The Adventures of
The Singing
Sea Captain



In the early days, Malay seafarers
were renowned for their adventures on
the high seas. Great sailors, these virile
young men sailed through uncharted
territories to build their empires. One
such man was Nakhoda Ragam, a
nakhoda or sea captain famed for his sea
exploits around the Malay Archipelago.
Well-known for his musical abilities
Nakhoda Ragam was often seen playing
his set of musical instruments on his ship
hence the nickname ‘Singing Captain’.
It is believed Nakhoda Ragam was
the first person to give Penang its name
while trading in the Straits of Malacca
from Lingga to Kedah. As there was
no higher or larger isolated island in
his travels, he named it Pulau ke Satu,
directly translated as Single Island. He
also gave names to other bays, rivers
and points on the island. Once, at the
southwestern end of the island, his kendi
or water-pot fell into the sea and was
immediately transformed into an island
by a genie, which is now known as Pulau
Kendi. On leaving Pulau
Kendi,




Nakhoda Ragam
pulled into a bay
on the southern
coastline of
Penang.
At the mouth of the river that flows
into the bay, he released a tame bird
called Bayan, which led to the origins of
Bayan Lepas. Similarly, while passing
Pulau Betong on the western coast of
Penang, he encountered a heavy gale. At
one point, the storm grew fiercer and his
wife’s face turned place with fear. From
then on the place was referred to as Pucat
Muka, which means ‘pale faced’.
Today visitors can visit the places
Nakhoda Ragam named as he travelled
around Penang. Pulau Kendi is a beautiful
uninhabited island famous for its pristine
natural surroundings. Bayan Lepas has
emerged as a successful and thriving
industrial town in Penang. Nevertheless,
hidden within Bayan Lepas is Pantai
Jerejak a beautiful stretch of beach
along the fairly new highway known as
Lebuhraya Kampung Jawa. Here visitors
can enjoy shady trees, powdery white
sand and a view of Penang Bridge, one of
the longest bridges in the world. As for
Pulau Betong, it is a quaint fishing village
that should not be missed.
Penang at dawn
Nakhoda Ragam freeing the Bayan bird