FROM the beautiful beaches of Cherating to the tropical allure of Tioman Island, from its eastern flank with the splendid South China Sea coastline to its mountainous forest interior, Pahang is famous among locals and foreigners for its natural habitat as well as exotic flora and fauna.

It is the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia, covering an area of 35,965sq km, and comprises 11 districts namely, Paya Besar, Pekan, Jerantut, Lipis, Raub, Maran, Mentakab, Bentong, Temerloh and Rompin. Tropical rainforests dominate the state, which is also the site of Malaysia's largest national forest park – Taman Negara.

Pahang also has the three main hill resorts of Genting Highlands, Fraser's Hill and Cameron Highlands. Gunung Tahan, the highest mountain in the peninsula, which stands at 2,187m above sea level, is also situated in the state.

Cameron Highlands

Kuantan, the administrative capital, is 277km from Kuala Lumpur. Pahang is rich in agricultural and natural resources. About two-thirds of the state is covered by rich tropical forest. Palm oil, rubber and cocoa are cultivated extensively in the large land development schemes. The state is also home to several major chemical plants, most of which are in the petrochemical industry, situated in the Gebeng industrial estate.

Exciting eco-tourism

Eco-tourism is still Pahang's largest source of economic growth, although there are some international-class hotels, mostly situated in or near Kuantan, catering to visitors in the capital.

Tioman Island is popular with foreigners for its white sandy beaches and clear waters. Visitors go there by chartered boat from Tanjung Gemok jetty in Rompin. Among the state’s other famous tourist sites are Lake Chini in the Pekan district, which is said to be the site of an ancient Khmer city; and Tasik Bera, which is inhabited by the Semelai orang asli.

Other interesting natural sites are the Kenong Rimba Park in Lipis, Gunung Tapis, Tekam, the Endau-Rompin State park, the Gunung Senyum caves in Temerloh, Gua Charah in Kuantan and the Lata Jarum waterfall.

Kenong River

Cherating beach is synonymous with Club Med. Other recreational beaches are Balok beach, Teluk Chempedak, Beserah, Chendor, and Lanjut in the Rompin district.

Pekan, situated south of Kuantan, is a royal town which bursts with pomp and festivity every Oct 24 to celebrate the birth of the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah. The Royal Palace of Pekan is a fine example of Malay architecture. Pekan is also the location of the house where the country’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak, was born; that house is now a museum.

Commercial Interests

Developed land is abundant in Pahang. The State Government emphasises development in three core sectors: manufacturing, tourism and agriculture. The manufacturing sector is positioned to spearhead the growth of Pahang's economy towards realising its aim of becoming a developed state.

This would be achieved through three Industrial Development Corridors. Gebeng, Kuantan Port, Semambu and the Peramu industrial estates form the Eastern Corridor; Bentong, Songsang and Temerloh make up the East-West Corridor; while Jerantut, Lipis, and Raub are Central North-South Corridor.

The 284ha Gebeng industrial estate at Kuantan port is the new foreign trade zone. The port is the closest Malaysian port to Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and the United States, making it a strategic location favoured by exporters.

Kuantan's proximity to the country’s oil and gas fields make it a logical choice for development of Malaysia's petrochemical industry. Vast opportunities are available for investors in the state in the petrochemical, automotive, electronic, palm oil and agricultural industries.

More information about Pahang on the Internet:

1. http://mcsl.mampu.gov.my (Government website)
2. http://www.leisureguide.com.my/pahang (leisure)
3. http://www.pahang.gov.my/pknp
4. http://pahang.gov.my (in Malay)