Appreciate Fraser’s Hill for what it is

I READ with dismay of the planned development of a resort and spa at Fraser’s Hill (“Tears for Fraser’s Hill: A Malaysian tragedy”, Sunday Star, Sept 13; online at bit.ly/star_frasers). My family and I have been visitors to the

hill for decades. Many of my school holidays were spent at Fraser’s Hill, which we fondly adopted as our kampung, as we were city kids who had no hometown to return to during festive seasons.

I had friends who laughed at me for always going to Fraser’s Hill – most paid just a day visit or only went once, never going back again. The usual reasons were “nothing to do there”, “nothing to eat” and “nothing to buy”. I guess that is what the Raub District Council is trying to “fix” – to attract more tourists to generate revenue for the state of Pahang.

However, let me share why I think this may not the right long-term strategy. Firstly, why is Fraser’s Hill attractive? Its value lies in its unspoiled nature and biodiversity. As such, it attracts people who are true lovers of nature and who revel in its beauty and tranquillity. My family and I never felt bored in Fraser’s Hill – we went jungle trekking and for long walks, we read books, played Scrabble, barbecued under the stars, visited the now-dry Jeriau waterfalls, played tennis, roller-skated at the skating rink, went bird watching, etc. I am sure there are many more like us who love Fraser’s Hill the way it is.

To reiterate: Fraser’s Hill is not for those who need bright lights, entertainment and shopping – those can be found at Genting Highlands. Those sorts of tourists are better off left to fulfil their desires there.

Once you try to attract such tourists to Fraser’s Hill, over time, these tourists who do not appreciate nature will end up destroying it, and we will end up worse off than before.

The income that the state

generates is short term; also, I hope that we have enough foresight to see that the value of something is not just measured in terms of monetary benefits but also in terms of culture, heritage and environment. Sadly, this is the difference between a developing country and a developed country.

We have seen many development projects in Fraser’s Hill end up being failures and becoming white elephants. Fraser’s Hill should be proud of its own identity and not “try to be like the big boys”. Fraser’s Hill is a precious gem that should be protected and allowed to flourish on its own terms.

In fact, what about gazetting

the hill as national heritage to

preserve it for future generations? We do not know the value of what we have until we lose it. Please do not let this happen to Fraser’s Hill.

SERENE NG , Petaling Jaya