Pusat IDEA of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), together with the university’s Research Clusters and University Research Groups (KPU), held a Follow-Up Meeting on the Lenggong Geopark Development Initiative with Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Home Affairs Malaysia, on 27 January 2026. The meeting was organised following the outcomes of the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) session conducted from 29 to 31 December 2025, which gathered strategic insights from various stakeholders regarding community development initiatives in Lenggong Geopark, Perak.
The meeting focused on charting the development direction of Lenggong as an Open Geo Education Tourism Hub, driven by the Geo Education Tourism ecosystem. This initiative emphasises the integration of education, research and tourism as a strategic approach to strengthening local community development. In addition, the initiative highlights the empowerment of local communities and entrepreneurs, the development of geopark-based educational modules, and the implementation of nature-based learning laboratories that utilise the natural and heritage resources of Lenggong as experiential learning platforms.
The discussions also underscored the importance of establishing strategic collaborations among universities, government agencies and industry partners to ensure that the development of Lenggong is carried out in a holistic and sustainable manner. The initiative is envisioned to align with international frameworks that promote education, sustainable tourism and Geo Education Tourism, positioning the local community as a central hub for knowledge, experiential learning and sustainable development rather than purely commercial-oriented activities.
Prior to this meeting, the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and K.I.T.A GEMPUR Consumer Advocacy Programme was successfully implemented through a combination of advocacy sessions, field visits and strategic consultations with community members and stakeholders. The programme emphasised the importance of consumer awareness, community and entrepreneur empowerment, exploration of Geoeducation Tourism potential, and the preparation of community documentation for registration with the Registrar of Societies (ROS) Malaysia.
Overall, these initiatives demonstrate a continuous commitment to strengthening collaboration among academia, community stakeholders and relevant agencies in advancing sustainable socio-economic development in Lenggong.
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