Raub, Pahang

Raub (Malay: ﺭﺍؤﺏ; Chinese: 劳勿) is a town in Pahang, Malaysia. The town is situated 110 km from Kuala Lumpur and 265 km from Pahang's capital, Kuantan. Raub is one of the oldest towns in Pahang.

This article is about Raub, a town in Pahang, Malaysia. For the federal constituency represented in the Dewan Rakyat, see Raub (federal constituency).
Raub

Malay: ﺭﺍؤﺏ

Chinese: 劳勿
Town
Seal
Coordinates: 3°47′42.8″N 101°51′21.5″E
Country Malaysia
State Pahang
DistrictRaub District
Government
 • BodyRaub District Council
 • PresidentHaji Khairulanuar bin Mahmood[1]
Area
(MDR Area)[2]
 • Total977.207 km2 (377.302 sq mi)
Population
 (2010)[3]
 • Total91,731
 • Density94/km2 (240/sq mi)
Postcode
27xxx
Calling code+6-09
Vehicle registrationC
MPTengku Zulpuri Shah Raja Puji (DAP)

History

Raub was explored and founded in the 18th century. It is historically a gold mining settlement, and the gold mining industry is now undergoing something of a resurgence as the gold price has risen. According to the history, this mining centre was named Raub after a group of miners found a handful of gold in every tray of sand they dig. This is described by J.A. Richardson in his book, The Geology and Mineral Resources of the Neighbourhood of Raub Pahang. According to him (page 36), "People found that for every "dulang" of sand there was a handful (raub) of gold". The old folks' tale recounts that in the early 19th century, an old man and his two sons discovered gold every time they scooped up the earth in Raub. Thus, the town and the district derived their name from the Malay word raub which means "scoop".

Raub became famous in the early 20th century for its mining resource (gold). Then, gold mining in Raub was operated by Raub Australian Gold Mine (RAGM), a company registered in 1889 in Queensland, Australia. The company was initially known as Australian Syndicate Ltd and later as Australian Gold Mining Co. Ltd in 1892. RAGM operated until 1961.

The mining method used in Raub is shaft mining and started at the Raub Hole. This area is now known as Bukit Koman. The mining activity became a valuable heritage for Raub district. The main road in Raub Bibby Road, was named after the company's first manager, William Bibby. Mason Road was named after the first district officer J S Mason. Bukit Koman was once dubbed "Malaysian capital of gold" as the result of rapid development of gold mining.

A new company, Peninsular Gold, has restarted gold mining at the Raub mine. Initially, the company recovered gold from the tailings dumps from the old mine, but started mining fresh ore again in 2011. A major drilling campaign is in progress, exploring additional resources adjacent and below the old mine.

Communist threat in the 1940s in Raub resulted in the erection of new settlements. Among them are Cheroh (1948), Sang Lee (1948), Sungai Ruan (1948), Sungai Chetang (1948), Bukit Koman (1949), Sempalit (1950), Sungai Lui (1950), Tras (1950) and Sungai Klau (1960).

There are a lot of British style buildings in Raub, especially along Mason Road (now known as Jalan Tengku Abdullah). Most of the buildings in Raub were built during the pre-World War II era. The Police Station of Raub is probably one of the oldest buildings in Malaysia, it was built in 1905.

Economy

After the gold mines were depleted, the main economic activity of Raub is agriculture. Main commodity crops in Raub are natural rubber, oil palm, cocoa and local fruits, like durians. Durians grown in Raub are probably the best in Malaysia. The town is styled as the "durian capital of Malaysia" attracting a steady stream of visitors, especially tourists from Singapore and China. [4]

Government and administration
Map of Raub District Council.

Raub is administered by the Raub District Council; its president is Haji Khairulanuar bin Mahmood.[1] Raub has its own constituency in the Dewan Rakyat of the Malaysian Parliament. The incumbent MP is Ariff Sabri Abdul Aziz of the DAP.

In turn, Raub delivers three seats to the Pahang State Legislative Assembly, comprising Batu Talam, Tras and Dong.

Raub is the only place in western Pahang (Raub, Bentong and Kuala Lipis) that has state and federal-level administrative offices. There is a landmark building, situated next to Taman Bukit Koman (not to be confused with Kampung Bukit Koman), which contains most of the administrative offices, called Bangunan Gunasama Persekutuan. Inside Bangunan Gunasama Persekutuan, there are District Immigration Department, National Registry Department (District Branch) Office and other important offices in that building also. Besides that, there is Land Office which is on top of a hill, beside Taman Shahbandar, provides opportunity to renew their land title and land grant, unlike Bentong, they need to come to Raub to renew their land title. Actually, the existence of those administrative offices has its roots. During the early 20th century, because of massive gold mining activity, Raub was quickly developed and at once, it was tipped as the future administrative state capital for Pahang. However, at the last minute, Residence of Pahang decided to shift state administrative capital to Kuantan and left out Raub. Although Raub did not become state capital, however, British left a lot of administrative buildings in Raub, including the Resident's official residence (the present Raub District Officer's official residence) was situated in Raub.

Transport

Car

Highway is the main route to Raub. Motorists from Kuala Lumpur will usually exit the LPT at Bentong and then enter highway to get to Raub or Kuala Lipis. Raub is also a stopover for motorists travelling to Kota Bharu, which is the northern end of highway 8.

Raub is the eastern end of Route , which begins in Kuala Kubu Bharu in Selangor and passing through Fraser's Hill in the process. As a result, Route is an alternative to the Karak Highway for Selangor/Kuala Lumpur/Klang Valley motorists.

Raub is also a gateway to the hill resort of Cameron Highlands, using Pahang State Route C5.

Public transport

Currently rapidKuantan does not serve Raub as well as most of western Pahang. Instead, buses in Raub are operated by several companies which include Pahang Lin Siong, Union and Central Pahang. The latter two merged a few years ago and has been operating as a single entity by the name of Union since. Besides these local companies, other interstate express coaches also stop by Raub central bus station as the town is strategically located along routes to cities like Gua Musang and Kota Bharu in the eastern states of Peninsular Malaysia.

Raub is also not served by the KTM Intercity, given its mountainous terrain. The closest station will be Kuala Lipis.

Shopping malls
  • TF Value-Mart Supermarket
  • Tunas Manja Supermarket
  • PDM Supermarket
  • BS Fresh market
  • Idaman Mall (upcoming projects)

Places of interest

Bukit Telaga Waterfalls An ideal stopover as it is on the way to Fraser’s Hill, the Bukit Telaga Waterfall is known for turbulent rapids which flows through rugged rocky area. Location: 15 km from Fraser’s Hill and 19 km from Raub Town.

Sanchez Tacos Raub

Jeram Besu Rapids (Jeram Besu) is fast gaining popularity as one of the best white water-rafting and kayaking spot in the country. The rapids, (river grade 2 to 4 depending on the river water level) has now attracted a lot of white water enthusiasts i.e. rafters, kayakers and canoeists from all over the country even as far as Singapore. Complemented by its easy accessibility, it is both challenging and thrilling. Other activities such as jungle trekking, flying fox, war games and rubber rafting are also available. Accommodations comes in the form of chalets, camping sites and hostels.

Tasik Ria Kundang Puah Recreational Centre Located on Sungai Lipis at approximately 6 km before the town of Benta and about 2​1⁄2 hours drive. It is a former tin mine and now a lake clustered with tiny island that is now a famous spot for fishing. Location: 21 km from Raub.

Sungai Pasu Recreation Centre Located in the village of Sungai Pasu, it offers tranquil lake setting, lush greenery and a freshwater fish pond. It is also a location for the local homestay programme. Location: 13 km from Raub.

Fraser's Hill (or Bukit Fraser in Malay) is one of the famous highlands in Malaysia besides Genting and Cameron Highlands. It is 34 km South West of the town of Raub. The road to Fraser's Hill is challenging and is one of the most winding roads in Pahang or probably Malaysia.

Lata Jarum A popular picnic spot next to a series of rapids which culminate in a clear picturesque rock pool surrounded by tropical greenery. It has public amenities such as changing rooms and parking lots. Location: 30 km from Raub.

Lata Lembik Waterfalls This fascinating rock formation, a result of geological change over millions of years, is set amidst lush greenery - a great spot for picnics and family get-togethers. Also school excursions primarily for geography clubs. Location: 42 km from Raub.

Raub Lake Park A very popular lake park located near Raub Town. People can have a picnic, jogging, fishing or just relaxing around the lake area. People can also rent a boat and sightseeing around the lake.Rashid Shukor currently holds the lap record. Location: 2 km from Raub Town

References
  1. "YDP's Profile". Raub District Council (in Malay and English). 19 August 2019. Retrieved 2019-10-23.
  2. primuscoreadmin (11 November 2015). "Latar Belakang".
  3. "TABURAN PENDUDUK MENGIKUT PBT & MUKIM 2010". Department of Statistics, Malaysia. Retrieved 15 December 2017.
  4. "Booming durian business but no water supply". The Star. 23 October 2018. Retrieved 23 October 2018.
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