Bekok

Bekok
彼咯
Bekok; 彼咯
Mukim
Country	Malaysia
State	Johor
District	Segamat
Area
• Total	785 km2 (303 sq mi)

Bekok is a mukim in Segamat District, Johor, Malaysia. Bekok is well-known especially among nature lovers since Bekok is the western entrance to Endau Rompin National Park as well as having a refreshing waterfall known as Sungai Bantang Waterfall. Besides the waterfall and also the entrance to the largest state park in Johor, Bekok also houses several aborigine settlements (Perkampungan Orang Asli) like Kampung Kudong and further inside the forest Kampung Kemidak.

During the pre-independence period this small town was a "Black Area" known for strong communist resistance against the British government.

Name

The town's name probably originally arrived from the Hakka dialect word "Mukok", which means "the corner", where the town is in fact a remote town located roughly about 10 km from the junction of the Federal Route 1 and later accessible via railway.

Geology

At an area of 785 km², it is the largest mukim in Segamat District.^[1]

History

The earliest Malay settlement set by the Penghulu (Village Head) was located near the bridge of the Bekok River on the way to Sg. Bantang waterfall, at a junction to Sg. Bekok Estate. It's said the first Penghulu was Sulaiman Bin Ain. He was then succeeded by his son Alam Bin Sulaiman. The name Bekok was said to be taken from the local fauna found called "Burung Punai Bakok [ms]" when he first opened the area. There was once a Penghulu house near the junction of Sg. Bekok Estate with inscription on the concrete apron written "1926" at the entrance. Penghulu Alam died on 14 August 1969 at the age of 89 years. He was then succeeded by his son Ismail Bin Alam. After the demise of Penghulu Ismail on 18 September 2000, the tradition of Penghulu from the same family has been stopped. Now the Penghulu is a position open to all eligible candidate under the Local Johor Government.

Education

Primary school

Sekolah Kebangsaan Seri Bekok
Sekolah Kebangsaan Kampong Kudung
Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Bekok
Sekolah Jenis Kebangsaan (Cina) Bekok

Secondary school

Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Bekok

Tourist attractions

Mini Hakka Museum

Transportation

Bekok is easily accessible via road, specifically State Route J150 which junction is located about 4 km from Chaah via Federal Route 1. Bekok is located roughly about 10 km from the junction.^[2]

Bekok is also accessible via train at the Bekok railway station.