Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstra85861922roya).pdf/275

  Meteorite in Malacca Straits.

On the morning of September 11th about 6.15 a.m., as I was lying in a berth on S. S. "Klang" facing the sea I suddenly saw a large ball of light, of dazzling brightness falling from the sky. Almost simultaneously there was a loud report resembling the firing of a large gun, as the meteorite struck the sea.

It could not have been more than 300 feet away.

The master, Captain MacDonald, stated that it would have sunk the ship had it struck her.

This occurrence took place when we were about one hour out of Port Swettenham on the voyage from Singapore.



 "Berkluat"—A Trengganu Custom.

The offence known is "Berkluat" is peculiar to the state of Trengganu alone in British Malaya. Should a man and woman be seen to exchange an affectionate glance, they may thereupon be arrested without warrant, charged with "Berkluat," and sentenced to as much as 3 months imprisonment. The giving of the "glad eye" is therefore a matter of some danger in Trengganu.

The local dignitaries, who are mostly of Arabic extraction are said to be opposed to the abolition of this charge, though it is a fruitful source of blackmail. As most of these magnates possess a plurality of wives, it is rather pedantic on their part to object to a little ogling between couples of humble origin.

Perhaps they have in mind

"Apa guna pasang pelita "Kalau tiada dengan sumbohnya? "Apa guna bermain mata "Jikalau tiada dengan sunggohnya?"

