5 Horror Stories from Malaysia
Story 1: The Haunted Village in Perak
Narrator: Noraini, 42, from Kampung Gajah, Perak, Malaysia
Background: Noraini is a housewife and mother of three who lives in a village near the river in Perak. She has always been in tune with the supernatural and believes in the presence of unseen spirits.
One late evening, after dinner, Noraini went to visit her aunt, who lived at the edge of the village. The village, Kampung Gajah, was known for its peaceful atmosphere, but it had its fair share of eerie legends. The houses were spaced out, with thick trees surrounding them, and a river running through the outskirts.
As she walked towards her aunt’s house, the sky began to darken, and a strange chill hung in the air. The moonlight illuminated the path, but the deeper she walked into the village, the more she felt as if something was watching her. She tried to shake off the feeling, but it was hard to ignore.
Arriving at her aunt’s house, Noraini noticed that the house was unusually quiet, with no sounds of children playing or the usual chatter that greeted her. The front door creaked as it opened, revealing her aunt sitting in the living room, staring blankly at the wall. She seemed to be in a trance, unmoving.
“Mak Long, what happened?” Noraini asked.
Her aunt slowly turned to look at her, her eyes wide and glassy. “Noraini, you should not have come. There is something here… something in the house,” she whispered, her voice trembling.
Suddenly, Noraini felt a cold breeze sweep across the room, even though the windows were shut. The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She could hear soft whispers that seemed to come from nowhere. Her aunt began to chant something in a language Noraini couldn’t understand. In a sudden burst of panic, Noraini grabbed her aunt and pulled her outside, but her aunt resisted, her grip tightening.
“Don’t leave!” she cried. “It will follow you! It will follow both of us!”
As they struggled, Noraini felt a weight on her chest, as if something was pressing down on her. The whispers grew louder, and she could almost make out a voice—low and guttural, as if calling her name.
With a final pull, Noraini managed to get her aunt outside, but the atmosphere didn’t feel any less ominous. The air was thick with an unnatural stillness. In the distance, she saw what looked like a shadow moving between the trees.
Terrified, Noraini helped her aunt inside the house and locked all the doors. The rest of the night was spent in uneasy silence, the whispers now replaced with an eerie quiet that felt like something was lurking just out of sight.
When Noraini returned home the next day, she learned from her neighbors that her aunt’s house had once belonged to a family that had mysteriously disappeared many years ago. Locals whispered about their strange disappearance and the rumors of a curse. Noraini never returned to her aunt’s house again.
Story 2: The Possessed Worker in Johor
Narrator: Ahmad, 35, from Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Background: Ahmad is a construction worker who has lived in Johor Bahru all his life. He often works late on site and has seen his fair share of strange occurrences over the years.
It was late in the evening when Ahmad was assigned to stay overnight at a construction site in Johor Bahru. The project was a new commercial complex, and they were working around the clock to meet deadlines. Ahmad didn’t mind staying late—he was used to it, and the site was relatively close to his home.
That night, something felt different. Ahmad was in the middle of a conversation with one of his colleagues, Rizal, when he noticed a figure standing by the construction machinery. The figure was tall, wearing a white shirt, but there was something off about its movements. It stood still for a long time, just staring at Ahmad and Rizal.
“Rizal, you see that?” Ahmad asked, his voice low.
Rizal turned to look, but the figure had vanished without a sound. They both shrugged it off, assuming it was just exhaustion.
Later that night, as Ahmad and Rizal were working near the upper floors of the building, they heard strange noises—scratching, scraping sounds, like nails running across metal. Ahmad, feeling unnerved, suggested they take a break and investigate.
As they climbed down from the scaffolding, Ahmad noticed that Rizal was acting strangely. His eyes were wide, and his face was pale. “Rizal, what’s wrong?” Ahmad asked, concerned.
Without warning, Rizal let out a guttural laugh that sent chills down Ahmad’s spine. “Ahmad, I have to finish my work, don’t I?” Rizal said, his voice distorted.
Rizal’s body jerked unnaturally, and he began to speak in a voice that didn’t belong to him. “You’re all going to pay for trespassing,” Rizal said, his voice deep and resonating.
Ahmad realized, with growing horror, that his friend was not himself. His body was stiff, and his movements were erratic. Panicking, Ahmad tried to grab Rizal, but Rizal pushed him away with unnatural strength. His eyes rolled back in his head, and he began to chant words in a language Ahmad didn’t understand.
Frightened, Ahmad ran for help, but by the time he returned with the site manager and some of the other workers, Rizal was back to his normal self, as if nothing had happened. He didn’t remember a thing.
The manager later revealed that the land on which they were building the commercial complex was once home to a Malay burial ground. The spirits were restless, and several workers had reported similar incidents in the past. Ahmad left the site that night, vowing never to return.
Story 3: The Cursed Tree in Kelantan
Narrator: Siti, 29, from Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia
Background: Siti is a school teacher who lives in Kota Bharu. She is from a traditional Malay family and has grown up hearing stories of the supernatural.
Siti had always been curious about the old tree that stood in the middle of her village. The locals called it “Pokok Hantu” (Ghost Tree), and there were many whispered stories about it. It was said to be cursed, and anyone who went near it would experience strange occurrences. Siti, skeptical of the supernatural, decided to investigate for herself one evening.
One Friday night, Siti took a walk near the tree, determined to debunk the myths. As she approached the tree, she felt a sudden cold breeze that sent shivers down her spine. The air seemed to thicken around her, and she heard the faint sound of whispering voices coming from the branches.
Siti ignored her unease and walked closer to the tree. As she reached out to touch its bark, she felt a sharp tug at her shirt. She turned around, expecting to see someone, but the path was empty.
Suddenly, the whispers grew louder, and Siti felt something grip her arm. It was cold, like the touch of ice. She tried to pull away, but her legs felt like they were rooted to the ground.
In a panic, Siti shouted for help, but no one was around. The more she struggled, the tighter the grip became. The tree seemed to move, its branches swaying unnaturally, as if reaching toward her.
With a final surge of strength, Siti broke free and ran back to the village. The next morning, Siti returned to find the tree, but it was no longer there. In its place was a patch of scorched earth, and the whispers had stopped.
The villagers later confirmed that the tree had been there for generations, but no one knew why it had disappeared. Siti never spoke of the incident again, but she could never forget the cold, unyielding grip of the tree.
Story 4: The Haunted Hotel in Penang
Narrator: Farhan, 50, from George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Background: Farhan is a hotel manager in Penang and has been working in the hospitality industry for over 20 years. He has heard many strange stories from guests but never believed in them until one fateful night.
Farhan had been working the night shift at a historic hotel in George Town, Penang. The hotel was old, with creaky floors and an eerie atmosphere, especially at night. Guests often reported strange noises and sightings of figures in the hallway, but Farhan had always brushed them off as overactive imaginations.
One night, a guest named Mr. Tan checked in. He was an older man, traveling alone for business. Farhan noticed that Mr. Tan seemed uneasy as he checked into his room.
As the night wore on, Farhan was about to close the lobby when he heard a knock on the door. It was Mr. Tan, looking pale and distressed. “I’ve been hearing footsteps outside my door,” he said, his voice trembling. “And the lights keep flickering.”
Farhan tried to reassure him, but when they reached the room, they found the door ajar. Inside, the room was freezing cold, and the lights were indeed flickering. The bed was disheveled, and there were muddy footprints leading to the window.
“I saw a figure by the window,” Mr. Tan whispered. “It was standing there, staring at me.”
Farhan, skeptical as always, told Mr. Tan that it was likely the wind or his imagination. But as he turned to leave the room, he felt something brush against his arm—a cold, clammy sensation. Spinning around, he saw a shadow move quickly across the room, disappearing into the darkness.
The next morning, Mr. Tan checked out early, claiming he couldn’t stay another night. Farhan later found out that the hotel had once been the site of a tragic fire, and several lives had been lost. The spirits of the victims were said to haunt the place, seeking revenge.
Story 5: The Abandoned House in Sabah
Narrator: Jimmy, 40, from Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Background: Jimmy is a local historian and nature enthusiast who frequently explores abandoned places in Sabah, known for its remote wilderness and folklore.
Jimmy had always been intrigued by abandoned houses and the mysteries they held. One evening, he set out to explore an old house on the outskirts of Kota Kinabalu. The house was known to be haunted, but Jimmy, a man of logic, was not easily frightened by such tales.
When he arrived at the house, he found the door slightly ajar. Inside, the air was stale and heavy, the floor covered in dust. As he explored the rooms, he felt an uncomfortable sense of being watched. But it was when he entered the basement that things took a darker turn.
The basement was pitch black, with only the light from his flashlight illuminating the space. As he ventured deeper, he heard faint whispers, like soft voices calling his name. He turned quickly, but no one was there.
Suddenly, a cold wind swept through the basement, and the whispers grew louder, almost deafening. Jimmy felt a sharp pain in his chest, as if something was pressing down on him. He tried to move, but his legs felt weak, as though the very air was draining his strength.
In a panic, Jimmy ran upstairs, but the door slammed shut behind him. He was trapped. For what felt like hours, Jimmy struggled to escape, but the house seemed to resist, its walls closing in on him. Finally, with all his strength, Jimmy broke through the door and ran into the night.
To this day, Jimmy refuses to speak of the experience, but he is certain the house was haunted by vengeful spirits.
