PADAWAN: The Borneo Highlands area in the Puncak Borneo Parliamentary Constituency has the potential to become a thriving tourism hub in the state, provided it is fully explored and necessary infrastructure is developed.
Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin highlighted that several attractive areas around the Puncak Borneo constituency are already known as tourism spots, attracting foreign tourists from Europe and Asia.
Speaking at the opening of Baruk Mas Kampung Assum Homestay yesterday (July 29), Willie expressed that visitors to the tourist attraction spots are left amazed by the area’s natural beauty, including waterfalls, rivers, caves, and breathtaking highland views.
Among the villages that boast attractive scenery are Kampung Sapit, Kiding, and Assum, attracting not only local visitors but also tourists from abroad.
These three villages are often referred to as the “villages above the clouds” due to the thick fog that envelops the highlands in the early mornings when the weather is clear.
Willie emphasised that apart from these three villages, there are several other villages in the region with untapped tourism potential.
He encouraged residents and the Village Development and Security Committee (JKKK) to take a more proactive role in exploring and developing these potential tourism spots in their respective villages.
During the event, Willie announced an allocation of RM30,000 to build roads and bamboo platforms at four waterfall areas around Kampung Assum.
The waterfalls – Ahpot, Suran, Pasir, and Bubby – will be further developed to enhance the tourist experience.
To achieve this development, Willie urged local tourism operators and players to collaborate closely with the Village Development and Security Committee.
Meanwhile, Cynthia Kenang, the operator of Baruk Mas Kampung Assum Homestay, shared that the homestay is equipped with five chalets and a “baruk.”
Cynthia, together with her Singaporean husband, invested in the construction, which started last year on a piece of land purchased from her uncle.
The homestay also offers camping and glamping activities, with arrangements for guests to visit the nearby waterfalls.
