KUANTAN: The tourism industry in Pahang received a big boost as 32 historical sites throughout the state will soon be gazetted as National Heritage Sites to attract visitors.
Pahang Tourism and Culture committee chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Sharkar Shamsudin said the state government on Oct 5 last year had agreed for the sites to be officially gazetted under the National Heritage Act 2005 (Act 645).
He said the sites, located in 11 districts in the state, include those in former mining town Sungai Lembing, which was once the largest, longest and deepest underground tin mine.
"The Tourism and Culture Ministry, through the Heritage Commissioner, regularly hold discussions with the state government to preserve such places (heritage and historical sites) of interest which will serve as a crowd puller.
"The ministry is conducting studies to highlight various tourism products including in Kampung Budu (Lipis) and Pulau Tawar (Jerantut), which are historical sites linked with legendary Pahang warrior Mat Kilau," he said.
He was replying to a question from Lee Chean Chung(DAP-Semambu) on efforts taken by the state government to promote historical towns in the state, during the state assembly proceedings today.
On Visit Pahang Year 2017, Sharkar said the state is targeting to attract 15 million tourists this year and to generate revenue of about RM10 billion from the tourism.
He said Tourism Pahang has spent RM5 million on promotional activities at all districts in Pahang, including distributing pamphlets and conducting road shows both in Malaysia, and abroad.
Meanwhile, Felda settlers at Felda Kechau 6, Lipis, can enjoy better water supply by the end ofnext month when upgrading works at the Felda Kechau 6 water treatment plant is completed.
Replying to a question from Datuk Mustapa Long (BN-Padang Tengku), State Felda Affairs committee chairman Datuk Abu Bakar Harun said the upgrading works involved changing the raw water pump, booster transformer and panel starter.
"Once works are completed, the treatment plant will perform smoothly and help increase water quality to the people in the vicinity," he said.
He added that Felda is carrying out water supply system upgrading works in Pahang at an estimated cost of RM452 million which will help overcome water disruption problems in Felda settlements.