PENAMPANG: The proposal to turn the Babagon dam into recreational sports activities can be a game-changer to boost the dull tourism sector of the district.
Not only that, it also has the potential to create over 100 job opportunities for Kota Kinabalu and Penampang people.
If the project materialised, the influx of visitors to Penampang will also create a business spin-offs for local businesses such as hotels, homestays, Airbnb, food and beverage, handicraft, cultural and transportation, among others.
And this ambitious project is estimated to costs more than RM10 million, said Penampang Tourism Association, President Benjamin Golimbi.
The idea to turn the dam into “Babagon Lake Park” has also been conveyed to Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives Minister Datuk Ewon Benedick, who is also Penampang Member of Parliament during a courtesy call.
“The Minister fully supports the idea as many dams around the world are also developed into tourism attraction. I think this project will give a tremendous benefit to the Penampang folks if approved,” said Benjamin.
“We think it is time to utilise the Babagon dam from single usage to multi-purpose usage by turning it into Malaysia’s first international standard recreation lake,” he said.
He said the concept of dual usage-drinking water and recreation are already very common worldwide, which are to make use of the huge potential of reservoir lakes, Sabah also can do it, if the authorities gives the green light.
He shared that the plan is to turn Babagon dam into a Taman Tun Fuad Stephens, Bukit Padang version, by bringing to the lake a range of new exciting, green, healthy and safe recreational activities.
Benjamin said the recreational activities will feature hiking, stand up paddling, e-foiling (electric powered) and zip-lining.
He believes that the lake has the potential to attract a wide range of visitors such as tourists both domestic and international, fitness buffs, schools outdoor activities and the organisations of MICE, team building and government events.
He expressed confidence that the project is viable to be implemented as there are already some examples of existing recreation lakes to imitate such as Putrajaya Lake; Bedok Lake, Singapore; Lake of Pierre-Percee, France; Durian Tunggal Lake, Melaka; and Bedu Lake, Kedah.
“As such, the Penampang Tourism Association hopes the government will fully tap the huge prospect of Babagon dam to transform it into a major tourism attraction in Sabah and Malaysia in general,” he said.
Meanwhile, Benjamin also expressed its appreciation to Ewon for allocating RM20,000 for the association to carry out its calendar events for this year.
He said the association needed at least RM200,000 to carry out its various tourism programmes and promotions to revive the industry which was badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic in the past three years.
He said various programmes has been lined up every month to continue the rejuvenation efforts of the tourism industry in Penampang.
Among the programmes are Mini Tamu Monsopiad (January to December); HSE Workshop (February); Padas Farmstay Study Trip (March); Tagal Festival (April); Miss Tourism Penampang (May); Penampang Bird Race (July); Penampang Le Tour (August); Penampang Treasure Hunt (September); Fishing Competition cum Cleaning Campaign for Moyog River (September); Tapai Fest and Best Tapai Competition (October); Mr Rainforest Penampang (November): and Penampang Marathon (December).
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