Malaysia: Govt eyes Unesco heritage listing for Belum-Temengor rainforest reserve

ivan loh The Star 9 May 14;

GERIK: The Government wants to see the Royal Belum-Temengor rainforest reserve listed as a Unesco World Heritage site.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said studies would need to be conducted before the Malaysia could push for the rainforest to be considered by Unesco.

"Related agencies need to study its heritage value and its economic value.

"Tourists visiting here will need to be controlled in a managed environment," he said during the launching of the completion of Emkay Group’s Belum Rainforest Resort Phase Two development project at Banding here Friday.

The rainforest is said to be about 130 million years old and older than the Amazon jungle. It is also four times the size of Singapore and boasts various species of flora and fauna.

Najib said he was impressed with the settings at the Belum Rainforest Resort, noting its suitability as a meeting point for leaders.

"The resort can be our own Camp David.

"We can have head of states' meetings here," he said.

Emkay Group CEO Ahmad Khalif Mustapha Kamal said getting Unesco world heritage status would bring in more tourists to the area.

However, Ahmad Khalif said Malaysia was currently a Unesco board member and could not submit any dossier on any place for heritage site status for two years.

"We could start the ball rolling again the following year to submit the necessary documents," he said.

He noted that Emkay's research centre had ample facilities to accommodate scientists and researchers who wanted to conduct studies on the rainforest.

During the launching ceremony, Najib, Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir and their spouses also visited a nearby orang asli village and the research centre.

'Belum can draw quality tourists'
ROZIANA HAMSAWI New Straits Times 10 May 14;

TOURIST ATTRACTION: With the recognition, Belum rain forest can attract quality tourists from all over the world.

THE 130 million years old Belum-Temengor rainforest has all the uniqueness and potential to be recognised as a Unesco world heritage site, Datuk Seri Najib Razak said yesterday.

The prime minister, in commending the efforts undertaken by state government agencies, non-governmental organ isations and the private sector in their commitment to develop the area in a sustainable manner, said this would ensure the 300,000-hectare rainforest its place on the world eco-tourism map.

He said if the Unesco recognition is attained, not only will it become a premier heritage destination, but also bring a positive economic impact to the country.

“With the recognition, we can expect more tourists coming here, but we will ensure that they are quality tourists and not mass tourists,” Najib said in his speech when launching the second Phase 2 of the Belum Rainforest Resort at Banding island here.

Also present were his wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Works Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof, Defence Forces chief Tan Sri Zulkifeli Md Zain and Emkay Group chairman Tan Sri Dr Mustapha Kamal Abu Bakar.

Emkay Group, the developer of the resort, has spent over RM100 million since 2004 on the development of Banding island, including the Belum Rainforest Resort, a research centre, and preservation and conservation activities at the rainforest.

The federal government's allocation of RM2.5 million has been fully utilised to build dormitories at the island's re search centre and Najib yesterday promised that more allocation will be given to Emkay Foundation.

Najib said the rainforest also evoked nostalgia in him because his late father Tun Abdul Razak, who was the country’s second prime minister, opened the Temenggor Dam in 1974.

“It is interesting that the area has been transformed into a catalyst for the culture of appreciating the environment and national heritage,” he said.

Najib also paid tribute to the Emkay Group and Mustapha Kamal for their vision to develop some parts of Banding island for eco-tourism purposes without damaging the is land's environment while ensuring the interests of the Orang Asli community are not taken for granted.

He said the corporate social responsibility programmes carried out for the Orang Asli were well managed and had helped in elevating their socio-economic status.

He also urged universities to utilise the research centre at Banding island, which has been used by Japan's Kyoto University and Singapore's Royal Botanic Gardens.

Najib noted that Belum-Temengor rainforest, which is older than the Amazon forest, is blessed with a number of plant species which have medicinal benefits and home to a vast and unique number of flora and fauna, adding that 14 of the world's most threatened mammals roam in the area, "and if we don't love our natural heritage, the uniqueness of these 14 species will soon extinct."

He also envisioned the prospect of using the island as a retreat destination for government leaders, similar to Camp David in the United States.

Later, Emkay Group CEO Ahmad Khalif Mustapha Kamal said the submission for the area to be listed as a world heritage site to Unesco would take place three years from now after Malaysia ceases to be a committee member of the Unesco approval board.

“The state government will write to the federal gov ernment which will do the submission,” he told reporters.

Currently, the Melaka city and George Town in Penang are Malaysia's Unesco world heritage sites.