THE Orang Asli community at Kampung Sungai Tonggang in Ulu Kinta, Perak, has come together to establish a recreational and ecotourism site called Kayuh D’ Tonggang. This site is located in the forest and is approximately thirty minutes away from Ipoh city. The development of this site was a response to the adverse effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, which resulted in the loss of jobs and income for many members of the community.
Tok Batin Che Wan Alang, the leader of Kampung Sungai Tonggang, explained that the initiative began in May 2023. The project received support from various organizations, including the Global Environment Centre (GEC), Orang Asli Development Department, Perak Forestry Department, state Drainage and Irrigation Department (DID), as well as funding from the Hasanah Foundation and the Finance Ministry.
The prime minister, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, visited the village and during his visit, Che Wan expressed that the project aims to enhance the welfare of the local community by providing sustainable livelihood options. Additionally, the project empowers the community to monitor the river and forest. To manage the facilities and ensure that the generated revenue benefits the community, the residents established Koperasi Kampung Orang Asli Sungai Tonggang Bhd.
Che Wan mentioned that the term “kayuh” has different meanings for the Temiar folk and in Bahasa Malaysia. While it means swimming for the Temiar people, it means “to cycle” in Bahasa Malaysia. The recreational activities available at the site include swimming, walking, picnicking by the river, camping, and riding the mountain bike trails.
The income generated since May has had a significant impact on the youth, according to Che Wan. Datuk Shahira Ahmed Bazari, the managing director of the Hasanah Foundation, stated that the project aims to help the community recover from the pandemic and demonstrates successful outcomes in terms of improving the livelihood of indigenous communities, creating an ecotourism product, and boosting environmental protection.
Faizal Parish, the director of GEC, emphasized that providing sustainable livelihood options in the nearby forests and rivers will benefit the Orang Asli community, highlight their heritage, and aid in the preservation of natural resources. He expressed hope that in the future, there will be a network of visitor sites and trails managed by the Orang Asli community, connecting rivers and mountains in Ulu Kinta.
During his speech, Prime Minister Anwar promised to address several improvements for the Kampung Sungai Tonggang community. These improvements include enhancing the road leading to the village and improving internet connectivity. He acknowledged the government’s responsibility to provide attention and basic amenities to interior locations and assured that efforts would be made to resolve minor issues within their capacity.
Credit: The Star : Metro Feed
