Laksamana or Admiral Bentan was a fearless warrior that served under Sultan Mahmud Shah II of Johor who resided in the town of Kota Tinggi. Legend has it the brave Laksamana was ordered to put an end to a mounting rebellion in the territory of Haru and Jambi. Although a loyal servant, Laksamana Bentan hesitated because he was worried about leaving his pregnant wife, Wan Anum alone. The Sultan understood Laksamana Bentan’s dilemma and knowing the Laksamana would be risking his life for the royal Sultanate promised to take care of Wan Anum in his absence.

One day, an old man came to the palace with a huge jack fruit from his first harvest. As late would have it the Sultan was out attending to royal duties. Wan Anum, heavy with child saw the jackfruit and desperately craved for it. Unable to suppress her desire, she ate a piece. When the Sultan returned to the palace and learnt of this transgression, he became very angry as it was against custom for a subject to eat before the king.

Wan Anum repeatedly apologised to the Sultan and tried to explain that she would not have eaten the fruit had it not been for the child in her womb that needed it. Overhearing this. Tun Bija Ali, one of the governors in court, who had previously failed to marry Wan Anum advised the Sultan to cut open Wan Anum’s stomach to determine that it was her child that really needed the fruit. So it came to be that Wan Anum was slain on her stomach at the hands of Tun Bija Ali who was assigned to execute the plan.

 When Laksamana Bentan heard of this atrocity, he was filled with fury and plotted revenge. He returned to Kota Tinggi and wreaked havoc in the palace court and eventually killed the Sultan, while he was being carried on the royal palanquin. Before the Sultan died, he flung a keris at Laksamana Bentan’s feet and cursed his next seven descents to emit forth blood and die should they ever come to Kota Tinggi. The locals believe that although the Sultan was clearly in the wrong, his curse should not be taken lightly.

Sultan Mahmud II was laid to rest in Kampung Makam or Tomb Village about 2 kilometers from the Kota Tinggi town centre. The tomb is located within a magnificent complex of beautiful architecture. Nearby Sultan Mahmud’s tomb is the quirky Makam Kucing Bertanduk or Horned Cat’s Tomb, reputedly belonging to Sultan Mahmud’s favourite cat. Visitors to Kota Tinggi can also visit Kota Tinggi Historical Centre to fully appreciate the historical significance of the town as well as the relics that can be found there. For a more relaxed and refreshing outing, visit the Kota Tinggi Waterfalls. Originating from the top of Gunung Panti. the waterfall cascades down the rock face some 34 metres into a small pool below. It is a favourite tourist spot with modern cha lets, camping sites and food stalls. The tomb of Laksamana Bentan is located at Kampung Kelantan in Johor. For more information, please contact the Johor Tourist Information Centre (JOTIC) at 607-224 2000.