According to village resident oral history, many people were killed in the battle, and their bodies were left to decompose, creating a foul stench.

The second theory connects the name to an incident in which a large number of fish called "karok" died after being poisoned by the villagers.

The dead fish washed up along the river, creating a strong, unpleasant odour, and thus the area came to be known as Tanah Buruk.

[6] Among the earliest settlers in Kampong Penanjong was Muhamad bin Agar, who is believed to have moved to the village at the end of the 19th century.

As the area proved suitable for settlement, the residents gradually made it their home and formed a community.

[5] The village eventually became a settlement when the people from Kuala Parit, Sungai Kelakas, moved to the inland and chose Tanah Buruk as their new home.

The earliest residents of Tanah Buruk were the family of Pengarah Abdul Rahman bin Khatib Muhit, who hailed from Kampong Sungai Kedayan in the Brunei–Muara District.

[8] The institute plays a central role in the training and development of enlisted male and female recruits, as well as offering technical and junior leadership courses for non-commissioned officers.

[9] The base serves as a key military training hub, where TI RBAF conducts around 100 courses annually.

Penanjong Beach is known for water sport activities and view of sunsets over the South China Sea.