SAVE THE TELUK RUBIAH! (10)

A Story From Friend at TELUK RUBIAH.

The Teluk Rubiah Beach & Golf Resort or Teluk Rubiah as it was known, has closed its doors. The valley is sold to a Brazilian iron factory. From October on, the valley will be permanently closed to public, the golf course will be transformed in an iron factory.

Teluk Rubiah beach, from October 2010 only available for the
lucky 500 who will work at the iron factory.

The take over must have been prepared for some years as there is a lot of money involved (I heard RM20 million. And if it is not enough... a few kilometers at sea a new platform will be build for the huge cargo ships to dock.

What will be the situation for Seri Manjung and Pulau Pangkor? Huge ships will come to bring raw iron and take the processed materials away. This will mean a lot more pollution to area and will have an effect on both Teluk Batik and Pangkor beaches.


Even if the factory itself will be working with all the possible environment protection (and as I understood it will), the ships will drop their waste overboard as it is already happening. Just have at some days a look at Teluk Batik and see what garbage drifts towards the beach and you will understand the tourist industry will suffer.


Unusual view over Teluk Rubiah from one of the surrounding hills

Teluk Rubiah has its own beach which will be lost for tourists too. One can only wonder why such a factory has to be build right next to a tourist destination as Pangkor.


Golf at Teluk Rubiah ... it's history ....

The 29 traditional styled chalets will not be destroyed and be in use for staff and management.



Teluk Rubiah is sold for the sake of "progress". And the reason for the sale? Teluk Rubiah Beach and Golf Resort didn't make enough money. Actually, the resort made money, but it was the golf course that cost more then it brought in.



With the lack of decent promotion there were not enough investments to maintain the quality of the resort and went in decay. Am I exaggerating? For each chalet the last few years was only ONE set of sheets and towels available!!! It's a sad story and what is worse, it seems no one cares about here in Seri Manjung and Sitiawan. The decision has been made, the factory will come and Teluk Rubiah will be rebuild at a small beach close to Teluk Batik. And to serve the golf lovers, a small golf drive range is being build at Teluk Batik.



Am I a cynic to call this "progess"? Wasn't it possible to give this area which is so close to both Teluk Batik and Pulau Pangkor a more touristy destination? I can only hope the fishing industry at Pangkor will not suffer too much from this project. And as for Teluk Batik, there is already at some days more rubish drifting on to the beach from what the ships drop in the ocean. It will only get more and the water quality will get less.

But money talks, as always. I can only wonder who is making the money in this case.


This view will only available for the lucky 500 who will work at the iron factory

Hiking

There's a good hikes to do from Teluk Rubiah to Teluk Batik. It is unclear if this will be possible in the future as, which makes sense, Teluk Rubiah will be no longer assessable for public. I am glad I have been able to do many hikes in this area, so at least I can show you what a pleasure the jungle here is. Read more this hike from Teluk Batik to Teluk Rubiah

What do you think about Teluk Rubiah and it's future for both Teluk Batik and Pangkor Island?

Have Your Say About Teluk Rubiah!

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Peter van der Lans
Sitiawan
MALAYSIA.
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