8/29/2012 — New Straits Times
JERANTUT: A rest area that caters for both water and land transport users was launched in Kampung Labu near here yesterday.
Known as Labu Sentral R&R, it is a perfect stopover for tourists en route to Taman Negara via Sungai Tembeling while those travelling along the federal road can also drop by to shop for handicrafts and agricultural produce.
Built by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), the RM273,000 rest area is also an opportunity for locals to introduce their products while mingling with tourists taking a break from a three-hour boat ride from Kuala Tembeling jetty.
Tahan state assemblyman Datuk Wan Amizan Wan Abdul Razak said Taman Negara had 65,000 visitors last year while the first half of this year saw 50,000 visitors.
“Tourism is a goldmine and the locals should grab the opportunities made possible by the government.”
ECERDC chief executive officer Datuk Jebasingam Issace John said a Special Fund Initiative was initiated in 2010 to develop areas formerly administered by the Development Authority of Pahang Tenggara and Jengka Regional Development Authority which were dissolved in 1997.
He said RM150 million was allocated for 291 projects in the six districts — Bera, Jerantut, Maran, Rompin, Temerloh and Pekan — which would benefit about 659,000 residents.