'Jok Maduh D’Kenang,' A New Ecotourism Attraction Based On Orang Asli Community - Exco 

SUNGAI SIPUT, Feb 5 (Bernama) -- Jok Maduh D'Kenang has the potential to become a model of ecotourism based on the Orang Asli community that is safe, sustainable and generates local economy, said Perak Tourism, Industry, Investment and Corridor Development Committee chairman Loh Sze Yee.

Loh said the main uniqueness of the location is its site within an Orang Asli settlement, thus providing safety for visitors despite being in a natural and forest environment.

He said the 0.4 hectare area featured a camping site, a rest area with a village concept using natural materials such as bamboo and wood, and is suitable for leisure activities including camping with the family.

"The main attraction of the area is Sungai Korbu which is shallow, not too fast and has a fairly flat bottom, making it safe for children, the elderly and visitors of all ages.

"The development is being carried out in phases. We started with a river area that is friendly to everyone before expanding to faster rivers, activities across the forest and visits to waterfalls that are still preserved,” he said at a press conference after officiating the opening of Jok Maduh D’Kenang at the Kampung Kenang Orang Asli Village near here today.

Also present were the director of the Perak/Kedah Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) Harulnizam Abd Rahman and the director of the Global Environment Centre (GEC), Faizal Parish.

Loh added that the Jok Maduh D’Kenang project, which began in March 2024 and was completed in July 2025, was the result of collaboration between various parties involving the Kampung Kenang Baru Orang Asli Cooperative, the Ministry of Finance (MOF), Yayasan Hasanah, GEC and JAKOA with a total investment estimated at around RM500,000.

“The launch of this destination is an important opportunity to introduce the uniqueness of Malaysia’s natural environment and the culture of the local community, especially the Temiar Orang Asli community, to the world in conjunction with Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (TMM2026).

“The state government fully supports this effort by focusing on community-based tourism products that are high quality and provide direct benefits to local residents, especially in the ecotourism and cultural tourism segments,” he said.

Meanwhile, Loh said that in terms of security, the area is always monitored by local residents who spend the night at the location, besides its location in the village makes it easier to channel assistance in the event of an emergency.

“The Orang Asli people are very sensitive to the environment. They are able to detect signs of danger including the presence of wild animals, making this area not only unique but also safe.

“Jok Maduh D’Kenang which means “Let’s go to Kenang” can be used as an example to be expanded to other areas, especially in Orang Asli settlements, as an effort to strengthen the state’s tourism ecosystem and improve the economic well-being of rural communities,” he said.

--BERNAMA