Mystery incidents in a Malacca village.
Poltergeist or pranksters?
Malacca, Thurs. – Weird happenings were reported to have taken place last week at Kampong Bandar Hilir, in the heart of Malacca Town. Two adjoining houses occupied by an Indian and a Eurasian family have been the target of stone-throwing believed by some to be the work of a poltergeist. Kampong residents told the Straits Times today that except for Tuesday night, stones had been falling on the roofs and into the compounds of the two houses every night. Some stones were the size of tennis balls. Last night, six stones fell from apparently nowhere although several people were around.
The tenants of the two houses pooh-poohed the suggestion that the incident was connected with the supernatural. They contended that it was the work of pranksters. Others living in the area, however, were not so sure. Some kept watch outside their homes until morning and others patrolled the vicinity of the two houses. Mr Alfonso de Costa, who lives in the area, said today that before the stones fell eerie howls were heard. He added that he and others last night chased a dog running past them and it vanished into thin air. Marks left on the sand were not those of a dog, he said.
A police constable had been detailed to keep an eye on the area following a report of a fight between two youths.
The Straits Times, 7th August 1959.
Man who stopped train to tackle a ‘ghost’.
Malacca, Fri. – A man said to possess supernatural powers will try on Sunday to get rid of the poltergeist believed to be behind the series of stone-throwing incidents at Kampong Banda Hilir here. The man, known here as Mat Kramat, is now in Pahang. His adopted son, whose house was among several pelted with stones, has sent an urgent request to Mat Kramat to return.
Mat Kramat, aged 65, is never seen without a red fez on his head. The people of Malacca regard him as a super-bomoh and has absolute faith in his powers. According to a local legend, Mat Kramat stopped a train in its tracks and immobilised several buses some years ago when conductors had the audacity to ask him for fares. It is said that when Mat Kramat got down from the train, it mysteriously had engine trouble. The buses were similarly affected. The train and buses ran again after due apologies were tendered to Mat Kramat.
Residents of Kampong Banda Hilir said today: “The poltergeist’s days are numbered… This sort of lark is child’s play to Mat Kramat.” Last night, many people turned up at the kampong to see the playful poltergeist at his tricks. They were disappointed. Only two stones fell on the zinc roof of one of the houses.
The Straits Times, 8th August 1959.