Free and easy: Wild buffaloes grazing on grass at an empty field which previously was a padi farm at Kampung Lukut in Kota Tinggi, Johor. – THOMAS YONG/The Star
KOTA TINGGI: Kampung Lukut, which is just a short drive from Kota Tinggi town, is known for two reasons – P. Ramlee and its large number of wild buffaloes.
It was the location from a scene in one of Tan Sri P. Ramlee’s earliest films, Semerah Padi, shot more than six decades ago.
According to Kota Tinggi tourism information centre operations manager Muhamad Zakirhussin Md Din, Ramlee wanted to shoot a scene for the film in the village back in 1956.
“One of the scenes was actually shot in Kampung Lukut. Ramlee directed and acted in the movie.
“The reason he wanted to shoot the scene at the village was because of its scenic views, with the many padi fields and Gunung Panti in the background,” he said.
Muhamad Zakirhussin, who doubles as a local tour guide, said many villagers were roped in to play farmers in the film.
“Kampung Lukut was abuzz and excited that Ramlee chose the village for Semerah Padi and the grateful villagers held a week-long kenduri just for him.
“Even though it took Ramlee just a day to shoot the scene, its impact and significance are still felt to this day,” he added.
Muhamad Zakirhussin said the other interesting feature in Kampung Lukut was its wild buffaloes.
“The village was founded by people who migrated from Negri Sembilan and Sumatra hundreds of years ago and its fertile land and presence of a stream made it perfect to grow padi.
“But the problem back then was they did not have buffaloes to work in the padi farms, so they brought some buffaloes from Segamat,” he said.
He said although the padi fields had all been taken over for development, the number of wild buffaloes had grown substantially.
“These buffaloes usually come out from Panti Forest in the wee hours or late evening in large numbers just to cover themselves in mud.
“It is so soothing just watching the wild buffaloes grazing in the empty fields,” he said, adding the village was popular among local and foreign tourists for this reason.
Muhamad Zakirhussin said the centre provides tours to see the wild buffaloes and other interesting spots around the district.
Those interested can visit the Kota Tinggi tourism information centre Facebook page or its office located at Jalan Omar in Taman Sri Lalang here.
