Negeri Sembilan is located at the southwestern coast of Peninsular Malaysia. It is bordered by Selangor to the northwest, Pahang to the north, Johor to the east and Melaka to the south. Negeri Sembilan has a 48-kilometre coastline, overlooking the Strait of Melaka.

Negeri Sembilan literally translates to ‘nine states’ and it is made up of nine states in the past, which comprised Sungai Ujong, Rembau, Johol, Jelebu, Jempol, Seri Menanti, Inas, Terachi and Gunung Pasir. 

The earlier inhabitants of Negeri Sembilan were the ancestors of the Orang Asli today, comprising Semelai, Semai, Semang and Jakun, who were hunter-gatherer nomads or subsistence farmers.

In the 15^th century, the Minangkabau people from Sumatera came and settled in Negeri Sembilan. They brought their culture, known as Adat Perpatih with them and made it the local custom in their new home.

 

Seri Menanti

Negeri Sembilan is ruled by the Yang diPertuan Besar (instead of a Sultan).  The state has a unique monarchy system. The ruler is elected to the position by the Undang Yang Empat, namely from among the ruling chiefs of Sungai Ujong, Jelebu, Johol and Rembau.

Seri Menanti is a sub-district in the Kuala Pilah district, which is one of the seven districts in Negeri Sembilan. It is also the royal town that houses the seat of the Yang diPertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan. As such, the official palace of the Yang diPertuan Besar, called the Istana Besar, which was built in 1932 is in Seri Menanti.

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In addition of the royal palace, the attractions at Seri Menanti include: -

1. Seri Menanti Royal Mausoleum

Seri Menanti is the final resting place of the Negeri Sembilan royalty. All the past Yang diPertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan, including the first Yang diPertuan Besar, Raja Melewar who died in 1795 are buried there. The other members of the royal family including the Tunku Ampuan (or the consort of the Yang diPertuan Besar) are also buried there.

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The mausoleum has a Victorian - Moorish pavilion that is shaded by green domes.  It is the grave of Tuanku Abdul Rahman, who was the eight Yang diPertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan and also the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong of Malaysia.

The graves with white tombstones are fenced off.

 

1. Masjid Diraja Tuanku Munawir

Masjid Diraja Tuanku Munawir is the royal mosque as Seri Menanti. It is sited next to the Royal Mausoleum. The present mosque was built in 1964 to replace the original mosque built in 1885.

The design of this mosque is based on a combination of Mughal and local architecture, with the royal yellow domes on its roof and minarets as well as a verandah or ‘serambi’ along the side of the building, adorned with triangular arches.

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1. Negeri Sembilan State Library

The State Library is located in Seremban. It is housed in a 1912 heritage building, west of the Seremban Lake Gardens.  It is one of Negeri Sembilan’s most impressive colonial buildings and it is unique because it was built without piles but remains strong and sturdy even after more than a century later.

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Prior to becoming the home of the state library, the building served as the office of the Negeri Sembilan state secretariat.

The building was designed by AB Hubback, an English architect who also designed several prominent buildings in the country, including the Kuala Lumpur and Ipoh railway stations.

 

2. State Museum

The Negeri Sembilan State Museum is located in Seremban, the state’s capital city. The museum is housed in a unique building, featuring Minangkabau architecture with its roof ridges that curve upwards.  The museum complex comprises three buildings.

The main building, which is a two-storey building houses the museum. There are artefacts and historical documents - social, economic and political that are related to the state on display in one of the galleries. There is also a document on Adat Perpatih among the exhibits.  Adat Perpatih is the customary law of the Minangkabau ethnic. The Minangkabau people are believed to be the early settlers in Negeri Sembilan.  They came from Sumatera.

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The museum building was previously used as a location for the National Al-Quran Recitation Competition. It was called Teratak Perpatih.  The building was converted into a museum in 1986.

The other two buildings are sited at the Negeri Sembilan Cultural Park, within the grounds of the museum. The park was officially opened in 1986.  The replicas of the Pengkalan Kempas Megaliths are displayed in this park. The megaliths are carved out from various kinds of megalithic stones and the ones on display are known as Batu Kemudi, Batu Sudu and Batu Pedang.

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One of the two buildings is the Ampang Tinggi Palace, built in 1860 by the 5^th Yang diPertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan.  It was originally located in an area overlooking a wide expanse of rice fields but was relocated to this site in 1953.

The other building is the Rumah Negeri Sembilan, which is a traditional Malay house in Negeri Sembilan, built in the early part of the 19^th century. It was originally owned by a nobleman in Sungai Ujong. This house was gazetted as a heritage building under the National Heritage Act 2005 in February 2013.

The State Museum also serves as the Negeri Sembilan Cultural Arts Centre.

 

3. Church of the Visitation

The Church of the Visitation in Seremban was built in 1885. However, the parish community existed since 1848. This is because the first missionary was sent to Seremban in 1847 to work with the locals.

The church was just as tiny chapel made of wood and attap. The locals believe that the chapel was named Visitation because the priest from Kuala Lumpur who travelled to Melaka once every two months to hear confessions stopped there on his way (rather than honouring the visit by the Blessed Virgin Mary).  

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A first resident priest for the chapel was appointed in 1888. In 1895, a new church was built with the funds raised mainly by the miners. The congregation continued to increase and the church was extended in 1910 to cater to all Catholics there. A new presbytery was built in 1913. The church was further extended and was blessed in September 1935. 

In 1944, a historic event took place at the Church of the Visitation, namely the ordination of four priests.  At that time, Penang was the usual venue for ordinations.

The last of the French missionaries departed in 1978 and from 1980 onwards, the parish is led by local priests. The church celebrated its centenary celebration in 1985.

 

4. Nilai Monument

The Nilai Monument is a memorial to commemorate those who perished during World War 2, fighting against the Japanese forces.

The memorial is an obelisk with an inscription in four languages that read: ‘In memory of Malayan heroes in the resistance movement against Japanese invasion 1941-1945’. This monument is a recognition to all the Malayans and their allies comprising Malay, Chinese, Indian, Orang Asli, Gurkha, British, Australian and New Zealander who died resisting the Japanese atrocities during the war.

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The Nilai Monument is located within Xiao En Memorial Park, which is also known as Nilai Memorial Park. The Nilai Memorial Park is the final resting place for many people. 

 

5. Ulu Bendul

Ulu Bendul is a recreational forest nestled within the Angsi Forest Reserve enclave. It lies between Kuala Pilah town and the city of Seremban in Negeri Sembilan. It is actually at the southern edge of the Titiwangsa mountain range, on the fringe of Batang Terachi, a stream that has an elevation of 152 metres. Batang Terachi is located on the west of Kampung Ulu Bendul.

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The recreational forest was discovered in 1917 and was popularised as a recreational area by Tuanku Muhammad, the seventh Yang diPertuan Besar of Negeri Sembilan in 1920. The area is located at the upstream, hence ‘Ulu’ in the Malay language.  The place is mountainous, which was regarded as barriers or ‘bendul’.  Thus the name Ulu Bendul. The forest reserve is estimated to be around 130 million years old.

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As a recreational forest, visitors go there for outdoor activities, which include picnic, camping, fishing, swimming and jungle trekking. There are several hiking trails, which offer spectacular views of the lush green forest. The trails are mainly winding and covered with moss. However, the soothing sound of the water from the stream refreshes your mind and soul.  The shrubs and insects you come across while trekking keep your expedition interesting and provide an opportunity for nature photography. Visitors who opt to spend a night there could also rent a chalet or hut for the night.

 

6. Cape Rachado Lighthouse

There is a lighthouse at Tanjung Tuan called the Cape Rachado Lighthouse. Tanjung Tuan or Cape Rachado is located next to Port Dickson. The lighthouse is named after the cape. ‘Rachado’ is a Portuguese word meaning ‘cracked’.

The area off the cape is well-known as the site of the naval Battle of Cape Rachado in 1606 between the Portuguese and Dutch fleets. The battle was the start of a series of conflicts which ended with the Dutch invading Melaka in 1641.

The Portuguese wanted to build a lighthouse after they conquered Melaka in 1511 to guide their ships though the Strait of Melaka. They eventually chose Tanjung Tuan, which they named Cape Rachado as the venue for their lighthouse. The lighthouse was built between 1528 and 1529. The lighthouse changed hands when the place was conquered by different colonial forces.

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The Cape Rachado Lighthouse is believed to be the oldest lighthouse in Malaysia. However, in 1863, the British built another lighthouse to replace the old one. It is a 24-metre tall circular tower with a lamp (or light source) and gallery. The tower adjoins the double-storey lighthouse keeper’s house at the base.  Both the house and tower are built of bricks and mortar, and are whitewashed. An additional tower was constructed in 1990 and houses the MEASAT radar, which is designed to monitor ship traffic in the Strait of Melaka and assist communications.

The Cape Rachado Lighthouse is special because it is sited on a summit, about 100 metres inland and is enclosed within a woodland, which is a sanctuary for birds. Visitors will be awed by the views of lush green forest and vast azure sea. The beach along the cape is beautifully maintained with crystal clear water and beautiful white sand.

To get to the lighthouse, you have to choose one of the two staircases, namely a spiral staircase with 72 steps or a stone staircase behind the lighthouse.

 

7. Port Dickson

Port Dickson is a coastal town in Port Dickson District in Negeri Sembilan. Back in the olden days, there was a carbon mine not too far from the coast. Then, in the 1820s, tin ore was discovered in the district and attracted Chinese immigrant miners to set up their homes here. The British decided to build a harbour there and the town was named after the officer in-charge.

The small town and harbour grew to become a busy trading centre. Railways were constructed to facilitate the growth and development of the place. Today, the economic activities at Port Dickson include oil and gas refining and tourism. Port Dickson is also home to the Malaysian Armed Forces, with their army camps at several locations.

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Despite the developments, the beaches are well maintained. The 18-kilometre beach from Tanjung Gemuk to Tanjung Tuan (where the Cape Rachado Lighthouse is located) is a destination for local visitors. There are hotels and holiday resorts along this stretch.

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In addition to the Cape Rachado Lighthouse, other attractions at Port Dickson include (i) the Blue Lagoon Beach, which is enclosed within a secluded bay just before Cape Rachado or Tanjung Tuan; (ii) Army Museum; (iii) Lukut Fort and Museum; (iv) Extreme Park Port Dickson; (v) Teluk Kemang Observatory, which is also known as Baitul-Hilal Astronomy Complex that is popular for viewing lunar eclipses and other cosmic activities; (vi) Wan Loong Chinese Temple that is dedicated to Kuan Yin and the Monkey God; and (vii) the town itself.