PEKAN: Decades ago, the beautifully landscaped Lake Chini Resort was a paradise for holidaymakers. But over time, the area had turned into an eyesore because of environmental degradation.
Today, about 80 per cent of the area around the lake have been rehabilitated.
The greenery is restored and mining operations in nearby hills have ceased, but the 16-room resort has stopped operating and lies abandoned.
The once-popular lakeside resort closed its doors for good in November 2019 when the operator's contract ended. Since then, the premises has been deserted and the only narrow stretch leading to the site is blocked by a barrier.
After the lake and its environment gained attention recently, with several short- and long-term measures being proposed to return the area to its former glory, veteran boatman Amran Yahya hopes equal attention will be given to revive tourism and reopen the resort.
Amran, 65, said after the resort ended its operations, there has been a dip in visitors to the country's second largest freshwater lake, with many opting to make short day-trips as there is no more place to spend the night.
The father-of-two, who spent 37 years working as a boatman at the lake, said since the authorities were rehabilitating the area, they must not overlook the resort, which has an iconic jetty stretching out into the lake.
"I started working as a boatman when Lake Chini Resort was opened in 1985. There were about 20 registered boatmen when the resort closed in 2019.
"In the past, boatmen were in high demand as there were visitors from Europe, China and the Middle East coming to the lake.
"When a National Service training camp opened near the lake, families who visited their children also used to drop by.
"But when the camp closed down, there was a big drop in visitors.
"Usually, the tour agents in Kuantan will make advance bookings for boatmen to take visitors around the lake," he told the New Sunday Times.
The Felda settler said since the resort was closed and no one was allowed to enter the area, the boatmen could no longer wait for customers near the jetty.
"These days, boatmen will operate from the Kuala Chini and Kampung Gumum jetties, but customers will have to make advance bookings because the majority have taken up other jobs to supplement their income.
"We usually receive bookings to take anglers fishing in the lake," he said.
Amran hopes that the Pahang government will consider reopening the lakeside resort as it may serve as a crowd-puller for people to spend more time at Tasik Chini.
"The resort used to have a restaurant. Visitors would go around the lake before dropping by for meals.
"The restaurant was open to visitors who stayed at the resort and outsiders, and it offered dining with a view of the lake.
"The resort building requires some repair before it can resume operations.
"The previous operator has removed most of the furniture, but the building is in good condition," he said, adding that security guards have been hired to patrol the resort grounds and deter trespassers.
Amran said reopening the resort will revive several tourism activities in the lake, including the Chini Fest, which was last held in 2017.
"The Chini Fest saw hundreds of booths selling products, including food and souvenirs, to visitors from outside Pahang. Even the Orang Asli participated in the festival.
"Anglers from Johor and Singapore used to travel to here to fish in the lake. Once the resort is open, they may come back, bringing their families to stay at the lake longer.
"Opening the resort with attractive holiday and tour packages will certainly boost tourism," he said.
Sidek Sunta, 65, from Kampung Tanjung Puput, said since the resort was closed, the Orang Asli nearby could no longer sell their woodcarvings and blowpipes to visitors.
"It has been about two years since we had visitors in the village, and no one buys our hand-made souvenirs or bamboo blowpipes anymore. So far this year, I've only received two orders for blowpipes as souvenirs.
"When the resort was operating, boatmen would bring visitors here and they would spend hours trying out the blowpipes and taking pictures. Before leaving, they would buy the souvenirs.
"Apart from collecting and selling jungle products, we used to earn an extra income selling souvenirs," said the father-of-five from the Jakin tribe.
On Aug 2, Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said rehabilitation efforts to restore the greenery around Tasik Chini, once marred by long-standing environmental issues, had reached almost 80 per cent.
He said the state government was committed to safeguarding and maintaining Tasik Chini's biosphere reserve status, which was accorded by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation in 1996.