For kids, Halloween is about wearing a costume and walking around the neighbourhood with family and friends for candies. However, adults can also have their fair share of fun by visiting some of the most haunted places in KL that are known to have paranormal activities. Here are our definitive list.
By Khalil Adis & Nurul Rustam
It’s not everyday we get to cover a Halloween story for our readers. So when we were given this spine-tingling assignment, we were both spooked and decided it was best not to go alone. So armed with kaffir lime for protection, a dose of gumption and plenty of chutzpah, we went on site to explore some of the most haunted places in KL and Greater KL. These are among some of its most haunted places.
#1 Mimaland Theme Park
Mimaland Theme Park used to be the Sunway Lagoon of its day until a tragic accident involving a Singaporean forced the theme park to close in the 1990s. The theme park has since been abandoned with no visible plans to redevelop the site. In fact, during our trip there, we noticed that the theme park has been boarded up. The only visible remains are the dinosaurs and slides as a reminder of its glorious past. Be careful though when entering the site. The roads are extremely difficult to manoeuvre and wild dogs roam the area.
Driving up here was like a scene in a horror flick except that we were both the unwilling co-stars! The long and winding road up a hill to the theme park was filled with rocks and potholes. Surrounded by thick forest with no lightings to speak of, we can only imagine how eerie and dark it must be at night. As we drove up the hill, we stumbled upon an old man living nearby. Wanting to find out more about the history of the area, we approached him for answers. Spotting a sickle, he was unfriendly and monosyllabic in his response. Somehow, his sickle reminded us of a scene in the horror film ‘Friday the 13th’. We promptly said thank you and made a dash, pronto!
#2 Victoria Institution
Established in the 1893, Victoria Institution or also known as VI amongst its students, is one of the oldest school in Kuala Lumpur. This makes it one of the hottest spots for extensive lists of paranormal activities. Formerly a Japanese military base camp during World War 2, there have been many stories about the underground torture chambers and the many deaths that occurred here. Students had often encountered many spooky experiences in the school compound. Among some of the paranormal activities reported were the sound of marching soldiers, believed to be from the Japanese army and spirit possessions that some students had encountered.
#3 Bukit Tunku
Located on top of the hill in Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Tunku is known as a residential area for the elites in Malaysia. However, this exclusive enclave has also built up a reputation as one of KL’s most haunted areas. Similar to Mimaland Theme Park, driving up here can be an eerie experience especially at night as the area is very quiet. According to reports, some motorists had encountered a ‘motorcyclist’ at night who would then mysteriously disappear. Some have also reported eerie noises when night falls while some have had the unfortunate experience of stumbling upon a ‘pontianak’ roaming around the area. There’s more. If you drive around the Bukit Tunku area and are diligent enough, you will spot this abandoned colonial mansion. The mansion is said to be haunted as one of its resident had committed suicide and is believed to still be haunting the house today. Residents have also reported the scent of a mysterious fragrance that seems to be coming out of nowhere. This is one place you do not want to be spotted wandering around alone at night.
#4 Highland Towers
Highland Towers was a condominium development among the rich until a major landslide struck in 1993 causing one of the towers to collapse. 48 people perished in that unfortunate incident. The area has since fallen into a state of neglect with two of its towers still standing and very much vandalised. Due to the high number of deaths, residents and paranormal seekers have sworn that Highland Towers is haunted. In fact, there have been reported paranormal incidents involving unexplained screaming, crying and horrifying laughing. The state of disarray has made it a haunt among drug addicts, criminals and thrill seekers. Just last April, three criminals were shot dead by the police adding to the death toll at Highland Towers. Not for the faint hearted!
#5 Plaza 63
Located off the Sungai Besi Highway, Plaza 63 is mostly abandoned save for a nightclub that still thrives in this commercial building. Those who have been at the nightclub claim that the place is haunted while the security guards swear they have seen unexplained entities roaming around in the dead of night. Plaza 63 does give us the chills during our recent visit. The entire building is dark, save for a bright red altar with joss sticks on the ground floor. There is a strange vibe here when night falls that made the hair on the back of our necks stand. Needless to say, we quickly made a dash after taking photos at this dilapidated building. We wonder who patronises the nightclub.
