Somewhere on the south-east coast of Pulau Pangkor lies a certain historical monument... The sign-board says it clearly... Kota Belanda or the Dutch Fort...
My dear friend Diamond Archer who likes to pose... Here is a view of the fort from the above sign-board...
I on the other hand prefer this kind of pose... That's me trying to 'stab' the Dutch. Why? Let me continue with the story...
The official story said the Dutch Fort was built sometime ago because the Dutch who came to the Malay Archipelago then were interested in trade especially of tin ore. So this particular fort was built for them to store tin ore... Or is that just it?
Another signboard describing the history of the Dutch Fort further...
It says the fort was built in 1670 AD. Then it was attacked by the Malays who were not happy with the way the Dutch get their tin ore.
The fort was rebuilt in 1743 and was guarded by 60 soldiers, at least that's what it said. Then it was abandoned since 1748 (or was it 1749? Sorry. I can't read the whole writing clearly)...
Whatever, just consider this. Why were the Malays not happy with the Dutch? Is it just about trading or were there other causes? One thing's for sure, history has proved the Dutch who came then were colonialists bent on conquering the Malay lands and taking advantage of the people. In order to do that, they have resorted to every dirty means possible including lying, slandering the locals and making them fight against each other... Go figure!
The fort seen from a different angle. Right down from where I was standing was the remains of an old dungeon. Is that where they kept the tin ore hah?
Another view of the fort. Sorry if I sound like I hated the Dutch, In truth, I hate all colonialists as they have subverted my people and changed the history so much as to make the Malays so lost until now. Enough story-telling. Time for rest. Cheers!
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