All I know about this place is from the perspective of colonialism and extractive economy: pantai timur, unlike the west, is notably not as well-served by rail networks by the time Malaya became independent, except… For this one route that basically stops here, iirc. Certainly the orang tua in my life punya stories of balik kampung involves taking the train until here and then make their way by other means from that point forward.
Great find btw, tq!
The former railway was what initially drew me to the story of Bukit Besi’s former glory.
Also, reading the article paints a different picture from usual “colonialist” view because the mines were opened by Japanese businessmen way before WW2, which was taken over after the war. It didn’t ever directly help British industrial interests, but it did put a lot of revenue to the state coffers nonetheless.
What went missing from this and all the other mines in Peninsular closing were the unique mining town vibes. These mine workers made bank compared to the locals and spent lavishly in the towns. Kuantan used to be this for Sungai Lembing mining too, back before Kuantan became Pahang’s capital.
Interesting! Though the point about Japanese businessmen doesn’t negate colonialism typology - both because European powers practiced mercantilism before outright occupation (see Sabah being North Borneo and under mercantile control until just after WW2) and Japan basically joined the great powers club around Meiji era (all those Prussian school uniforms wasn’t just because they look cute). Southeast Asia was a region they wanted to dominate with the same kind of strategic thinking the Europeans have. So they too were dabbling in mercantilism and basically expansion of land (the whole thing about the Russo-Japanese War and the fight over Manchuria).
Northern semenanjung honestly is where you see a lot more of the Asian chapter of imperialism - the other obvious candidate here is Siam, the other party to the Anglo-Siamese Treaty that essentially sublet pantai timur to British rule. Japanese business interests are just as in concert with the other imperialists.
Impressive industrial ruins featured in the article. Really contrasts with the generally agricultural economy of the period.
