W e & You & A Dog named Benson
Week No. 41
10 October 1999

Found The East-West Trade links- Penarikan

We have heard of a place near Bahau where ancient traders would make their way inland from the South China Sea via the Pahang River. At that meeting point, all they needed was lifted their boats up. Towed it for 600 meters and then take the connecting River to move downstream to the west- Straits of Malacca. Such fact is of great significant to us.

First, such geographical phenomenon where 2 rivers can come so close on the same plain and yet one flows east and the other flow west. This itself is a very interesting fact. Next, to be able to see how early pioneers could uncover such information is amazing. We must view this phenomenon for ourselves

When we were in Bahau, nobody seem to be aware of this significance. The place was normal, no signage to highlight this important facts. We located the first river and then on looking for the second river to verify our "rumors", we found a point at last. This signboard confirms there was indeed evidences of historical past. According to local historian, they do not see such practices or feast as of any significance. The writing on this board itself shows the areas where they wants the visitors to be focused.
 
We had our pictures. We knew the board would not last very long. It was because of a report in the daily that some attempts were made.

 Next this was also not the crucial point. The landings where all these were possible, was some half kilometers away.

The small clearing here was chosen for its scenic beauty of a confluence of 2 tributaries flowing southwards. Even as I write I could feel the ambiguity stirred by the intentions of the authority who erected such signage. The sign while trying to impart knowledge is erected in the wrong spot and conveying a different scene.

Where is the Serting River and what has this confluence got to do with the "overland" transfer?
 
Here a picture of the confluence!

The speculation that early traders did indeed use this vicinity as a meeting place, but it went on to mislead that this confluence of the Muar River [left] and Jempol River [right] was the place where all it all happened!
To emphasize its significance -a small park. Again another, unnatural fact. There was with no visible access road laid out for visitors to reach this small "Garden". We passed through the compound of a water treatment plant, down a tufted slope to reach this tarred road. Just wondering how the construction equipments were brought on site!

The tight Eastern corridor

Enough of hair pulling, for this site we created our own version as to what could possibly had happened. This is a sketch detailing how the East-West River journey could possibly had taken place.

Boats made their way inland from the present day Pekan town. Sailed upstream through the huge Pahang River and then the Bera River into the Serting River.

The effortless Western Counterpart

The Sungei Jempol within 0.5 kilometers quickly empties into the large Sungei Muar at the confluence. This is the photograph shown above , from here an easy comparatively plain sailing downstream to reach Muar town.
Forget about the Park and the misleading sign board. Having refreshed ourselves with the "hypothesis" above, we met a very kind Pa 'Cik who kindly showed us what we were looking for! He had writings and also a main character in the interview with personnel's from National Museum who came to verify the "tales"

Part of the route, the Sungei Jempol flowing west is prominently seen. The river passes the Highway, Kuala Pilah/Bahau. Here is the signange
 
On the contrary, the other important link - the Serting River flowing eastwards is a  small, silted stream. It made its appearances from land clearing. It is there, flowing just alongside Bahau Town at its fringe. The last we saw it was dredged.
We walk on its bank to follow the River upstream. We were heading towards the direction where we saw the signage of Sungei Jempol. To find the nearest point where these two rivers were seperated. It is now a low cost the housing estate. We then saw that Sungei Jempol is really that close. Both on a level plain!

The scene geographically! Sungei Serting decides to hug the low hill and flows eastward while Sungei Jempol makes a right turn and joins Sungei Muar now flowing south easterly way! What a spectacular geographical wonders.
There are so much of overwhelming coincidences. Early Negri settlers migrating from Sumatra have found this fertile plain- Jempol as the signage explains.

It is important enough for the Royal family to have its presence felt. There was even a palace here at this point on the banks of Sungei Serting. What is left? - an antic "Surau" is all that remains of yesteryears.

Then the presence of the few Siamese Graves- of presumably traders so far inland! Just beside and on the banks of the Jempol River.

Now the housing estate is seating right on the path of this monumental "Trade Route". This place could be developed, not only based on its historical possibilities, but its unique geographical setting!

Imagine school going children will be motivated to find out more about Negri Sembilan & Pahang State. Two very important historical facts, the beginning of the 9 Negri Sembilan States. The trade routes used by early settlers.

 
Khong's Travel Guide

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This page was created on  20th November 1999