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Sungai MuntohSungai Muntoh is a semi-agricultural small town with less than 3,500 in total population, Sungai Muntoh is located about 30 miles southeastern from Kuala Lumpur. In May 1995, it was ranked the 30th largest town in Malaysia. Sungai Muntoh is the border between Negeri Sembilan and Kuala Lumpur. History Sungai Muntoh is believed to be founded by the Chinese immigrants in early 1800s. The town’s booming mining business and rubber plantation drew more and more foreign labors from China and India. They worked for low wages back then. This is a historical site for the history of mining and rubber plantation in Negeri Sembilan. Sungai Muntoh was the earliest and most reputable mining site in Jelebu back in the late 1800s. A lot of valuable centuries-old object were found there and is now relocated to the state’s museum. The town also dates back the infamous Japanese invasion took place in early 1900s, where mass execution and genocide were common back then. When the Americans dropped two of their infamous atomic bombs in two major Japanese cities, the menace came to an end, but left deep scars to the local community. People and Activities Sungai Muntoh is a friendly neighborhood with more Chinese than any other races. Chinese accounts for almost 60% of the town’s population, and Malays, aborigines (Orang Asli) and some Indians make up the rest. Most of the Malays reside nearby a famous rehab center and work as law enforcers. Most of the older generation of Chinese work in the rubber estate as rubber tapers. The rubber business is in decline over the years since younger generations seek to improve their lifestyles in nearby cities (most notably Kuala Lumpur, Seremban, etc.). Surprisingly, unlike other second and third world countries, the rubber business is still in much demand from all around the world. It’s quite a successful business there. They tap, collect and process the white latex and send them to manufacturers all across the country. Although typical ‘townies’, the people there live quite an adequate and well-off life. Homegrown fruits and vegetables are common, and a vast area of land is used only for veggies. Their sugarcane and pineapples are famous throughout the country. Others include coconuts, rambutans, pineapples, durians, mangosteens, mangos, and other tropical fruits are among the favorites. Interesting Things and Sites Ironically, Sungai Muntoh brings not only scorching heat but also heavy thunderstorm. That is mainly because it is at the higher tip of the end of Titiwangsa Mountain Range as compared to the rest of Jelebu. In Sungai Muntoh, there’s an average of a lake in every 500m. It has a ratio of 100 residents to one lake. The town has an infamous reputation for the invasion of wild animals, there are reports that wild animal attacks on livestock and plantation. There is an unprecedented record of tigers, or even crocs, the latter in which is almost impossible. Wildboars, Iguanas and other rare animals make up the Top 5 list. History shows there are only black snakes bred there—mainly because of its natural habitat—and other colors (or species) of snakes are rarely to be seen. Rare types of blue-headed centipedes and the highly venomous colorful scorpions are found there as well. But on the bright side, the ultra-thick rainforest there has not only bred poisonous animals but also never-seen-before bird species. A colorful peacock-like long-tailed flying creature about 2 ft tall was a usual panorama there until illegal deforestation took place in less than a decade ago. Community For some unknown reasons, there are more rehabs there compared to the rest of entire state. The State’s biggest and most reputable prison for junkies and drug-addicts is there. In early 1997, a breakout of the junkies became national headline, chaos and mayhem occurred when prison guards try to arrest the fugitives on the streets. In late 2004, another similar headline caught the attention of Ntv7, the nation’s largest free-to-air television network. They did coverage on it, stating there could be a possible blue-collar crime going on. An investigation was initiated, but to no avail. Note: In early February 2005, Malaysia’s heat has skyrocketed to almost 39 Degree Celsius—the worst in 30 years and in South Asia, second only to Myanmar. Being the warmest/driest place in Malaysia, Sungai Muntoh will have to bare some of the worst and unimaginable consequences, most likely the shortage of water supply and possible drought.
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