Negri Sembilan town abuzz with talk of GOLDEN discovery

SEREMBAN - The town of Titi in Negri Sembilan is abuzz with the discovery of tunnels which had previously been dismissed as folk tales passed down by the older generation.

Records in the state Mineral and Geoscience Department indicate that the area surrounding the tunnels near Kuala Klawang, Jelebu has a history of gold mining activities.

Gold mining permits had been given out during the British era, which confirm the possibility that tunnels were dug by gold hunters, Berita Harian reported yesterday.

Negri Sembilan/Malacca Mineral and Geoscience director Mustafar Hamzah said Titi once hosted gold mining activities, as did Sungai Lui in Jempol as well as Gemencheh and Gemas in Tampin.

He said the current generation is unaware of Titi's gold mining history as knowledge about these mines was lost over time.

"Based on historical facts, we do not dispute the possibility that the tunnels were used by gold miners a long time ago," he said.

Mustafar also said the whole Peninsular Malaysia has such precious mineral, but an area requires a large amount of gold to qualify for commercial status.

Meanwhile, Negri Sembilan travel, unity, culture, arts, heritage and Malay customs committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Razi Kail said the discovery of the tunnels presents an opportunity to turn them into tourists attractions.

However, more research about the tunnels' history and safety aspects must be done before it can be developed, he said.

-thesundaily