KALANG Warisan, on Sungai Terengganu in Kg Pulau Manis, was originally just a popular spot for locals to gather and spend their free time.

However, a group of enterprising villagers decided to make better use of their time during the Covid-19 movement control order (MCO) imposed last year to turn this area into a new location for community tourism.

They said it was to ensure more people visited Kalang Warisan to enjoy the scenery and beauty of their locality, Serada, and more importantly, to provide business opportunities for locals to sell their products.

Kg Pulau Manis’s youth representative, Muhammad Rafi Kori, told The Malaysian Insight that the spot was now also used by traders, whose incomes were affected by the pandemic, from other villages.

He said the idea to revitalise Kalang Warisan into a community tourism zone came because many villagers could not work during the MCO.

“During the first MCO, we could do nothing, there was no place to hang out, we were unable to go out to the city, there was no work, so most of us just gathered and spent time by the river.

“At that time, we also built and repaired four jetties there. Then, we cleaned up the riverside area.

“From there we thought of developing the area into a community tourism project,” he said.

Collecting funds for the project was the main challenge because it was to be undertaken by the locals themselves, said 42-year-old Rafi.

“We collected donations from the villagers and it just so happens that there is a religious school in the village interested in developing the area, so we shared the cost.

“In terms of resources and labour to build the space and jetties, we villagers did it ourselves as most of us are carpenters and blacksmiths.

“So, we used wood and bamboo, with donations of Nipah leaves from other villagers,” he said, adding that they also built a business space at the area with a traditional concept.

“We set up stalls for the villagers to do business. Many of them were food sellers and night market traders who were unable to work due to the MCO.

“So, we provided space for them. The villagers were happy because they can generate income,” he said.

A new tourist destination

The name “Kalang”, according to the local dialect, refers to a small base or jetty that was usually built in every house in the past.

Rafi said this was because at that time the people depended on Sungai Terengganu for their livelihood, whether for transport, fishing or even as a source of water.

Most of the houses of the villagers were on the riverbanks in the past, he added.

“So, all the houses must have their own jetty or kalang to make it easier for them to do daily activities and to cross to the next village,” he said.

Kalang Warisan was officially opened in July last year when the conditional MCO came into effect, and is now a new tourist attraction in Terengganu.

“Considering that we are still barred from crossing states, Kalang Warisan has received positive response from the people of Terengganu.

“Aside from generating income for the people, it also strengthens the domestic tourism industry,” he said.

Kalang Warisan is open every day except Wednesdays.

Residents do not charge any entrance fee unless visitors want to take a boat ride on Sungai Terengganu.

The cruise provides income to entrepreneurs such as Asmadi Ali, 47, who was severely affected by MCO.

Asmadi, who previously worked as a lorry driver for nine years, had to quit his job and return to his village.

“I then did some work back home but during MCO, there was no work at all.”

“So, when I heard they wanted to develop Kalang Warisan and I know how to steer a boat, I thought why don’t I become a boat driver?” he said.

Asmadi earns at least RM1,000 a month in his new vocation.

Another trader in Kalang Warisan, who only wanted to be known as Suraiya, said she used to work as a tailor in Kuala Terengganu.

Suraiya, 52, said she could earn RM700 a month but everything changed when MCO was imposed.

“During the MCO, all (businesses) were closed, and none of us could go to the city. At that time there was no money because there was no work.

“When Kalang Warisan was opened after Raya Haji, they called the villagers who were interested in business, so I gave it a try, and the response so far is encouraging,” she said. – April 6, 2021.