The unexpected appearances are really scary. For instance, in the Pontianak story, she can suddenly show up out of nowhere. You might be walking alone at night, and then suddenly, there she is. The element of surprise is what makes it so terrifying.
The idea of being haunted by something that was created through dark magic, like the Toyol, is also very frightening. It's not just a natural spirit but something that humans have created for their own selfish purposes. And it can turn against its owner or cause trouble for innocent people, which is a really disturbing concept.
The scariest element in stories like the Pontianak is her sudden appearance. She can show up out of nowhere, especially in dark and lonely places like forests or abandoned houses. Her vengeful nature also adds to the scariness as she might target anyone she deems has wronged her.
The unknown is a very scary element. For example, in stories about the Pontianak, no one really knows where she will appear next. It could be right behind you in the dark jungle. Just the thought of that unpredictability is terrifying.
You could start by looking for stories that involve the most well - known and feared Malaysian ghosts like the pontianak. Since it has such a fearsome reputation, stories about it are likely to be really scary.
The unknown is the scariest. In these stories, things happen without explanation. Like sudden cold spots or objects moving on their own.
Common elements in Malaysian highway ghost stories include the time of occurrence, which is mostly at night. This is because the darkness creates an atmosphere of mystery and fear. The appearance of a solitary figure, whether it's a woman, an old man or a motorcyclist, is also typical. These figures often seem out of place and act in an unusual manner. For instance, the hitchhiker who disappears suddenly or the old man who vanishes when the driver tries to avoid hitting him. Another element is the feeling of dread that the witnesses experience, which is often accompanied by a strange coldness or an unexplained uneasiness in the car or on the highway.
One common element is the connection to nature. For example, many spirits are associated with specific trees or areas in the forest. Another is the idea of revenge. Often, the ghosts are there to seek revenge for some wrong done to them in their past lives, like the pontianak who might be angry about her death during childbirth.
The story of the haunted school is quite famous. Students and teachers have reported strange lights and ghostly presences in the corridors at night.
The unpredictability in true Filipino ghost stories is quite scary. For example, the White Lady can suddenly appear on a lonely road without any warning. You could be driving along peacefully, and then there she is in your headlights.
The sense of the unknown is really scary. In Japanese ghost stories like those about the Teke Teke, which is a spirit that crawls around on its hands and elbows making a 'teke teke' sound. You don't know when or where it will show up. It creates a feeling of constant unease.
The unknown is the scariest element. In true ghost stories, there are often things that can't be explained by normal means. For example, objects moving on their own. You don't know what force is causing it, and that sense of not knowing is terrifying.