Malaysia - Village still crowded with prospectors

JOHOR BARU - Scores of people are still crowding a village here to search for gold despite confirmation from the authorities that the glittering stones are not the real thing.

The increasing number of "prospectors" and curious folk have caused consternation to the villagers of Jalan Mewah in Kampung Melayu here, where the stones are located.

Jalan Mewah, which had just undergone road-widening work, has been damaged by people digging for the stones after the frenzy started five days ago.

Johor Baru MP Datuk Shahrir Samad said the road widening and drain project was carried out about three weeks ago.

"Due to the actions of these people, the new road has been destroyed. Who will be responsible?" he said here yesterday.

Proprietors of several goldsmith shops in the city centre revealed that the stones do not have any value.

Goldsmith Eric Wong, 55, said three people came to his shop to sell the stones.

"It is not gold at all and I have no interest to buy because it has no value. They can keep the stones as decorative items," he added.

Johor Mineral and Geoscience Department director Shahar Effendi Abdullah Azizi said the stones from Jalan Mewah were granite containing pyrite or iron sulphide.

"They are also known as fool's gold because of the golden glitter on the surface, similar to the precious metal.

"These stones were from a quarry in Kulaijaya and were meant for the road widening and drainage project in the area," he added.

Housewife Mutiara Hamid, 48, said she would not give up despite being told by a goldsmith that the stones were fake gold.

"I was a bit disappointed, but I will try my luck again and continue until I strike gold," she added.

Resident Shukor Johari, 42, said the large number of people were becoming a nuisance.

"There is no gold here. If there was any, the residents in Jalan Mewah would have become filthy rich by now."

The Star

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