As dusk creeps over the horizon, the sea breeze carries the scent of salt, blending with the gentle sound of the waves. This island, seemingly peaceful from a distance with its lush trees and white sandy beaches, harbors an eerie silence unlike any other in the Thousand Islands. The moment your feet touch the ground, an unsettling sensation takes over, as if unseen eyes are watching, sending shivers down your spine for no apparent reason.
Officially renamed in 1973 during a visit by Jakarta’s Governor Ali Sadikin, this island was envisioned as the administrative hub of the Thousand Islands Regency. Government offices, a police station, a military post, and even a prosecutor’s office were planned. However, these grand plans stalled due to land ownership disputes—as if an unseen force resisted turning this island into a center of human activity.
On the western side of the island, a public cemetery serves as the final resting place for residents of nearby islands. But it’s not just an ordinary graveyard—some graves are unmarked, their identities lost to time. Legends say they belong to figures whose stories were buried with them. Even more chilling, rumors suggest the island was once an execution site for high-profile drug traffickers, thickening the island’s air with the weight of death.
To the east, a beautiful white sandy beach known as Cikanya or Pantai Cinta attracts visitors. However, those sensitive to the unseen often report an unusual atmosphere. Whispers in the wind, shadowy figures flitting between trees, and sudden bursts of the unmistakable scent of jasmine—without any apparent source.
Not far from this beach, within the cemetery grounds, stands an ancient tree. Though stripped of its leaves and seemingly lifeless, it remains mysteriously alive, as if defying time itself.
Many claim to have encountered strange occurrences on the island. A government employee who once stayed overnight in the regional administration’s guesthouse shared a terrifying experience. That night, he felt an unseen presence watching from the corner of the room. Moments later, a large dark figure appeared before him, nearly causing him to pass out. Shaken, he left the island the next morning and never returned.
It wasn’t just one or two people. Even officials from the Ministry of Religious Affairs have reported eerie disturbances. A police officer stationed on the island once woke up shivering on the beach, with no memory of how he got there.
A local community leader from a nearby island believes the island holds remnants of old Chinese traders. He once saw a vision of a beautiful woman in traditional Chinese attire walking along the shore. Some claim the island still holds artifacts—ceramics and ancient relics—left behind by these traders. Several residents have found such items, suggesting the tales may not be mere myths.
Even the writer of this article experienced something peculiar. In the sweltering heat of midday, an icy chill suddenly filled the air, accompanied by an overwhelming scent of jasmine. Strangely, none of the companions present noticed it. The sensation lingered for a few minutes before dissipating with the passing sea breeze.
