The
Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s most extensive hill stations. It covers an area of 712 square kilometres. To the north, its boundary touches that of Kelantan; to the west, it shares part of its border with Perak.
Situated at the north-western tip of Pahang, the “
Camerons” is approximately 85 kilometres from Ipoh or about 200 kilometres from Kuala Lumpur. During the day, the temperature seldom soars above 25°C; at night, it is the opposite: the temperature can sometimes drop to as low as 12°C.
The resort has a diverse population of more than 34,000 people. It comprises Malays, Chinese, Indians and other ethnic groups. The literacy rate here is above 88 per cent.
The plateau was first developed by the British in the 1920s. It is made up of three sub-districts, namely Ringlet (5,165 ha), Tanah Rata (2,081 ha) and Ulu Telom (63,981 ha). Of the three, Tanah Rata serves as the administrative centre of the region.
In all, the retreat consists of eight neighbourhoods. The three townships are Ringlet, Tanah Rata and Brinchang. The area's five settlements are the Bertam Valley, Kea Farm, Tringkap, Kuala Terla and Kampung Raja. All are nestled at an altitude of more than 1,200 meters. The gateway to the highlands is via Tapah or Simpang Pulai. Both approaches are in the state of Perak.
Background
The Cameron Highlands got its name from William Cameron, a British surveyor who was commissioned by the then colonial government to map out the area in 1885. In a statement concerning his mapping expedition, Cameron mentioned he saw “a vortex in the mountains, while for a (reasonably) wide area we have gentle slopes and plateau land.”
When approached, the late Sir Hugh Low, the Resident of Perak, expressed the wish of developing the flat terrain as a “sanatorium, health resort and open farmland”. A narrow path to “Cameron’s Land” was then carved through the dense jungle. Nothing much happened after that.
Forty year later, Sir George Maxwell visited the locale and decided to transform the place into a hill station. A development committee was formed in 1925. Later, a road was constructed from Tapah to the highlands. The building of the road was a challenge. The crew not only had to deal with the weather; they also had to live with the risk of being down with malaria.
When the road was completed in 1931, the British and the locals moved in to settle on the slopes of the mountain. They were soon followed by tea planters and vegetable growers who found the fertile soil and cool climate to be especially suitable for the growing of their crops.
By the mid-1930s, there was a remarkable change in the territory: it now had a nine-hole golf course, several cottages, three inns, a police post, two boarding schools, a dairy, nurseries, vegetable farms, tea estates, a Government Rest House and an Experimental Agricultural Station.
The district continued to grow until the outbreak of the Second World War. During the Japanese Occupation (1942–1945), there was hardly any development in the area. When the Japanese withdrew in August 1945, the place underwent a transformation. Today, the haven is not only the biggest and best known of Malaysia’s hill stations; it is also the highest point in Malaysia which is accessible by car.
Wildlife
The “Camerons" is unlike any other constituency in Malaysia: it enjoys an ecosystem that is second to none. In 1958, the outpost was declared a reserve for deer. Four years later, it became a ward affording protection to animals and birds.
There are six mountains at the retreat. The highest peak is Mount Batu Brinchang (Malay: Gunung Batu Brinchang). At the top of the 2,031-metre mountain is a radio and television station. Close to it is a 15-metre-high “Observation Tower”. This is the best place to get a good view of the neighbourhood.
Much of the Cameron Highlands is under cultivation. There are some 3,642 hectares of forest. Jungle trials lead visitors to scenic spots, waterfalls and aboriginal villages. Most of the tracks here begin at Tanah Rata. There are more than 14 paths to pick and choose from. Depending on its distance, some routes can take as long as five hours to cover.
Apart from its walks, the sanctuary is also known for its tea plantations, vegetable farms, orchards, nurseries, insect life, soaring peaks, nature spots, temperate plants, deep ravines, mossy forest, wild animals, serene lakes, golf links, meandering streams, jungle-clad hills, rest houses, places of worship, waterfalls, rolling greens, reptiles, colonial mansions, migratory birds, animal traps and last but not least, its awe-inspiring natives.
The natives or aborigines are basically jungle dwellers. On the surface, their lifestyle has always been made out to be backward. But this has changed over the years. While many have left to take up residence in the nearby towns, there are still some who prefer to treat the jungle as their home.
