A heartfelt thank you to Miyana Rastam for organising this truly memorable tour for us. A total of 23 MCG Explorer members and 6 guests (29 in total) boarded the chartered bus—first at Bangsar and then at Avenue K—before embarking on a 45-minute journey to Sentosa in Janda Baik, safely chauffeured by Mr. Selvam. Our sincere appreciation also goes to Afiqah, who admirably stepped into her role as our tour guide for both legs of the trip—a legal requirement for chartered buses. Special thanks to Dana Newberry as well, for managing attendance and overseeing the collection.
This delightful tour and lunch package was arranged at RM160 per person (not including tips), inclusive of transport. Our guided exploration of Sentosa began at 10 a.m. and concluded at 2 p.m., after which we boarded the bus for our return journey.
Upon arrival at the Café Sentosa, Miyana introduced us to the gracious host, Omar, and his charming daughter Merissa, who gave us the warmest of welcomes. Omar’s passion for his heritage, customs, and faith was palpable throughout his narration. His knowledge and deep reverence for nature, biodiversity, and the delicate balance of life were both inspiring and enlightening. With a philosophical air, he shared stories of remarkable historical significance, woven seamlessly into the tapestry of his family history.
The Sentosa estate, whose name fittingly means “Peace and Tranquillity,” is a four-acre sanctuary lovingly cultivated over decades. Omar’s father, Tan Sri Kamarul Ariffin Mohamed Yassin, acquired the land in the 1960s. His mother, Frances, was the visionary behind its lush, landscaped beauty—designing ponds and planting a diverse array of flora that now includes fruit trees, flowering plants, and serene water features. The estate boasts six traditional houses, a meandering stream, several ponds.
Two of the houses—over a century old—were originally located in Kerdau, Pahang, and Kota Baharu, Kelantan. They were meticulously dismantled and reconstructed on the estate by skilled local craftsmen, following Malay customs, or adat istiadat, particularly in the ritualistic placement of the main structural pillar.
Omar guided us through some of the homes on the property of which 3 were traditional kampung houses build entirely of wood. Our first stop was the main house or ‘ Rumah Sentosa’ a brick house with Malay styled architecture, decorated with intricate Malay wood carvings. It came with a jacuzzi and a swimming pool.
The 3 traditional kampung houses were called ‘The Grandfather’s Gallery’, ‘The Islamic Gallery’, and finally, the vibrant Bilah and Pamor – Blades of Heritage exhibition, housed in a beautifully restored green and white residence known as the ‘The White Gallery’.
Each gallery is a treasure trove of artefacts—many ancient, all priceless—collected over decades by Kamarul and Frances and their children. The Islamic Gallery dazzled with intricate carvings that transported us through time and across cultures, rich in history and narrative.
Grandfather’s Gallery, which was once Omar’s family home in Kerdau. It was carefully dismantled and rebuilt in 2005, in order to preserve the family’s heritage. Stepping inside felt like stepping back in time. The space was filled with all kinds of everyday items – old gardening tools, fishing gear, kitchen utensils, furniture, and plenty of charming odds and ends that were lovingly rescued from the original house, which dated back to around 1895–1905 before being abandoned in 1972.
The White Gallery – a beautifully restored house from Kelantan that was reconstructed in the 1990s housed ‘The Bilah and Pamor’ – Blades of Heritage exhibition. The exhibition revealed the history of the region and the influence of colonialism. Our morning concluded with a delicious buffet lunch at the Rasa Sentosa Café—a fitting end to a day filled with beauty, culture, and heartfelt storytelling.
We all felt deeply grateful and humbled, knowing that something so rare, delicate, and valuable was being lovingly protected and preserved by Omar and his family. Their quiet dedication and care gave us a sense of reassurance, as if a treasured part of our shared heritage was in the safest possible hands.”
Review with many thanks to Santhi Nair-Moine.
Address : Sentosa Janda Baik, 121 & 260 KG Sum Sum Hulu, Bentong, Pahang. https://sentosajandabaik.com/
On Google maps https://maps.app.goo.gl/g3Ds12VoYXvvis7WA
