‘Explore development on highlands overseas’

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Came­ron Highlands should study highland development from other countries, says Zuraida Kamaruddin.

The Housing and Local Govern­ment Minister said the Cameron Highlands District Council should visit cities like Hong Kong which had a lot of hillside development to learn a thing or two.

“I think the YDP (council president) should go abroad to countries that have plenty of development on highlands and learn how the development is done there.

“For example, Hong Kong is a hilly place but they still manage to build many recreational and theme parks. I am sure we can learn something from them about development in hilly areas,” Zuraida said.

On whether Cameron Highlands was “over-developed”, she said it still had plenty of nature intact.

“Development and nature have to blend. In my opinion, Cameron Highlands is still okay as it still has a lot of trees.

“During my journey here from Sungai Koyan at night, I saw a lot of vegetable farms lit up on the hillsides, it was a very nice view.

“These are the kind of things we need to capitalise on to increase the vibrancy of Cameron Highlands as a tourist destination.

“It is also not expensive to implement,” she told reporters after visiting the construction site of a foodcourt near Tanah Rata.

Zuraida said the contractor for the RM4.2mil project, which began in 2017, had been terminated due to “inexperience”.

“The project was supposed to be completed in February this year, but the progress today is only 20%,” she added.