PASIR SALAK: Efforts are underway to revive the sleepy hollow of Kampung Bando, a once-busy river port.
Bandar Heritage Association chairman Abdul Rahman Azubair said Kampung Bando used to be a busy port during its heydays in the 19th century.
“Now only a handful of people are living at the village,” he said.
Speaking after the closing of Warisan Bandar (WB) River Fest, Rahman said the association had planned to plant pokok berembang along Sungai Perak near the village to attract fireflies.
“We hope to turn the village into a tourist destination with fireflies as the main attraction,” he said, adding that association hoped to realise the plan in five years.
The association, said Rahman, was also in talks with Petronas to set up a museum that combines history and science.
On the festival, Rahman said over 500 people participated in the event held in conjunction with the enthronement of Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
Among the were kayaking, traditional sports, a 10km run, exhibition and a booth sale.
Rahman said the main objective of the festival was to allow the people to reflect on the early history of the Perak sultanate which began at Hilir Perak.
“We want to promote river sports and cultivate the people's love of streams and rivers, as well as to expose them to the economic potential of living by the riverside.”
The three-day festival was closed by Raja Muda of Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa.
Among those present were former menteri besar Tan Sri Ramli Ngah Ralib and former inspector-general of police Tun Haniff Omar and wife Toh Puan Hamidah Hamid.