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Hype Malaysia
02-06-2025
- Hype Malaysia
5 Epic Eco Escapes Across Malaysia To Vibe In During The School Holidays
Skip the malls and traffic jams this school break – redBus invites families to hop on a greener route with its latest picks for eco getaways across Malaysia. From lush rainforests to scenic highlands, these handpicked destinations offer a chance to unplug, reconnect, and experience sustainable living in a fun, hands-on way. Perfect for families with curious young minds, the eco escapes aren't just about being in nature – they're about learning how communities care for the environment, preserve heritage, and live sustainably. Best of all? Each location is easily accessible by bus, with most final stops located less than 30km from the nearest terminal. Here are redBus's top 5 eco-destinations for a holiday that's relaxing, enriching, and low on carbon: The Dusun, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan Nearest Bus Stop: Terminal 1 Seremban ~15km away Tucked in the foothills of the Titiwangsa Range and Berembun Forest Reserve, The Dusun is a family-run eco-retreat that blends sustainable living with peaceful rainforest vibes. Founded by a couple who call this hillside home, it supports local villagers and small businesses while offering families jungle trails, a deer den, chicken coop, traditional massages, and home-cooked meals – all wrapped in eco-friendly practices like composting and plastic-free living. Kampungstay Desa Murni, Temerloh, Pahang Nearest Bus Stop: Temerloh Bus Terminal ~14km away Kampungstay Desa Murni invites families to dive into authentic kampung life with a modern twist. Since launching Malaysia's first registered homestay programme in 1995 with just ten families, it's grown to over 40 households offering warm hospitality. The rustic accommodations come with Wi-Fi, a pool, and playground, perfect for families. Guests can enjoy batik painting, fishing, village walks, and even local wellness like sauna and cupping – making it a heartfelt way to support and celebrate kampung culture. Kelabit Highlands, Sarawak Nearest Bus Stop: Miri Sentral Bus Terminal (then take a flight to Bario) Perched over 1,000 metres in Sarawak's Kelabit Highlands, Bario offers families a serene escape rich in indigenous culture and natural beauty. Guests can stay in homestays like Labang Longhouse Lodge, enjoy traditional hospitality, explore rice paddies, visit farms, trek to waterfalls, and experience Kelabit music, crafts, and salt-making. For those continuing their Sarawak adventure, reliable bus travel is available with Bas Asia Biaramas. Kuala Sepetang, Taiping, Perak Nearest Bus Stop: Simpang Taiping Bus Station ~ 11km away Kuala Sepetang, once Port Weld, is a charming fishing village near Taiping where families can explore well-managed mangroves by river cruise and learn about traditional charcoal-making. As night falls, the riverbanks light up with magical fireflies, creating an unforgettable eco-tourism experience for all ages. Tanah Aina Fahad, Raub, Pahang Nearest Bus Stop: Raub Bus Terminal ~32km away Tucked in Pahang's rainforest, Tanah Aina Fahad is a peaceful eco-retreat with tented and terrace accommodations for families. Guests can enjoy guided jungle treks, waterfall visits, and nature walks, while kids explore at their own pace. With organic meals and river sounds, it's the perfect spot to swap screens for streams and soak up nature together. Plan your eco-friendly school holiday adventure with redBus – travel across Malaysia easily and greener, plus use code MYNEW for a 30% instant discount up to RM9 and 30% cashback up to RM16 within 1 hour of booking. What's your Reaction? +1 1 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- New Straits Times
Failure to meet conditions led to termination of upper Baram Forest Project
KUCHING: The failure of Switzerland-based environmental group Bruno Manser Fonds (BMF) to meet conditions set by the Sarawak government has led to the termination of the Upper Baram Forest Area (UBFA) project under the International Tropical Timber Organisation (ITTO). Deputy Urban Planning, Land Administration and Environment Minister Datuk Len Talif Salleh said BMF had focused solely on the Penan community in the UBFA, overlooking other key indigenous groups such as the Kenyah, Kelabit and Saban, who also have legitimate interests in the area. Responding to a question from Datuk Dennis Ngau (GPS–Telang Usan) during the Sarawak legislative assembly sitting today, Len Talif said BMF's approach risked undermining community harmony. "BMF sought to designate the area as a 'Purely Conservation Area' solely for the Penan's livelihood, despite the existence of a TPA (Totally Protected Area) nearby," he said. He added that the project's termination would not affect the well-being of local communities, as various initiatives by the Forest Department, ministries and government agencies are being executed to improve livelihoods across multiple sectors. Len Talif said the Sarawak government has collaborated with ITTO through the Forest Department on 16 projects since 1992, with a total value of RM68.8 million. "The Sarawak Forest Department has not cancelled a single project signed with ITTO since 1992, except for this one involving the UBFA," he said. He added that the department is set to implement two new projects with ITTO this year: one in Sungai Menyang, Batang Ai, with an allocation of RM1.12 million, and another in Upper Baram, with RM645,000. "The Sarawak government, acting through the Forest Department, has no issue working with any NGO, whether local or international, as long as their agenda does not conflict with state or federal government policies," he said. – BERNAMA
Borneo Post
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Alena Murang's latest single released in connection with World Biodiversity Day
Alena says through her music, she is inviting the listeners to remember the wisdom passed down by the indigenous communities, that is to live in a balance with the land. KUCHING (May 19): Alena Murang has released her new single, 'Jaga Alam', in connection with World Biodiversity Day and also the upcoming Gawai Dayak festivities. The musician and cultural guardian, in a statement yesterday, hailed the number as 'a heartfelt call to protect the Earth's forests, and all forms of life calling it home'. The single 'Jaga Alam', which means 'taking care of nature' in Bahasa Malaysia, is sung in the national language, but there is a special line among the verses that is sung in Alena's native Kelabit language. 'Through my music, I invite the listeners to remember the wisdom passed down by the indigenous communities, that is to live in a balance with the land. 'In my Kelabit culture, nature is not something separate from us – it is a part of who we are. 'Caring for the land is also a central part of Gawai celebration, which is to give thanks for the rice harvest. 'This song is a gentle reminder that nature will always take care of us, if we take care of it,' said the artiste, also a sape' player. Adding on, Alena also described the new song as 'a blend of the meditative tones of the sape' with simple yet powerful lyrics, echoing a message of respect and responsibility towards nature'. 'With this release, I hope to contribute not only through music, but also by raising awareness of indigenous perspectives on conservation and their love for the land.' As one of the few female sape' players in the world and a voice for her community, Alena continues to use music as a bridge between worlds – past and present, nature and people, as well as tradition and change. 'The World Biodiversity Day, celebrated on May 22 each year, is a global reminder of how connected we are to the natural world, whilst Gawai is a day to be grateful for the food that nature gives us,' she added. The music video can be viewed on YouTube, and the audio is available on Spotify and Apple Music. Alena and Joshua Maran are credited as the songwriters, with the lyrics written by Alena. Alena Murang entertainment Gawai Dayak lead local artistes
Borneo Post
04-05-2025
- General
- Borneo Post
Ceremony honours local heroes who fought alongside Semut commandos
Gerawat (second left) presents a token to one of the recipients. MIRI (May 5): A special ceremony was held in Bario last Saturday to honour Kelabit veterans and the families of local heroes who fought alongside the elite Z-Semut Special Force commandos during World War II. Deputy Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Gerawat Gala was present to deliver commemorative tokens to the recipients. In his speech, the Mulu assemblyman said the Semut Operation had not only helped liberate the region but also transformed the lives of the Kelabit community by exposing them to the outside world and Western military culture. 'This resulted in many Kelabit men later joining the Malaysian Armed Forces and the Royal Malaysia Police after World War II,' he said. He added that the event has also become a platform to educate the communities on the important role of the Z-Force special unit and local volunteers in the fight against Japanese forces during the war. The ceremony was organised by Rurum Kelabit Sarawak in collaboration with the N78 Mulu Service Centre. army veterans gerawat gala lead World War II
Borneo Post
23-04-2025
- Climate
- Borneo Post
Alena Murang's latest single ‘Borneo Rain' out in time for Mother Earth Day
Alena says through her latest single, she aims to bring listeners back to the rainforest, showing that rain is not something to avoid but something that gives life to everything around us. KUCHING (April 23): Singer-songwriter and sape player Alena Murang has released her latest single, 'Borneo Rain' just in time for International Mother Earth Day. The song, now streaming on all major listening platforms, is sung in the Kelabit language, an endangered language spoken by fewer than 6,000 people from the highlands of Sarawak. Alongside it, Alena has also released the Malay and instrumental versions of 'Borneo Rain'. 'I aim to bring listeners back to the rainforest, showing that rain is not something to avoid but something that gives life to everything around us. 'Borneo Rain is a song that celebrates rain as a blessing – for the land, and in turn, for all of us. 'Growing up, I have learned through songs and stories from my elders that the rain isn't troublesome weather, but it's necessary for life. 'When the rain falls, it nourishes the earth, and that's something to be grateful for,' she said in a promotional release. According to Alena, Borneo is one of the wettest places on Earth, and home to some of the oldest tropical rainforests in the world. 'With this song, I hope listeners would feel both joy and a quiet sense of peace – the kind of calm we often find when we're truly immersed in nature.' The music video visualiser, released on Monday, features Alena wearing a 'Samit' — a traditional raincoat worn in the Kelabit Highlands, made from palm leaves and stitched by hand with bark cloth or pineapple fibre. The music video can be watched on YouTube. Alena Murang entertainment lead music rainforest
