Lata Kinjang Eco-Forest Park Sengoi Hik Discovery Centre: 21 March 2024

The development of the Sengoi Hik Discovery Centre gives visitors the opportunity to interact directly with the local Orang Asli community.

TAPAH, 21 March 2024 - The development of the Sengoi Hik Discovery Centre in the Lata Kinjang Eco-Forest Park area gives visitors the opportunity to interact directly with the local Orang Asli community, learning about their life, culture, and their competence and skills in preserving the environment.

Perak Menteri Besar Dato' Seri Saarani Mohamad said this when opening the Lata Kinjang Eco-Forest Park Sengoi Hik Discovery Centre here.

"Sengoi Hik, a term in the Semai Orang Asli language, means "Our People". It is also a clear reflection of the state government’s efforts in appreciating, acknowledging and enriching the lives of the Orang Asli community through a broader awareness and understanding of their culture and traditions.

"This is in line with efforts to promote sustainability and appreciation for the uniqueness of nature and local culture," he said.

According to the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority (NCIA) chief executive Mohamad Haris Kader Sultan, represented by its chief operating officer Hasri A. Hasan, the infrastructure upgrade at Lata Kinjang Eco-Forest Park has undergone three phases.

"The infrastructure upgrading project was carried out in three phases; the first and second involved the provision of surau, toilets, car park and various other facilities, which were handed over to the Lata Kinjang Orang Asli Cooperative Berhad (KOALKB) to manage in 2022.

"Phase three involves the provision of five additional ‘Tube Camps’, Sengoi Hik Discovery Centre and the official website. This phase has been implemented since 2023 and is expected to be fully completed this year.

"The development of Lata Kinjang Eco-Forest Park has created 24 job opportunities via the establishment of KOALKB, and as a result the Lata Kinjang local cooperative members can enjoy the first dividend from this project," he said when speaking at the event.

Also present were State Secretary Dato' Ahmad Suaidi Abdul Rahim, Orang Asli Development Department (JAKOA) director-general Datuk Sapiah Mohd Nor and Chenderiang State Assemblyman Choong Shin Heng.

Source : Corporate, SUK Perak.