SIMUNJAN: The historical value of Simunjan can be promoted as a tourism product to attract more visitors, said Tourism, Arts and Culture (Motac) Minister Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri.
“Not many people know about these existing attractions and it is our role of promote these tourism values. Among them is the story of a traveller named Alfred Russel Wallace who told of a coal mine in Simunjan,” she said.
“We also have the Batu Kudi Cave which has its own legend. For this, we plan to develop basic infrastructure which will allow tourists to visit this area comfortably,” she said at the Batang Sadong Heritage Cuisine Finals programme for the Simunjan area held at Dewan Mesra Simunjan here on Friday (Mar 26).
She pointed out that Mount Ngeli is a habitat for almost 100 types of herbal plants which have commercial value and potential in terms of pharmaceuticals, beauty, and health.
“What’s more, with the infrastructure facilities that exist and to be completed in Batang Sadong, Simunjan will certainly be listed as another ecotourism destination in the state,” said the Batang Sadong MP.
She said among the tourism products in this area under the 12th Malaysia Plan (12MP) allocation for Motac were the upgrading projects for the ‘Welcome to Simunjan’ signboard near the Batang Sadong Bridge, Simunjan Botanical Garden, and facilities at Padang Sentral Simunjan.
Nancy urged entrepreneurs and ketua masyarakat around Simunjan and Mount Ngeli to be involved in capacity building to create a tourism ecosystem, including the provision of accommodation services and food supplies, sales of crafts and souvenirs, and so on.
She said the state government’s commitment in developing the area was undeniable, adding that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg’s visit earlier this month to officiate at Rumah Rehat Sri Simunjan was proof that Batang Sadong would continue to be developed through the sectors of tourism, arts, and culture.
“Among the good news that he announced was the reimplementation of the Sungai Simunjan erosion prevention project which is still under construction, worth between RM80 to RM200 million and is expected to commence next year.
“As the chairperson of the Tourism Development Sub-Committee of the Integrated Regional Samarahan Development Agency (IRSDA), it is also my role to ensure the tourism potential in Batang Sadong can be elevated,” she said.
Nancy said among the quick-win tourism projects which had been approved by the implementing agencies were the upgrading of Mount Ngeli Recreational Park and Wong Muas Kepayang Waterfall Recreational Park as well as the Sungai Rian Kepayang Picnic Area.
With regard to the programme, she congratulated participants of the Gedong Heritage Cuisine Competition, which initially involved 60 participants from Zone 1 Nanas Hulu, Zone 2 Kampung Sabal, and Zone 3 Kampung Sungai Apin and Kampung Terasi.
“The screening was held last November and 20 participants successfully made it into the finals. We have managed to create healthy competition and witnessed Simunjan’s heritage culinary products which have cultural heritage value and can be new tourism attractions in this area,” she said.
