Eco-tourism locations in Beruas will be promoted on billboards along the West Coast Expressway (WCE). — Filepic
BILLBOARDS highlighting Perak’s key attractions are going up along the West Coast Expressway (WCE), says Loh Sze Yee.
The state tourism, industry, investment and corridor development committee chairman said the measure was being undertaken by Tourism Perak.
He said the construction of WCE had opened new opportunities for tourism development, where improved connectivity and smoother access enhanced visibility and accessibility to lesser-known tourist destinations.
These, he said, included locations such as Ulu Licin in Beruas, known for its natural and water-based recreational activities.
“This promotional effort will be expanded to other locations in Beruas, which boasts historical attractions like Beruas museum and Bagan Datuk, famous for its coconut-based agro products, fresh seafood and authentic fishing village atmosphere.
“In parallel with promotions, various development and maintenance initiatives are actively being implemented at tourism sites as well.
“Areas currently being revitalised include Trong, Changkat Jering and Kuala Sepetang.
“Among the ongoing projects are the upgrading of the Kampung Dew Firefly Jetty, known for its nighttime boat tours and the conservation of the Long Jaafar Mausoleum, which holds significant historical value for Taiping District and the state as a whole,” he said when replying to a question by Azman Noh (BN-Pengkalan Baharu) at the Perak State Assembly yesterday.
WCE connects Perak with Selangor. The highway’s alignment in Perak spans from Hutan Melintang, Teluk Intan, Manjung, and Beruas to Taiping.
Loh said another planned nature-based tourism project was the development of an aquaculture zone in the Hilir Perak District.
“This project will include a modern and structured cage fish farming system, along with new tourism elements such as floating restaurants and accommodation, which is expected to draw domestic and international tourists seeking alternative travel experiences,” he elaborated.
He said the state had also established the Economic Growth Committee to plan and implement holistic development initiatives.
Loh said one of the key beneficiaries of WCE is Manjung District, which now enjoys much more efficient access to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
“Another major project is the Lumut Maritime Industrial City (LuMIC), a collaboration between the state government and Port of Antwerp-Bruges International, which aspires to develop an international-standard maritime industrial corridor in Manjung District.
“In addition, the Perak Halal Industrial Park being developed in Lekir has also shown great potential in reinforcing the state’s halal industry ecosystem.
“This industrial park has already attracted interest from foreign investors aiming to establish a halal gelatine production facility,” he added.
Separately, Perak housing and local government committee chairman Sandrea Ng said there were no plans to construct a fire and rescue station in Kampung Gugusan Manjoi near Ipoh.
The requirement for building a new fire station is that there must be no existing facility within a 25km radius.
Ng said there were currently three fire stations nearby.
“Given this, Kampung Gugusan Manjoi does not meet the distance criteria,” she said in reply to a question from Mohd Hafez Sabri (PH-Manjoi).
