16/05/2025

FRIDAY | MAY 16, 2025

12

LYFE

Going native C ASCADING from a height of about 850 metres, Lata Kinjang Waterfall – one of the highest waterfalls in Southeast Asia – is clearly visible when travelling along the o Lata Kinjang waterfall lifeblood of Orang Asli The area is now known as Lata Kinjang Eco Park. – PICS FROM BERNAMA

The Lata Kinjang waterfall is visible when travelling from the North-South Expressway.

activities, and make use of the various natural resources available around the falls. “Now in our fourth generation, the waterfall remains the heart of our livelihood. As long as it continues to flow beautifully, so too will our spirit,” he said. Sharing the origin of the waterfall’s name, Rani, 53, said “lata” means waterfall while “kinjang” is a type of deer, symbolisng the harmony of the surrounding nature, which has remained well-preserved despite being located not far from Perak’s capital Ipoh. Now known as Lata Kinjang Eco Park, the area has been under the management of the local Orang Asli community since February 2022 through Lata Kinjang Orang Asli Cooperative Bhd (KOALKB), which was established to improve the livelihoods of the Orang Asli there. So far, the cooperative has provided job opportunities to 25 villagers. “We are very happy to offer job opportunities to the youth here. They no longer need to migrate elsewhere to earn a living. Instead,

they can serve and develop their own village. It is not just about providing employment, but we have also become more confident in competing in the tourism sector. Tourism has become a major catalyst for our village economy,” said KOALKB secretary Rani. He expressed hopes for his community’s efforts to continue and receive support from all relevant parties, so Lata Kinjang remains a natural treasure even for future generations. “We want the younger generation here to feel proud of their ancestral land. As long as we can preserve the beauty and heritage of Lata Kinjang, there will always be opportunities for future generations to enjoy and benefit from it. “We hope tourists and everyone who visits (Lata Kinjang) will help protect its natural environment. Development is important but balance and sustainability are the keys to ensuring Lata Kinjang continues to bring benefits in the future,” he said. – Bernama

North-South Expressway, almost beckoning road users to pause for a moment before continuing their journey. Located about 18km from the town of Tapah, this multi-tiered waterfall flows swiftly from the peak of the Titiwangsa Range. Yet, it is more than just a scenic natural attraction, it holds deep significance for the Semai Orang Asli community, who have inhabited the area for nearly a century. According to Rani Ulin, the Tok Batin or headman of Kampung Orang Asli Lata Kinjang, the waterfall has been a vital lifeline for his community since their forefathers settled there in the 1930s. “For generations, many of our activities have centred around the waterfall. We gather forest produce, carry out farming and fishing

The Lata Kinjang waterfall is a great resource for local communities, in particular in the tourism sector.

Bolt adds toll fares into rides for greater transparency E-HAILING service Bolt has fully integrated toll fares into every ride, making it the first platform in Malaysia to provide passengers and partner drivers with a seamless, transparent toll fare experience. Until now, toll charges were typically calculated separately or added post-trip across the ride hailing industry, often requiring manual reconciliation between drivers and passengers. Bolt’s toll integration marks a shift towards a simpler, more standardised fare experience. With nearly 200 tolls operating nationwide and three different toll systems – open, closed and mixed – toll management has long been a challenge for riders and drivers. Around 30% of Bolt rides in Malaysia currently pass through at least one toll, highlighting the significance of this new feature in addressing a key operational pain point.

TNG eWallet for foreign tourists INTEGRATED fintech provider TNG Digital Sdn Bhd is enabling international tourists to register for a TNG eWallet account. Asean countries’ tourists can register for TNG eWallet with their existing foreign mobile numbers and reload their balance using their home country-issued credit or debit cards or through supported global remittance services. With access to over two million merchants nationwide and compatibility with DuitNow QR, international visitors can now pay for services more seamlessly. Verification codes will be sent primarily via WhatsApp. Tourists are encouraged to have WhatsApp installed on their devices prior to registration. TNG Digital also plans to gradually expand access to travellers from other regions, including key markets such as China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and more.

Through this update, passengers will now see the full fare, including any applicable tolls, clearly displayed upfront before confirming their ride. This offers greater pricing clarity and builds trust in the ride hailing experience. For partner drivers, toll charges are automatically calculated and incorporated into the fare, eliminating manual tracking and streamlining the overall journey. This allows drivers to focus on delivering good service and maximising their earning potential without administrative distractions. Further enhancements coming soon include improved pickup distance management and streamlined access to driver earnings.

Passengers will now see the full fare, displayed upfront before confirming their ride.