The picturesque Mount Penrissen as seen from Borneo Heights Resort.
KUCHING: Bengoh constituency which stretches from Penrissen area right up to certain parts of Bau holds a great potential in the eco-tourism industry, said Bengoh assemblyman and Assistant Minister of Public Health Datuk Dr Jerip Susil.
He said efforts had been taken to highlight and promote its tourism products and attractions.
“Indeed Bengoh constituency has a huge potential in the tourism industry.
“Among some of the tourism products that we can further develop are the Borneo Heights, Rafflesia flowers and waterfalls at Kpg Temurang, hot spring at Kpg Anah Rais, homestays at Kpg Benuk, Kpg Semadang, Anah Rais and Kpg Krokong, the Padawan Raft Safari, 4WD challenge at Bengoh Resettlement Scheme, Giam waterfalls and Ferry and Wind Caves in Bau,” Dr Jerip told The Borneo Post here yesterday.
He opined that the tourism potentials of Bengoh constituency should be tied up with tourism potentials of Sematan-Lundu as highlighted by Santubong MP and Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dato Sri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar in The Borneo Post yesterday.
“Looking at the big picture, these tourism potentials should be tied-up together so that we can attract more tourists to visit these places.
“At the end of the day, everyone should benefit when proper plans to promote these products could be streamlined and managed well,” he said.
Dr Jerip also revealed that former chief minister and current Yang di-Pertua Negeri Tun Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud had actually tasked Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) to come up with a tourism blueprint for Bengoh constituency two years ago.
“It’s only when we have proper master plan that we can promote these tourism products in order to pull in more tourism money for our people,” he stressed.
He expressed optimism that when the master plan is implemented in the near future, it would provide more job opportunities for the locals and also more business opportunities for travel agencies.
“I am confident that once the master plan is implemented, we can see the fruits of it by 2020.
“By then we hope to reap more income from the tourism industry not only for Bengoh constituency but also for the whole state.
“It is going to be a major industry where everyone can participate and benefit from,” added Dr Jerip.
He also disclosed that the Bengoh Range which includes the Borneo Heights and Penrissen Mountain was declared as a National Park last year.
Among some of the attractions found there are the rhinoceros hornbills and various species of flora and fauna, which have attracted many international researchers.
Meanwhile, at press time, MPP chairman Lo Khere Chiang could not be reached for comments.