Beyond 2020: May love & logic save Fraser’s Hill

Fraser's Hill town centre in memory.

THE purposes of Fraser’s Hill set it apart from anywhere else, hence it should be handled differently. There are three main purposes of Fraser’s Hill. Firstly, its purpose as a unique tourist destination. Secondly, its purpose as a place of important scientific studies and finally, its purpose as a highland ecosystem. When these purposes are properly understood it will be a win win situation for everyone. Even those who want to profit financially from the hill can potentially benefit from fulfilling its purposes.

Let’s first talk about the saddest thing I discovered this year. The saddest thing I discovered this year is that many residents of Fraser’s Hill also do not understand the value nor the purposes of Fraser’s Hill and would compromise the hill for a price.

Well, perhaps that is the second saddest thing. The saddest is knowing that very few see the protection of a valuable endemic ecosystem from destruction as a collective obligation, despite the Quran also telling us specifically to protect the environment. The conservation of a valuable ecosystem should be seen as Fard al Kifayah.

In an earlier writing, I shared that I spent so much time working on the matter that I dreamt of speaking to Yang di-Pertuan Agong (Al-Sultan Abdulllah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, the Sultan of Pahang) regarding this urgent matter.

I didn’t think that after that incident, Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah would also appear before me in my sleep to discuss the issue. In my dream, she was everything I imagined her to be - regal, caring and wise. In real life I pray that the Royal Highnesses are aware and are listening to our pleas.

This plan of a 15-storey resort & spa has caused quite a stir as it should be. Many are shocked that a development of such a scale and design could be approved for Fraser’s Hill.

What we are asking is for the scale to be reduced. Not only to minimise the environmental impact, but also to retain Fraser’s Hill as Little England. Other than church spires, castle towers and such, the English countryside are not tarnished with modern skyscrapers.

To change this aspect of Fraser’s Hill will cost its authenticity as Little England. Are we really willing to jeopardise this hundred year old establishment only to benefit one party who seem to not understand the value of the hill? It doesn’t make sense.

When Fraser’s Hill’s only lake, Allan’s Water was flooded with brown muddy water that flowed down from the construction site just as we predicted it would, the fear became real.

Many could see the seriousness of the matter, though it was not enough to change anything. What surprised us, however, was how slow the developer reacted to the situation. It took two weeks before it was even looked into. We are not looking forward to the next six years if they get the go ahead.

Despite it all, there is enough love and logic to have brought us to this juncture.

On Nov 17,2020, the issue of the 15-storey development in Fraser’s Hill was raised in the State Assembly by Tras Adun Chow Yu Hui, and two days later the MP for Raub Tengku Zulpuri Shah brought the same matter up in Parliament.

In reply to his statement in Parliament, the Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri highlighted that the ministry was not consulted regarding the development of the hotel. She stressed that although it is up to the state to decide on such matter, the ministry hopes to be consulted over such a decision in the future.

As a result of that, the minister arranged for a visit to Fraser’s Hill a couple of weeks ago. Her department also requested the local council, Majlis Daerah Raub, to be present.

It was quite an event. Everyone was only informed a few days before the visit. To say that it shook those in charge of Fraser’s Hill is an understatement. Everyone important in Tourism Pahang, Perbadanan Kemajuan Bukit Fraser, Majlis Daerah Raub and the developer were present. Even the former local councillor who approved the project in 2018 was said to have made an appearance.

We don’t know what will come about of the visit and discussions, but at least we know that all eyes are on the issue right now and the decision makers are looking into the matter are perhaps more informed than before.

Another lesson learnt this year is how more efficiently our country could be run if only the state governments and the federal government could work together more effectively, so that federal ministries with expertise could have more influence over state issues.

For example, if the Department of Environment has jurisdiction over state issues, this project plan would not have been approved, as the Department of Environment’s Laporan Kajian Penyelarasan Pembangunan di Kawasan Tanah Tinggi Bukit Fraser 2008 would have come into effect to deter development of such a scale. Even its Eco Tourism Plan 2016-2025 would’ve been effective in this case.

More love and logic came in the form of Fraser’s Hill Symposium (an effort towards Fraser’s Hill State Park status) held on Dec 16. It was a two day conference organised by Pusat Penyelidikan Bukit Fraser, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia and WWF Malaysia. It was a privilege to listen to so many brilliant experts and scientists talk about their findings on Fraser’s Hill. From flora to fauna to soil condition to how best to treat the hill to economic value of Fraser’s Hill.

So many studies have been done on Fraser’s Hill since the 1920s up to this day. A hundred years of studies with hundreds of books and journals published as proof and yet all these findings are bizarrely not considered in making important decisions for the hill.

There seems to be a missing link. I know a number of these researchers have attempted to reach out to decision makers however to no avail. I think it is valid to question why decision makers do not care for these important findings. How can we improve on this?

While it is not the job or responsibility of a researcher, scientist or academic to advocate or lobby their findings, it would be great if all those who had gained one way or another from studying about Fraser’s Hill could now give back to the hill by sharing their findings with decision makers more persuasively. Moving forward, there is a need for a body whose job is to ensure research findings get to decision makers productively.

A video uploaded on instagram surprised us last week. It was a recording of former environment minister, Tan Sri Azmi Khalid, expressing his disapproval against the 15-storey development in front of the project signboard in Fraser’s Hill.

He pointed out that this development could set a precedent and it could be the first of many high rises in Fraser’s Hill. His reaction gives us hope that perhaps others in the position to influence would express some love and logic too. Hopefully it becomes contagious and would spark love and logic to the decision makers and the developer.

From the start of the #savefrasershill campaign, love and logic has played an integral part. Supporters of the campaign near and far drove the campaign in various ways full of love for the hill. Fraser’s Hill is blessed to have so many lovers. To all the #savefrasershill campaigners, to everyone who signed the petition, to Fraser’s Hill Nature Lovers group on Facebook, to those who wrote in to us to volunteer, to lend a hand or just to express support, we feel your love for the hill.

Beyond 2020, we hope love and logic will prevail to save Fraser’s Hill.

Nik Jassmin Hew is the chairperson of Persatuan Alam & Warisan Bukit Fraser (PAWBF). The views expressed here are solely her own and do not necessarily reflect those of The Star.