Project - Singapore's History Investigated - Pulau Sejahat

This is one of a series of relatively unknown historical sites in Singapore from both colonial and pre-colonial eras which I intend to research and then physically investigate just for the heck of it. I'll keep adding more sites under this heading as I find more interesting stuff to investigate/research.

Anyone else keen on joining me please feel free to do so. Each of the sites will comprise mini-projects of their own, and will come in two phases;

1. research phase:- where we collect data and information on what, who and most importantly where they are located

2. investigation phase:- we suit-up, arm ourselves with cameras and lots of mosquito repellent and GO (if possible)

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Pulau Sejahat
(extracted from spi.com.sg)

Pulau Sejahat is a small island about 1.2 ha located off the north-eastern coast of Singapore, near Pulau Tekong. Disused barracks, kitchens, gun emplacements and lookout posts still exist on the island. This island was possibly part of the integral defense of the Johore Straits when Singapore was a British Colony. It is located within the stretch of waters between Pulau Tekong and Changi Jetty.

Nowadays, disused barracks, kitchens, toilets, a watchtower and even gun battery positions still exist on the island.

One intriguing legend about this Pulau Sejahat is the mysterious rock on top of the hill, some called it holy. The locals believe that, a spirit lives inside

Who is this spirit? Where did he come from? It is said that in the 19th century on Tekong Island, that was a man with beard, slim built, fine features, rowing a small boat from Pulau Sejahat everyday. The islander saw him a number of times and they became suspicious and followed him. They followed him to Pulau Sejahat but each time they could not find a trace of him. There was no building on the island but only a rock.

The name Sejahat, simply means 'bad'. Why would such a small island be named so? That is because many deaths took place there despite the tiny size of the island.

There were hidden corals under the water around there. So, Pulau Sejahat was also considered as "dangerous zone" for boats. Many ships sunk, in the past century. The little island was said to be a pirates' hideout. The pirates ambushed the pass-by merchant ships and slaughtered countless victims on the island. Fear was implanted on everyone's mind.

In addition to that, there was a legend that in mid-14th century, Acehnese and Portugese were at war around Tekong Island. The Acehnese had 500 warships and over 10,000 warriors. The Portugese only had a feet of 20 ships or so, but equipped with lethal firearms and canons. Fierce and bloody battles took place right at the water near Tekong and Sejahat islands. Ships were blasted under fire; warriors were either drown or killed in action.

Soon, the Acehnese troop was almost totally wiped out. They were outnumbered by the Portugese near the end of the battle. The Acehnese fought till the last company but they refused to surrender. Rather than being the captives, they landed on the Sejahat island when being cornered by the Portugese army. Under the command of their general (commander), all of the last men committed heroic suicide on the island.

It was believed that that spirit could be the general. To have peace in the area the residents of Pulau Tekong built a shrine sheltering the spirit rock that they worshipped and honoured the general for his bravery.

http://www.larkin.net.au/pulau_sejahat/
Sadly, Pulau Sejahat is now part of Pulau Tekong and is currently out of bounds to the public and plans are underway to demolish the structures and the tua peh kong big stone altar.