Wednesday, 6 March 2019

TEMD 2019







TEMD = The Early Malay Doctors

Wednesday, 6 February 2019

Pahang - Hospitals, govt clinics, police station and Sg Lembing tin mine

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

Winstedt, R. (1927). The Great Flood, 1926. Journal of the Malayan Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, 5(2 (100)), 295-309. Retrieved from

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)].


Food control at Raub

Disastrous floods in Pahang. Havoc in tin mining area.

External links

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.

Hospitals in Pahang
  1. Hospital Tengku Ampuan Afzan (HTAA)
  2. Hospital Pekan - in Pekan
  3. Hospital Kuala Lipis - in Kuala Lipis
  4. Hospital Raub - in Raub
  5. Hospital Bentong - in Bentong
  6. Hospital Jerantut - in Jerantut
  7. Hospital Jengka - at Bandar Tun Razak Jengka
  8. Hospital Muadzam Shah - at Bandar Muadzam Shah
  9. Hospital Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (HOSHAS, formerly Hospital Termerloh), Temerloh - est. 2005, 498 beds, RM480 million,
  10. Hospital Sultanah Hajjah Kalsom (formerly Hospital Cameron Highlands) - at Tanah Rata
  11. Hospital Rompin - in Rompin
  12. 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

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 was awarded the Meritorious Medal Award by Sultan Sir Abu Bakar on 30 June 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
There are 100 Government clinics (Klinik Kesihatan Kerajaan) in Pahang:

  1. Klinik Kesihatan Sungai Lembing
  2. KK Beserah
  3. KK Bandar Jengka
  4. KK Benta
  5. KK Jengka 2
  6. KK Jengka 22
  7. KK Bandar Tun Abdul Razak
  8. KK Bandar Bera 32
  9. KK Kemayan
  10. KK Bukit Mendi
  11. KK Bukit Betong
  12. KK Bukit Ibam
  13. KK Cheroh
  14. KK Damak
  15. KK Cini
  16. KK Mempaga
  17. KK Karak
  18. KK Ibu dan Anak Kuantan
  19. KK Lepar Utara 4
  20. KK Jengka 8
  21. KK Nenasi
  22. KK Kg Bantal
  23. KK Padang Rumbia
  24. KK Jeruas
  25. KK Kuala Krau
  26. KK Ibu dan Anak Kuala Lipis
  27. KK Tanjung Gemok
  28. KK Rompin
  29. KK Kuala Tahan
  30. KK Kuala Tembeling
  31. KK Lanchang
  32. KK Lembah Klau
  33. KK Lurah Bilut (Felda)
  34. KK Mela
  35. KK Bandar Mentakab
  36. KK Ibu dan Anak Mentakab
  37. KK Merapoh (Fasa 1)
  38. KK Chanis
  39. KK Perantau Damai
  40. KK Ibu dan Anak Muadzam Shah
  41. KK Padang Tengku
  42. KK Peramu Jaya
  43. KK Sanggang
  44. KK Sg Tekam Utara
  45. KK Tanah Rata, 3900 Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands
  46. KK Tekek
  47. KK Tersang
  48. KK Triang
  49. KK Dong
  50. KK Ulu Gali
  51. KK Perwira Jaya
  52. KK Bukit Goh (Felda)
  53. KK Jaya Gading
  54. KK Balok
  55. KK Gambang
  56. KK Maran
  57. KK Bandar Pekan
  58. KK Ibu dan Anak Jerantut
  59. KK Ibu dan Anak Raub
  60. KK Pekan Awah
  61. KK Pekan Tajau
  62. KK Temerloh
  63. KK Chenor
  64. KK Bentong
  65. KK Simpang Pelangai
  66. KK Purun
  67. KK Padang Luas
  68. Klinik Desa Jengka 3
  69. Klinik Desa Jengka 14
  70. Klinik Desa Sg Jerek
  71. Klinik Desa Jengka 15
  72. Klinik Desa Jengka 5
  73. Klinik Desa Kuala Sentul
  74. Klinik Desa Jengka 16
  75. Klinik Desa Jengka 6
  76. Klinik Desa Jengka 7
  77. Klinik Desa Ulu Jempol
  78. Klinik Desa Jengka 1
  79. Klinik Desa Jengka 21
  80. Klinik Desa Jengka 10
  81. Klinik Desa Jengka 11
  82. Klinik Desa Kg Bangau
  83. Klinik Desa Batu 8 Lepar
  84. Klinik Desa Kuala Kenong
  85. Klinik Desa Batu Malim
  86. Klinik Desa Kg Kemahang
  87. Klinik Desa Kg Budu
  88. Klinik Desa Jerkoh
  89. Klinik Desa Triang 3
  90. Klinik Desa R/P Rentam
  91. Klinik Desa Durian Tawar
  92. Klinik Desa Triang 1
  93. Klinik Desa Mayam
  94. Klinik Desa Kuala Bera
  95. Klinik Desa Kuala Triang
  96. Klinik Desa Kumai
  97. Klinik Desa Bukit Kepayang
  98. Klinik Desa Bukit Puchong
  99. Klinik Desa Mengkuang


Old Masjid Negeri, Kuala Lipis - est. 1888 by Yemeni founder


There were no roads from Singapore to Kuala Lipis till the 1890s.
Train station

Kuala Lipis train station - est. 1926, old wooden building with delicious Malay food
Bus station

Kuala Lipis bus station has prayer spaces