KUANTAN: As the highly anticipated RXZ Fighter 2.0 gathering kicks off at Teluk Cempedak today, a Pahang executive council member has reminded motorcycle enthusiasts to prioritise safety at all times. State Communications and Multimedia, Youth, Sports and Non-Governmental Organisations Committee chairman Fadzli Mohamad Kamal advised biking enthusiasts travelling from across the country to the state capital here to adhere to traffic regulations and respect other road users.

"All participants should remember that safety must be adhered to during their ride to the event in Kuantan. Ride carefully, and keep your loved ones and families in mind. "Participants must ensure that their motorcycles are roadworthy before making the trip. Although the event celebrates the biking community through various programmes, safety remains the utmost priority," he said in a Facebook posting.  Last year, two motorcyclists who were travelling to attend the RXZ Fighter gathering here were involved in separate road accidents along the East Coast Expressway.

The two-day event, which starts at noon today, will conclude tomorrow.  Meanwhile, Fadzli said the second edition this weekend follows the success of the inaugural RXZ Fighter event held at Serambi Teruntum here last year.

"Last year, around 50,000 participants attended the gathering, and we expect a bigger turnout this year. This event is more than just a gathering of motorcycle enthusiasts as it serves as a platform for youth empowerment, tourism promotion, and social engagement," he said. Meanwhile, event organiser Kelab Permotoran RXZ, in a statement, said that participants stand a chance to win lucky draw prizes worth approximately RM400,000, including a pick-up truck and RXZ motorcycles. The event will also feature five Pahang-born riders currently competing in the 2025 Malaysian Petronas Cub Prix, who will showcase their bike-handling skills. 

KUANTAN: After the Jenderak Selatan Wildlife Conservation Centre in Kuala Krau, the Pahang government is looking at setting up a second endangered seladang or Malayan gaur sanctuary in Lanchang, Temerloh. Local Government, Housing, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Datuk Mohammad Fakhruddin Mohd Ariff said the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) is in the midst of submitting an application for funds under the 13th Malaysia Plan for the project.

"The Pahang government through Perhilitan plans to build a gaur conservation centre to complement the existing ones at Jenderak Selatan and the wildlife conservation centre in Sungai, Perak. The surrounding areas near Bukit Rengit and Kuala Gandah currently have two conservation centres, namely the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary and Malayan Tiger Conservation Centre.

"If the sanctuary in Lanchang gets the nod, Pahang will have two gaur conservation centres and this will further strengthen the ex-situ conservation efforts for the animal," he said in his winding-up speech at the state assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang here today. Meanwhile, Pahang Public Works, Transport and Health Committee chairman Razali Kassim said upgrading Jalan Pos Sinderut in Lipis are among the seven projects, worth RM858.7 million, approved by the Federal government at five districts across Pahang. 

He said the RM320 million road works at the Orang Asli settlement will be among the five projects carried out by the Rural and Regional Development Ministry while the remaining two projects were under the Works Ministry. Razali said all the seven projects were in the design stages by the Public Works Department.

Meanwhile, State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said the Pahang State Parks Corporation has begun preparations to recognise the Lipis district as a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (Unesco) Global Geopark next year. She said the corporation was in the midst of preparing the dossiers for Lipis, which is the country's current largest National Geopark, to be part of Unesco's list in 2026.

The Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah had proclaimed Lipis with the National Geopark status early last year when serving as the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

Source : NST

KUANTAN: An appointed assemblyman has proposed that the Pahang government intensify efforts to capitalise on avitourism, or birdwatching, a highly specialised area of nature-based tourism.

Rizal Jamin described birdwatching as a premium product that had gained popularity, particularly among high-income groups, especially foreigners.

"Birdwatching, or avitourism, is a recreational activity that involves cataloguing bird species in a specific habitat and documenting sightings of various species, particularly those that are rare or seldom found in the area.

"The activity typically requires the use of high-powered binoculars, digital cameras, and mobile apps for bird species identification. Avitourism guides are experienced and certified in eco-tourism," he said during the debate on the motion of thanks for the royal address by the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, at the state assembly sitting at Wisma Sri Pahang today. 

Rizal said that the Grand View Research database estimated the global market size of avitourism at nearly US$63 billion (RM283 billion) in 2023, and it is expected to continue growing in the coming years due to increasing demand for eco-tourism activities.

"I had the opportunity to participate in a birdwatching activity last month, during which I was taken on a boat ride in Lipis. A total of 42 species, including rare birds such as the Great Slaty Woodpecker and the Black Hornbill, were spotted," he said. 

KUANTAN: Inspired by strong figures for last year, the Pahang government is now aiming to welcome 13.8 million visitors this year. Last year, the state recorded 13.7 million tourists exceeding the state government's target of 13.5 million tourists. The east coast state's tourist arrivals had been rising steadily, from 13.2 million in 2023 and 10.18 million in 2022. In 2021, it recorded two million arrivals only when the country's borders were closed due to Covid-19 restrictions.

State Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man said Genting Highlands was the top among the 20 popular tourist destinations in the state last year, drawing 8.55 million visitors.  This was followed by Kuantan and Cameron Highlands with 2.28 million and 1.37 million visitors, respectively. "Taman Negara, one of the world's oldest rainforests, attracted 135,435 tourists in 2024 compared to 128,592 visitors the previous year," she said in a statement. 

Leong said Pahang tourism had organised 35 major international events throughout this year, including the Malaysia International Tourism Expo (MIT) Pahang, which made its debut last year, and Southeast Asia's longest-running international bird race event, the Fraser's Hill International Bird Race, in June. She said apart from focusing on promotion campaigns, the state government had planned familiarisation visits where travel agencies and stakeholders from abroad will be brought to visit top holiday destinations in the state.

Leong said the state government also paid equal attention in promoting holiday destinations and featured them in all its campaigns, including brochures and social media. "We believe that all tourism destinations in Pahang, both old and new, have some form of appeal which gives visitors a reason to drop by," she said.

Source - NST