SHAH ALAM – Late-night knocking on doors with no visible source, no CCTV evidence and a wave of social media theories have left Malaysians unsettled, caught between fear, folklore and possible rational explanations.
While some dismiss the incidents as coordinated pranks or online hoaxes, others who claim to have experienced them say the disturbances feel real and unsettling.
The knocking reportedly occurs late at night and is often described as sudden and rhythmic, with no clear sign of who or what caused it.
What adds to the unease is the absence of any trace or witness despite repeated occurrences.
Similar incidents have been reported over the years, with residents saying the issue resurfaces from time to time, fuelling ongoing speculation.
Islamic and alternative medicine practitioner Ustaz Azmi Awang said such incidents are not uncommon.
“Based on my experience as an Islamic medical practitioner, this door-knocking incident actually happens quite often, whether it goes viral or not,” he told Sinar Daily.
His remarks come as the issue continues to circulate widely on social media, where residents have begun sharing their own experiences and theories.
On social media, the conversation has been shaped as much by personal testimony as by speculation.
One Threads user, @yattahmadofficial said that she experienced knocking three times after Maghrib, along with a foul smell.
Another user, @nurulejannah from Puncak Alam said she had lived there for three years and experienced the knocking for the first time recently, despite residing on an upper floor.
Among the most widely discussed explanations online is the idea that the knocking may be linked to supernatural interference – or individuals “testing” spiritual abilities in certain areas.
Azmi said such occurrences can sometimes be associated with disturbances believed to involve unseen beings, particularly when they happen at night and no one is found outside despite repeated knocks.
“It cannot be denied that such practices still occur among some people, whether to test their knowledge or due to disturbances originating in the area itself,” he said.
However, he cautioned against overstating such explanations, stressing they should not be seen as definitive.
“There is no need to believe or focus too much on such views, as they are merely traditional beliefs,” he added.
He said while such interpretations exist, they are not necessarily the main cause of the incidents.
In other words, while he does not fully dismiss the supernatural, he also does not treat it as certain, which is important in a situation where uncertainty is already fueling public fear.
Azmi also warned that if such disturbances are real in nature, certain groups may be more psychologically or emotionally affected.
“There is a risk if there are babies, children, or sick individuals in the house, as such disturbances tend to target those who are more vulnerable or weak in spirit,” he said.
Amid growing concern, he advised residents to focus on protective and preventive practices grounded in Islamic observance, including maintaining daily prayers, reciting the Quran regularly, calling the azan at home and keeping both personal and household cleanliness.
“Additionally, seek help from an Islamic medical practitioner to handle such cases,” he said.
Similar incidents have surfaced periodically in residential areas beyond Puncak Alam, including Sabak Bernam, Hulu Langat and Lipis, often spreading through neighbourhood WhatsApp groups and social media platforms.
As reports and theories continue to circulate online, the source of the disturbances remains unclear, with residents still divided between scepticism, personal experience and speculation.