ADDICTED TO DIGGING FOR GOLD

M'sian made $1,500 since he found gold a fortnight ago on Mersing beach

December 04, 2007

IN two weeks, this gold-digger said he has earned more than what he made in a month as a fisherman some 30 years ago.


Mr Ramli Harun has become so addicted to mining for gold that he has roped in his three sons. -- Pictures: NEW STRAITS TIMES

Mr Ramli Harun, 51, said he has made about RM3,600 ($1,500) since he struck gold a fortnight ago on the shores of a Mersing beach, reported Metro Ahad.

And now he has become so addicted to mining for gold that he has roped in his three sons.

Better known as Pak Ngah, he is believed to be the first man to discover the gold at those shores.

DIGS THROUGH THE NIGHT
He claimed that he had dreamt about the location two weeks ago.

In his dream, three princesses were on their way with the gold from Tanjung Tenggaroh to Gunung Arong but while on their way in a lorry, their things fell.

So the next afternoon, he scooped up some mud and sand, and started sieving for gold.

Slowly, he started seeing grains of gold. He continued digging and sieved through the night using his torchlight which he held between his chest and his chin.


One of his sons.

In four days, he reaped in thousands of ringgit worth of gold.

His 12-year-old son, who has also become addicted to hunting for gold, was then spotted by the villagers in the daytime and that was when news of this gold mine spread.

Said Mr Ramli: 'I will continue digging for the gold because it has now become a way for me to earn money and save for the future.'

Ever since news of his gold find was reported, many here come from as far as Sarawak to try their luck.

An estimated 500 people were camping out and digging for gold at the beach near Sri Pantai and at Teluk Klang - the latest area found to have gold.

In a report last Thursday, Harian Minggu reported that groups of people had started going to a second site, about 1.5km away, despite its rocky and muddy condition.

They claimed to have found a bigger amount of gold - the size of a corn seed or a matchstick head - compared to the first location, where it was mostly found in grains.