Palaeolithic tool workshops, evidence of early technology. The number of sites found in the relatively contained area suggests the presence of a fairly large, semi-sedentary population with cultural remains from the Palaeolithic, Neolithic and Metal ages. [Source: UNESCO]

“The lush Lenggong Valley on the Malay Peninsula contains evidence in open-air and cave sites along the Perak River spanning all the periods of hominid history outside Africa from 1.83 million to 1,700 years ago. Undisturbed in situ Palaeolithic stone tool workshops are located on the shores of a paleolake and ancient river gravel beds and dated in a long chronological sequence. A meteorite strike 1.83 million ago blocked and diverted the river preserving Palaeolithic tools at Bukit Bunuh, where hand axes are among the oldest so far discovered outside Africa. Analysis suggests these were made by hominids which thus provide an extremely early date for hominid presence in South-East Asia. A catastrophic Toba volcanic eruption 70,000 ago caused abandonment of a workshop site containing multiple tool types at Kota Tampan. Other workshop sites date from 200,000-100,000 BP at Bukit Jawa, 40,000 BP at Bukit Bunuh and 1000 BP at Gua Harimau. The relative abundance of these sites hints at a relatively large or semi sedentary population.

Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons

Text Sources: Malaysia Tourism websites, Malaysia government websites, UNESCO, Wikipedia, Lonely Planet guides, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, National Geographic, The New Yorker, Bloomberg, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Japan News, Yomiuri Shimbun, Compton's Encyclopedia and various books and other publications.

Updated in January 2026