04/02/2026

WEDNESDAY | FEB 4, 2026

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Exploring biodiversity of Wang Kelian

WANG KELIAN: Many think of the unsavoury headlines linked to the Malaysian-Thai border village in Perlis when there is mention of Wang Kelian, where one of the country’s largest human trafficking syndicates was uncovered in 2015, and smuggling and border security stories continue to make the news. Yet behind the village lies a biodiversity treasure, home to rare wildlife and plants. Bernama and six media representatives recently visited Kampung Wang Kelian and Pekan Kaki Bukit at the invitation of Manulife Malaysia, in collaboration with Roots and Shoots Malaysia and the Perlis Forestry Department. Inhabited by Malay, Siamese and Chinese communities, Wang Kelian and Pekan Kaki Bukit exude rustic charm, framed by limestone mountains sheltering caves, underground waterfalls, and endemic flora and fauna. The first stop of the three-day visit was Pekan Kaki Bukit, a 1.5-hour drive from the Sultan Abdul Halim Airport in Alor Setar. Arriving at 4pm, the group saw a row of old, colourfully painted wooden shop houses. Tour guide, local resident and cave guide Tham Ngui Long welcomed them. Pekan Kaki Bukit has a population of just 1,000, as many young residents move away for work. The quiet town offered photography enthusiasts perfect shots against the Nakawan Range backdrop. The town has a tin-mining heritage dating o ‘Border village and Mata Ayer Forest Reserve host over 70 mammal , 200 bird and 35 reptile species’

“farmers of the forest”, dispersing seeds as they feed and fly. The expedition’s highlight was a two-hour night safari in Mata Ayer Forest Reserve, where journalists rode buggies to observe wildlife. Perlis Nature Xplorer co-founder Daniel Azizan said: “Look, there is a kongkang , or Sunda slow loris. It is nocturnal, moves silently and is hunted for its eyes, which are believed to have medicinal value.” The group also spotted the red giant flying squirrel, which glides through the forest using a patagium, a skin membrane stretched between its limbs. Since 2024, Manulife Malaysia, Roots and Shoots Malaysia and the Perlis Forestry Department have worked to protect Wang Kelian’s biodiversity and strengthen ecotourism. Their programme focuses on restoring the 36km Denai Warisan (Heritage Trail) from Kampung Wang Kelian to Pekan Kaki Bukit through Mata Ayer Forest Reserve, training residents as nature guides, and providing entrepreneurship and financial literacy skills. Roots and Shoots Malaysia Education and Outreach head Peter Ong said: “The village population is ageing and young people migrate to cities. Programmes such as ours elevate Wang Kelian as an eco-tourism destination and create job opportunities for locals, helping drive the economy.” Manulife Holdings Bhd Group CEO Vibha Coburn said the collaboration aligns with the Manulife Impact Agenda on environmental sustainability and inclusive economic opportunities. “Funding enables biodiversity surveys and creation of flora and fauna zones, supported by educational signage to raise environmental awareness. This empowers communities while preserving our natural heritage.” – Bernama

Arriving at Pekan Kaki Bukit, the group saw colourfully painted wooden shop houses. – BERNAMAPIC

local orchard. Perlis Forestry Department director Ag Shaffie Ag Ahmadni said the state’s strategic location along the Thai border and Nakawan Range gives fertile soil that produces abundant fruits, including the famed Harumanis mangoes. “Perlis is known for its teak wood, branded as ‘Jati of Perlis,’ exported to India and China.” Perlis Nature Xplorer founder Syamil Abd Rahman said Wang Kelian and Mata Ayer Forest Reserve host over 70 mammal, 200 bird and 35 reptile species, including the rare stump-tailed macaque, locally known as beruk kentoi. “Wang Kelian is the only place with road crossing signs for beruk kentoi ,” he said, adding that it was the mascot for Visit Perlis 2024-2025. The area is also home to hornbills, the

back to the 19th century, with some small-scale operations ongoing. Tham noted that while the town is serene, its rich biodiversity is waiting just beyond the everyday sights. “The 480 million-year-old Nakawan Range, stretching from Kuala Perlis to Wang Kelian, holds another treasure: wild honey,” he said. At a local grocery store, resident Tung Chee Yoon, 43, sells authentic tualang honey harvested from nearby caves. “Visitors never miss bringing home our honey as a souvenir because it is pure and not mixed with sugar or other substances.” The second day featured a three-hour hike in the Mata Ayer Forest Reserve, led by Perlis Nature Xplorer and the state Forestry Department. Before entering the forest, the group passed through a rubber plantation and a

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