HUNT FOR TREASURE IN GOLD WORTH BILLIONS AT PULAU NANGKA.

A brief historical perspective …

The founder of Malacca Parameswara founded the state around 1400 to 1403. He converted to Muslim in 1409 when he married the princess of Pasai. There was a continuous succession of Rulers in the Sultanate that moved the State forward as a prosperous and most visited Port in South East Asia. So much, it was once a famous trading port in the 15^th Century. The Portuguese chronicle mentioned “Whoever holds Malacca has Venice by the throat”. Malacca by that time was an important port for the east and the west. It was dubbed as the Venice of the East. Ever since the state was captured by the Portuguese in 1511, the Malay sultanate loss the power to control the state as it did before. Today, this State is governed by a State ruling government and an elected governor.

Melaka today

Melaka as a historical city had gained the recognition of Unesco in 2008 as the World Heritage City.

According to the Chaiman of Historical Research and Patriotisme Research Malaysia, it is believed that the Sultanate had hid a lot of treasures in order to avoid being confiscated in the event the State falls into foreign powers.

Now to the treasure part…

Pulau Nangka or in English translation that would be Jackfruit Island is 20 hectares wide island. Located in between Pulau Besar and Pulau Undan, it forms as part of Melaka State. It is believed by the locals that this Island has 96 chests of gold bars worth billions. Efforts for search and recovery of the artifacts had been going on for almost 3 decades. Recently, Smart Partnership Malaysia Sdn Bhd had obtained the license from the Melaka State government to search for these artifacts. The owner of this privately owned company, Mohammad Foad Khushairy was confident though the time limit granted was insufficient due to the need to use heavy drilling to cut through granite to access into a cave believed to possess these treasures.

Photo above: Excavation work and drilling the boulder

Feedback by the Owner of the excavation effort about this island…

The main entrance to the cave is currently blocked by boulder due to excavation efforts for artifacts 20 years ago by some irresponsible people. Foad also explains that the island has 3 big marks that are only visible when there is low tide and the water fully receded. The three marks are rock foundation built to simulate the shape of a Crescent (refer photo below), map of the Nangka Island (refer photo below) and a symbol indicating that plates and bowls are kept in the caves. The purpose of the map served as a guide for the Wali, i.e. early Islamic Teachers (Wali – Religious figures who are highly respected those days).

Photo above: Crescent sign. Stones attached to form the Crescent sign long ago...

Photo above: Depicting the map of Pulau Nangka to serve as a guide for "Wali" in those days..

Md. Foad who appears to subscribe to paranormal believes that the artifacts are guarded by entities. He is also positive that the cave located here positively has these artifacts based on his employing the geo-technical methods which started since July 2012. He believes that this place was once used as a Fort by the Malacca warriors. Inside the caves were also located rooms which believed to be used by the ancient government to hold meetings.

The findings so far

So far, only 2 bronze medallions had been discovered at the excavation spot. The medallion was believed to be an amulet worn by warriors with old Jawa inscription. The linguistic experts clarified that the writings speaks about the importance of being trustworthy to the last drop of blood.  This medallion can be found in other sites too such as Melaka River and was not a denomination used during the old days. However, the real target of the search was for the gold bars as explained by Datuk Abdul Ghafaar Atan, an exco in the State government.

Photo above: Medallion rear side close up

Photo above: Bronze Medallion front side located at the side

Photo above: Bronze Medallion rear side found at the site

 Conclusion

After extending the contract to Smart Partnership for 14 times, the State government finally decided to call off the search due to concern on the damages to the eco system made due to the after drilling effects. So, will the gold bars ever be discovered or should there be a need for a rainbow to show the exact spot for the hidden gold treasures? One thing was certain. There were fisherman, government officials and locals all believed that mere Science would not be sufficient as it could only locate the spot. You will need some Spiritualist to perform some paranormal procedures to get it out. They say so. There has been claims that the cave was once open during low tide and a few managed to get in and saw gold. They claimed that there were at least 80 chest filled with gold bars. But they were not able to take anything out because as they claimed, there were mystical or supernatural beings guarding the treasure. The locals also believe the place is cursed and guarded by djins. They came out dazed as they have never seen so much gold in their life. So, who knows, only time will tell.

CONTRIBUTION

1. TV3

2. www.malaysiancoin.com

3. ASTROAWANI

Antiques and Gold pieces found in Probolinggo, east Jawa , Indonesia.

Who would have thought that beneath a paddy field that one would find gold and antiques waiting to be found. Pieces from gold chain, bangles, kitchen utensils and spear have been found in this area which spreads for 50 sq meters wide prompting interest among relic hunters who come in daily to try their luck by digging in this area.

Image above: Relic hunting in progress

 Image above: Gold ring found

 Image above: Believed to be kitchen utensil

Other than the relics, brittle human bones were also found suggesting that the place could have once been a burial ground? Many traditions in the ancient times have the practice of burying ornaments including utensils used by the deceased and even gold. Some traditions believed that the ornaments would be used later by the deceased in the “afterlife” and in some cases it is pure sentiments that the body should not be sent off empty.

 Image (above): Human bones

Until today, historians have yet to determine the relics belonging to which era but the locals believe them to be at least a few hundred years old. Since there has not been any confirmation from the Indonesian authorities on these findings, the area is still not quarantined and the relic hunters are free to search for their luck. Meanwhile, the artifacts found have already found their way home to the house and shops of antique collectors after being sold for a good price.

Contribution:

Gudang Berita