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2. Not many know of Borneo Heights, one of the most beautiful hill resorts in Malaysia. Situated only one hour slow drive from Kuching International Airport, the heights have retained much of its original tropical rain forest.
3. It is literally at the border between Sarawak and Kalimantan, Indonesia; literally because the border is a cliff which plunges 600 meter (2000 feet) from the southern boundary of the resort, to Indonesia Kalimantan. You cannot miss the border. One step over the rope marker you would be in Indonesia sans visa. The drop would not be pleasant.
5. There appears to be no human habitation. But I was told the Indonesian Dayak shifting cultivators live there, though their long houses cannot be seen. I know of no other place where one can view a huge green tropical forest seemingly untouched by human habitation. Kalimantan is bigger than Sabah and Sarawak put together but it is very sparsely populated.
6. The resort has an eighteen hole golf-course laid out beautifully between thick forest. But more interesting to me are the beautiful temperate climate flowers which grow well there. They come in all shapes and colours. But deep purple seem to be the dominant colour.
7. I have a house there but have not been using it much. Not knowing where to go for my year end holiday, I decided to go there. I spent three restful, quiet days without air-conditioners.
8. The heights are as cool as ever. I was driven up in a 4WD to the vantage point to look down the cliff at Kalimantan and as usual it took my breath away. Our vantage point is 3,600 feet above sea level.
9. Borneo Heights was developed by Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, a close friend of mine. Maybe this article will benefit a “crony” but if more tourists, domestic and foreign visit this beautiful part of Malaysia, tourism Malaysia will also benefit. And what we earn from tourism will benefit all Malaysians. It would be selfish of me to avoid writing this bit simply because I am afraid of being accused of cronyism.
Honeymooonnnnn!! Haha Tun, it’s been a couple of years since my last post. How refreshing it is to read about Borneo Heights especially when I’m planning for my honeymoon (6 months late). Haha.
Dearest YAB Tun,
I would love to go there – may be next year.
Mungkin boleh “sublet” rumah Tun? Saya bergurau saja. Saya sudah tinjau website resort tersebut dan pakej penginapan yang ditawarkan agak berpatutan.
Thanks Tun.
*** May Allah SWT bless Tun and family ***
Will visit the place soon sir!
Dear Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Salam Hormat
One has to be contended by the thought that my father is having a good time reading the PM Manual by an ex-pm. Easy reading.
Not much but the thought of you improving – increasing your knowledge in Islam. The photo of you on the second steps in Argentina – although the caption that came with it is a bit misleading, to say the least. And the late Dato Salleh Majid – al-Fatehah!
One wonders if Mukhriz has this book well written by his father; leads one to the thought of Langkawi the willing subject to modern ideas put to test – Langkawi the test site to modern, cutting edge living, the halal-toyibban way.
The furore at the OIC Summit. One must use one’s head – the Zionists do that.
Grass-roots and roots – one’s roots. Russian winters can be very very bad.
Sekian
Assalamualaikum Tun,
1. That is an awesome place to go.
2. We always heard of ‘pockets of nature’ in a city urban planning; lets change it to ‘pockets of buildings’ surrounded by nature as our version of urban planning to tackle our always-overdeveloped development strategies.
3. Out of the topic, the article reminded me to buy some bread.
Keep healthy Tun
Salam YAB Tun,
I am a local biologist who visited Borneo Heights many years ago and caught many interesting small mammals in the area….the data was published in an international journal (my first international journal)……here’s the link for those who are interested in knowing more about Borneo Heights fauna:
http://docsdrive.com/pdfs/ansinet/jbs/2006/711-716.pdf
Salam YAB Tun.
Just a quick note to say that I’ve enjoyed reading your blogs for the past few years. I specifically liked your wry sense of humor in most of your writings.
)
Salam Tun,
Reading about it already makes me feel like going there. Thanks Tun.
FB
Those who don’t know:
Borneo Highlands Resort’s Website and Facebook Page… =)
http://www.borneohighlands.com.my/
http://www.facebook.com/BorneoHighlandsResort
Dear Tun,
From Datuk Ibrahim Ali to Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew and Vincent Tan, they are all your close friends. Action speaks louder than words. You are not racist. You have to speak out and do what you think is right.
Can I claim Wajaperak, Sudin, Zulkiflee, Nik Mat and at the same time dtan, Joshua Lopez, HBT456, AndrewTay as my close friends too?
Ayahanda Tun is our icon to emulate, a symbol of moderation and tolerance, a philosophy of coexistence and harmony, the triumph of good over evil. Tun is a bridge over the racial divide in our beloved country.
amin tan
Dr Mahathir,
I would like to have your esteem comments on the article (pasted below). I value your views respectfully.
http://news.yahoo.com/hope-afghan-outcry-over-brides-abuse-195905756.html
Thank you
Assalamualaikum Tun,
How i wish i could spend a day with you talking about the nature…i don’t know about politics or global issues…all i know is to appreciate the environment. How lucky we are in Malaysia today that we have a huge scale of rainforest, but i’m so worried that this rainforest won’t be able to last until my our generation due to the development needs.
Hope u will always be a good health
Love U Tun…(^-^)
Tun
It is a delight to read your description of one small scenic corner of beautiful Malaysia, our beloved country.
Yes ! There are many beautiful scenic spots as you are aware, like even anywhere in the country-side at dawn or dusk. In places that are not ruined by heavy traffic.
In Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Tawau and its environs, the padi fields in the rice growing States, the numerous islets and pristine beaches which dot and envelop the land, the vista towards the north from Fraser’s Hill, towards Kedah Peak from Pulau Pinang, the primeval forests of the Titiwangsa Range, the forests of Malaysian Borneo and their animal inhabitants etc. etc. There are too many beautiful spots to mention.
Many years ago, I asked a Hong Kong tourist in Kota Kinabalu why he and his family visited Sabah and not Bangkok. He replied that he was tired of the same old boring stuff whatever that meant and wanted to appreciate something different !
Malaysia is unique in its wealth of tourist resources which are in short supply in our present day world. As always, we fall down on the ‘ follow through activities ‘ and become a laughing stock ! We should get much more and benefit more from tourism. But nothing much happens because the relevant authorities seem to be dealing with tourism from the wrong end of the stick. Instead of giving out gold medals to tourists in our country for fostering tourism here, we end up receiving gold medals in London at great cost to ourselves. We do not seem to realise that London is a city of foreigners and tourists who have no interest in Malaysia but what London has to offer at any day or night which are more exotic ! And we toured the city and the Antipodes too in support of the tourism of others and not Malaysia’s. As you are aware, it is the profits for the travel agents, at home and abroad and the entrepreneurial flair which count in any business endeavour. How much can the relevant authorities do by flitting around the world ? We are of flesh and blood and not robots. This brings Borneo Heights which was your brain-child and brilliantly developed by Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew.
Your sojourn up in the Borneo Heights also brought home the force of reality of what could be created by humankind with the proper leadership – your 22 years of Administration as compared with the period after you retired which became dull and boring to the consternation of the citizens.
It is good also that you took time off to really appreciated this creation. There were many so created by others during this period of time. I am sure you will be there to appreciate their devoted works too !
Strangely, despite of the purported efforts by the relevant authorities, beautiful Malaysia does not appear in many international websites but Singapore is all over the world ! We should synchronised with them for the sake of regional tourism and other ASEAN countries.
On the subject of cronies and bail-outs, these are now common words in the Western vocabulary and accepted as legitimate business practices in the West. Sauce for the goose, sauce for the gander ?
For instance, Tim Shorrock of the Nation.com clearly delineates how ‘cronyism ‘ is now formally institutionalised in the United States which has now become the home of crony capitalism, in his article ‘ The Carlyle Group – Crony Capitalism Goes Global ‘ I have nothing more to add to this.
Dear YAB Tun,
May I ask you a question? Why should I vote for Barisan Nasional whereas I saw with my own eyes a TYT spend RM70,+++ just for a car registration number? This is just a waste of PUBLIC MONEY! Please convince me to vote for BN.
SALAM KASIH DAN SAYANG
AYAHANDA RAKYAT TUN
Izinkan,
AHMAD BADRIJanuary 4, 2012 at 6:18 pm said,
……
7. Yes I would love to go to Borneo Heights one day, I heard so much about it. However, I need to wait for the economy to improve because right now in my line of work (construction related)…We just can’t afford to cross the sea to Borneo just yet.
Salam kasih sayang Sdr. Badri,
While waiting, may we suggest that you cross over to the legendary island of Langkawi and go up the Gunung Raya peak and may get the same experience found at the Borneo Heights.. perhaps better especially the sunset scenery of the Island which is a sight to behold! Not to mention the wild birds and insects, flora and fauna found in the tropical forest said to be a million year old.. being in the cool air in the clouds up Gunung Raya will surely refresh one’s body and soul.
ALFATIHAH, AMIN
Ps. Just an alternative B, if one can’t afford the Air Asia ticket to Sarawak for the moment to take a ferry to Langkawi Island.. we are just doing a ‘cross-selling’ in tourist spots in Malaysia..hehe
salam Tun…good note!
http://www.saatcham.com
Dr. Mahathir Mohamad
Salam Hormat
Praise Yah From High Above
(how high is 600m)
You cannot miss the border. One step over the rope marker you would be in Indonesia sans visa. The drop would not be pleasant
The view is different up there they say
Tne view is very different down here i say
from high above the rainforest – in the clouds
the color of the tree top weaves stretch far away below
i am here a malay on the run taking to the heights
a breadth of thin, fresh air among the clouds
the color green yellow and red
away from the scent of weirook and priests
when they are playing with the light
i hope they will leave al-lah, yh-wh and Elijah out of it
Hallelujah, what a sight it must be from Borneo Heights
Sekian
Semoga dirahmati Allah, Tun.
We are here to give opinions. Despite many differing views, Malaysia should remain a peaceful country.
In pursuit of a better economic status, we must remember that the Western-defined economic status is not always right. One of the worst place to live is London. Unlike Kuala Lumpur, the so-called cosmopolitan metropolis is lacking the very basic feature of a developed city; the public toilet. A tourist can hardly find a toilet at a tube station in central London. Even, some big departmental stores like Primark do not provide toilet facility.
I would say Malaysia has done well in terms of physical development. Yes, as many say, there are things to be improved. But certainly, we should not blindly follow London. I am disappointed that Suria KLCC toilets have no water taps. Many of us are Muslims and we need water to rinse off.
You are right, Tun. The British has nothing other than their financial market. And the financial market does not bring much benefit even to their people.
I regret coming to London.
if you are not using your house, often, perhaps can give a good rental for other people…hehehe
Assalamualaikum Tun sekeluarga,
Sounds like a wonderful year end holiday.
Might consider it for my next family trip.
Cheers,
Assalamualaikum Tun,
Tidak semua menghayati alam dengan keindahannya tanpa memikirkan sedikit pulangan ekonomi. Sayangnya apabila pulangan ekonomi yang menjadi agenda utama, keindahan semulajadi selalunya terkorban.
Cameron Highland telah keseluruhannya gondol. Kedinginan dan kehijauannya telah tidak seperti sebelumnya. Begitu juga dengan Genting Highland. Untuk disalahkan kepada pengusaha tidak wajar, tapi pengurusan atau pentadbiran kerajaan perlu lebih sensitif. Garis panduan dan undang-undang kecil yang ada harus dipatuhi. Pentadbir harus tahu tahap dan had kegiatan ekonomi supaya tidak menjejaskan alam semulajadi yang menjadi kazanah utama.
Cadangan untuk membina Jalanraya Tanah Tinggi menyusuri Banjaran Titiwangsa boleh menjadi satu lagi tarikan. Lebuhraya walaubagaimana pun mungkin tidak sesuai kerana kesan kerja tanah yang meluas kepada hutan sediada.
Terima kasih Tun kerana berkongsi pengalaman di Borneo Height. Semoga sentiasa dirahmati Allah.
Ayahanda Tun
Salam sejahtera.
I like this bit on Borneo Resort otherwise I wouldnt know that this resort exist. I will promote to Emirati to expand their holiday spot in Malaysia. Currently, they only know Penang, Langkawi and Genting.
When are you visiting Abu Dhabi again, ayahanda Tun?
Mastura
Cameron indeed 1 of the best place to visit with our family. Cooling and refreshing. Unfortunately i notice much of Malaysian best tourist spot are not being closely taken care off. I ve been in some other countries and yet Malaysia got much to offer too. We should adopt these places and make them greater and more up market.
Dear Tun,
1. Thanks to your foresight, much of this land of ours are now accessible, and many becoming tourist spots for the local Malaysians and visitors. You can see the kind of movements of people that happen during school holidays and breaks – Genting, C. Highlands and Langkawi are almost saturated with people.
2. However, places like Borneo Heights is an eco-tourism place, attracting those with time, money, good imagination and not much worries so as to focus on the aesthetics, and to enjoy life. Unfortunately many of us are still struggling with the daily bread issue, even to fly to Kuching with AirAsia costs us a lot.
3. Talking of tourism, I am amazed with Thailand. They had so much trouble with the red shirts, yellow shirts, demonstrations now and then, and then the big flood. But still tourists go there in the millions, from all over the world. Why is that? Aura? Magnetic pull?, jampi siam? or the thing about their people? Compare their service with our own Malaysian standard of service, see any difference? To me, yes, a big one.
4. Also, when you go to almost any city or town in Europe, there is always something for the tourist to go see, visit and something to do. You go to Kajang what can you see? Or Kulim Kedah, or Bukit Mertajam, or Dungun, or Pontian? For that matter, even Alor Star is not geared for the tourists in my opinion. Somehow, many of the local leaders don’t quite share your vision. Don’t forget, the attractions of Taiping and Penang have to do with the colonial plannings, not the present day local leaders and authorities. Even when I go to Shah Alam there is only one nice park to see, a nice mosque to pray at, and I can’t think of much else. If I spend one night at Shah Alam as a tourist I don’t know what to do or where to go and see something worthwhile.
5. Kuala Perlis and Kuala Kedah, entry points to Langkawi by the ferry, remain dead areas as far as tourism goes even though millions of people pass through these places enroute to Langkawi. Fortunately, at last they have set up seafood restaurants (albeit for the masses) at Kuala Perlis. But what else is there to do in Kuala Perlis? Well, I can go on.
6. Thankfully, the guy who planned tourism in Melaka did a good job, with the river cruise, Taming Sari elevated view of Melaka, museums, good restaurants and shopping arcade, beach walks etc. There is good planning for the tourist.
7. Yes I would love to go to Borneo Heights one day, I heard so much about it. However, I need to wait for the economy to improve because right now in my line of work (construction related) we small guys are only watching the big guys getting much of the work, who then distribute some to their own kind. There is too much talk and more talk by the big boss, and we see flashes of million dollar jewelry worn by the elites, but we don’t see the economy moving much to make any difference to our income. We just can’t afford to cross the sea to Borneo just yet.
8. You mention about “cronies”. I understand many of these “cronies” become your good friends only after you became the Prime Minister. They performed well, and were adequately rewarded. But some of them failed to perform. Some of them misused the friendship. Some even bought Ph D degrees from overseas, even though with Form 5 certificates. I would be ashamed to call them friends. Many of them are just good businessmen, but we would like to see such people do good to other less unfortunate ones and show gratitude to the nation, in the same way Bill Gates and Warren Buffet had been doing. Only difference, these two guys are not even close friends to any of the American Presidents.
Tun dearie,
Definetely they will accused u kayakn kroni but then,I’ve been study on how u think and why u make such decision dat r not popular,I believe every single things has come with a reason dat for others to think outside da box in order to see it..I’ve been watching those interview videos between u and BBC and I respect u dat u still holding ur words n u hav da reason y such statement has been made…May god bless u..Hopefully one day I have the chance to shake ur hand coz I dun hav da chance to do it previously..Tun jalan laju sgt..Haha..Once again,may god bless u n ur wife..
Thanks for the info.
Askm Tun. Wishing you & family in good health and let us hope that in the year 2012, Malaysians will experience greater happiness, peaceful & harmonious living in a unique multi-racial, multi-religious, multi-cultural and prosperous country that has become the envy of many countries. ( except those ungrateful Malaysians )
This is really a surprise change of topic and nicely written. It will in certain way enlighten us of our beautiful country to be appreciated and be grateful to the Almighty. At least this write-up will reduce the tension of the many on the previous “heavy” topic.
However, I hope Tun do not forget to write, in near future, about your advice on personal financial management that critically needed by especially the Bumiputra to go through the coming tough time. I believe a lot of people will benefit. Maybe, Tun can also touch on the application Islamic financial system which I believe is a more superior financial system, if correctly applied, that will take us out of the current capitalist system.
May Allah SWT bless and protect us all.
Salam Tun,
Thanks for sharing this. I actually don’t know about it indeed. Sounds a great place to relax and unwind especially on year end family outing.