Wasai Bedanu Park generates income for residents

KAMPUNG Kiudang Mungkom is promoting its Wasai Bedanu Recreational Park as a unique and special place to visit by both local and foreign tourists and banking on the local attraction spot to increase the standard of living of its residents.

The Wasai Bedanu Recreational Park is known for its waterfall and a cave and tout them as its tourism products.

The deputy chairman of the Village Consultative Council (MPK), Amran Hj Johairi, told The Brunei Times of their ambitious plans to host adventurous activities such as rock climbing, abseiling, flying fox, jungle trekking and a track for all-terrain vehicles (ATV).

According to Amran, promoting the park will generate income for the villagers and increase their standard of living.

"The MPK is helping the villagers to earn an extra income. That is why we are making something out of Wasai Bedanu," said Amran on the sidelines during an overnight trip guiding a group of Pakistan community in the country to Wasai Bedanu yesterday. "For example, the Pakistan entourage here are being guided by the villagers themselves because the villagers know the places well," he said.

Amran added that during the overnight trip, the village MPK had rented out camps at a minimal cost to the visitors. While there is no fixed charge for the guided tour, Amran said, this depended on the contribution from the visitors themselves. Aside from that, the village MPK also provide food and tents for the comfort of the visitors. The extra revenue will also be added to Kg Kiudang Mungkom MPK fund for the maintenance of the park.

"For the time being, Wasai Bedanu is not really set up yet. But it has so far generate interest from some members of the community who likes dynamic activities such as jungle trekking and for recreational purposes," said Amran.

"The response to the park has been very encouraging. We received a lot of compliments as well as constructive comments such as repairing the jungle trekking for safety purposes. These constructive comments are welcomed in order for us to improve the area," said Amran.

He said Wasai Bedanu, which is yet to be officially opened, a proposal for its development had been submitted to the District Office and is now awaiting budget to build up the area in stages. A local tour operator had recently visited Wasai Bedanu to size up the potential of turning the park into a tour package for local attraction.

"This can generate income and also business opportunities. It is a good chance for villagers to sell things around here."

Amran added that Wasai Bedanu is suitable for research purposes, especially in terms of herbarium.

Other activities Kg Kiudang Mungkom had organised to boost the villagers income and MPK fund were a recent carnival at the village as well through the sales of the village's brand 3MPK herbal tea product.

Amran said the herbal tea from sambah bagangan trees grown naturally in the village, is enjoying success where the village MPK managed to sell at least 500 boxes a month. It is in the plans to grow more trees in order to increase capacity of 3MPK herbal tea, said Amran.

Next in line is a traditional coffee brewed from rice grown at the village. Named Kopi Warisan, Amran said it will be introduced sometime this year and is now undergoing through analysis stage, such as certifying it as a halal product.

The coffee is heralded to be the second main product for Kg Kiudang Mungkom after 3MPK herbal tea, he said.

For the time being, Kg Kiudang Mungkom MPK prioritised safety measure for its visitors, where Amran encouraged visitors to contact the MPK before visits are made.

"The villagers are there to volunteer their guided services. We, at the MPK, will also prepare everything such as ensuring equipped facilities. We will inform the police for security measures as well," he said. "Because this is our place, our jungle, this is part of our responsibility... This is only the right way to promote our village and recreational parks." Fung Siew Mun

The Brunei Times