Thursday, December 24, 2009

Cameron Highlands Farming Issues

Farms encroaching on reserved land taken down
By Ivan Loh
23/Dec/2009


CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Enforcement officers demolished the sheds covering four vegetable farms built in the buffer zone of reserved land near Sungai Terla.

It was not a smooth operation with the farmers screaming and crying aloud as Rela personnel held them aside. Reporters who had gathered there were also yelled at.

The distraught farmers even tore down a bridge across the river to prevent the enforcement personnel from getting to the farms.

District Officer Datuk Mohamad Noor Abdul Rani said action was taken as the plots were too near the riverside, with pesticides and fertilisers seeping into the river.

He said plastic bags and pesticide containers were also dumped near the river.

Mohamad Noor said the ruling was that farms should be at least 10m away from rivers.

"The river is the intake point to a reservoir in Cameron Highlands. Tests conducted on the water quality by the Health Department recently showed that it was unsatisfactory," he told a press conference after the demolition work.

He assured that the water could still be treated and would be safe for consumption, adding that another seven farms there would be monitored by the Pahang Drainage and Irrigation Department until new directives to clear the farms were given.

Mohamad Noor said all 11 farmers have had their Temporary Occupancy Licences revoked for encroaching into the reserved land.

He said the issue only came to their attention following a TV programme that highlighted the pollution caused by the farmers.

"The farmers already know that they will not get any compensation because they have encroached onto reserved land. But they can still appeal to the Pahang government for land to continue farming," he added.

Tanah Rata assemblyman Ho Yip Kap pledged to raise the matter with state officials to help the affected farmers. -- The Star




Chaos as vegetable farms near river are demolished
By Ivan Loh
24/Dec/2009


CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Enforcement officers demolished sheds covering four vegetable plots in the buffer zone of a reserve land near Sungai Terla.

It was not a smooth operation, however. The farmers were screaming and crying aloud as Rela personnel held them down. Reporters who had gathered there were also yelled at.

The farmers even tried to tear down a bridge across the river to prevent the enforcement personnel from getting to the farms.

District Officer Datuk Mohamad Noor Abdul Rani said action was taken as the plots were too near the riverside, with pesticides and fertiliser seeping into the river.

Total disarray: A woman crying as Rela members restrain her husband after they were overcome by emotion when their farm in Kuala Terla was demolished by Cameron Highlands district office enforcement officers yesterday. – Saiful Bahri / The Star
Total disarray: A woman crying as Rela members restrain her husband after they were overcome by emotion when their farm in Kuala Terla was demolished by Cameron Highlands district office enforcement officers yesterday. – Saiful Bahri / The Star


He said plastic bags and pesticide containers were also dumped near the river.

Mohamad Noor said the ruling was that farms should be at least 10m away from rivers. "The river is the intake point to a reservoir in Cameron Highlands. Tests conducted on the water quality by the Health Department recently showed that it was unsatisfactory," he told a press conference after the demolition work.

He gave an assurance that the water could still be treated and would be safe for consumption.

Mohamad Noor said all 11 farmers have had their Temporary Occupancy Licences revoked due to the encroachment into the reserve land.

He said the issue only came to their attention after a TV programme that highlighted the pollution caused by the farmers.

"The farmers already know that they will not get any compensation because they have encroached onto reserve land. But they can still appeal to the Pahang government for land to continue farming," he added.

Tanah Rata assemblyman Ho Yip Kap pledged to raise the matter with state officials to help the affected farmers. -- The Star

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Cameron Highlands Tapah route to be widen

It's about time they widen the Tapah route to Cameron Highlands. It is really narrow and winding and it is shorter distance if coming from the south like from Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Johor or Singapore. Sometimes those buses use up both lanes when they turn a corner and it is very difficult to overtake them!




Road to Cameron Highlands to be widened

11/Dec/2009 -- The Star

IPOH: The 45km stretch of road from Tapah to Cameron Highlands will be widened to allow for smoother traffic flow.

Perak state executive council member Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the Public Works Department would submit a proposal on the matter to the Government under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

"The present road is too narrow for the increasing number of vehicles using that stretch, especially lorries ferrying vegetables from Cameron Highlands," he said Friday.

Speaking to reporters after visiting his Chenderiang constituency in Tapah, 60km from here, Dr Mah said with the wider road, motorists could have an alternative to the Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands route.

To complement the widening of stretch, Dr Mah said the turning after the Tapah toll exit would also be widened.

"Several nasty accidents have occurred at that stretch before and the department has suggested that measures be put in place," he said. -- The Star News.




Paving way to wider road
By Sylvia Looi 16/Dec/2009

THERE are plans to widen the 45km stretch of road from Tapah to Cameron Highlands for a smoother traffic flow.

Perak executive council member Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the state Public Works Department (PWD) would submit a proposal on the matter to the Federal Government for the 10th Malaysia Plan.

Site of many accidents: Dr Mah (left) inspecting Jalan Chenderiang with PWD officials including Dr Safry (third left).
Site of many accidents: Dr Mah (left) inspecting Jalan Chenderiang with PWD officials including Dr Safry (third left).


"The present road is too narrow for the increasing number of vehicles using it, especially lorries ferrying vegetables from Cameron Highlands," he told reporters on Friday after visiting his Chenderiang constituency in Tapah, 60km from here.

Dr Mah said that with the wider road, motorists could have an alternative to the Simpang Pulai-Cameron Highlands route.

To complement the widening, Dr Mah said the turning after the Tapah toll exit would also be ex-panded.

"Several nasty accidents have occurred at that stretch before and PWD has suggested that measures be put in place," he said.

On another matter, Dr Mah said the perennial flash flood problem affecting 1,000 villagers along Jalan Pahang in Tapah would be a thing of the past when the JKR deepened and widened the drains.

"A 1.2m wide box culvert will also be put in place along Sungai Cheroh to ensure better flow of water when it rains," he said.

He added that the project was expected to cost RM300,000.

He added that villagers had been putting up with flash floods for years due to shallow drains. -- The Star News.

Saturday, November 28, 2009

Gunung Beremban Cameron Highlands climbed by visually-impaired kids

Visually-impaired kids climb hill
28/Nov/2009

THE VISUALLY-impaired pupils and teachers celebrated with great joy when everyone in their group successfully climbed Gunung Berembun, Cameron Highlands, during their three-day camping trip.

It was one of the outdoor activities organised under Sekolah Kebang­­­saan Klang's Special Educa­tion Integration Programme for the Visually Impaired.

The school is the main school for pupils who have visual impairment to follow the complete schooling system for blind students in Selangor.

Visual impairment is categorised into two — direct blindness and limited eyesight.

The Special Education Conquering Gunung Berembun Programme offered an opportunity for the school's 18 visually-impaired pupils to gain experience and widen their knowledge through activities outside the classroom.

Determined lot: The visually-impaired pupils and their teachers who successfully climbed Gunung Berembun, Cameron Highlands.
Determined lot: The visually-impaired pupils and their teachers who successfully climbed Gunung Berembun, Cameron Highlands.


Shania Choo Lee Vien, 10, said the camp marked her second to Cameron Highlands.

"We went to the same place last year but only managed to go halfway up the hill," she said.

"My teachers prepared us a few months before this year's trip by getting us to do half-hour walks at the stadium or school stairs to build our strength every morning."

The Year Four pupil recalled falling many times due to the slippery ground, but her teachers helped her back on her feet.

"I enjoyed shopping and visiting the strawberry farms in Cameron Highlands," said Choo.

"I liked the beautiful flowers I saw during climb. Sleeping in the tent was fun too. Bathing was terrible though — the water was like ice!"

Choo's mother, Lee Nyok Chun, said she was initially concerned that it would be challenging for her daughter to climb and camp in such a cold place.

"But I allowed her to go because I wanted her to experience what a normal child would have experienced and to be independent," said the 47-year-old who is also a teacher.

"It is normal for parents to worry about their child's safety but I knew she would be in good hands.

"She has dedicated teachers who are willing to take the time and trouble to expose them to nature and the life that a normal child has," said Lee.

Suzana Aziz and Ahmad Fakarudin Abdul Wahab were among the teachers who went on the trip to the 1,840m-high mountain.

On the preparations they needed to make, Suzana, 33, said: "It was very important to take note of the pupils' own capability levels as well as physical and mental endurance.

"Many elements, like the pupils' physical endurance training, financial resources, work force and teachers' preparation had to be carefully planned before carrying out the programme."

Ahmad Fakarudin, 29, said they faced many difficulties in organising the trip, including getting sponsors, getting parents to trust the teachers to care for their children, building the pupils' endurance to be able face challenges during the climb and sacrificing time to train for the trip.

"The completely blind pupils were the ones who needed the most assistance during the climb," said Suzana, who teaches Science and Orientation & Mobility.

"The teachers had to help carry some pupils during the descent. But we were all committed to realising the pupils' dream of conquering the mountain."

Both teachers said the sweetest moment was when all the pupils managed to successfully reach the mountain's peak without any injury, even though at times they had to resort to crawling due to exhaustion.

"We must treat the children as human beings, and not think of them as the disabled," said Ahmad Fakarudin, a Bahasa Malaysia and Physical Education teacher. -- The Star News.

Friday, November 27, 2009

Singing star from Cameron Highlands

Singing star from Cameron Highlands
By Chan Le Leen
27/Nov/2009


Cameron Highlands girl Chen Keat Yoke has brought further recognition to her idyllic hometown in Pahang by winning the TVB8 International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship 2009 in Hong Kong.

"Cameron Highlands is known for its vegetables, flowers and tea. People used to know me as vegetable wholesaler Ah Kong's daughter but these days, they actually know me by my name," Keat Yoke said of her newfound fame.

She described her win as most unexpected.

She beat 15 other finalists from various north American, Australian, European and Asian cities to bag the Golden Mike Award and the subsidiary title of Perfect Vocalist.

She was previously second runner-up in the Astro Star Quest 2009.

Animated: Chen belting out a song during the contest.
Animated: Chen belting out a song during the contest.


The TVB8 International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship is a prestigious Hong Kong-based singing competition that has spun out big names like Anita Mui (1982) Alex To (1985) and Eason Chan (1995).

Former contestants who went on to carve successful singing careers include William So, Hacken Lee, Leon Lai, Sammi Cheng and Coco Lee.

"From the beginning, people expressed on blogs and Internet portals that I was undeserving of a Top Five spot in the Astro Star Quest 2009. As a representative of Malaysia in Hong Kong, I was considered an underdog who was lucky to be there by virtue of winning the second runner-up spot," she said.

But the 20-year-old songbird, who prefers singing slow ballads, was unperturbed by such sentiments about her.

"I was not bothered. I joined for fun and it was a bonus to be able to compete in Hong Kong," she said.

New talent: Chen accepting her trophy as winner of the TVB8 International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship 2009 in Hong Kong.
New talent: Chen accepting her trophy as winner of the TVB8 International Chinese New Talent Singing Championship 2009 in Hong Kong.


Keat Yoke, who has since recorded a Chinese New Year album with her fellow Astro artistes, did however admit that it was only after her win in the Astro Star Quest 2009 that made her believe she could make a career out of singing.

Keat Yoke is now concentrating on her job commitments with Astro including an acting stint as Ah Lian, the salted fish seller girlfriend to MyFM deejay Jack Lim in the upcoming movie ‘Woohoo!'.

"I'm not sure what happens next. Of course, I'll be glad to accept offers from recording companies but I still wish to pursue a degree in bioinformatics," said Keat Yoke, who due o her love of singing, has ut her studies on hold for awhile. -- The Star News.

Monday, November 09, 2009

Cameron Highlands Strawberry Farm

Strawberry fields
By Wong Li Za
9 Nov 2009


Tart or sweet, strawberries will be plentiful now that Cameron Highlands has come under the Satu Daerah, Satu Industri programme.

CAMERON Highlands' appeal lies in its tea plant terraces, cool air and fresh produce. Each year, an estimated five million tourists flock to the highlands in Pahang, which is the only area in the country with commercial strawberry farms.

Unfortunately, many people's impression of Cameron Highlands strawberries is that they are "small and sour" – at least those were my childhood memories of the fruit. However, with research and development, bigger and less sour strawberries have since been cultivated. This year, Cameron Highlands and its strawberry industry were listed under the Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry's Satu Daerah, Satu Industri (One District, One Industry) programme.

Nature's bounty: The Chandler, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie and Akihime varieties of strawberries at EQ Strawberry Farm in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.
Nature's bounty: The Chandler, Camarosa, Sweet Charlie and Akihime varieties of strawberries at EQ Strawberry Farm in Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.


Recent years have also seen vegetable farmers switching to strawberries due to better demand and stable prices.

Graduating smack in the 1985 recession was a dampener for Lawrence Wong, who obtained an electrical and electronic engineering degree from the Federal Institute of Technology Kuala Lumpur.

The then 21-year-old Wong decided to go home to Cameron Highlands and temporarily help out at his parents' 0.6ha vegetable and flower farm.

Wong never returned to Kuala Lumpur and today, he is an innovative and successful strawberry farmer and entrepreneur at EQ Farm in Brinchang. He switched to planting strawberries in 2003 because of fluctuating vegetable prices and was the first to offer pluck-your-own strawberries activity for tourists in the same year. Visitors can pluck a minimum half kg of strawberries by paying a fee of RM15 to RM20, depending on the season.

"These days, it's difficult to tell when the strong growth season is because the weather is so unpredictable. Last year, there was a period when it rained for four months and that greatly affected our yield," says Wong, 45, adding that strawberries need sunlight and have to be shielded from rainfall.

Strawberry-based treats from Raju Hills Strawberry Farm.
Strawberry-based treats from Raju Hills Strawberry Farm.


A new plant bears fruit after three months, after which it has a turnaround period of one month before the next harvest, he adds.

Sweet note

As we walk among the neat rows of two-tiered strawberry plants, Wong lets us sample each of the three main varieties – the Chandler from The Netherlands, the Camarosa from the United States, and Sweet Charlie from Eqypt. Although some of them still tasted sourish, many were indeed sweet.

Recently, Wong also started growing the Akihime variety from Japan which is longish in shape and can grow to a good size. Just 12 pieces weigh about half a kg.

What is unique about this variety is that it has a sweetness level (brix level) of at least 14, according to Wong. (For comparison, the brix level of grapes and oranges can go up to 20.) We lost no time in sampling one. It was sweeter and had a pleasant whiff of vanilla to it as we took a bite.

Two years ago, Wong started using an alkaline material fertiliser imported from Japan. Costing RM7,000 per tonne, the natural fertiliser is made from ash and silicon material.

"With this fertiliser, the strawberries turn out sweeter and bigger. It also tends to restore the plant strength to that of the first harvest," says Wong, adding that the fertiliser raises the brix level of strawberries from an initial seven to nine, to 10 or 11.

Quality control: Lawrence Wong checking the strawberries at EQ Strawberry Farm.
Quality control: Lawrence Wong checking the strawberries at EQ Strawberry Farm.


Wong uses the drip irrigation system of cultivation and mixes soil with mushroom sawdust and coconut husk or coco peat. He also grows organic oyster mushrooms and pearl corn, a sweet corn variety from Taiwan.

"The mushroom sawdust contains alkaline material in it. Combined with the alkaline fertiliser, any worms in the soil will die off due to the alkaline environment," says Wong, who uses a bio-organism for pest control and fungicide to prevent moulding of the fruit.

Besides taking pride in being pesticide-free, Wong also uses a technology called Sonic Bloom plant music in his farm. The music is piped in to the farm every morning for one hour via strategically-placed speakers. A product from the United States, Sonic Bloom is natural sounds of the forest and is believed to help plants grow healthier, faster and produce higher yields.

Wong sells his strawberries at RM40 a kg, which is higher than some of the other farms but he has no problems with demand due to the quality of the fruits.

Due to limited land, Wong only supplies fresh strawberries to tourists at his centre and to local cake shops in and around Cameron Highlands. Besides fresh strawberries, the farm also produces preservative-free strawberry jams, with no added sugar or less sugar, on-site. Each kg of strawberries makes two to three jars of jam.

Strawberries and strawberry-based products including jam, enzyme and ice-cream potong sold at his farm.
Strawberries and strawberry-based products including jam, enzyme and ice-cream potong sold at his farm.


Other products include strawberry ice-cream potong (ice-sticks), fresh strawberry juice, strawberry enzyme, strawberry salad, and desserts.

In future, Wong hopes to implement Japanese techniques of organic farming and obtain more Japanese varieties. "The importance is in the technique of growing the strawberries. My aim is to achieve the Japanese standard of growth."

Local attraction

Strawberry grower Selvaraj Veerappan will be the first to admit that tending a strawberry farm is hard work.

The price of fertilisers has doubled, yield is affected by the weather and leaves need to be pruned constantly to ensure healthy fruits.

"It's not easy to grow strawberries. It's a lot of hard work to maintain the farm and the plants," says Selvaraj, 51, owner of Raju Hills Strawberry Farm in Brinchang.

He employs nine workers at his farm, which has been around since 1945. The 1.2ha plot was initially tended by Selvaraj's father, who grew vegetables.

In 1995, Selvaraj, who leased the land from the state government, switched to growing strawberries.

"Demand is tourist-driven and not dependent on wholesaler prices, which can be unstable and low," he says. "Besides, not everybody can afford to go overseas to visit strawberries so our farm is something special for locals."

Selvaraj grows the Festival variety of strawberries from The Netherlands. He admits that the variety is a little sour but sturdier. "Even those in The Netherlands are sour too," he says, adding that strawberries thrive in temperatures of between 15° and 25°C.

The main harvest period is in September but Selvaraj says there are not many tourists during that time. On the other hand, the year-end school holiday period is usually the rainy season, which affects yield.

During harvest season, the farm produces between 50kg and 100kg a day, for up to 25 days. After each harvest, the following two months will only see a yield of 10kg to 15kg a day. Annually, the farm produces about three tonnes of strawberries which are sold at around RM25 per kg.

Each plant lasts about three years, with the first year giving the highest yield.

Selvaraj uses the drip irrigation system and coconut husks to grow the strawberries. He also applies chemical fertilisers and pesticides. According to Selvaraj, the plants need six sets of fertilisers a month, each set costing RM650.

"The price of fertilisers doubled five years ago. However, growing the plants above ground reduces the need for pesticides by up to 80% and is also easier on the workers when harvesting the fruits," he says.

Besides fresh fruits, Selvaraj also produces strawberry jam, strawberry marmalade, ice-cream, milkshake, cakes and jam tarts. All the fresh strawberries and strawberry products are only sold at the farm.

Selvaraj is not too keen on letting visitors pluck their own strawberries because he says children tend to damage the plants.

"If you do not pluck the fruit but just happen to touch it lightly, it will grow fungus the next day. We must be careful to pluck it off by the stalk," says Selvaraj, who only keeps three rows of plants open for tourists.

Higher yield

According to the Agriculture Department's 2008 records, Cameron Highlands produces RM60mil to RM70mil worth of fresh strawberries a year. (However, there are farmers who claim this figure is over-estimated.)

There are 52 strawberry growers in Cameron Highlands with a combined area of growth spanning 30ha. The department also estimates that the farmers produce RM12mil to RM18mil worth of strawberry-based products a year.

The Agriculture and Agro-based Industries Ministry first introduced the Satu Daerah, Satu Industri programme in 2002. The aim of SDSI is to boost the commercial development of products and services unique to a district to attract tourists to the area.

This year, Cameron Highlands is one of the areas to come under the SDSI project under the purview of the Agriculture Department. The other areas are Sepang in Selangor, for tapioca, and Hilir Perak for coconut. The programme's objectives include making Cameron Highlands the main producer and exporter of strawberries in the country; increasing the quality of strawberries and strawberry-based products; increasing the average income of growers; and making the strawberry industry the main agro-tourism product in Cameron Highlands.

One of the participating farms under the programme is KHM Farm located in Tanah Rata. The 10-year-old farm works closely with the Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Mardi). KHM rents a 2.4ha farm area, spread out over several locations, from Mardi. The farm also has free access to Mardi's food processing facilities and receives marketing support via the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama).

It produces six strawberry-based products – jam (its bestseller), ice-cream, acar (pickle), cordial, chutney and dried strawberries.

KHM holds joint research work with Mardi and one of the projects involved the implementation of the cold chain system four years ago. The system helps prolong the freshness of the strawberries.

"After plucking the strawberries by breaking at the stalk without touching the fruit, they are sent to a chiller initially set at 3°C for 24 hours," says Khairani Mohd, owner of KHM. adding that the temperature is gradually brought up to 7°C.

The strawberries are then transported by road at a temperature of 15°C and once they reach the supermarkets, kept at 8°C to keep the fruits fresh for two weeks, or at 6°C to keep them for four weeks.

The strawberry varieties at KHM are Camarosa, Chandler, Elsanta, Diamante, Aromas and Festival. The brix level of these strawberries is eight to nine, which is still a little sour.

"In Holland (The Netherlands), most of the strawberries have a brix level of only six because of lack of sunlight. Therefore, Malaysia is in a good position to produce strawberries." says Khairani, 52.

Thrips and mites pose the main threats to the strawberry plants, says Khairani, and the farm uses pesticide and predator mites to counter the problem. Khairani also uses a chemical fertiliser called fertigation fertiliser, made up of coconut husks and perlite.

"The main factors for healthy strawberries are good pest management and limited use of chemicals. It is also important to have traceability of the fruits for safety purposes."

According to Khairani, a 10,000-plant farm can generate income of between RM5,000 and RM8,000 a month. He adds that there are nine big players in Cameron Highlands, each covering land areas of 0.8ha and above. One acre (0.4ha) accommodates about 100,000 plants.

Generally, there are three major harvests a year. However, Khairani says KHM has managed to implement a system that induces the fruits to produce off season, culminating in up to seven harvests a year. "We create artificial winter conditions and introduce hormones to induce growth," he says.

On average, KHM Farm's daily output is 200kg, which are sold for between RM20 and RM25 per kg. About 70% of the fresh strawberries are sold to hypermarkets and supermarkets in Malaysia, while the rest are for tourists in Cameron Highlands. -- The Star Lifestyle

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Cameron Highlands Farmer Protest

Farmers dump cabbages to protest low price of vegetable
Thursday October 22, 2009

Malaysia Nanban reported that vegetable farmers in Cameron Highlands will continue to dump cabbages in front of the Cameron Highlands Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) to protest the low price of the vegetable.

Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said the farmers were incurring losses since August due to the slump in the price of round cabbages.

He said they had asked Fama and the Malaysian Farmer’s Association (LLP) to reduce imports of the vegetable to help farmers, but had yet to receive any reply.

He added the association was unhappy that Fama had failed to the monitor monthly import of over 4,000 metric tonnes of round cabbage from China and Indo-nesia.

He said that the the excessive import of the vegetable had affected prices and caused losses to the farmers. -- The Star

Protesting vegetable farmers chuck cabbage
Tuesday October 20, 2009

IPOH: More than 300 vegetable farmers in Cameron Highlands will continue to dump round cabbages in front of the Cameron Highlands Federal Agriculture Marketing Authority (Fama) to protest the vegetable’s low price.

They say that FAMA had failed to monitor and cut imports of cabbage from China and Indonesia, causing the prices to slump and the farmers to incur losses.

Cameron Highlands Vegetable Growers Association secretary Chay Ee Mong said the price of round cabbages had fallen since August.

He said they had asked Fama and the Malaysian Farmer's Association (LLP) to cut cabbage imports but had received no response.

"The wholesale price of cabbage is between 30 sen and 40 sen per kilogramme, as compared to between 60 and 80, previously," he told Bernama here Tuesday, adding the farmers’ production cost was 80 sen per kilogramme.

Chay said the association was unhappy that Fama had failed to monitor monthly imports of over 4,000 metric tonnes of round cabbage from China and Indonesia, causing the price of local products to fall.

Although the local production of 3,500 metric tonnes was insufficient for the market, he said excessive imports had affected commodity prices and caused losses to the farmers.

"If the situation does not change, the farmers have no choice but to throw away the cabbage," he added.

Vegetable farmers in Cameron Highlands had taken similar action previously when faced with falling prices of local products. - Bernama

Monday, October 05, 2009

Boh Tea Plantation

A cuppa to savour
By Sharmila Ganesan
Photos by Norafifi Ehsan
Monday October 5, 2009


Boh has come a long way from its early days of mules and steamroller. Today, the country's top tea brand is fast expanding into niche markets abroad.

AS Malaysian as nasi lemak and roti canai, Boh tea is a ubiquitous part of our lives.

Whether you start your morning with a hot cuppa, curl up with one on lazy afternoons, or enjoy a tall frosty glass on a humid day, if you're in Malaysia, chances are, the tea came from Boh.

In fact, as far as most of us are concerned, Boh tea has been around forever.

While that may not really be true, Boh Plantations has been around for a pretty long time – 80 years, to be exact.

Quality yield: A worker plucking tea leaves at the Sungei Palas tea estate owned by Boh Plantations.
Quality yield: A worker plucking tea leaves at the Sungei Palas tea estate owned by Boh Plantations.


Founded in 1929 by J.A. Russell, Boh began a previously unexplored industry in Malaysia that went on to become an enduring legacy.

Equipped only with a single steamroller, some labourers and several mules, Russell and his partner A.B. Milne transformed the steep virgin jungle slopes of Cameron Highlands into the tea gardens they are today - and with that, a uniquely Malaysian legacy began.

As Boh celebrates its 80th anniversary this year, it is obvious that much has changed since Russell's days.

The company now owns four tea gardens – Boh, Sungei Palas and Fairlie in Cameron Highlands, and Bukit Cheeding in Selangor – that produce 4,000,000kg of tea annually (about 5.5 million cups of tea a day!).

Gone are the days when teas were hand-plucked and sorted; now, the tea plantation workers use hand-held machines to gather the leaves and zipwire to transport full bags up the slopes.

The estates have also become a definite tourist draw, as evidenced by the beautiful and airy Sungei Palas Tea Centre, offering visitors a chance to learn more about tea while relaxing amidst the stunning highland views.

Besides being Malaysia's top tea brand, Boh is also expanding into niche markets abroad, and currently exports to various countries including the United States, parts of Europe, the United Arab Emirates, Japan, Singapore and Brunei.

Caroline

The products offered by Boh have also diversified: besides its signature black tea, Boh now offers the Cameronian Gold Blend, gourmet Garden Teas, the Seri Songket range, iced teas, 3-in-1 sachets, Boh Teacino, and various herb and fruit infusions.

The company also made its first move into the ready-to-drink market this year, with the introduction of Boh Teh-O-Ais which comes in cans and packets.

As a vertically-integrated tea company, Boh is one of the few in the world with operations covering the whole spectrum of tea manufacturing, from cultivation and processing to packaging and marketing.

Through all these changes, two things have remained constant: an emphasis on high quality tea, and the company's insistence on its employees' well-being.

Caroline Russell, who is J.A. Russell's granddaughter and Boh's current CEO, attributes the company's longevity to being very focused on what they do best.

"We haven't gotten distracted. Our raison d'etre is to produce tea of value. We think of ourselves as experts in tea, and concentrate on the product itself, nurturing it in our tea gardens and carrying it to Malaysian consumers.

"While we cross all market segments, from gourmet restaurants to the humble coffeeshop, we've always believed in value," she says.

One big family

As for taking good care of Boh's employees, Caroline asserts that is part and parcel of the company's ethos.

"It is about giving people the respect they deserve. They (the employees) are the cornerstone of the company," she says.

"We should provide for all stakeholders, and as the business grows and becomes better, all our stakeholders (which includes our employees) should be beneficiaries of that too. This way, over time, we improve the standard of living of everyone involved."

Such respect and appreciation go a long way in keeping Boh's employees happy and productive.

During a recent visit to the Sungei Palas estate, this writer had the opportunity to speak to several Boh employees, who all had nothing but praise for their employer.

K. Subramaniam (right) is a mandor in charge of tea plucking, at the Sungei Palas estate.
K. Subramaniam (right) is a mandor in charge of tea plucking, at the Sungei Palas estate.


Sungei Palas' estate manager K. Achutan is a product of the company's positive work ethos. Having been with Boh for 29 years, he initially started as a clerk.

"Our company recognises dedication and hard work, and these are well appreciated," says Achutan. "I have no complaints; it is peaceful work with good earnings."

A large part of the employees' job satisfaction stems from the many perks given to them by Boh. Workers at the tea estates are given free housing and water supply, while those above a certain level are also given an electricity and gas allowance.

Employees are also given various incentives that encourage them to be productive.

Besides a performance-based bonus, workers are given cash incentives if they have put in every working day in the year. Employees at the tea centre, for example, are awarded service points that translate into cash.

Boh also ensures that its employees have all the facilities they need.

There is a temple, surau and chapel at the estate. There is also a free clinic for tea garden employees onsite, with qualified medical assistants.

If further treatment is required, the company covers any expenses incurred in government hospitals. Furthermore, a free creche has been set up with nannies to care for employees' children during working hours

Cool conditions: Workers at the Sungei Palas tea estate (owned by Boh Plantations) are given free housing on the estate itself.
Cool conditions: Workers at the Sungei Palas tea estate (owned by Boh Plantations) are given free housing on the estate itself.


Boh also gives merit awards to workers' children who do well in government exams.

The estates' foreign workers are not excluded either. As they are usually on three- to five-year contracts, they are given a loyalty bonus of RM200 a year to encourage them to finish their contract periods.

Besides free accommodation and water, they are further provided a shared TV set and DVD player to occupy their free time.

Tea factory conductor Sayed Jamal Abu Seman, 37, has been with Boh for 20 years.

"Everyone, from the workers to the upper management, works together to make the company successful. Whenever (Caroline) or Datuk Tristan (Russell, Boh chairman and Caroline's father) come to the estate, they come down to the fields with us, so they really know what it's like on the ground.

"They will also ask us how we are, and whether we are facing any problems. They listen to us and trust us, and I think this is why the company has done so well," says Sayed Jamal.

Challenging times

Despite this, however, Boh is not exempt from the challenges facing other companies in the plantation sector, one of which is the diminishing availability of local labour.

At the Sungei Palas estate, for instance, foreign workers make up 63% of the 180-strong workforce.

Achutan says in order to deal with the situation, locals are usually offered higher income, more long-term positions – such as drivers and supervisors – in comparison to foreign workers, or work in the tea centre or factories.

Mandors, for example, are all locals, and are usually those with many years' experience working in the tea gardens.

"While we are very keen to recruit more Malaysians to work on the plantations, we are finding it difficult," says Caroline.

"It's an attitude that dates back to colonial times, where the work is regarded as low status even though the remuneration is quite equal to the manufacturing sector. Besides that, the work is physically very demanding, which often deters many locals."

She admits that the plantation industry is facing a "terrible dilemma" as it is highly dependent on foreign workers. "Should the government change its policy on the hiring of foreign labour, it would be catastrophic."

Caroline adds, however, that the supply of skilled and semi-skilled workers should not be difficult to maintain as long as the company continues to pay competitively.

While such issues and others may prove thorny, one gets the feeling that Boh can and will ride them out – with a cup of tea held firmly in hand.

After all, you don't reach the ripe old age of 80 without having picked up a few things along the way! -- The Star

Working in Boh

A worker's haven
Monday October 5, 2009

The stunning scenery and tranquillity of the Boh tea estate of Cameron Highlands make it an idyllic workplace.

Surrounded by lush greenery, cool weather and fresh, clean air, the employees of Boh Plantations' tea gardens in Cameron Highlands have a working environment that would be the envy of any city-dweller.

Besides the beautiful surroundings, however, what strikes one the most is how content they seem to be, both with Boh as an employer, and with their simple, fuss-free lifestyle.

A recent visit to Boh's Sungei Palas tea estate, where the various employees shared their experiences, proved to be an eye-opening experience.

Vijaya Ramasamy is a retail supervisor at the Boh Tea Centre at the Sungei Palas estate.
Vijaya Ramasamy is a retail supervisor at the Boh Tea Centre at the Sungei Palas estate.


For Vijaya Ramasamy, 36, holding the position of retail supervisor at the Sungei Palas Tea Centre is a major achievement.

Having left school after Form 3, she did not have a clear idea of where she was heading. Joining Boh in 1992, however, proved to be a turning point.

Vijaya started out as a cashier at the tea centre. Hard work and dedication helped her to arrive at her current position.

She attributes part of this to Boh's management, whom she describes as "very friendly and encouraging".

"I am very proud to work for Boh. We have free housing, free water, and a good salary; the weather and environment are very nice, too," says the mother of two.

"Even if I were offered a job elsewhere, I'd stay here because we all work together as a group."

Kamaruddin Nayan, 54, appreciates the care extended to its employees by Boh.

"There are no problems with the management. They really care for us. As long as you do your job well, you have nothing to worry about," says the mandor, who has been working on the estate for 38 years.

Tea tasting: Boh Plantations' Sungei Palas estate's factory conductor Sayed Jamal Abu Seman demonstrating how he tastes the different tea samples
Tea tasting: Boh Plantations' Sungei Palas estate's factory conductor Sayed Jamal Abu Seman demonstrating how he tastes the different tea samples


He adds that it makes him happy to see Boh's upper management, chairman Datuk Tristan Russell and CEO Caroline Russell, visiting the tea gardens and talking to the workers.

It's the camaraderie between workers that keeps tea estate mandor K. Subramaniam, 62, going.

"No matter what race or religion we are, we're all like brothers here. Every festival or wedding, we all celebrate together," he says, adding that everyone in the company, from the lowest position to the top management, are "very nice people".

"I'm very happy that the boss has allowed me to work for as long as I can. I'll be upset if I were to stop working because I don't want to leave this place!" he says.

Boh Plantations' Sungei Palas estate manager K. Achutan showing how tea leaves are placed in withering troughs after being plucked.
Boh Plantations' Sungei Palas estate manager K. Achutan showing how tea leaves are placed in withering troughs after being plucked.


His wife, V. Kaliamma, 57, who has been staying at the Sungei Palas estate since her marriage 38 years ago, says she loves the peaceful atmosphere.

Appointed to be the first female mandor on the estate, she is in charge of pesticide spraying, and is very proud of being entrusted with the responsibility.

"I'm very happy that our manager chose me for this position based on my experience, and not my gender. It is a challenging job, but I like doing it. It keeps me healthy!"

For tea centre manager Hashim Mohd Hassan, 42, making the decision to move from Kuala Lumpur to Cameron Highlands to take up his job was easy.

"When I came up here for the job interview, I fell in love with the place because it reminds me of the village I grew up in," says the Alor Setar native.

Living in Tanah Rata with his wife, Hashim loves the laid-back, relaxed lifestyle and the healthy environment.

"In KL, most of our time is spent driving, and we're so tired from driving through traffic jams that we have no energy for work!" Hashim says.

"Here, there is ample time to concentrate on your job, and because it's a small community, people cooperate better. When we have free time, my wife and I visit friends, or drop by the vegetable farms and flower gardens. I don't miss the city life at all." – By Sharmilla Ganesan -- The Star Lifestyle

Friday, October 02, 2009

Berjaya Hills Golf

Tee off in the highlands
Friday October 2, 2009

JUST 45 minutes from Kuala Lumpur is the perfect highland golf getaway - the Berjaya Hills Golf and Country Club.

The resort, spaciously spread across 6,500ha, with a rainforest as the backdrop, is easily accessible from the Karak Highway.

Berjaya Hills is a challenging and picturesque experience. It is a par-72, 18-hole tract designed by acclaimed golf course architect J. Michael Poellot.

It stretches all of 6,312m from the black, or championship tee box and has played host to the World Inter-Team Amateur Open, the Hospitality Asia Golf Championship and the Pahang Men & Ladies Amateur Open Golf Championships.

Tricky: The Par 5, hole no 18 at Berjaya Hills can lead to birdies as well as bogeys.
Tricky: The Par 5, hole no 18 at Berjaya Hills can lead to birdies as well as bogeys.


Given the course's location in the highlands, Poellot did an excellent job of taking in the natural surroundings and using the undulations to great effect.

The sweeping fairways, tricky greens, strategically-placed sand bunkers, as well as the water hazards that come in the form of natural streams and lakes, all chip in to make this an interesting course that leaves an impression on one forever.

Berjaya Hills opens with a 350m par-4. This hole is a gentle uphill dogleg that is marked by a friendly fairway while the large green should provide a smooth start to a round. Off the tee box, players should note the fairway bunker on the right, which encourages one to play down the left, from where the flag can be targeted.

The second hole is the first par-5 and measures 485m. The water on this Index 3 hole, is close to the left of the green and then comes down towards you as you approach, before turning across the fairway and directly influencing the second shot.

And because the hole plays downhill, the tee provides for a brilliant view of the entire hole. It is good advice to play the tee shot from right to left so as to take the two fairway bunkers on the right out of play.

Two holes later on No. 4, golfers find the most difficult challenge at Berjaya Hills.

Unforgettable: Tee-off at the picturesque Berjaya Hills Golf and Country C
Unforgettable: Tee-off at the picturesque Berjaya Hills Golf and Country Club.


This 396m par-4 gives nothing away and demands total focus.

Anything less than precision is punished wholesale. A huge valley runs across this harsh dogleg and comes into play on both the drive off the tee and the approach shot.

Thus, accuracy off the tee is of great importance here, as one must clear it in order to safely reach one of the layout's most strikingly beautiful greens.

Berjaya Hills' signature hole is the No. 17, and for good reason.

It features two routes to the green as it doglegs to the right. The “Tiger line” to the well-protected putting surface is long and must fly over Stony Creek to a tight landing area.

The other route is much safer, as one plays to the left and leaves Stony Creek out of the equation. This, however, does mean that a demanding uphill approach shot will follow.

On arrival at the clubhouse, after parking the buggy, golfers and their guests can indulge in the comfort of well-laid out facilities and enjoy good food.

“The Restaurant” at the clubhouse overlooks the swimming pool and the picturesque Titiwangsa range, and offers a variety of dining options on local and international cuisine.

The Golfer's Lounge, meanwhile, also enjoys a panoramic view of the golf course, while the bar, music room and karaoke rooms are ideal venues for relaxation and to unwind after a round of golf.

There is also a gift shop at the clubhouse for guests' convenience, and a pro-shop that is well-stocked with golf equipment and souvenirs.

But that is not all; golfers can also spend the night here, as the club features 21 luxuriously furnished suites and 12 golfer's rooms.

All the suites are fully equipped with modern amenities, such as TV set, with in-house movies, IDD telephone line, and coffee/tea making facilities.

This is probably the best time to visit the Berjaya Hills, as the club has just launched its seasonal golf package. A flight of four only has to pay for three golfers, and this works out to about RM70 for green fees, buggy and insurance.

For more information and reservation, contact: Tel 09-288 8180. --The StarMetro

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Gua Musang

Big plans for little railway town
By Syed Azhar
Tuesday September 15, 2009


PLANS are in the pipeline to turn Gua Musang, a small railway town about 220km south of Kota Baru, into the second biggest town in Kelantan in an effort to bring in development to the southern part of the state.

Gua Musang has the potential to become a new and busy township bordered by Pahang to the south, Terengganu to the east, and Perak to the west.

Meeting point: The humble train station at Gua Musang.
Meeting point: The humble train station at Gua Musang.


Federal Development Department chairman Datuk Mustapa Mohamad, in a recent meeting held in Gua Musang, said Kota Baru, Tumpat, Pasir Mas and other surrounding areas within the northern section of the state were getting congested.

"We need to get people in the northern section of the state to migrate to the southern areas and the only way to do that is to create economic activities.

"I have given this task to South Kelantan Development Board (Kesedar) to come up with a master plan to be included in the Tenth Malaysia Plan.

"I believe that, based on the geographical location of Gua Musang, it can be turned into a progressive and developed town that can rival the capital, Kota Baru," he added.

Mustapa, who is also the International Trade and Industry Minister, added that the other factor that would help Gua Musang was that it was also the northern gateway to Taman Negara (National Park) which is situated in the southeastern part of the Gua Musang district.

The attractions of the untouched tropical rainforest can generate jobs for the locals and bring in tourist dollars.

The other major attraction in Gua Musang is a Buddhist temple in Pulai which is purportedly 400 years old.

Thousands of people from around the country visit the temple every year .

Mustapa said the 110km Lojing-Cameron Highlands main road linking Ipoh to Gua Musang was also important to attract people from the western regions of the country to either invest in Gua Musang or eke out a living there.

He also said that more efforts needed to be made to improve the basic infrastructure and amenities that could rival those in other busy districts like Kota Baru, Tumpat or Pasir Mas.

Mustapa also said that thousands of people had migrated to Gua Musang during the 80s and 90s after Felda and Felcra opened up thousands of hectares of land to plant palm oil.

However, the second generation of settlers has moved out of the land settlements and every time the commodity prices of palm oil dropped, they had to seek work elsewhere which resulted in the population dwindling.

This lack of economic activities has greatly slowed down development in Gua Musang.

"That will change in the next five years because funds and allocations will be channelled to Gua Musang as soon as the master plan is completed and accepted by the Federal Government," Mustapa added. -- The Star

Wednesday, September 09, 2009

Pahang cops clean up online gambling dens

Pahang cops clean up online gambling dens
By Roslina Mohamad
Wednesday September 9, 2009


KUANTAN: Pahang police arrested 14 people in raids on Monday and Tuesday in Cameron Highlands as part of an effort to wipe out Internet gambling in the state.

They also seized 22 computers from two premises in Ringlet and Tanah Rata in an operation dubbed "Ops Dadu" (Dice).

The raids were carried out by officers from the state police contingent headquarters and Cameron Highlands police district.

State CID spokesman Asst Superintendant Noor Asyikin Shamsuri said the first raid was at a snooker outlet at about 9.30pm on Monday in Ringlet.

"The snooker premise has been renovated to include a room with 13 computers.

"There were 11 people including a caretaker in the room and they tried to escape, but the police managed to nab all of them," she said at her office here on Wednesday.

She said those arrested were aged between 18 and 39, and that nine computers were confiscated.

ASP Noor Asyikin said in the second raid carried out at Taman Royal Lily in Tanah Rata at 2pm on Tuesday, three people were arrested, including a caretaker, for allegedly operating an illegal gambling den.

They were aged between 20 and 48, she said, adding that 13 computers were seized. -- The Star

Thursday, September 03, 2009

Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands MATTA Fair Promotion

Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands
Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands Cash Voucher is back by popular demand! Yeah, just about every year they will have it and it is quite a deal too judging from the full bookings. In conjunction with the tourism Malaysia MATTA fair here's how it goes: The cash voucher is transferable and is refundable for 50% of the voucher's value if it is not utilized after the expiry date. There will be a further bargain if you purchase more than 10 vouchers at one go during the MATTA Fair from booths 3242 and 3243.

The MATTA Fair is held in PWTC Kuala Lumpur from 4-6 September, 2009 from 10 am to 9pm.

Equatorial Hotel has various vouchers but what we are looking at is the Cameron Highlands offer since this website is about this Malaysian Highlands.

At the Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands there is a RM88 Giveaway Deal. Discounted rates start from RM198++ per room/night with daily RM88 nett for food and beverage credit, on a per room per night basis. Unused credit will be refunded at 50% of its value upon departure. With the new Simpang Pulai route, travel time is shortened by one hour (whatever that means...) it is less winding hence making the drive easy and fun.

The Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands honeymoon package starts from RM888++. It is inclusive of two nights accommodation in a suite room, strawberryplatter with chocolate dip and welcome drink upon arrival and a candlelight dinner at the romantic Cricket Bistro.

Golf lovers can tee-off at the 18-hole public golf course 10 minutes away from Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands. Equatorial's Golf Package starts from RM205++ per person based on twin sharing. The package includes accommodation in the Superior room category and buffet breakfast, one round of 18-hole golf at Cameron Highlands Golf Course, souvenir for golfers, 10% discount on laundry as well as a welcome drink at the Equatorial Hotel Cameron Highlands upon arrival.

For room reservation call 1-800 88 1800

Cheers!

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Hotel De La Ferns Background

Farmer Bala and friend open their fourth hotel in Camerons
Thursday August 27, 2009
By Priya Menon
Photos by Low Lay Phon


One man, simply dressed, with a smile on his face, walks daily from Brinchang to Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, calling out to anyone he meets on the road.

One look and you would never have guessed that the cheerful man is a millionaire farmer who worked hard to become who he is.

Bala: `I started on my own at 27. I was a farmer then and I always will be'

S. Bala Krisnen's is a story of rags to riches, of hardship and hard work.

Born into a family of seven, his mother, who plucked tea leaves for a living, could not afford to educate him after Form Three. So as the fifth son in the family, Bala began working in a vegetable farm to make ends meet.

Later at 27, he acquired his own farm and has never looked back since. As years passed by, he branched out into building townships and buying hotels but his first love is still farming.

"I started on my own at 27. I was a farmer then and I always will be," he said with a smile.

For Bala, he has come this far due to his friends who are partners in his hotel business.

Yee: Bala's business partner and close friend.

Among his close friends is Datuk Yee Shan Kon, a familiar face in the highlands and who also worked his way up despite his father's influence in society.

Yee's father, who was in construction, fell ill in 1973, leaving Yee to run the business at the age of 20.

Bala and Yee's friendship is almost 20 years old and they ventured into development in 1987.

However, their most notable collaboration was in 1990, when Yee and Bala developed the Bandar Baru Brinchang township. A year later they opened up their first hotel, the Rosa Pasadena, and thus became hoteliers.

Today, they are proud developers of a fourth hotel owned by Bala but managed by their company.

Located just three minutes away from Tanah Rata, Hotel De' La Ferns is a boutique hotel and the latest addition to the town's growing wonders.

Cosy touch: Each floor has a theme like this Autumn splash on the ground floor
Cosy touch: Each floor has a theme like this Autumn splash on the ground floor


Although Bala and Yee are simple men, their ideas and designs for the newly opened hotel says otherwise.

According to them, the English Tudor themed hotel was inspired by their travels abroad.

The architecture of the building is to be marvelled at as it takes the shape of a fern leaf just like its name suggests.

"We wanted to build something different so people would want to come back," Bala said.

The entrance is quite unique with a chandelier and the parking lot is spread around the hotel with bricks resembling a grand red carpet.

As you proceed into the hotel, the sofa set with arm chairs often found in English homes gives the place a warm and cosy feel.

Plush: The interior of one of the suites
Plush: The interior of one of the suites.


The place is lit with specially designed rose lamps and the Fern restaurant has timber resembling heavy beams often found in old Irish bars. The al fresco dining area is set before a wall of Vietnam marbles that sparkles in daylight.

The restaurant is popular for steamboat for dinner and scones for high tea.

Each floor has a theme, be it summer, winter, autumn or spring and the five-storey hotel personifies the themes with coloured carpets, lighting and fixtures.

The 75 rooms are a luxury by itself with ample space for an extra mattress and with beautiful views of the countryside or golf greens.

Apart from that, the room has beautiful furnishings to complement the hotel. No two room is alike, whether in architecture, the fittings or the furniture. Each room has its own appeal.

There are also two pent suites, the Cameron Ferns and the Highland Ferns which cost RM1,800 each per night.

There is a lounge area on the lower floor to greet guests and a more intimate cosy lounge with bed and sofa upstairs. The bathroom has a powder room.

English Tudor theme: The Hotel De La Ferns.
English Tudor theme: The Hotel De La Ferns.


"We wanted to give the hotel one year to see its progress but the hotel including the pent suites have been full every weekend since it was opened three months ago," he said.

The rooms are equipped with HD LCD TV, satellite television and movie channels plus broadband facilities. There is also a private electronic safe deposit box, an integrated coffee and tea making set and a fully stocked mini-bar as well as ironing facilities.

The hotel can accommodate 200 people for meetings at its largest meeting rooms and smaller rooms are equipped with Wi-Fi services.

Like true Cameronians, both Bala and Yee have displayed pictures of various Cameron Highlands landmarks, flora and fauna along the corridors and in the rooms.

"What better way is there to promote the Highlands than by displaying pictures with the names of places so tourists would be interested in visiting these?" asked Bala.

He also prefers employing locals, especially from the orang asli settlement, to help them earn a living.

For Yee and Bala, there is no end to their work and they want to continue bringing new things to Cameron Highlands and its people.

He hopes his three children would some day be able to take over his business and make Camerons's a better place for everyone. His eldest son Saravana Kumar, 23, is already involved in the business.

The other three hotels in Cameron Highlands are Hotel Rosa Pasadena, Casa De La Rosa and Hotel Rainbow. Room rates for Hotel De' La Ferns ranges from RM380 for the Superior Double and Superior Twin to RM 780 for the Family Suite that can hold a family of five.

> For details on Hotel De' La Ferns, visit www.hoteldelaferns.com.my or call 05-491 4888. For enquiry on the other hotels visit www.cameronpremierhotels.com.my.
-- The StarMetro

Cameron Highlands Tourism

Highland tourist attractions
Thursday August 27, 2009

CAMERON Highlands is a cool countryside with plenty to offer visitors. Here is a list of places to visit in the land of roses and strawberries.

The Time Tunnel

This is a new place set up by a Cameron enthusiast. It is a museum full of heartwarming relics from people who lived and visited Cameron Highlands many years ago. You would be surprised what you can find in there. It is located in Jalan Sungai Burung Brinchang and the entrance fee is RM5 for adults and RM3 for children.

Brinchang town

Brinchang is about a 10-minute drive from Tanah Rata and has smaller hotels and food outlets. The weekend pasar malam is a big draw and there are other tourist attractions as well like the Big Red Strawberry Farm.

Kea farm

This is the hub of activities with the busy Kea Farm Day Market, butterfly farms and flower nurseries. It is located four kilometres from Brinchang town. There is also a bee farm in the vicinity.

Tea plantations

There are four large tea plantations in the area which have great coffee houses where you can sample their tea and legendary scones and cakes. The Bharat Plantation Cameron Valley is located at Tanah Rata while the Boh Tea Plantation is located 30 minutes from Tanah Rata. Boh also owns the Sungai Palas plantation which is located near Kea Farm and the Cameron Valley Tea Plantation is situated along the Kuala Terla main road.

Strawberry farms

Throughout Cameron Highlands you will find farms that allow you to pick strawberries. This can be a fun activity for the whole family for a minimum price. Among the farms providing this service are Highland Honey Bee farm in Ringlet, Cameron Tringkap Bee Farm and the Healthy Strawberri Farm, Tanah Rata.

Jungle trekking and orang asli settlement

If you prefer a more challenging experience there is always the jungle trekking route from the Robinson Waterfall or the Parit Waterfall. There is also mountain climbingactivities. Visits to the orang asli settlement near Tanah Rata is also permitted. Information on the routes and tour guides are available at the hotels.

-- CloveTwo.com

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

Fixing the Simpang Pulai-Gua Musang Road

Government may realign landslide-prone stretch
By Sylvia Looi
Tuesday August 11, 2009


CAMERON HIGHLANDS: The Government is considering building a new alignment to replace the landslide-prone stretch between the 23rd kilometre and 27th kilometre of the Simpang Pulai-Gua Musang road.

Works Minister Datuk Shaziman Abu Mansor said since motorists were allowed to use the road in 2003, the slope along that stretch has been sliding by 1m annually.

"Our checks showed trees are tilting, which is proof that the land here is sensitive," he said, adding that this would lead to landslides during a downpour.

Sunday, August 02, 2009

Sri Lanka tea production drops

Sri Lanka’s tea production has been dropped dramatically during the first quarter of the year. The Ministry of Plantation said the production has dropped by 40.9 % compared to the first quarter of the last year. The three main reasons for this dramatic drop in tea production were the decreasing demand in the world market, dry weather conditions and the reduced fertilizer usage by 16% due to higher cost, the Ministry pointed out.

As a result of the prolonged drought that affected most of the tea growing areas in the country some of the tea plants have died reducing the tea crop. According to the statistics released by the government, the entire tea production in the first quarter of the 2008 was 8,350 kilograms. The production has dropped to 4,880 kilograms this year.

The Ministry sources pointed out that the tea production in hill country, low country and middle section has dropped by 31.3%, 38.2%, 46.5% respectively. -- Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka)

Tuesday, July 28, 2009

Erosion watch at Bukit Larut

Erosion watch at Bukit Larut
By Christina Koh
Tuesday July 28, 2009


The Perak Government will direct the developer of the Tea Garden Restaurant project on Bukit Larut in Taiping to take precautionary measures to prevent severe erosion.

State Health, Local Government, Consumer Affairs, Environment, Public Transportation and Non-Islamic Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon said the developer was now clearing the land for the project’s septic tank system.

He told reporters after a recent inspection of the project site 636m above sea level that the state would ensure that the developer planted grass cover once the clearing was done.

He said the Department of Environment would monitor the situation.

Dr Mah said this following complaints that Bukit Larut, a popular tourist destination and sensitive water catchment area, was apparently being threatened by erosion and indiscriminate dumping of rubbish.

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Wedding Reception in Cameron Highlands

Draw tourists to hold nuptials here
Sunday July 26, 2009

I wish to add some suggestions on ways we can attract more Chinese tourists to our shores in response to "Yen Yen ramps up tourism promo in China," (The Star, July 21).

Weddings, to the Chinese, are a big do.

Tourism Malaysia can promote "Made-in-Malaysia Wedding" packages or wedding tourism in its effort to attract one million tourists from China this year.

The Chinese, whether in Malaysia or China, look at nuptials as the most magical moment in their life and would spend their life savings for that very special occasion.

And with the world getting closer and closer today, weddings can be held just about anywhere you wish.

Weddings, as they say, are made in heaven, and Malaysia has plenty of heavenly places such as Penang, Langkawi, Redang or Tioman which are suitable for wedding and honeymoon destinations.

Friday, July 24, 2009

New Accommodation in Bukit Larut

A cosy slumber up a hill
Friday July 24, 2009

Bukit Larut, one of Perak's famed tourist destinations, is set to welcome more visitors looking to stay overnight on the hilltop in Taiping.

A spanking new two-storey hostel capable of housing 70 visitors with relative comfort is set to be completed there by end of August. It will boast dormitories, guests rooms, four hotel-like executive rooms, a cafeteria, meeting rooms and a recreational room.

Jeeps waiting to take visitors down from the top of Bukit Larut in Taiping, Perak.
Jeeps waiting to take visitors down from the top of Bukit Larut in Taiping, Perak.


Perak Tourism Action Council general manager Rahmad Ithnin said the RM3.7mil hostel was an addition to the existing six hill-top bungalows managed by the district office.

"We will be able to accommodate more backpackers, tourists and groups of students at the hilltop," he said during a visit to the hill recently.

The Tourism Ministry and state government have been working to upgrade infrastructure at the 1,036m-high Bukit Larut, or Maxwell Hill as it is still fondly known.

Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Clean up of Cameron Highlands tourist spots

We need to clean up our act at tourist spots
Tuesday July 14, 2009

I was in Cameron Highlands recently and the weather was refreshingly nice - cool and breezy. There were many foreigners there, which goes to show that Cameron Highlands still manages to draw the tourists inspite of the rapid developments that go on at the resort.

However, what upsets me is the rubbish that people throw on the streets and into the rivers.

Take a trip to Parit Falls, for instance, and the stench of the rubbish in the water hits you immediately.

Why doesn’t Majlis Perbandaran Cameron Highlands clean it up instead of allowing it to float on the water for days. I was there for four days and by the time I left, it was still there.

Then, there are the dirty toilets.

Even at Mardi’s agriculture park, maintenance of public toilets is below par altough entrance fee is charged.

Malaysia has numerous beautiful destinations. However, we fail in maintaing these areas nor do we keep them clean.

Alan Yu Toh Bing
Shah Alam, Selangor.
-- Star News Opinion

Monday, July 13, 2009

Birds moving up to beat heat

Birds moving up to beat heat
Monday July 13, 2009

KUALA LUMPUR: More lowland birds are flying off to live in the highlands and this is an indicator of deforestation and climate change.

Consultant naturalist on birds, wildlife and bio-diversity Mike Chong said birds such as magpie robins (burung murai) and spotted doves which normally lived in lowlands and valleys were seen in Cameron Highlands recently.

"Such birds have been spotted in the highlands such as Genting Highlands and Fraser’s Hill and this shows a change in climate pattern and a disturbance in the environment," he said during the Zoo Negara Birdathon 2009 here yesterday.

Chong said temperatures in mountain forests had also increased due to global warming, which had allowed lowland birds to adapt easily to their new habitat.

Sunday, July 12, 2009

Cameron Highlands Strawberries

RM70 Million Worth Of Strawberries A Year From Cameron Highlands
July 12, 2009

CAMERON HIGHLANDS, July 12 (Bernama) -- The 30 hectares of land in Cameron Highlands grown with strawberries is capable of producing RM70 million worth of the fruit each year.

Deputy Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry Minister Datuk Johari Baharum said the achievement was due to the proactive measures taken by the ministry to ensure that the quality of strawberries produced here was on par with that of imported strawberries.

"If previously the strawberries grown here were smaller and rather sour, now they are bigger, sweet and more delicious.

"Because of their better quality, the fruit has begun to be exported to Singapore," he said after the launching of the "One District, One Industry" programme, here, Sunday.

Johari said the strawberry industry would grow more rapidly through downstream activities like producing strawberry jam, pickled and candied strawberries, strawberry ice-cream, dried strawberries, and strawberry-flavoured tea and cordial.

He said the strawberry industry should be encouraged and given serious attention as it could help raise the income of local residents.

-- Bernama

Friday, June 19, 2009

Charity sponsorship to climb Gunung Brinchang

17 organisations taking part in charity project to raise RM500,000
By Jade Chan and Keisha Tait
Friday June 19, 2009


The theme "Being Adventurous Can Help The Less Fortunate" sets the stage for "Rock the Mountain for Charity", a project that aims to raise funds while getting participants involved in a healthy activity.

The project, organised by the Nanyang Press Foundation, targets to raise at least RM500,000.

Funds will be raised via collection cards, campaigns at education institutions and sponsorships.

Seventeen organisations have confirmed their participation thus far, including Universiti Malaya Medical Centre, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Help University College, Life College, Tunku Abdul Rahman College, Advance Tertiary College (ATC) School of Law, Help International College of Technology, Beaconhouse Malaysia Sdn Bhd, PT Foundation and Assunta Hospital.

Fifty per cent of the funds will be distributed to the participating education institutions or organisations for their own activities, 40% to charities recommended by the organisations (subject to approval by the foundation board) and 10% to the foundation for the sponsorship to climb Bukit Brinchang, Cameron Highlands.

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

Strict rules for Tourism Malaysia Homestay

Strict rules for homestays to ensure true Malaysian experience
Tuesday June 9, 2009

Kota Kinabalu: Homestay operators will have to follow a set of strict guidelines to ensure visitors will get the real experience of local living.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen said all homestay operators must occupy and cannot rent out a house to tourists under the homestay concept.

She said the operators must interact with their guests, teach them at least one local song and dance, and a special local delicacy so that tourists would get the real taste of the Malaysian experience.

"There are many tourists who want to experience more of Malaysians' lives than having just a leisure and recreation visit," Dr Ng told reporters on her first official working visit to Sabah where state officials gave her a briefing on tourism.

Photography competition in Genting Highlands

Photography competition in Genting Highlands draws 1,328 entries
Tuesday June 9, 2009

THE Genting Goes Green Flora and Fauna Photography Competition drew tremendous response.

A total of 1,328 entries were received for the competition, which was organised by Genting – City of Entertainment, and supported by Alfa International College, the Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and Society of Photographers – Malaysia (SPM).

The sponsors for the competition included Star Cruises and Awana Hotels & Resorts and Fujifilm as the official imaging sponsor.

The competition was launched on March 1 and ended in mid-May.

The professional and aspiring young photographers who captured the 34 shots that were judged winners received their prizes at a ceremony held at Times Square, First World Plaza in Genting Highlands recently.

Colouful caterpillar: Fauna Student category third prize photo by Lim Jun Yong.Colouful caterpillar: Fauna Student category third prize photo by Lim Jun Yong.


Saturday, June 06, 2009

Kuala Kubu Baru Hiking

The Kutu challenge
Stories by Joleen LunJew
Saturday June 6, 2009


A day’s hike up Bukit Kutu in Kuala Kubu Baru will leave you exhausted, but happy.

A mountain a day to keep the doctor away? It’s just something I made up but having been sitting on my laurels for the past few months, I was beginning to feel a bit sluggish.

I jumped at the chance of heading to Bukit Kutu, Kuala Kubu Baru, when a friend posted the suggestion on Facebook. It’s so difficult to find like-minded people to climb with and I wasn’t too keen on joining big, organised groups.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

Google Maps to feature Pahang travel destinations

Google Maps to feature Pahang destinations
By Roslina Mohamad
Wednesday June 3, 2009


Kuantan: Pahang is set to become the first state to use Google Maps to post tourist travel destinations and packages.

State Tourism Malaysia, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Datuk Shafiq Fauzan Sharif said a Kuala Lumpur-based company had signed a deal with Google and its website was expected to be ready in a month.

"At least 50 tourist travel destinations in Pahang will be posted on the website in four languages – Bahasa Malaysia, English, Mandarin and Japanese.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Agro Tourism Malaysia food supply chain

College students get insight into food supply chain
By Alicia Mun
Tuesday June 2, 2009


TAYLOR’S School of Hospitality and Tourism (TCHT) students went up to Cameron Highlands for a tour of the Consolidation, Processing and Packaging Centre (CPPC) of Malaysian Agrifood Corporation Berhad (MAFC) recently.

At the CPPC, they learnt about the food supply chain system that brings fruits and vegetables from the farms to retail outlets.

Giant marketing director Ho Mun Hao showed the students how tomatoes were sorted according to colour using a machine which has a built-in camera that captures the colour of the tomatoes to determine their ripeness. It also grades the tomatoes based on their weight. The machine is capable of processing up to four tomatoes per second.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Leave our hills alone

LURE of the hills (Culture Cul De Sac, Vestibule, StarMag, May 10) was an excellent read. It reminded me that places like Penang Hill, Maxwell Hill, Fraser’s Hill and Cameron Highlands were once famous, but are now ruined by over-building.

These are historical sites and part and parcel of our heritage. Among the four hills, Cameron Highlands has lost its shine for good and it can’t be salvaged. Hopefully, nature lovers will ensure the remaining three hills retain their old charms and historical buildings.

Two months ago, Human Resources Deputy Minister Senator Datuk Maznah Mazlan said that only nature lovers now visit Fraser’s Hill. Now what is wrong with that? That was the second time she made such a comment; the first was in 2008 when she was chairman of the Fraser’s Hill Development Board.