Pulau Kentut And 8 Other Beautiful Places In Malaysia With Weird Names

Why would anyone name an island after a big fart and a little fart? Legend has it that the island got its name from an incident that happened during the wedding ceremony of Gunung Mat Cincang's daughter and the son of Gunung Raya in Langkawi. The family of the bride had apparently served half-cooked rice to the groom, who had farted twice after consuming it. 

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The name Gunung Besar makes perfect sense as the mountain stands at 1,462 metres above the sea level, making it the highest mountain in Negeri Sembilan, but nothing explains why they added the hantu (ghost) part.

The trek up the mountain takes about six hours from the trail head in Kampung Chenah in Kuala Klawang, Jelebu. Trekkers say that the mountain's diverse range of biodiversity makes it a sight to behold! Gunung Besar Hantu is also home to Lata Kijang Waterfalls, one the highest waterfalls in Peninsular Malaysia, which is at the base of the mountain.

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Mention the word 'babi' (pig) and the last thing you would think of is probably a beautiful island set in pristine blue waters.

Located nine nautical miles off the coast of Mersing in Johor, the island that was once used as a Vietnamese refugee transit camp, is now a gazetted as a marine park by the Malaysian government. The word babi was dropped from the name of the island a few decades ago and it is now known as Pulau Tengah.

Now known as Pulau Besar, the island was previously referred to as Pulau Babi Besar due to the wild boars that roamed the island before it was commercialised.

There are six villages in the island - Atap Zing Village, Batu Hitam Village, Busong Village, Teluk Bakau Village, Teluk Kampa Village, and Teluk Penagat Village - populated with only around 100 fishermen and their families. 

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The word 'timba' refers to water dippers used to scoop water from wells. 

We're not too sure how the name came about, but it is certainly one of the most beautiful islands in Semporna, Sabah. Known to be a snorkeler's paradise, the dazzling blue waters of this island are filled with unique coral beds and rock formations. If you're lucky, you may see the blue-spotted stingray.

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Yup, Pulau Bum Bum sounds like a made-up name your three-year-old nephew came up with, but it's for real. The island is situated about one kilometre east of Semporna town and is mainly inhabited by the Bajau Laut people, who are usually referred to as 'sea gypsies'.

They live in stilt water villages and fishing is their main source of income. The Bajaus are known for their excellent diving skills, with some being able to dive for 20 metres deep while holding their breath for more than five minutes on end!

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This "idiotic river" is perhaps one of the most beautiful rivers in the country. Located about 100 kilometres from Kuala Terengganu, the gorgeous emerald green river is part of the Chemerong, Berembun, and Langsir (CBL) hiking trail in Terengganu. 

It takes about two days to get to Sungai Bangang. The trek usually starts from the Chemerong Recreational Forest in Dungun, and then to Puncak Chemerong, and Puncak Berembun. Once there, hikers would usually spend the night at the peak of the Langsir Waterfall to wake up to a beautiful sunrise the next day.

Sungai Bangang is about three hours down from the peak of Langsir Waterfall.  

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Pom Pom island is one of the six islands located northeast of Semporna that's an important nesting and feeding site for Hawksbill and Green Sea turtles.

The island is only 2.3 kilometres in circumference but is home to more than 220 species of fish and other exotic marine life. 

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Susu Dara (Virgin Milk)? This one takes the cake.

Little is known about the origins of the island's name but we do know that there are two small inhabited islands under the Susu Dara cluster, Pulau Susu Dara Besar and Pulau Susu Dara Kecil, located close to Pulau Perhentian in Terengganu. 

Visitors would usually stay on Pulau Perhentian and go for snorkelling trips to the Susu Dara islands. 

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