PULAU PERAK MYSTERIES EXPLAINED

Pulau Perak (literally "Silver Island") is a remote, uninhabited rock in the Straits of Malacca that serves as the westernmost point of Malaysia. Its "mystery" stems from a combination of its eerie physical appearance, its role in modern aviation enigmas, and its spiritual significance.

Here is why Pulau Perak is often shrouded in mystery:

1. The MH370 Connection

The island became world-famous in 2014 following the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Military radar tracked the aircraft as it made an unexplained "U-turn" over the Malay Peninsula and flew directly over Pulau Perak before disappearing from radar screens for good. This association with one of the greatest aviation mysteries in history has given the island a somber, enigmatic reputation.

2. The "Silver" Illusion

The island is a barren, 100-meter-high sandstone rock with no vegetation. However, it is nicknamed "Silver Island" because, from a distance, it appears to glow with a shimmering white or silvery light.

• The Reality: This "silver" glow is actually caused by centuries of accumulated guano (bird droppings) from the thousands of seabirds that use the island as a sanctuary.
• The Legend: Sailors of old often attributed the glow to supernatural forces or hidden treasures, though the truth is much more biological.

3. A Sacred Reference Point

Despite its desolate nature, Pulau Perak is of immense spiritual importance in Malaysia.

• In 2022, it was officially declared by the Sultan of Kedah as the westernmost reference point for calculating the Islamic calendar (Hijri) for Malaysia.
• Its location makes it the final point in the country to see the sunset, making it vital for determining the start of Ramadan and Eid.

4. An "Underwater Oasis"

While the surface is a "dead" rock, the waters around Pulau Perak are a mysterious "lost world" for divers. Because it is so remote and difficult to reach, its marine life remained largely unstudied for nearly 50 years (from 1958 to 2004).

• Deep Walls: The island’s cliffs drop vertically to a depth of 85 meters into the abyss.
• Unique Species: Researchers have found coral species and Crown-of-Thorns starfish populations there that are genetically distinct from those found anywhere else in Malaysian waters.

Summary Table

Aspect	Detail
Location	~150km off the coast of Kedah, Straits of Malacca.
Appearance	Bare sandstone, steep cliffs, white/silver sheen.
Status	Highly restricted; managed by the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.
Key Mystery	Last known waypoint for flight MH370.

THE MYSTERY OF THE SOLDIERS' DISAPPEARANCE

The disappearance of soldiers on Pulau Perak is one of the most unsettling modern mysteries involving the island. There are actually two separate, tragic incidents that have contributed to its reputation for "swallowing" those stationed there.

The most baffling case occurred in July 2019, involving two soldiers from Sarawak whose disappearance remains unexplained to this day.

1. The 2019 Disappearance (The Most Mysterious)

Two soldiers, Corporal David Edmund Rapi (39) and Lance Corporal Moses Logers (25), were part of a 15-man team stationed on the island for "Op Pejarak."

• The Incident: On the night of July 19, 2019, the group had dinner together at 7:00 PM and returned to their quarters. When a roll call was conducted at 10:00 PM to distribute medicine, both men were missing.
• The "Impossible" Evidence:
• Belongings Left Behind: All their personal gear, including their uniforms and weapons, were found neatly in their rooms.
• Missing Phones: Curiously, only their mobile phones were missing, even though there is no cellular receptionon the island.
• Terrain: The island is a steep, 100-meter-high rock with vertical cliffs. It is physically difficult to "wander off" without falling, yet no bodies were ever found despite extensive air and sea searches by the Navy and Air Force.

Current Status: They were never found. Under Malaysian military law, the families continue to receive their salaries for seven years, after which they may be officially declared deceased.

2. The 2016 Incident

A few years prior, in October 2016, another tragic event occurred involving two other soldiers, Corporal Mohd Faizol Rosli (29) and Corporal Johbartlee Kanil (32).

• The Incident: These two were reported to have fallen into the sea while fetching water.
• The Result: A search and rescue operation was launched immediately. The body of Mohd Faizol was recovered four days later, found floating just 30 meters from the island. However, Johbartlee Kanil was never found, adding another name to the list of the missing.

Why is it so mysterious?

The island’s topography makes these disappearances particularly chilling:

• No Cover: There are no trees or caves to hide in.
• Extreme Isolation: It is 150km from the mainland; swimming away is impossible.
• Vertical Cliffs: Any fall into the water usually leads to immediate recovery of a body or debris due to the way currents hit the rock, yet in the 2019 case, not a single trace was ever found.

These incidents have led to various theories, ranging from accidental falls and shark attacks to more fringe "supernatural" local legends, as the island has long been avoided by local fishermen who consider it a "lonely" and "spirit-heavy" place.

Google Gemini AI

21 January 2026: 11.57 p.m