The Million-Ringgit Rumah Bugis @ Pontian, Johor

Before we heading to Tanjung Piai National Park, there is something one should not miss. At Kampung Sungai Kuali, one will be fascinated with the traditional Bugis house.

The house is not gated. It is named Rumah Seri Salewangeng and belongs to Indok Chichuk Daeng Haddadek, 70 years old.

From outside, it does not look different with other village houses. However, the house weighed more than 100 ton. The pillars that supports the house is pegged 50 meters below the ground which is similar to a concrete building with 3 floors height.

It is built on 4 July 2011 and finished on 11 July 2012. On 31 December 2012, the house is officiated by YAB Dato Seri Dr Md Isa Bin Sabu.

Built with the precious hard diamond wood imported all the way from Jambi and Kalimantan, Indonesia, it costed the family RM2.3 million. 

The diamond wood is valuable because it is hard to find anywhere. Some have to get it deep in the jungle, from the river or lake. Moreover, the construction of the house using diamond wood is not easy as the wood has dense compression and thus very heavy. However, the previous diamond wood can lasts for hundreds years and resistant to termites attack.

According to Abd Hadi, son of  Indok Chichuk Daeng Haddadek, the house is designed and built 80% alike the original house which established at the same spot more than 75 years ago.

"As son, I was trusted to draw the house map according to the design of original Bugis house," said Abd Hadi, the teacher from Sekolah Menengah Teluk Kerang, Pontian.

Even though the Bugis house is not open to public like museum, but the family welcomes any visitor that want to know more about Bugis traditional culture. Abd Hadi said," As Bugis, we are willing to share about our customs and culture such as marriage, food, furniture and Bugis weapon which are kept for over hundred year.




Address:
Hj ambok Ingtang Md Yasin & Hjh Indok Chichuk
No 27 Kampung Sungai Kuali,
82300 Kukup, Pontian Johor.

p/s: special thanks for sahabat media/ Santai Travel Magazine for the invitation