By Zaki Salleh
LENGGONG: Lenggong Geopark continues to move forward in strengthening community empowerment efforts through the Lenggong Entrepreneurs and Industry Players Tourism Dialogue Program.
The program, held at Dewan KEMAS Lenggong, served as an important platform to discuss the direction of geopark-based entrepreneurship and the role of the local community.
The dialogue session featured the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Member of Parliament for Lenggong, Datuk Seri Dr. Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, as the main panelist.
Other panelists included Yang Dipertua of the Lenggong District Council and Chairman of the Lenggong Geopark Geotourism Committee, Mohd Amzari Mohd Arzami, and Director of the Perak Department of Minerals and Geoscience (JMG), Nizarulikram Abdul Rahim.
Also joining as a panelist was Prof. Dr. Norhayati Ahmad, Lecturer at the Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), and Member of the Lenggong Geopark Expert Panel Committee.
According to a statement from the Heritage and Tourism Unit of the Lenggong District Council, one of the main discussion focuses was the proposal to establish the Lenggong Geopark GEOentrepreneurs Body.
This proposed body is seen as a platform to strengthen community-based entrepreneurship within the Lenggong Geopark framework.
“The proposed body will be chaired by the Deputy District Officer of Lenggong, with members comprising representatives from various government departments and agencies, including Lenggong Community College and Gerik Community College as the technical secretariat.
“The proposal also includes the development of entrepreneurship training modules, the issuance of Lenggong Geopark recognition certificates to qualified entrepreneurs, and the establishment of collaborations with tourism industry players,” the statement said.
The program was also enlivened by an interactive question-and-answer session with the dialogue participants, consisting of representatives from government agencies, local entrepreneurs, and community members.
The session provided an opportunity for participants to share views, suggestions, and questions regarding opportunities, challenges, and the direction of entrepreneurship within the context of Lenggong Geopark’s development.
