Melaka has long been known as a historical city in Malaysia, but a lot has transpired since its glory days. Long before this country achieved its independence, political control over this quiet and poised town shifted among multiple foreign powers, including the Portuguese, Dutch, British and Japanese. While Melaka has evolved into a developed city today, the landscape is still amply dotted with cemeteries and historical buildings – each with a unique story surrounding it.
During my trip to Melaka, I had the rare opportunity to conduct a thorough investigation into the infamous Nam Hoe Villa – a mansion that was built way back in 1927. Despite having been erected 90 years ago, its interior is exceptionally well-preserved although it has been left unoccupied for decades, an incredible occurrence that has left many researchers surprised.
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Stepping into the Nam Hoe Villa will automatically send chills down one’s spine
In my quest to better understand Melaka’s many mysterious perplexities, I met up with Datuk Haji Khamis, the general manager of PERZIM (Melaka Museum Council). He said that Melaka had gained a grim reputation due to a series of bloodcurdling events that had taken place within its borders. As a result, countless colonial artefacts had been left behind and each individual item is believed to be watched over by its very own ‘penunggu’ or spirit caretaker. When handling these artefacts, one is required to treat them with respect so as to not offend their designated guardians as this might result in undesired mishaps. Datuk Haji Khamis strongly supported the notion that those who believe in the existence of gods would accordingly believe in the existence of spirits as well.
While there are many haunting stories of ghost sightings shrouding popular historic landmarks such as The Stadthuys and St. Paul’s Church, the areas outside central Melaka also have their own chilling stories to tell. Having functioned as the centre of trade and commerce during the pre-war period, wealthy millionaires had made this place their home where they lived in extreme abundance. Among the many mansions built here, the Nam Hoe Villa outlived the rest. In the past, it was passed on from one person to another and it has served as a venue for differing purposes, from an adult entertainment venue to a doomed restaurant.
With the assistance of Georgey Tan, a universal master specialising in spiritual healing, I entered the infamous Nam Hoe Villa to uncover the sequence of occurrences that it had undergone since the very day it was built. Georgey’s adept ability to communicate with the spirits contributed significantly to the outcome of the filming. Through him, I learned of the gores and calamities that struck down the previous inhabitants, and we even obtained never-before-seen footage and still images of these entities – something that my team and I had never been able to capture in the past.
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Our cameras were able to capture what is unseen to the naked eye
Taking my first step into Nam Hoe Villa gave me an immediate chill, as though there was a drastic temperature difference separated by just its walls. I slowly learned that manslaughter and merciless killings once took place in this building, including one which involved an entire family. In an effort to introduce harmony into this spiritually tattered space, I decided to play a recording from my guru to bless the beings in the house. To my relief, the spirits communicated to Georgey that they were grateful for the much-needed consolation.
According to Georgey, the numerous wars fought on these grounds had resulted in many unsettled spirits who failed at finding their way to the other side. Through the footage captured that night, we managed to identify several entities – each in a distinct form – to conclude and affirm our investigation of the legendary Nam Hoe Villa.
Spirits have long been thought to be unseen and unperceivable by the human senses, but many investigators, like myself, are now able to successfully document their existence largely thanks to sophisticated technological advancements, such as high resolution cameras. In my opinion, spirits cannot be demanded to manifest themselves to the human eye simply because they do not have a tangible form. Nevertheless, once humans develop a certain level of openness and acceptance towards the spiritual world, we will then be able to sense their presence when we allow our eyes to observe our unbounded surroundings without restriction.
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Bukit China is one massive cemetery located in Malacca, I do hear many Malaccan people they like to visit Bukit China and even take walks around that area.
Malacca was once a major trading and commerce of this part of the world. Naturally Malacca’s prosperity attracted the attention of the Portugese who were a major European power at that time vying for supremacy across land and sea. Then at some point Malacca fell to the Dutch, and subsequently were traded to the British.
This is a very interesting episode, with Mr. Georgey’s help we could know how these unseen beings felt and the reasons they are attached to the place. I am very touch by the part where the host Ms. Li Kim have switch on Rinpoche’s chanting, at the very beginning, Rinpoche explaining to them the reasons they are there, not to harm the beings. Thus, the beings have agreed to be recorded. They are please with Rinpoche’s chanting. Sometimes, i think for 300 years, the unseen beings have suffered pain to stay at the place. Only when Rinpoche’s chanting the Buddha’s mantra and through compassion they are in peace.
Nam Hoe Villa, is actually a very high class place back in 50s. It is a place where many National leaders stayed before and an important historical place. Below are some of the facts on the Villa:-
Nam Hoe Villa, “The Nam Hoe villa is an example of British colonial architecture. It was built in 1927 was opened by Loh Kim Swi.
It was then taken over by another Peranakan community leader, Tay Boon Seng, in the 1950s.
Under Tay’s ownership, the villa became a retreat for first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj when he visited Malacca, where pre-independence meetings were held between him and Chinese community leaders, including MCA founder Tun Tan Cheng Lock.
The villa also hosted foreign dignitaries and federal ministers who visited Malacca post-independence, before it was turned into a popular Peranakan restaurant in the 1970s.
However, it has been abandoned since the 1990s.
Dear Freon,
Thanks for the pictures. Looks like it was a well-known mansion dated back to our first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
The most captivating part was how the spirits can even helped the team to let them captured their “existence” after the prayer played and the team were asked to leave for around 20 to 25 minutes so that they can “do their things”. Thank you so much
Dear All,
Thank you so much for all your comments and feedback. It was indeed an exciting episode. Even though I have hosted this program for 4 seasons, I am still in awe with what I discover. And, even more so when there is interaction with the unseen beings. The experience in Nam Hoe was one of the very good ones, there have been investigations at locations which cannot be captured by cameras. Sometimes even audio cannot pick up the sounds we hear live on site.
With the compassionate and loving blessings of Rinpoche and the also the powerful protection of Dorje Shugden, my team and I have never been harmed in the 4 years filming together. This prayer is played every time before we enter a location or premise. This is the only episode which I have played it again especially for them. Rinpoche is without a doubt powerful fuelled by compassion and kindness.
Check out more articles I have written on my experiences on The Paranormal Zone here on Rinpoche’s blog. Enjoy and may the Paranormal make sense because we have a chance to understand better.
Wow! This is such a good episode. Li Kim : it’s just incredibly creepy and thumbs up to you and the team for such an excellent job bringing what seems unbelievable to be a more tangible level of acceptance. I shared this video with a few friends with a warning : if you are afraid of ghosts – don’t watch it. Kind of a dare as some proclaim there are no such things as ghosts – in which case there should not be fear to watch it.
I like the part where the “unseen” were very happy with HE Tsem Tulku Rinpoche message and in particular the prayers. This only proves the power of prayers and of course an erudite Buddhist Master with only compassion (concerns) for all sentient beings has the power to bring innerpeace to the “unseen”.
Thank you and keep them (the episodes) coming!
Hi Marty,
Thank you for your comment. I think you will like this one
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/paranormal/the-balan-balan.html
Enjoy!
Hi Marty,
I am glad you enjoyed this episode. Thank you for your comment. I think you will like this one too!
https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/paranormal/the-balan-balan.html
Enjoy and let me know what you think.
This episode gave me goosebumps! Have passed this abandoned Nam Hoe villa many times since I was a young child and been curious to see what the interior looks like. The interior is not at all what I expected as I had thought it would be terribly shabby and dirty, given that no one has lived there for as long as I can remember.
What moved me was how the spirits were grateful for the mantra recitation by Tsem Rinpoche that Li Kim played and showed their gratitude by “showing themselves”. This is by far one of the best spirits documentaries I have watched as not only the spirits were captured clearly on camera but there were more than one that can be seen clearly!
Melaka was the hotspot for the spice trade during the era of the Melaka Sultanate and many wars were fought to capture this state. The many lives that were killed during the wars could perhaps be the reason why there are so many haunted places in Melaka. I remember my grandparents telling us how the Japanese used to slaughter the hundreds of people and the places where this happened are still creepy to this day.
Great episode, Li Kim and thank you for reminding us that beings that are unseen can benefit from mantras and prayers.
This article affirms what we Buddhists know exists -the spirit realm. It is great that the paranormal team headed by Phng Li Kim conducted their investigation of the infamous, now abandoned Nam Hoe Villa,in Melaka, with an open mind and in a spirit of kindness and compassion.
The spirits haunting this decades old prewar building are restless and lost souls and the playing of a prayer composed by Tsem Rinpoche for them, brought much needed solace. They communicated their gratitude for it through Georgey,the spirit healer, who had accompanied the paranormal team on their visit and investigation of the Nam Hoe Villa.
Yes, when we encounter these unseen beings with an open mind and create a space of peace and harmony for them, they will respond by allowing their presence to be felt, not in a creepy sense, but in a sense of acknowledging our openness of mind that transcends all barriers.
The pictures looked creepy but that is because of my own perception and expectation that any spirit is scary and out to harm us. This article has put that into perspective and that we have to show respect for everything we encounter when we visit any place especially an old place like Melaka.
Technology has indeed progressed so much that we may one day be able to capture the energy of spirits. But, that day is not yet here although technology can give a better picture of spirit realm compared to previous achievements.
Melaka is one of the oldest towns in Malaysia. Throughout the centuries, its vibrant history has witnessed many past wars, battles and historical events from the invasion of the Portuguese, Dutch, British and even to the regime of the Japanese occupation. .Due to the war there are many haunting stories told as there were many historical mansions been passed down generation to generations. with infamous for its ghostly sighting, regardless of whether or not they make your hair stand on ends.
Nam Hoe Villa in Klebang, Malacca, is the one of the many old mansion.built in 1927.
With spirits or unseen beings caught on camera proven that they do exist but not seen by Paranormal Zone team……thrilling.
Its wondeful the Paranormal Zone team brought along a recording from Rinpoche to bless those haunted spirits Those spirits now are relieved and are free after been stucked long time. .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting post for us .And to the wonderful Paranormal Zone team who risk their safety to successfully documents the existence of those unseen beings.
As also been pointed out by the Melaka Council, foresaken houses built decades ago between the 1950’s and 1970’s still stand out amidst crowded neighbourhoods for their urban legends. Stories have been circulating that these mostly semi-detached houses and bungalows were suspected to being “occupied” by the souls of post owners which revealed the reasons why the buildings had been left abandoned! As said, due to the ” eyesore” reflection which had thus caused a grim reputation to a beautiful and famous historical city like Malacca, the Melaka Historical City Council Mayor, Datuk Zainal Hussin has said that he is very determined to find the owners to spruce up the property whether spooky or not! He and many others also dismissed that it is all coffeeshop talk on the houses been haunted, and he is very determined in wanting to safeguard Malacca’s reputation as a top Tourist Destination in Asia.” Nevertheless, as said by our Tsem Rinpoche that , “spirits cannot be demanded to maniifest themselves to the human eye, simply because they do not have a tangible form.” Thanks to sophisticated technological advancements, such as high resoulution cameras, many investigators are now able to successfully document their existences.”
“Datuk Haji Khamis strongly supported the notion that those who believe in the existence of gods would accordingly believe in the existence of spirits as well.”
From the above statement from Likim’s writing on this article, testifies what our Guru HE the 25th Tsem Rinpoche has always affirmed that beings exist in the spirit realm and as such with His Bodhichitta compassion, Rinpoche recorded a prayer to appease the spirits of Nam Hoe Villa.
When LiKim played the recording of prayers from Rinpoche, the spirits are consoled and at peace and Likim and her crew are protected from harm. When there is harmony in a space by prayers of blessings by a highly attained Guru, the environment is safe both for the seen and unseen.
Melaka had been a town of great wealth and trade since it was founded. Because of its strategic geographical local, the control of Melaka had been fought for and power changed after fights whereby many human beings had suffered untimely and unaccepted death.
As such the spirits roam without any peace to depart for a rebirth. A situation resulting in buildings and places being haunted.
Thank you Likim for this article to impress upon us who are with form to be aware of and respect the formless and unseen and how Rinpoche showed great compassion to give to these unseen beings prayers of consolation. May they one day rest in peace.
“In an effort to introduce harmony into this spiritually tattered space, I decided to play a recording from my guru to bless the beings in the house. To my relief, the spirits communicated to Georgey that they were grateful for the much-needed consolation.”
Wow, imagine just by playing a recording of Rinpoche’s voice can console and give some form of relief to these spirits. It just goes to show how great is Rinpoche’s compassion and who Rinpoche is that they can feel it, sense it and perceive it. This is what is most amazing because it means whatever Rinpoche says has power.
Thank you, Li Kim, for sharing this wonderful chilling experience of yours. Honestly, I cannot see anything that was circled in the image above, it is quite faint. Perhaps the picture needs to be lightened. But I definitely believe what you say, cos even reading your write up her bring an eerie sensation. The spirits must be very lost in that building and stuck relieving their horrible fate. I think only Buddhism teaches us or tells us to have compassion for such being and even when we chant mantras for them, we do it from great compassion and empathy for they are stuck, cold, lonely and in a lot of misery. I think because of this great compassion, hence many spirits are able to be subdued by High Tibetan Masters/Lamas, like how Guru Rinpoche managed to subdue a huge ancient spirit from Persia named Pehar which is now the Tibetan State Protector.
Dear Joy,
I cannot agree with you more that the powers of compassion will always prevail above fear. This has been my attitude as the host of this program which was truly and completely inspired by Rinpoche himself. I will never lose sight of the purpose which is to provide viewers with knowledge so that fear of the unseen is curbed and wisdom stands out.
As you should know, the spirits can and will choose who they appear to AND they will also decide how clearly you see them. In the 4 years I have learnt that one needs to train their eyes to see the spirits clearly as well. So, even if I were to lighten the pictures, one such as yourself still may not see them clearly. But, do try again. Relax your eyes, subdue your expectations and be open. 🙂
Thank you Li Kim for sharing this article about Nam Hoe Villa. There are many unseen beings out there that our bare eyes cannot see but we can feel them. Our Guru, H.E Tsem Rinpoche advice us not to harm the unseen beings but be kind to them because we don’t know how they died. How we can be kind to them is blessing them by chanting mantra. It is a relief to know that the beings in the house are please because Li Kim played a video by H.E. Tsem Rinpoche. May the unseen beings in Nam Hoe Villa will have a good and swift rebirth.
With folded palms,
Vivian
I believe the existence of the unseen beings living in this realm. It is really unfortunate that many of these beings were not able to continue their journey or do not know where to head to upon their death. The investigation in Nam Hoe Villa proven the existence of this unsettled spirit. Thankfully, Li Kim and paranormal team played the recording of Rinpoche to bless the spirits and the house. May the unseen beings have a good rebirth.
It is thrilling to see that Paranormal Zone crew managed to capture never-seen-before footage and still images of the unseen beings residing in Nam Hoe Villa. Being trapped in this space and location for so long must be a suffering ordeal for them. Fortunately, Li Kim generously shared a recording by Rincpohe to bless them. May they having purified their karma, able to take a good rebirth.
History is a compilation of past happenings told in the form of story. The longer the history, the richer the story. It is intriguing to hear these darker stories of Melaka that has become a tourist hot spot in Malaysia.
There is so much that we have become blind and deaf to as we busy ourselves with the yummy food and colorful retail offerings of the town. There is so much more to places and space than meets the eye. Hence, it is good to be aware so that we can be respectful in our actions.
Good behavior is always an effective prevention for potential problems from our lack of understanding!