The completion of KampungStay@Teluk Buih in October will add another “must-visit” tourism destination in Mersing and pave the way for the creation of more tourism-related entrepreneurial and employment opportunities in the district.
KampungStay@Teluk Buih – a community-based tourism project developed by the East Coast Economic Region Development Council (ECERDC), will enhance the tourism industry in Mersing by providing a unique Kampungstay experience to tourists. The project, which involves the construction of 10 chalets, a multipurpose hall and a restaurant will be completed this month and is expected to be fully operational by April 2023.
“With the completion of KampungStay@Teluk Buih, the people of Johor will benefit greatly as a result of ECERDC’s strategy of harnessing Mersing’s potential for community and eco-based tourism. A local cooperative (KOPSTAY) has been established to manage the tourism activities as part of the offerings by KampungStay@Teluk Buih, which will create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities related to tourism for the local community,” said Johor Menteri Besar, Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi after visiting KampungStay@Teluk Buih.
Johor Menteri Besar was accompanied by Johor State Secretary, Tan Sri Dato’ Dr Haji Azmi bin Rohani, K. Raven Kumar, Tourism, Environment, Heritage and Culture Committee chairman, Dato’ Zahari Sarip, Agriculture, Agro-based Industry and Rural Development Committee chairman and ECERDC’s Chief Executive Officer, Dato’ Baidzawi Che Mat.
Dato’ Baidzawi said KampungStay@Teluk Buih in Mersing is a resort-themed chalet with Kampung-vibe which aims to transform the concept of traditional homestay. He also informed that the project was developed as an activity centre or “staging base” to offer a unique village-stay experience and encourage tourists to interact with locals and participate in tourism activities in Mersing.
Among other completed tourism projects that tourists can visit in Mersing are Tanjung Penyabong Waterfront and Mersing Harbour Centre. Additionally, a reasonably-priced delicious seafood feast awaits guests and tourists alike at Medan Ikan Bakar Endau. ECERDC has in its plans to develop Recreational Vehicle (RV) infrastructure and facilities nearby which will be an added attraction in the district.
Strengthening Agribusiness and Agro-Food Initiatives in Mersing
After visiting Kampungstay@Teluk Buih, Menteri Besar Johor visited Endau-Mersing Fish Processing Park (EMFPP), ECERDC’s newest agribusiness-focused industrial park which is part of ECERDC’s initiative to turn Mersing into a fisheries hub. EMFPP will provide a platform for local SME companies to produce high-value downstream fish-based products.
Tenants for EMFPP have been identified and the fisheries park is expected to be operational in January 2023.
At EMFPP, Menteri Besar Johor and the delegation were briefed about the project by ECERDC and the delegation was also taken for a tour around the facility.
“ECERDC plans to promote Mersing as a fisheries hub through the provision of physical infrastructure for fisheries-based SME companies. So far, 6 companies have been identified and the park is expected to attract a total of RM6 million investment which will create 90 job opportunities for locals in the area,” said Dato’ Baidzawi.
Another key agriculture project in Mersing that will help strengthen the nation’s food security is the Jemaluang Dairy Valley (JDV). JDV is expected to produce 5.4 million litres of fresh milk annually and increase the national milk production by 10 per cent in three years of operation which will reduce the country’s dependence on imported milk and dairy products. The appointment of an Anchor Group to invest, operate and manage JDV is expected to be finalised by year-end.
Yayasan PETRONAS empower ECER Academic programme for SPM students resumes in Mersing
Prior to the visit to Kampungstay@Teluk Buih and EMFPP, YAB Menteri Besar attended Majlis Apresiasi Program Pembangunan Modal Insan Bersama SIRIM dan Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin (UniSZa) and the launching of Yayasan PETRONAS empower ECER Academic programme at Hotel Seri Malaysia.
The Yayasan PETRONAS empower ECER Academic programme in Mersing, funded by Yayasan PETRONAS, will benefit 200 SPM students from B40 families in Mersing. During the event, the Johor Menteri Besar presented certificates of collaboration to principals from the 7 schools involved in the programme.
“We truly value the involvement and the role played by Yayasan PETRONAS in funding our human capital development programmes. I hope this collaboration will go a long way towards developing the B40 group in Mersing, and soon, I hope in Segamat as well,” said Dato’ Baidzawi.
The Johor Menteri Besar also presented graduation certificates to 7 entrepreneurs who have successfully completed the entrepreneur ECER-SIRIM programme and certificates of participation to 38 entrepreneurs who are currently undergoing the entrepreneur ECER programme with SIRIM. A total of 60 empower ECER participants also received certificates
to mark their successful completion of the programme which includes Bakery and Pastry, Tourism, Tailorpreneur, Barber and Saloon, Maintenance Technician and a special entrepreneurial development programme for the Orang Asli community.
Segamat’s Inclusion as part of ECER
The East Coast Economic Region Development Council Act (Amendment) 2022 [Act A1664] was gazetted on 6 September 2022, making the Segamat district officially part of ECER. The inclusion of Segamat will see ECERDC’s projects and programmes extended to the district and benefit more people in Johor. The Agro-food industry, tourism, as well as small and medium industries (SMIs) sectors stand to benefit from ECERDC’s holistic long-term socio-economic development plans to position Segamat as a Bio-Agro Valley.
