PRIORITY FOR PULAU
BANDING DEVELOPMENT
Coffee table book
features upcoming eco-friendly resort villas in
130 million year old rainforest in Perak’s Belum-Temengor enclave
EMKAY Group is making
conservation its prime focus in its long-term development plans for Pulau
Banding which include creating a premier heritage location for Malaysia.
The island is the gateway to the
Belum-Temengor Tropical Rainforest and a legacy for future generations, with a
sustainable business model comprising components of eco-tourism, education and
preservation initiatives as well as social and
community development of the local Orang Asli community.
“The special approach to our
development in Pulau Banding which is a unique 243-hectare inland man-made island in Gerik,
Perak, will put us on the world eco-tourism map.
“The Belum Rainforest
Resort, an eco-resort on the island, is the facilitator towards this mission
and serves as the gateway to the 130 million year old rainforest which is even
older than Brazil’s Amazon,” said EMKAY Group Executive Director Tuan Hj Ahmad
Khalif bin Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal at the launch of the Villa Tanjung Wan coffee
table book by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Permaisuri Perak Darul Ridzuan, Tuanku
Zara Salim.
The launch was also
witnessed by EMKAY Group Executive Director Dato’ Hjh Fazwinna bin Tan Sri
Mustapha Kamal and other key figures of the business and corporate world.
Working closely with Yayasan EMKAY, the
EMKAY Group has organised various programmes aimed at building the capacity of
the Orang Asli, primarily through Early Childhood Education.
Under Yayasan
EMKAY, an i-Play Toy Library project was implemented to instil in the young
children the joy of learning, in a fun and holistic environment.
In order to ensure that the island is
developed sustainably, a self imposed guideline – Pulau Banding Charter - was
formulated based on collated inputs from key stakeholders for the standard
guidelines in planning and implementation of the overall development.
One of the
requirements of the Charter was the setting up of the Pulau Banding
Rainforest Research Centre to drive scientific
findings and education on the bio-diversity of the Belum-Temengor Tropical Rainforest.
The main areas of
research include: conservation of environment and genetic resources;
establishment and maintenance of a database of all the flora and fauna found in
the rainforest; and bio-prospecting for bioactive compounds for use in the
pharmaceutical industry.
Villa Tanjung Wan epitomises how the
Belum Rainforest Villas will feature ultra-luxury resort homes for visionary
buyers seeking to leave behind a legacy. A total of 18 exclusive villas will be
built upon a hill and rise above the lake’s edge where they will enjoy natural
ventilation from winds flowing across the lake and through the trees.
The coffee table book looks at the history as
well as background of Pulau Banding and
captures how the total community protects, conserves and adopts a development
practice in a manner that is positive to the environment of the island and its
surroundings.
“In addition, the coffee table book of Villa Tanjung Wan chronicles the preservation and
appreciation of the natural surroundings, and how these wonderful homes will be
built using eco-friendly materials and techniques.
“The villas offer not only beauty and
tranquillity for the discerning few but also afford them the opportunity to
champion the conservation of the rainforest,” said Tuan Hj Ahmad Khalif.
A portion of the buyers’ investment,
through a percentage of the sales proceeds and regular maintenance charges,
will go towards the Pulau Banding Foundation for the upkeep of the Pulau
Banding Rainforest Research Centre where researchers work towards conservation
and scientific research.
The day’s event also featured the launch of the
online charity gateway by Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Permaisuri Perak Darul
Ridzuan, Tuanku Zara Salim, enabling nature lovers to make a contribution to the Pulau Banding Foundation at
anytime and from anywhere.
Belum Rainforest Villas were launched by the
Honourable Prime Minister of Malaysia on 9 May 2014. He lauded the uniqueness of the project and
likened it to a Malaysian-style ‘Camp David’ which could be the setting for
high-level Government meetings and summits.
Efforts are being made to
get the Royal Belum Rainforest listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site and this
has been mooted by Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib bin Tun Abdul Razak.
With a built-up area ranging from 4,000
sqft to 5,000 sqft, the villas reflect the distinctive design ethos created
with signature clean lines and pared-back, contemporary style united with an
eclectic design, with a natural approach utilising local materials with bold
textures using glass, ceramic, wood and tile.
Units will offer breath-taking views of
the serene Temengor Lake. The villas will be built according to standard
modules and laid out on site to suit the existing site terrain.
While prices for these highly
sought-after bespoke villas range from RM 10 million each, more importantly
these visionaries will leave behind a legacy for generations to come.
Flexibility in design to accommodate
trees will be within the building footprint. The villas offer luxury, comfort
and security with all modern facilities including wi-fi connection in a
rainforest environment.
This unique
development will be managed by Belum Rainforest Management that runs the
adjacent 4-star Belum Rainforest Resort, the country’s first accredited
eco-resort.
THIS CONTEMPORARY BUT SYMPATHETICALLY DESIGNED VILLA WAS CREATED TO BLEND WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND DISTURB THE ECOLOGICAL SYSTEM
BUT IT IS NOT MEANT FOR PEASANTS AND MEMBERS OF THE POORER CLASS BUT FOR HIGHCLASS FOLKS LIKE ME AS IT COSTS RM 13,000 A NIGHT BUT ACCOMMODATES 20 AND COMES WITH YOUR OWN BUTLER, CHEF AND STAFF. EXACTLY MY STYLE!
YOU CAN BUY YOUR OWN VILLA FROM RM 10 MILLION EACH
***************************************************************************
LAUNCH
OF VILLA TANJUNG WAN COFFEE
TABLE BOOK
23
JANUARY 2015
SPEECH
BY TUAN HJ AHMAD KHALIF BIN TAN SRI
MUSTAPHA KAMAL
EXECUTIVE
DIRECTOR, EMKAY GROUP
I wish
to thank all of you for taking the time
off from your
busy schedules to be here with us on this special occasion.
We are particularly
grateful to Duli Yang Maha Mulia Raja Permaisuri Perak Darul Ridzuan, Tuanku
Zara Salim for consenting to grace our event today.
I would
like to set the tone of my speech by quoting an inspirational man, whose
efforts and foresight have guided our team to where we are today.
He is no
other than my father, Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal, the Chairman
of EMKAY Group:
“If we as good corporate citizens don’t find the means to assist
nature and itsenvironment, whatwill our world be like for the next generation?
“If we incorporate into our day-to-day the willingness to grow with
nature with as
little impact as possible…then we leave behind a legacy and not a betrayal.”
In today’s event I would like to
share with you three topics that are close to the hearts of my team and
myself – the urgency of time, our involvement in Belum-Temengor Rainforest and
finally our need for more ambassadors of the rainforest.
Urgency of time.
I would like to share with you 3 key
facts that connects us here today
1. A third of the world’s oxygen that we breathe comes from Rainforests; mainly the Amazon, Congo and the South-East
Asian Rainforests. Later you can ask Dr. Daniel Baskaran where the other two thirds comes from.
2. In the past few years, we have
been witnessing
or have been affected by prolonged drought, haze
and currently floods that seem to be getting worse. Maybe Mother Nature is
trying to tell us something.
3. Belum-Temengor is a 130 million year old tropical rainforest. It is one of the oldest rainforest in the world, older then the Amazon and
Congo. It is four times the size of Singapore.
It is home to a large array of flora and faunasome of which are endemic to this forest only. Some of the flora and fauna are endangered. This
forest complex is God’s gift to mankind and we are blessed to have it right in our backyard.
These three simple facts tell us that we are all connected and it should be a concern to all of
us here. Not just the Orang Asli in
Belum-Temengor whose houses are still under water from the recent northern and
east coast rains. However, as I speak the impact of deforestation may be going
against us and the effect of our non-action may only be felt by future
generations to come.
Is this the legacy our current generation would like to leave or to be known for?
Unless a game changer is implemented
such as protecting
the remaining forest and finding other means of generation of revenue through carbon trading and bioprospecting, to name a few, I am sad to say that we may be the last few generation to enjoy this God’s gift to mankind.
Time may not be on our side.
While my team and I may not fully understand or be able to delve in programs like carbon trading, we at EMKAY Group through the Belum Management
and Conservation, Belum Rainforest Resort, Pulau Banding Foundation and our Chairman,
are doing what we believe will make a difference.
It may be a small gesture but we hope our
efforts will inspire others to join in and be part of the solution –and that is, becoming a voice for the Belum-Temengor Rainforest eco system.
This leads to my second topic of the
day. Our team’s efforts and Villa Tanjung Wan Coffee table book.
Personally, I was never a nature
enthusiast. My appreciation and lovefor nature started
with our involvement in Belum-Temengor seven years ago coinciding with the
birth of my first daughter.
My first inspiration came from my
father whose passion or action in investing 100 million Ringgit into this
unique cause has made my sister and I travel there on a monthly basis.
Both of us
agree we have grown to love the trips to Belum and each time we are there, we experience something new in the rainforest. My father is truly a
man who lets his actions speak louder than his
words.
A quote from Dr. Seuss – Through his wonderful character the Lorax:
“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going
to get better. It’s not.”
My second inspiration has come from
my three beautiful children. Their fascination with nature and constant reading
of Dr Seuss’ books namely “The Lorax” has changed the way I look at a tree.
My
business partner Peter Chan tells me that before there were iPhones and Facebook, there was the simple shade of a tree that connects people
together, to meet and talk face to face.
My camping trips to Belum with my kids have gotten us closer and we constantly ask Mr. Google the name of the insects or trees many of which I too do not know.
This development is an
inclusive master plan to develop a sustainable community who shares a sense of
responsibility to protect a legacy for future generations. Current efforts are in place with the State and Federal government to enlist this area as a UNESCO world natural heritage site.
Although seeing is believing and we cannot bring the entire Belum-Temengor to you today, we hope that
the Villa Tanjung Wan coffee table book captures the journey that we have taken in becoming the voice of the
rainforest.
This 198-pages of scenic pictures and simple explanations, is
intended to capture a glimpse of the beauty that is the Belum Temengor Rainforest. I hope you will enjoy it and will share with others our journey towards
protecting this God’s gift to mankind.
And this leads to my final topic of the day. How can all of you be involved in this journey? I would like to introduce a few key people that you may want to
get more information about our initiatives in Belum-Temengor Rainforest.
Firstly, Dr. Daniel Baskaran and Dato’
Rashid representing the Pulau Banding Foundation. These two gentlemen lead the
research activities and they are walking encyclopedias of the rainforest. When Mr. Google doesn’t know I will ask them.
Secondly, Dato’ Fazwinna and Dato’ Anuar Yang Gazali representing the Belum
Rainforest Resort. Apart from knowing all the best sites to visit in Belum, they are the best people to
ask for better rates.
Thirdly, my close colleagues Mohan and Harvey representing the Belum Management and
Conservation group
who are the caretakers of this inclusive Belum development.
And if you want to talk about Dr. Suess and the Lorax you can come to me.
While you enjoy the pictures and the
food, please
also do talk to the many voices
representing the rainforest, here today.
Conservation and protection of the rainforest for our future generations is a worthy cause and you can help by:
1. Knowing more about Belum-Temengor rainforest through the coffee table
book or asking the people I introduced to you earlier.
2. Making an online donation to the Pulau Banding Foundation, today or as soon as you get home.
3. Most importantly visit this God’s
gift to mankind. Seeing is Believing.
If you’ve done all this, I believe
you have done your part today and I have done mine.
Before I end, I would like to thank
all those involved in making the Villa Tanjung
Wan coffee table book a reality and also to those involved in organizing this
event. Thank you.
Duli
Yang Maha Mulia Raja Permaisuri Perak Darul Ridzuan, Tuanku Zara Salim thank
you once again for gracing our event today, launching our coffee table book as
well as the online foundation portal.
In
summary, saving the rainforest is a worthwhile cause but time is not on our
side. Our involvement today may not be the game changer to deforestation but it
is our way of being part of the solution. I welcome all of you to do your part
in protecting this legacy for the future generations.
Wabilahhitaufiqwalhidayah.
Wasalammualaikumwbt.
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