Starlink Assists Kampung Sungai Tonggang Orang Asli Promote Ecotourism

IPOH, Aug 21 (Bernama) -- The installation of satellite internet connectivity with Starlink in Kampung Sungai Tonggang, Ulu Kinta here has apparently has a positive impact on the Orang Asli in the area after it was used to promote ecotourism besides for daily usage in the village.

Tok Batin of Kampung Sungai Tonggang Che Wan Alang said a Starlink receiver was installed in the village in August 2023 after the visit of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim who found poor internet quality in the location.

"Alhamdulillah, after the installation of Starlink satellite receiver dish by the Ministry of Communications, villagers can enjoy the internet access, especially for the purpose of getting current information and news and connecting with outsiders.

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"Furthermore, the government has also installed another Starlink satellite receiver for ecotourism in Kayuh D'Tonggang in July recently to benefit visitors who come to this recreation area," he said when met recently.

Che Wan said that with the availability of the internet, the Orang Asli community in the village can carry out efforts to promote the tourist sites and attract more visitors, thereby improving the economy of the village.

"The Starlink satellite Internet service is available at the village hall where the public has to access first and it can be used for free while another is installed at the recreation location, will require the public to buy an internet voucher worth RM25 for 25gb to get internet access.

"Kayuh D'Tonggang ecotourism was built after we established the Kampung Orang Asli Tonggang Berhad Cooperative in 2021, among the activities carried out are river bicycle paddling and extreme sports where these activities promise fun and beautiful views of Ipoh city," he said.

Besides, Mohd Zaim Mat Nginngan, 20, one of the youth rangers on duty at Sungai Seno'i said the use of the internet is now very satisfactory and helps him and his friends a lot in managing the river and Kayuh D'Tonggang ecotourism business.

"Usually as river rangers we will refer to some information regarding the situation, care and knowledge about the river obtained through internet sources and this helps us to improve preserving the ecosystem in the river.

"In addition, with the internet in this village, it also helps rangers and workers at this ecotourism spot to inform people about the uniqueness, advantages and variety of activities available in the recreation area," he said.

Meanwhile, Global Environment Centre director Faisal Parish said the successful opening of Kayuh D'Tonggang ecotourism was one of the initiatives implemented by the centre through the River Care Programme.

"The success of the programme in the Orang Asli village is used as an example for other communities in taking care and conserving the river, as well as proof that taking care of the river can also generate an economy for the people here.

"We also want to bring the interest of the Orang Asli to recognize their skills and showcase the knowledge to people outside as Orang Asli sometimes they do not have strong support and we see them as the guardian of the forest much better than us," he said.

-- BERNAMA