ROMPIN, PAHANG 15 SEPTEMBER 2020: Today, the Pahang State Government has officially reopened Taman Negeri Rompin after four years to make way for the construction of the Rainforest Discovery Centre, a multipurpose hall and public facilities by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) to further enhance the state park’s position as an attractive and sustainable tourist destination as well as bring positive impact to the lives of local communities.
Taman Negeri Rompin is a main component of ECERDC’s ‘Rainforest to Reef’ (R2R) ecotourism development concept. It is one of the oldest rainforests in the world with unique geological features dating back over 200 million years. The rainforest has been identified as a biodiversity hub and an international ecotourism destination.
The Rainforest Discovery Centre (RDC) houses a visitors’ complex, a multipurpose hall, exhibition area, research centre and suspension bridge. It also features a 15 metre viewing tower, which allows visitors to enjoy stunning views of the rainforest. Visitors will also be able to walk across Endau River on a suspension bridge 80-metres above the river, enjoy Air Terjun Mahkota, Ulu Kemampan, Padang Tujuh and as well as witness sightings of birds and animals as well as tropical plants and flowers. The Centre also includes a cafeteria, which will offer a wide range of local food and drinks. There is also a souvenir shop inside the centre which will create opportunities for locals to sell traditional handicrafts once it opens for business.
“While strengthening Taman Negeri Rompin as a premier destination for ecotourism, the Rainforest Discovery Centre will be a platform for long-term conservation and preservation study. Tourists from all over the world can enjoy and learn more about our tropical rainforest. This centre will also enable the creation of new jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for the rakyat, especially the Orang Asli community. They can become vendors of local crafts and tour guides, educating visitors on their culture during trips and excursions around Taman Negeri Rompin,” said Encik Baidzawi Che Mat, Chief Executive Officer of ECERDC.
In line with ECERDC’s sustainable development principles, the construction of RDC took into account the environmental sensitivities of the area. To ensure minimal impact to the surrounding rainforest, the Centre’s new buildings were built on the same sites of buildings which had been previously demolished. The project, which commenced in August 2016, was completed and handed over to the Pahang State Forestry Department on 19 September 2019.
The development in Taman Negeri Rompin is in line with ECERDC’s R2R concept which seamlessly links and package all tourism products, assets and development from rainforest to beaches like Pantai Hiburan through Tanjong Gemok to the pristine paradise of Tioman Island. This is to ensure that ecotourism in Pahang will continue to be developed in a sustainable manner to increase tourist arrivals as well as improve the livelihood of the rakyat in the Region.
“At ECER, we firmly believe in developing the Region in a holistic and inclusive manner. There is vast potential here in Taman Negeri Rompin and as such, we remain committed to ensure that the rakyat continuously reap from the intended benefits from developments taking place. We want to ensure that the future generations get to enjoy this magnificent rainforest whilst no one gets left behind from its socio-economic development,” said Encik Baidzawi.
Present at the reopening ceremony were YAB Menteri Besar Pahang, Dato’ Sri Wan Rosdy bin Wan Islam; Pahang State Forestry Department Director, YH Dato’ Dr. Mohd Hizamri bin Mohd Yassin; and Encik Arizan Arifin, General Manager of Project Implementation of ECERDC. During the event, the Pahang state government signed an agreement with Endau Rompin Park Resort Sdn. Bhd. who will be the park operator.
About ECER and ECERDC
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC) is a statutory body established to spearhead the execution and implementation of the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) Master Plan. ECERDC plays a lead role in setting the directions, policies and strategies for the socio-economic development of ECER by promoting and facilitating investments into the Region.
ECER, which covers the states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Pahang and the district of Mersing in Johor, is a rapidly transforming region that is steadily positioning itself as a distinctive, dynamic and competitive destination for investments.
Geographically, it covers a total area of over 66,000 sq km or 51% of Peninsular Malaysia. It is home to some 4.8 million people, or about 15% of the total national population. The economic growth in the Region is driven by five key economic clusters, namely Tourism, Oil, Gas & Petrochemical, Manufacturing, Agribusiness and Human Capital and Entrepreneurship Development. These clusters are supported by developments in Transportation, Infrastructure, Property and Environment to make the Region an ideal destination for business, investments and quality living.
For media inquiries, kindly contact:
Tengku Mazlinda Tengku Mahmood Manager, Media Relations
East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC)
Tel: 03-8885 0182 / 010-408 1085 email: mazlinda@ecerdc.com.my