Unique transport: Sharena (fourth from left) riding a Semaq Beri Orang Asli tribe raft with members of the media at Tasik Kenyir in Terengganu. — Bernama
KUALA BERANG: For hundreds of years, Ishak Samad’s ancestors used to traverse the rivers in the interior of Terengganu in covered rafts made of special materials known only to the Semaq Beri Orang Asli tribe.
Ishak’s tribespeople would use these special rafts on their foraging expeditions and to visit each other’s settlements deep in the forests straddling Sungai Kenyir.
So when Tasik Kenyir was created in 1988 as a result of the Kenyir dam, the Semaq Beri’s watercraft was useful in traversing the lake.
Today, tribe members like Ishak, who inherited the ancient techniques for building the rafts, are transforming what was once just a useful way to get around the lake into a tourist attraction that could generate extra income.
With the help of Taman Negara Terengganu and two freelance photographers, the tribe wants to start raft rides for visitors who want to experience Tasik Kenyir.
“By doing this, we can develop the Orang Asli community to a certain extent, as there is a place for them in the tourism sector. We have to be open-minded ... because we can’t stay sheltered forever,” Ishak told Bernama during a visit to the project.
“So, we hope this project can be a new source of income for the Orang Asli community in this area,” said the 41-year-old.
The 12m-long rafts are fully made from forest materials, with the base consisting of a special type of bamboo called “ley” and “merawan” wood.
Nipah and “cucuh” leaves are then woven for the roof.
Ishak said one raft can accommodate 10 to 12 adults. It also takes about one to two weeks to be completed, depending on weather conditions and the availability of materials.
Taman Negara Terengganu superintendent Sharena Sapri said the project is now in the pilot stage with one raft, and the plan is to build three more.
They expect the project to be fully operational in December or early next year. Rides will be available four times a week – from Thursday to Sunday – with the fees set at between RM150 and RM200 per raft.
