Untapped Opportunities In Lipat Kajang

If you don't hear the knock of opportunity - build a door. - Anon.

With a bit of pre-judgment, I would say that Lipat Kajang is a kampong of opportunity. For whatever its worth, the kampong has a large acreage of unutilized land (or only semi-utilised), and large areas of 'sawah' (swamp land mostly) unworked. Forget the unforeseeable challenges, for as start lets concentrate what can be gotten out of Lipat Kajang.

It is a common knowledge that there are markets for the following,
‘Lintah’ (big leeches, for medical purposes)
‘Cacing’ (Earth worms, as non-chemical fertilizers)
‘Burung puyuh’ & their eggs (Patridge? For bird meat and small bird’s eggs)
‘Ayam kampong’ (kampong chicken, the local hardy chicken, a good demand in the towns and cities of Malaysia)
‘Kambing’ & ‘Biri-biri’ ( Goats and lamb for mutton)
‘Kerbau’ & ‘lembu’ (buffaloes & cattle, for meat of all kinds)

Locals are also encouraged to rear fresh water fish such as ‘ikan patin’ (a species of catfish) and ‘ikan talapia’. There is a good demand for them right now. Lipat Kajang folks have tried such fish rearing but that they failed because they did not have the sustaining power. I have seen in other places (in the State of Pahang) where they have successfully reared such fish, found the market and sustaining their activities. Why Lipat Kajang folks failed. Only they may know the correct answer. That was a lesson learnt.

In some places in Malaysia today, they rear other fresh water fish such as ‘ikan haruan’ (snake head fish) and ‘ikan keli’ (another species of cat fish). Both are profitable ventures as there is high demand for them, especially for ‘ikan keli’ which is one of the favourites in local Malay restaurants.

Lipat Kajang folks will need to think of how to ‘sell’ their kampongs to outside visitors and tourists. I don’t like to say much about this business because I know very little about selling and tourism. But I can see certain aspects in the kampong which may attract other people to visit it. People from certain sections of the Malaysian population, from other parts of the world may find the place different, if not interesting. Not really for tourists I suppose but more of hobbyist. Some people like to watch birds in their natural environment as a hobby. Some may like to watch dragon flies flying about, probably photographing them. Some may like to watch butterflies. Some may like to study trees, plants and wild flowers. Some may like to watch non-dangerous wild animals, not in a zoo. These are all available in Lipat Kajang. Its just a matter of introducing these hobbyist to such products which they may want to be involved in. Quiet and peace of the kampong attract all the birds, insects and non-dangerous animals. All the kampong can be the showplace, and to add immediate familiarity a local recognized trained guide may need to be employed.

The kampong may also like to ‘show off’ what they have. These however will need proper organisation to make the ‘show off’ successful. These are actually activities which both local and visitors can take part in. Activities such as boating in the ‘sawah’ (swampy area), rafting in the ‘sawah’, fishing in the ‘sawah’., or just merely cycling in the kampong roads during the day time, doing nothing but just watching the natural environment settings.

And I would say that the night activities would more thrilling. These are such as guided walking at night in the kampong, quietly watching and hearing the night noises. (Here the safety of the visitors much be assured by the guide and the kampong folks. We do not want any untowards incident to happen). Or even going on a Night Safari on a 4WD, trying to watch the wild animals coming out of their lairs at night or even in their lairs sleeping. These activities can be quite dangerous but to the adventurist kind, it will be real fun.

But for those local and visitors who are less adventurous, they may like to stay back over cold drinks (no alcohol) and relaxing while watching the kampong youths performing their ’bersilat’ (the Malay form of self defence) or even ‘main gasing’ (top playing and spinning, of lipat kajang tops) and may even take part in the top spinning activities.

All these come with expected challenges of course. Such activities need capital outlay. Such activities also need dedicated personals to make them successful. Such activities also need trained people in their respective fields so that they proceed smoothly. And further such activities need labour so that the guests (and even locals) need not get inconvenienced while taking part in those activities. Sanctions may be required from the Authorities and their cooperation is most essential. Is Lipat Kajang ready? Can Lipat Kajang folks organize these activities? Or do they need outsiders to lead.

Do Lipat Kajang folks also need outsiders (non-Lipat Kajang-ites) even to start economic activities in their own kampong?

Are the Lipat Kajang folks ready to tap the opportunities presented to them because of their natural settings? Are they ready to change from being 'dirty' to being 'clean'? From being complacent to being industrious? From being too satisfied with their lives to being more restless? From being subsidy minded to be more of having self pride and to work hard to achieve set objectives? Only Lipat Kajanag folks can give the right answers.


Lipat Kajang people (or decendents) are encouraged to participate& contribute (Orang Lipat Kajang, atau keturunan, di jemput memberi sumbangan idea)