Dungun is a district in the state of Terengganu. It’s name was derived from the name of a Dungun tree which is a type of tree that grows in fresh water swamp. Dungun was believed to be opened by immigrants from Pagar Ruyung, Sumatra based on:
- Most of Dungun people, at one time before, were from the Indonesian Islands.
- The names of some villages in Dungun resembles those in Indonesia such as Kampung Binjai, Kampung Bemban, Kampung Gombang and various others.
Dungun town was very well-known during the glamorous age of mining activities at Bukit Besi. Bukit Besi has an area of 1618 hectares and situated in Mukim Besul. It was the biggest open cast iron ore mine in South East Asia between the years 1929 to 1960-ies.
Among the mining companies involved were Nippon Mining Company (NMC), Kuhara Mining Company and Eastern Mining & Metal Company (EMMCO). The mining operation was closed on 1st October 1970.
Kuala Dungun Town
Kampung Sireh
Bukit Besi Railway Station
Iron Ore Mine