Johor Polls: Kukup Residents Hope For Tourism Revival To Attract Visitors, Bring Youth Back Home

By Samantha Tan Chiew Tieng

PONTIAN, June 30 (Bernama) -- Residents of Kukup are hoping the area, best known for its fishing village heritage and seafood offerings, can be revitalised through more structured tourism development to attract more visitors and encourage young locals to return and build their future in their hometown.

Cafe owner Cindy Ang, 31, said Kukup has a distinctive identity through its fishing village culture, fish farms, mangrove ecosystem and seafood experiences that are difficult to find elsewhere, but believes its tourism potential remains underdeveloped.

She said one of the main challenges is the perception that Kukup lacks excitement and has seen limited progress, coupled with a shortage of fresh tourism products that appeal to younger generations.

“Many people see Kukup as simply a weekend destination for seafood or chalet stays. Beyond that, they often do not know what else they can do because there are not enough activities or attractions available,” she told Bernama today.

Having returned to Kukup after nearly a decade studying and working in Singapore, Ang said she came back to continue her family business, which was established in 1989, while contributing to the growth of her hometown.

She expressed hope that more young people would be willing to return and venture into business, stressing that local development depends on fresh ideas, creativity and collective effort.

“If more young people come back with new ideas, I believe Kukup can grow into a more attractive tourism destination without losing its original identity as a fishing village,” she said.

Ang also highlighted the importance of improving cleanliness, noting that concerns over unpleasant odours are frequently raised by visitors on social media.

However, she stressed that Kukup’s fishing village identity should not be viewed as a disadvantage but rather as a unique attraction that can be strengthened through better hygiene, drainage and waste management systems.

“Urban tourists actually want to experience something different...seeing the lives of fishermen, visiting fish farms and enjoying the village atmosphere. That uniqueness should be preserved and promoted,” she added.

Meanwhile, resident Nur Shuhada Alieya Musa, 26, hopes the Johor government formed after this state election will place greater emphasis on educational, recreational and modern development facilities to reduce youth migration to urban areas.

She said beyond employment opportunities, comprehensive public facilities are equally important in encouraging young families to remain in Kukup.

Among the proposals she suggested is the establishment of early childhood education centres similar to those available in Kulai.

“If possible, schools for children aged two to five should be introduced. Besides basic education, children can participate in activities that help nurture a better-quality future generation,” she said.

She added that modern infrastructure also deserves greater attention, as residents currently have to travel to Johor Bahru for facilities such as shopping centres, cinemas and family recreation spaces.

Meanwhile, long-time resident Ang Eng Soon, 59, recalled that Kukup began as a small fishing village in the 1960s and 1970s before becoming a well-known seafood destination that attracted tourists from Singapore, Australia, the United States and other countries.

“Kukup was built gradually by the villagers themselves. In the past, many tourists came here specifically to enjoy the seafood,” he said.

He noted that the biggest challenge today is the migration of young people to Singapore and other cities in search of better employment opportunities.

“Many young people have left for work. Now, perhaps only around 20 per cent remain involved in aquaculture and fisheries,” he said.

He hopes the next state government will prioritise tourism, aquaculture and fisheries development to create more employment opportunities locally.

“If the tourism and fisheries sectors can be strengthened, young people will have more reasons to stay and build their future in Kukup instead of leaving for other places,” he said.

-- BERNAMA