St Regis It Is!

This is the banner at Beringin Beach three days ago.

I had a quick chat with a local from a village nearby about this place and he said to me, "Sayang oh". Which means, "What a waste". What a waste indeed to have a beach taken 

away from the public.

And since there is nothing can be done when the land has been sold, we might as well look at things from a different perspective. The cleanliness of the beach will be looked after (provided that these contractors are not spilling in more sediments into the sea while constructing this resort). Once the resort is up and running, there will be people in near future to clean the beach everyday! More jobs will be created to clean the beach. Unlike the elderly couple who stayed there for more than two decades and they cleaned up the beach without being paid! 

The government's aim to increase more tourists coming into Langkawi and so more resorts are needed to accommodate the numbers. Actually, they want more tourists with high spending power to flock into the island and that is why more luxurious resorts are being built now. With more resorts coming up and this will mean more jobs for the locals. And so with more tourists and more development, which will mean progress for the local community here. When Langkawi is fully developed, it will be entirely different from now. It may have a new tagline, for example, "Luxuriously Langkawi" instead of "Naturally Langkawi", perhaps?

Come on folks, smile... progress and money are coming in. The government is helping and making lots of efforts to uplift the economy of Langkawi folks. The community here wants progress and they are getting it. I am sure they are thankful and grateful.  

Here are glimpses of the Beringin Beach before development takes place:

The remains of the old army barrack (ex National service camp)

Some local used to stay on the cliff. No longer now.

Does anyone wants to adopt these abandon plants like Drynaria, Mother-in-law's tongue, etc. There are Traveller's palms left behind.

If the banner is giving the true facts that St Regis will be here, then you may want to know that St Regis is under the management of Starwood hotels and resorts. You can google, please. I hereby giving  free promotion to the public for this coming five star luxurious hotel. To the tourists, keep your eyes and ears open and make sure you will be the first to book your stay here. To those tour and travel operators, go grab your opportunities! And folks, update your resume for you may find new ventures in this brand new resort.

Isn't this exciting? 

Progress is fast as they were very quick to build this guardhouse and the gate

By the way, St Regis, we do hope you will oblige to make a public pathway to access the beach because there is no such thing as a private beach. People still have rights to use the beach, you know? And I know that they will simply ignore me for I am just a small fly.

I wonder if they will change your name to something else..???

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The Fate of Beringin Beach

While most of the tourists here are familiar with  Cenang Beach and Pantai Kok or even Tanjung Rhu beach, how many of them are aware of Beringin Beach? Not many. In fact, my neighbor who has been living on the island for all of their life, was not sure of where Beringin Beach is. 

Beringin Beach or locally known as Pantai Beringin, is located less than five kilometers from Kuah town. It is a neighbour to Westin resort, separated by a limestone hill. The beach is looking at Pulau Dayang Bunting and some parts of Bukit Malut. Pantai Beringin is only well known to a handful of local community, not a very popular beach and it is a quiet recreation spot.

Pantai Beringin looking at Pulau Bumbun Besar and Pulau Dayang Bunting

Only a small resort with chalets were once there, which was known as Beringin Beach Resort. And the first Langkawi National service camp was built next to Beringin Beach resort. At the edge of the limestone hill, there was a makeshift hut which was made as a home to a couple. 

So, what is happening to the beach now?

As time went by, Beringin Beach resort wrapped up their business and I am not sure of the reason. The national service camp was relocated to Bukit Hantu. In order not to have the structures of the national service camp go wasted on Beringin Beach, the business went on by providing budget accommodation package for groups. 

This is the beach where my friends and I would go to if we want to head out to the sea for kayaking. On the evening this week when we were there ready for another round of paddling, we were shocked to find the chalets, the old national service camp and the makeshift hut were almost demolished. 

 The remains of the old Beringin Beach Resort as at 22 July 2013

 The remains of the old National service camp as at 22 July 2013

  The remains the old National service camp as at 22 July 2013

The remains of the makeshift hut as at 22 July 2013

An elderly man was there and seemed to be clearing up the area. And so I went over to him to find out. With a very sad teary face, he told me that a private resort has bought over the land from the government. He is the one who was staying at the makeshift hut. I didn't know until now...sigh...He told me that he was staying here for more than twenty five years. Both of them have looked after the beach by cleaning up the rubbish left by the public and brought up by the high tides. He and his wife were asked to leave the place which was once their home sweet home.

And so, another public beach gone! Eaten up by resorts. Langkawi's remaining public beach are Pantai Cenang,Pantai Tengah, Pantai Pasir Tengorak (which has created an issue when people are now charged entrance fee at RM2 per pax) and the beginning of Tanjung Rhu beach. Pantai Kok is gone as well, monopolised by the resort next to it. This is happening everywhere in Malaysia. Public have to pay to enter a recreational area which was once a public spot. 

Beringin Beach will now be haunted

Many thanks, M Facer, for your photos.

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Botak Hill

It simply means "Bald Hill". 

This image above was taken at bird eye's view from the cable car. From my previous post, the forest of Pantai Kok has fallen to resort development and very likely a butterfly park. 

More and more of Langkawi's precious hill with lush rainforest will become "Botak Hill" due to unsustainable tourism. Long time ago when there was no water pipeline from the mainland, the locals here depended on their wells for water source. And where did the water source come from? The rain and maintained by the rainforest! Not anymore when people are now taking things for granted. 

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Face Of Climate Change In Langkawi

Earth day for 2013 is on Monday, 22nd April. The global theme for Earth day this year is: The Face of Climate Change.

The link to this video is here

Will the face of climate change be increased for our beloved island or the other way around?

While I do not have the answer for now, I wonder if we will face adverse climate condition here or will we affect the other parts of the planet?

Langkawi is struggling to save her own rainforest and now she is completely helpless in the current state of her remaining original habitat.

These recent photos were taken along the path of the new road which is now being built between Telaga Harbour and Mutiara Bay at Pantai Kok.

A "Rockblaster"

Development benefits the economic for the island. However, where do we draw the line between over developed and being sustainable? Langkawi is a preferred holiday destination because of her rainforest and the wildlife. I want to see genuine nature-loving tourists returning to Langkawi for her natural beauty and being respectful with her environment.

Multi-billionaire companies will tell the world that they will replant the trees after the development of a virgin rainforest. You and I know that replanting trees will never be the same as the original state. And yet, most of us accept the fact that the act of replanting trees is better than nothing. And yet, it is still not the same.

Rest in peace to those fallen trees .... and Happy Earth Day all!

Other interesting related links:

1. Land Agreement for Land Development At Burau Bay

LEASE AGREEMENT FOR LAND DEVELOPMENT AT BURAU BAY

WRITTEN BY LADA ON 28 MARCH 2012. IN CATEGORY NEWS

Langkawi, March 28: The Langkawi Development Authority (LADA) made a major announcement today to lease the land surrounding Burau Bay Resort to Syarikat Benua Mahsuri Sdn Bhd (a subsidiary of Tradewinds Corporation) for the development of a luxury hotel.

The land in the lease agreement is for 36.7 acres of LADA-owned land officially designated as H.S(D) 3/96 Lot 1718 in the Padang Mat Sirat district.The land was originally developed in 1991 by Syarikat Pernas OUE (Langkawi) Sdn Bhd, who built Burau Bay Resort. After the lease expired in 2000, LADA gave the management of the land and resort to Syarikat LADA-Eco Tourism for 10 years. The decision to lease the land to Syarikat Benua Mahsuri was actually made last year, but discussions to finalize the details of the development were only completed recently.

Syarikat Benua Mahsuri plans to build an upscale hotel with an eco-resort concept, complete with a high-end spa and top-notch luxury facilities. The project is expected to attract more affluent travelers to Langkawi and to increase per capita income for tourism. The hotel will also provide more than 400 new jobs.

Project development is in accordance with initiatives 4 and 5 of the Langkawi Tourism Blueprint, which targets the beautiful northwest region of the island for the development of more ultra-luxurious resorts to attract the wealthiest and biggest-spending world travellers to Langkawi within the next few years. Additionally, this development will help address the shortage of rooms in Langkawi during peak season.

The lease agreement was signed by LADA CEO, the Honourable Tan Sri Khalid Bin Ramli, and witnessed by Y.Bhg Dato’ Fauziah Bt Yaacob, Board Member and LADA Director. Signing for Syarikat Benua Mahsuri was Tradewinds Corporation CEO Mr Shaharul Farez Hassan and witnessed by Dato 'Aziz Bin Shahar, Corporate Advisor to the Al-Bukhary Group.

LAST UPDATED ON 16 OCTOBER 2012

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Datai Forest of Langkawi Soon Be A Goner

"I will not be coming back to Datai resort anymore", said a returned Datai guest who was on her second stay a month ago. Her first experience in Datai Resort was ten years back and she found the place absolutely tranquil, balanced with nature.

She told me that on her second visit this time, she saw that there were more villas as compared to ten years ago. After witnessing the start of new development in Datai Resort, she was disgusted with the upcoming of fourteen villas and cutting of trees in the forest to accommodate another massive project by the Khazanah group.

I shared the same sentiments with her.

The Datai rainforest is unique because of its lush greenery on Malaysia's oldest land formation  which is the Machinchang Range.

Image taken from www.smarttravelasia.com

Tourists have asked me if there are any protection to this rainforest since Langkawi is a UNESCO's Geopark site?

My answer will always be Yes and No. I will leave my comments out from this post for now. 

I just want to post khazanah's evil Teluk Datai development plan on Machinchang in expense of her rainforest and our public's fund.

Overall khazanah's development plan

Hillside along the road

Hillside along the Datai Road, more bungalow villas

Development next to Andaman Resort, Shangrila will be the next one coming

ppsssttt... from the grapevine, these new villas will be equipped with modernized and computerised toilets. The bowl cover will be lifted up on it's own. Wow! no wonder these villas will cost more than couple of million ringgits each!

Development of 14 luxurious villas, the first stage, have started

 Wish I can throw a grenade on this one

A part of rainforest been sliced open

How conservation on Langkawi is possible when an island like this is perceived as underdeveloped by some of the influential businessmen and politicians? I understand that development is inevitable especially when it comes to eco-tourism, there must be a balance between development and conservation of the natural heritage. How much can one take and retain? How much development is considered as enough when Langkawi's attraction is her natural beauty, wildlife and her biodiversity? These greedy people just don't get it! They are breaking the rice bowl of the island.

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Can Langkawi Learn From Hulu Langat's Landslide Incident?

The landslide tragedy in Hulu Langat on May 21st 2011 which led to unnecessary death of sixteen people was another consequences of our Malaysian government's lackadaisical attitude and their greed. Since the Highland Towers collapse incident on 11th December 1993 in Ulu Klang, Selangor, Malaysia; hillside developments continue on through out the nation until this day because they had never learned the lesson from the past and they never will.  

The landslide tragedy on Saturday which claimed 16 lives has been blamed on indiscriminate cutting of a hill side behind the orphanage.

I enjoy reading this piece written by Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye, a Malaysian politician and a social activist.  

What were his comments?

AS the nation comes to terms with the latest tragedy which claimed 16 lives after a landslide which hit the Madrasah Al-Taqwa Orphanage in Hulu Langat, all factors seem to point to another man-made tragedy, aided by changing weather patterns. 

Geologists believe indiscriminate cutting of a hillside to build the orphanage was the main cause of the landslide.

As expected, whenever a tragedy occurs, there are calls for a thorough probe to find out the actual causes.

Other quarters would claim ignorance of the existence of the problem or try to evade responsibility.

I have stated many times that in anything we do, it is essential for all Malaysians to take heed of one important lesson for humanity -- civilisation could be destroyed if it does not make peace with our environment.

The fact that landslides are a frequent occurrence in the country points to our failure to come to terms with the environment as well as to make the culture of maintenance and safety a way of life.

When landslides occur or buildings collapse, we cannot simply blame Mother Nature. We have to realise that any action which results in the degradation and destruction of our environment will have disastrous consequences.

It is necessary for us to step back, give thought and ask what we need to do to deal with the future and the environmental threats facing life on earth.

In Malaysia, we have experienced flash floods and landslides and yet the lessons of previous disasters have not been learnt or absorbed.

We have heard of numerous investigations and reports made in respect of all the previous tragedies but the question which needs to be answered is what and whether we have learnt from these disasters to avoid future tragedies.

Obviously, we have not.

As trustees of our planet's resources and geo-biological diversity, we have a sacred responsibility to use our natural resources in a manner that ensures conservation.

As trustees, we have to temper our actions with moderation, balance and respect for our environment.

History has an important lesson for humanity and civilisation that disasters can befall us if we do not respect the environment. And no one can deny the importance of the environment with regard to civilisation.

Can something be done to address this fundamental issue? Can we have a new paradigm of development that makes peace with our earth? As political leaders, as community leaders and responsible citizens, we can and must do so for the sake of preventing future disasters.

Thank you, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye. Very well written. The unethical and ignorance of Malaysia's current political ruling has a lot to be blamed for this.

I am now announcing the indiscriminate hill side cuttings and clearing of forest especially for housing projects and township developments happening on Langkawi currently.

1. Alongside Lebuhraya Langkawi

a) Hill cutting for unknown project

A house is right below

b) Housing project and shoplots

c) Hill cutting and land clearing for possibly housing project

2) On Jalan Padang Gaong
     Suspect will be a house to be built on this hill which is now half-stripped

3) On Jalan Bukit Malut
Hills been stripped away for unknown projects in the vicinity of Bukit Malut. Bukit Malut road is a scenic coastal road overlooking Pulau Dayang Bunting.

Bukit Malut Road

Unfortunately, there are more Bumis here selling their land which are mostly secondary forests to be developed.

Langkawi is now definitely being shaped into Penang Island by our local authorities. The same story and the major cause is the increased of population. However, these idiots failed to recognise what is enough or how much is enough for an island that is so full of biodiversities and yet sensitive to human activities.

If Langkawi is turned into Penang-like, the eco-tourism will start rolling down the hill. That is why tourists flocked to Langkawi for her natural heritage and Penang is not their choice for vacation.

Apart from the impact to eco-tourism and the deterioration of the natural surrounding from the cutting of the hills, the state and federal government will remain ignorant even if lives were lost due to landslides. 

Links:

1. Another Portion of Green Lung Vanished

2. NST on Hulu Langat landslide: Respect the environment

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