{"id":130,"date":"2016-09-04T23:35:29","date_gmt":"2016-09-04T15:35:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/?p=130"},"modified":"2016-09-04T23:31:46","modified_gmt":"2016-09-04T15:31:46","slug":"rohaimin-rock-gallery-keningau","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.mysabah.com\/wordpress\/rohaimin-rock-gallery-keningau\/","title":{"rendered":"Rohaimin’s Rock Gallery, a wonder that rocks you"},"content":{"rendered":"

When is your last time picking up a stone and have a good look at it? Cavemen from stone age probably know rocks better than us because they constantly look for the best ones to make axe and cutting tools. Nowadays the only rocks that piqued people interest are rock concert and gemstones.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>
The Sakag Rohaimin’s Unique Rock Gallery (Galeri Batu Unik Sakag Rohaimin)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Though rocks are everywhere, each rock is unique. For 20 years, Mr. Rohaimin Ariffin has been collecting special rocks in Keningau, and he is rewarded by thousand of intriguing rocks, which are beautiful, weird or ugly. <\/p>\n

\"face<\/a>
Can you see the face of a demon?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

90% of his collection come from Sungai Pegalan (Pegalan River) near to his house<\/strong>, and the rest are from Banggi Island, Lahad Datu, Kunak, Kinabatangan, etc. His friends also give him some rocks from New Zealand and Indonesia.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/a>
A rock with the word “Allah” in Jawi<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In 2008, Rohaimin spent RM40,000 (≈US$10,000) to build a Rock Gallery named Galeri Batu Unik Sakag Rohaimin<\/strong> next to his house. From this, I can tell he must have a very nice wife who doesn’t nag at his hobby (just kidding). To hobbyists, rocks are priceless. To those who don’t appreciate, a rock, eh, is just a rock.<\/p>\n

\"Clam<\/a>
Clam and coral fossils from Sabah<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Anyway, whether you are a collector, you will be amazed by his Rock Gallery. I would say this is the biggest gallery dedicated to rocks in Sabah<\/strong> so far. And he doesn’t sell any ticket to guest, it’s free to visit<\/strong>. Based on how he places the rocks, I roughly categorize his rock collections in following groups.<\/p>\n

Music Rocks<\/h3>\n

Batu Gong (Gong Music Rock) forms one of his major collection. When you hit it, the rock will produce a gong like metallic sound. I had seen Batu Gong in Tambunan<\/a>, but Rohaimin has larger collection!<\/p>\n

\"Galeri<\/a>
This rock gallery costs more than RM40,000 to build and is totally self-funded<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"The<\/a>
The “stage” of the gallery where you can perform a rock concert with music rocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

There are hundred of Batu Gong laying around. He labels some rocks in different tones and group them on a stage. Below is a short video of Rohaimin playing “Rock Music” with Batu Gong:
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