Orang Minyak: The Oily Man
The Terror of the Kampong
The Orang Minyak ("Oily Man") is not a ghost from ancient history. He is a modern urban legend in Malaysia, Indonesia, and Singapore. He is a human sorcerer—a man who has used black magic to gain supernatural abilities. To complete the ritual, he covers his naked body in a special black oil (sometimes said to be mixed with the grease of murder victims or aborted fetuses).
The Slippery Thief
The oil gives him three powers:
- Stealth: He blends into the shadows, invisible in the dark.
- Agility: He can climb walls like a gecko and squeeze through tiny windows.
- Elusiveness: He is physically impossible to catch. He slides out of handcuffs, ropes, and tackles. He is slippery as an eel.
The Motive
He strikes at night. Sometimes he steals valuables (money, jewelry). But more often, his motive is lust. The Orang Minyak is a sexual predator who targets dormitories and bedrooms of young women. Some legends say he must rape a certain number of virgins to maintain his immortality or magical power.
The Weakness
Bullets and knives slide off his oily skin. Police patrols are often useless. His only weakness is Batik. Folklore states that if you cover your left thumb with a batik cloth and bite it, or throw a batik sarong (specifically "bitten by the left teeth") over him, the magic oil dissolves. He becomes just a naked, pathetic man, ready to be beaten by the village mob.
The Final Warning
If you live in the kampong and smell rancid grease in your bedroom, do not check the kitchen. Someone is watching you sleep, so lock the window.
