Gold mining vs. tin mining vs. iron mining
The Raub Australian Gold Mine operated in Raub while tin mining was operated by the British in Sg Lembing. Raub was producing much of Malaya's gold, that it was more appropriate to call it El Dorado. Sg Lembing was also nicknamed El Dorado because of the immense wealth it brought to its associated communities.
Two big iron deposits in Malaya were Bukit Besi in Terengganu and Bukit Besi in Kuala Krai, Kelantan.
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Sg Lembing Underground Tin Mine
Lombong Bijih Timah Bawah Tanah, Sg Lembing
(Tai Pei Tong)
Sg Lembing was once the richest tin mining town in Pahang Darul Makmur. This was because the area was the second richest tin deposit in the world after Bolivia.
Sg Lembing's mining shafts and subterranean tunnels which reached a depth of between 450 to 650 metres were said to be the deepest in Southeast Asia. The history of modern Pahang, which began with the British colonisation, is linked to the development of Sg Lembing.
Sultan Ahmad Al-Muadzam Shah Ibni Al-Marhum Bendahara Sri Maharaja Tun Ali (23 May 1836 – 9 May 1914) was the sixth Raja Bendahara of Pahang and the founder and first modern Sultan of Pahang.[1] Commonly known as Wan Ahmad before his accession, he seized the throne in 1863 after having defeated his elder brother Tun Mutahir in the Pahang Civil War, assuming the title Sri Paduka Dato' Bendahara Siwa Raja Tun Ahmad. In the early years of his reign, Pahang descended into turmoil, with various attempts made by the surviving sons of the late Tun Mutahir, based in Selangor, to overthrow him. This led to Pahang's decisive involvement in the Selangor Civil War that successfully brought it to a conclusive end.The successive wars that ravaged the land had led to the rise of dissension among the ruling class and territorial chiefs who were thenceforth divided into factions. In 1881, prompted by his dwindling authority both within Pahang and among his counterparts in the western Malay states, Ahmad took upon the title of Sultan Ahmad al-Muadzam Shah and formally proclaimed as Sultan by his chiefs two years later. The event marked the revival of Pahang as a Sultanate after more than two centuries of union with the crown of Johor.[2] Ahmad gained formal recognition from the British Straits Settlements government in 1887, in return for signing a treaty with the British which compelled him to accept a British Agent in his court.During his reign, Pahang politics came under the purview of the British government. Increasing pressure was exerted upon the Sultan by the residing British Agent to administer the state according to the British ideals of just rule and modernisation. This had effectively plunged the state into a seething cauldron of discontent with clashes between traditional chiefs and the British. The British ultimately compelled Ahmad to put his state under the British protectorate in 1888 and John Pickersgill Rodger was appointed Pahang's first Resident. The work of building up a State administration began with the creation of the Supreme Court, a police force and a State Council. In 1895, the Sultan entered into a Treaty of Federation to form the Federated Malay States. Ahmad transferred his executive and administrative powers to his eldest son Tengku Long Mahmud, due to old age in 1909, retaining his position and titles as Head of State until his death in 1914.
Chinese tin mining in Sg Lembing 1886-1888
The Chinese miners were the first to mine tin ore in Sg Lembing. They started mining on small scale since 1886. This then gave way to the British miners.
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British tin mining exploration in Sg Lembing 1888-1986
The British began exploring the area in earnest in February 1888 when the then Sultan of Pahang, Almarhum Sultan Ahmad Muazzam Shah I agreed to a proposal by a London-based mining concern to set up the Pahang Corporation Limited (PCL) to commercially mine tin in Sg Lembing. The Company was given a 100-year concession in an area 2,500 acres (1,000 hectares) wide for a nominal sum of one cent per annum.
Sg Lembing was also the first town in the Malay States to be placed under the purview of a British mining company, the PCL. In 1915, the mining concession was taken over by the Pahang Consolidated Company Limited (PCCL), which in 1984 was changed to the Pahang Investment Public Limited Company (PIPLC).
Rocks containing tin ore were crushed inside the caves and tunnels in Sg Lembing. These were then placed in wooden barrels on trains and brought to the nearest river port on Sg Kenau. They were milled and then transported down the river to ships in the harbour at Kuantan. These ships shipped tin ore to Britain.
In its 100 years of mining the Sg Lembing mines produced approximately 13 million tonnes of ore that was able to produce 150,000 metric tonnes of pure tin valued at $2 billion. The mining activity contributed significantly to the local inhabitants and economy of the state.
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Visit to Sg Lembing Tin Mine 9 Sept 2015
I visited the Sg Lembing tin mine after the ICOMMM2015 international conference organised by UIA. We took the UIA bus to the tin mine. It was a hazy morning.
I didn't like the visit because the tunnels were dark and smelly, quite dangerous as the ground was wet and slippery in several areas. Claustrophobia was a problem. I liked the adventure but would have enjoyed it more if I was a lot younger or a teenager.
The tunnels leading inside the mine were safe and secured with cement walls, steel beams and cables etc, just as for bridges. The engineering feat is great and should be applauded. Ventilation was sufficient and was provided by natural air holes and those built by the British engineers back then. Large fans have been put in place, but adjusting to tunnel or cave environment raised anxiety.
There were no food stalls on the grounds of the tin mine. We brought our own water bottles and buns, which we ate on the bus on the way home. I thank UIA for making this trip possible.
UIA bus pick-up point for Sg Lembing tin mine visit
Muzium Sg Lembing up on the hilltop.
Close-up of Muzium Sg Lembing
Tourism Malaysia plaque of Sg Lembing history and tin mine
Former house of the General Manager, PCL (later renovated). 2015
Archway to the Sg Lembing tin mine. All vehicles must park outside in the big loose gravel parking lot. No vehicles are allowed on the grounds of the tin mine. Visitors have to walk in and purchase their tickets at the small building on the right just after the arch.
Welcome board and history of Sg Lembing tin mine
Unnamed mine entrance
Wilinks Mine entrance, which remained opened during the 1926 great flood
Tour guides drive this open rusty metal train with metal seats and take visitors into the tunnels of the mine. Each tour is about 30 minutes.
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The Great Flood of 1926
Banjir Besar di Sg Lembing 1926
Sg Lembing, Raub and Kuala Lipis are prone to flooding.
Disaster struck in December 1926 when the entire Sg Lembing town was submerged by one of the worst floods in Pahang's history. Food stocks were destroyed. Homes, hospital and schools were submerged, with plantations covered in 3 feet of mud. All communication lines with Kuantan were destroyed.
Food rationing began, and the town lived under seige-like conditions for 2 months.
All mines, except the principal Willinks mine, were abandoned due to flooding and the mining ceased for 3 months. Life only returned to normal 4 months after the flood had subsided.
However, the PCCL suffered £53,176 (RM265,880) in repair cost and £60,000 (RM300,000) in loss of profits. In those days, such losses usually meant the end, but, the PCCL soldiered on before it finally closed down in 1986 due to high operating cost, falling tin output and fall in tin prices.
External links
https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/ehs2.1248
Winstedt, R. (1927). The Great Flood, 1926. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 5(2 (100)), 295-309. Retrieved from http://www.jstor.org/stable/24249117
https://www.jstor.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Ni%C3%B1o%E2%80%93Southern_Oscillation
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Price of Tin
The price of tin was $474 per picul.
Source: Singapore Standard, 28 November 1951
Rubber and tin prices rose appreciably yesterday, rubber by 3 cents per lb and tin by $3 per picul.
Source: Singapore Standard, 5 July 1956
[One pound sterling equals RM5.33 (5 Feb 2019)].
Newspaper
Food control at Raub
Disastrous floods in Pahang. Havoc in tin mining area.
External links
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/community/2014/03/17/tunnels-from-a-glorious-past-sungai-lembings-evolution-from-a-tinmining-hub-to-a-tourist-destination/
http://www.jmm.gov.my/ms/muzium/muzium-sungai-lembing
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2012/01/14/sg-lembing-cut-off-by-flood/
https://www.eztakaful.com.my/permata-tersembunyi-di-sg-lembing-kuantan-bahagian-3/
https://www.bharian.com.my/node/75274
http://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/sungai-lembing-bandar-mati-hidup-semula-bahagian-1-114659
http://www.astroawani.com/foto-malaysia/sungai-lembing-mati-hidup-semula-3957/sungai-lembing-001-40545
https://www.timothytye.com/malaysia/pahang/sungai-lembing.htm
https://www.facebook.com/pg/eldoradoinnsungailembing/photos/?tab=album&album_id=375414565897289
http://www.journeymalaysia.com/MC_sungeilembing.htm
https://emilayusof.com/2013/02/sungai-lembing-museum-kuantan-pahang/
https://thriftytraveller.wordpress.com/tag/tin-museum/
http://myredfingger.blogspot.com/2010/10/ada-apa-di-sungai-lembing-pahang.html
http://explorasa.my/2016/09/tempat-menarik-di-sungai-lembing-pahang/
http://www.suanie.net/2016/08/sungai-lembing-pahang/
http://www.suanie.net/2017/01/watch-shop-sungai-lembing/
https://redirecting.wordpress.com/2016/01/19/sungai-lembing-pahang/
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Sg Lembing Police Station
The old Sg Lembing Police Station was built in the 1960s. It is now defunct and has been given Warisan status.
My ex-classmate's parents had lived in Sg Lembing when her father was a policeman and posted to Sg Lembing Police Station. The family had lived in the police quarters.
The following photos are by Fatimah Mohamad. She, her 2 sisters and their mother visited Sg Lembing Police Station in early 2019.
Housing quarters for policemen's families.
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Hospitals in Pahang
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_hospitals_in_Malaysia#Pahang
- Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA)
- Hospital Pekan - in Pekan
- Hospital Kuala Lipis - in Kuala Lipis
- Hospital Raub - in Raub
- Hospital Bentong - in Bentong
- Hospital Jerantut - in Jerantut
- Hospital Jengka - at Bandar Tun Razak Jengka
- Hospital Muadzam Shah - at Bandar Muadzam Shah
- Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (HOSHAS, formerly Hospital Termerloh), Temerloh - est. 2005, 498 beds, RM480 million, http://hoshas.moh.gov.my/hoshasv4/
- Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom (formerly Hospital Cameron Highlands) - at Tanah Rata
- Hospital Rompin - in Rompin
- Hospital Bera (new) - due 2019, previously RM88mil but delayed & re-cost RM121mil
Four early Malay doctors served in Pekan & Kuantan, Pahang. They were Dr Pandak Ahmad bin Alang Sidin, Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos, Dr Mohamed Said bin Mohamed and Dr Mohamed bin Taib (dentist). They were also royal doctors who attended to the Sultan's family.
In Pahang, Dr Che Lah had lived close to the Pahang Mentri Besar's residence.
External link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Menteris_Besar_of_Pahang
Dr Che Lah was awarded the Meritorious Medal Award by Sultan Sir Abu Bakar on 30 June 1958.
External link
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Menteris_Besar_of_Pahang
Dr Che Lah's 3rd daughter June and only son Kamaruddin. Pahang 1956
Dr Che Lah retired as CMHO Pahang from the Government Medical Service in Pahang on 30 June 1958
His last place of work in the Govt Medical Service in Pahang.
Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos seated 5th from left.
Retirement in 1958
Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos and wife. 1958
Dr Che Lah bin Md Joonos receiving the Meritorious Medal Award from Sultan Sir Abu Bakar of Pahang. 1958
Government Health Clinics in Pahang
Source: https://www.lookp.com/pahang/klinik-kerajaan?page_id=3
There are 100 Government clinics (Klinik Kesihatan Kerajaan) in Pahang:
- Klinik Kesihatan Sungai Lembing
- KK Beserah
- KK Bandar Jengka
- KK Benta
- KK Jengka 2
- KK Jengka 22
- KK Bandar Tun Abdul Razak
- KK Bandar Bera 32
- KK Kemayan
- KK Bukit Mendi
- KK Bukit Betong
- KK Bukit Ibam
- KK Cheroh
- KK Damak
- KK Cini
- KK Mempaga
- KK Karak
- KK Ibu dan Anak Kuantan
- KK Lepar Utara 4
- KK Jengka 8
- KK Nenasi
- KK Kg Bantal
- KK Padang Rumbia
- KK Jeruas
- KK Kuala Krau
- KK Ibu dan Anak Kuala Lipis
- KK Tanjung Gemok
- KK Rompin
- KK Kuala Tahan
- KK Kuala Tembeling
- KK Lanchang
- KK Lembah Klau
- KK Lurah Bilut (Felda)
- KK Mela
- KK Bandar Mentakab
- KK Ibu dan Anak Mentakab
- KK Merapoh (Fasa 1)
- KK Chanis
- KK Perantau Damai
- KK Ibu dan Anak Muadzam Shah
- KK Padang Tengku
- KK Peramu Jaya
- KK Sanggang
- KK Sg Tekam Utara
- KK Tanah Rata, 3900 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands
- KK Tekek
- KK Tersang
- KK Triang
- KK Dong
- KK Ulu Gali
- KK Perwira Jaya
- KK Bukit Goh (Felda)
- KK Jaya Gading
- KK Balok
- KK Gambang
- KK Maran
- KK Bandar Pekan
- KK Ibu dan Anak Jerantut
- KK Ibu dan Anak Raub
- KK Pekan Awah
- KK Pekan Tajau
- KK Temerloh
- KK Chenor
- KK Bentong
- KK Simpang Pelangai
- KK Purun
- KK Padang Luas
- Klinik Desa Jengka 3
- Klinik Desa Jengka 14
- Klinik Desa Sg Jerek
- Klinik Desa Jengka 15
- Klinik Desa Jengka 5
- Klinik Desa Kuala Sentul
- Klinik Desa Jengka 16
- Klinik Desa Jengka 6
- Klinik Desa Jengka 7
- Klinik Desa Ulu Jempol
- Klinik Desa Jengka 1
- Klinik Desa Jengka 21
- Klinik Desa Jengka 10
- Klinik Desa Jengka 11
- Klinik Desa Kg Bangau
- Klinik Desa Batu 8 Lepar
- Klinik Desa Kuala Kenong
- Klinik Desa Batu Malim
- Klinik Desa Kg Kemahang
- Klinik Desa Kg Budu
- Klinik Desa Jerkoh
- Klinik Desa Triang 3
- Klinik Desa R/P Rentam
- Klinik Desa Durian Tawar
- Klinik Desa Triang 1
- Klinik Desa Mayam
- Klinik Desa Kuala Bera
- Klinik Desa Kuala Triang
- Klinik Desa Kumai
- Klinik Desa Bukit Kepayang
- Klinik Desa Bukit Puchong
- Klinik Desa Mengkuang
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Masjid
Old Masjid Negeri, Kuala Lipis - est. 1888 by Yemeni founder
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Roads
There were no roads from Singapore to Kuala Lipis till the 1890s.
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Train station
Kuala Lipis train station - est. 1926, old wooden building with delicious Malay food
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Bus station
Kuala Lipis bus station has prayer spaces
