7 Haunted Places in Malaysia That Will Give You the Creeps
Yes, Malaysia is full of beautiful beaches, historical landmarks, and interesting culture, but most people don’t know that it harbours a dark and haunted side. This site is mostly enjoyed by thrill-seekers and those who want to be immersed in the supernatural.
I haven’t had any experience with these, but a huge reason why I believe they’re out there is because of Malaysia’s haunted places. My friends and I love to be spooked, and thankfully, there are tours dedicated to exploring these spine-tingling spaces.
So, if you’re looking for your next thrilling adventure, this list is for you. Also, if you’re too scared to visit these places yourself but interested to learn more, we’ve got you covered!
Kellie’s Castle – Perak
– Media credit: mash_room_e3
Address: Lot 48436, Kompleks Pelancongan Kellie’s Castle
Contact details: +60 19-475 4817
Operating hours: Daily from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM
Rates:
- Adults: RM10
- Children: RM8
Sure, Kellie’s Castle is one of the most majestic feats of architecture in the country, but it’s also popular for being haunted. And, like most haunted places, it carries a tragic fate.
William Kellie-Smith built the mansion for his family, but unfortunately, he passed due to pneumonia before construction was even finished. What’s left is the shell of a beautiful mansion with ruins as its interior.
Since then, it’s believed that ghosts roam its destroyed hallways, and although no one can confirm this, it definitely has this eerie feeling when you step inside.
Another story that contributes to its legend is that it was a place of torture during the war. Other oldies also state that the hidden tunnels beneath the mansion are where the workers died during the Spanish flu.
Pro tip:
Visit Kellie’s Castle via one of Ipoh’s historical tours to stop by other attractions like Kek Long Tong Temple, Little India, and Ipoh Railway Station.
Highland Towers – Kuala Lumpur
– Media credit: theofficialkarllukewinzer1
Address: Highland Towers, Jln Hill View 2
If you ask any local to name a haunted place in the country, they’ll most likely answer with the Highland Towers. It’s notorious for the collapse of one of its towers back in 1993 due to a landslide, which resulted in 48 deaths.
Today, the entire complex is abandoned, and although several plans have been to demolish it, they never came to fruition. Instead, it became a hotspot for ghost hunters who reportedly have caught sightings of ghosts, including an old lady and a baby.
The place itself is overgrown with nature, and it’s completely off-limits to visitors because of its instability. However, you can witness it from afar or, better yet, commemorate the victims of the tragedy by visiting the memorial park proposed by the housing and local government minister.
Pro tip:
The closest you can get to the ruins of the towers is by driving up to the end of Jln Hillview 2.
Penang War Museum – Penang
– Media credit: penangwarmuseum
Address: Jalan Batu Maung, 11960 Batu Maung
Contact details: +60 16-421 3606
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Rates:
- Locals:
- Adults: RM32
- Children: RM12
- Foreigners:
- Adults: RM38
- Children: RM20
Visiting a war memorial always feels heavy because of all the fallen, and Penang War Museum is one of the best examples of this. Although it draws in several tourists every day, you’ll still feel a sense of eeriness because of its dreadful past.
It went through several phases, from being a British fort to a prisoner-of-war base for the Japanese army. Some OGs even stated that there have been several gruesome tortures and beheadings that occurred here.
Exploring the bunkers is one of the most spine-chilling things you can experience here, especially if you know the background and the horrors of war. Furthermore, workers claimed to hear screeches from these bunkers when the fort was being transformed into a museum.
Pro tip:
If you want to release some tension after roaming the dreadful bunkers and halls of the museum, you can check out The Warzone Penang Paintball.
Karak Expressway
– Media credit: _tini_ahmad_
Address: Karak Expressway
Karak Expressway is one of the most famous highways in the country because it’s the way towards Genting and Cameron Highlands, but it hides a dark secret. For starters, it has seen several accidents because of its weird and winding nature.
Because of these accidents, several locals have reported sightings of ghosts suddenly crossing the highway during night rides. Among these ghosts is a little boy finding his mother, which will send chills down anyone’s spine.
A creepier urban legend is that there’s a yellow beetle with no driver that will continue to appear right in front of you if you attempt to overtake it.
Pro tip:
Although you can’t stop and explore the highway yourself in the hopes of spotting these ghosts, there is a movie made in 2011 that depicts the hauntings here titled Karak: Laluan Puaka.
99 Door Mansion Byram Estate – Penang
– Media credit: georgetowncity
Address: Nibong Tebal, Seberang Perai
The 99 Door Mansion sticks out like a sore thumb, as it’s located in the middle of the vast Byram Estate that mostly consists of vegetation and tall trees. Its former residents were believed to be a wealthy family who were murdered, with the killer never to be found.
It’s also believed to be a former place of operation of a witch doctor who has tried to contact the supernatural multiple times. For these two reasons, locals believe that the place has been haunted by vengeful spirits since it’s been abandoned.
Hearing the stories of local legends will give you the creeps, from inhuman growls to possessions. It’s so creepy that locals don’t recommend staying within the vicinity of the estate come sundown to avoid meeting the vengeful spirits brought by the witch doctor.
Pro tip:
Follow i.love.penang on Instagram to catch the latest update about the mansion. Recent news has talked about plans to renovate the mansion into a cafe.
Maxwell Hill – Taiping
– Media credit: wilson.khorwh
Address: Hutan Lipur Kaki Bukit Larut
Contact details: +60 5-807 7241
Operating hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
If you’re an avid gamer, Maxwell Hill is Malaysia’s version of Silent Hill minus the horrid creatures that are out to get you. It’s a charming hiking site that’s covered by fog (depending on the time of day), but what makes it creepy is its backstory.
The serene and small attraction may look quaint at first, but its roads were built via forced labour, with the victims being prisoners during World War II.
This is why some locals have reported hearing footsteps out of the blue with no person to be seen. Some hikers have even noted how they felt like they were touched by an unknown presence during their trek.
Pro tip:
If you’re too lazy to hike up the hill, you can opt for the jeepney rides offered by the admin office.
Jerejak Island – Penang
– Media credit: georgetowncity
Address: Jerejak Island
As vibrant and fun as Jerejak Island is today, it’s still considered a haunted spot by locals because of its grim past. Aside from being the place of isolation for leprosy patients, it also became a prison and rehab centre for high-risk criminals—think Alcatraz.
Locals have also noted how the waters were surrounded by marine animals like sharks back then, which easily devoured inmates who tried to escape. With that being said, the sightings reported here are believed to be restless spirits who just want peace after their suffering.
Fortunately, it’s hard to get creeped out by the island nowadays, as it has been transformed into a popular resort for tourists and locals alike. It features colourful attractions and an overall laid-back vibe—just don’t think about its past!
Pro tip:
You can get to Jerejak Island by taking a ferry from mainland Penang. You can either check out the Penang Jetty, which caters to tourists and locals, or the Swettenham Pier, which mainly caters to cargo but offers passenger boats as well.