Magic! Mystery! Strange but it's true! Perhaps it is the feeling and the words that will be expressed when I first time visited and witnessed the unique freshwater springs coming out from between the rocks located in a salty environment, being by the sea. A real story behind the myth of Cursed Ship of Supirak and Mystery of Batu Gerawang in Kampung Malubang, one of the villages in Pitas, Sabah (Sabah is a state of Malaysian located in the northern Borneo island).
The villagers told us, the freshwater springs was first discovered by one of the villagers here, Mr. Abdul Kassim Kagia (excuse me if the spelling is not accurate). According to them, he (Abdul Kassim) had a dream; an old man came to see him and then tell him there is a magic freshwater springs in the village that have not been found by anyone. The old man also tell him where is freshwater springs location.
The next day, he went to the location that was told in his dream and was found two holes in the rocks and there is water flowing from inside. He felt the water and he was surprised because it is really fresh.
It is quite hard to believe because the freshwater springs located about 5 meters from the beach. This means it is located in salt water and will only appear on the surface when the water has receded. That is weird with this spring. Although always covered with salt water above and around it, this spring will be producing fresh water.
Since there are two holes (springs) that can produce freshwater, on the initiative of the Pitas District Officer, concrete wall was built around the spring to prevent salt water covering it, so the visitors can take the freshwater even during high tide. However, less strong concrete wall causing salt water still entered and permanent stagnant in the barrier, so the water in the concrete walls are also still salty. Means, if you want to take the freshwater, you have to wait until low tides.
I also ask question to the villagers if there is something "special" or magic with this spring. They said, of course there are a number of benefits! In fact, tourists from China and Korea have come here just to get water from the spring. However, I refuse to mention here to avoid any conflict of beliefs and understanding. If you are interested to know more, come here to find out whether there is magic or not.
To reach the Kampung Malubang where the freshwater spring located, you need traveling about 2 hours from Pitas town. You can choose between two types of transportation; by road using four-wheel drive or waterways using motor boat down the Bengkoka River. If given the choice, I would like to prefer waterways because at the same time I can enjoy the natural scenery along the river.
The magic freshwater spring located on the beach near Batu Gerawang. If you look at the photo below, you can see a square concrete beside the rock and there is the freshwater springs that I mean.
The next day, he went to the location that was told in his dream and was found two holes in the rocks and there is water flowing from inside. He felt the water and he was surprised because it is really fresh.
