Mohd Jafni (third from left) launching the publicity and public participation programme for the Endau-Rompin National Park SAP.
THE Special Area Plan (SAP) being drafted for Endau-Rompin National Park will help drive the local economy, especially the tourism sector.
State housing and local government committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor said an SAP would help local councils get allocations for infrastructure upgrades.
The SAP, he said, was a development plan that allowed for upgrades to be carried out in a short time.
He added that in many rural areas, development was slower compared to cities.
“When there is less development, there will also be fewer investors.
“This means taxes will be lower, making it more difficult for local councils to get funds to upgrade their infrastructure.
With the SAP, a local council would be able to apply for more allocations from the Federal Government as there was a solid plan for development in the area.
Mohd Jafni said this during the launch of the SAP publicity and public participation programme at a hotel in Iskandar Puteri, Johor Baru.
“We hope the SAP for the Endau-Rompin National Park will improve the lives of locals, especially the Orang Asli community,” he said, adding that the SAP was timely following the national park’s recognition as an Asean Heritage Park in August.
It is the fourth such recognition in Malaysia after Gunung Mulu National Park (Sarawak), Kinabalu National Park (Sabah) and all the Taman Negara in Pahang, Kelantan and Terengganu.
The Endau-Rompin National Park is spread over 48,905ha with more than 90% covered by tropical rainforest. The area is rich in biodiversity with an estimated 1,593 species of flora, representing 19.2% of the total species found in Peninsular Malaysia.
The publicity and public participation programme for the national park is until Jan 15.
It can be viewed at the Johor Town and Country Planning Department (PLANMalaysia), Kluang Municipal Council, Labis District Council and Land Office, Mersing District Council and the Endau Rompin National Park registration counter.
