Mapping Cherok Tok Kun culture strengthens community heritage, boosts ecotourism potential
English
MACHANG BUBUK – The Innovation Lab 2026 Komuniversity Program: Mapping Cherok Tok Kun Culture which took place from 24 to 26 April at Sekolah Kebangsaan Juara near here, successfully strengthened efforts to preserve the local community's heritage in addition to opening up space for the development of ecotourism based on village identity.
The program organized by the Machang Bubuk State Assemblyman's Service Center (ADUN) in collaboration with Arts-ED, students of Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) and the Cherok Tok Kun Village Community Management Council (MPKK) was the second edition after the first one in November 2025.
This time, the program came with a more in-depth approach through the concept of 'back to the village' which emphasizes direct community involvement in the local heritage documentation process.
Malay
MACHANG BUBUK – Program Komuniversiti Innovation Lab 2026: Pemetaan Budaya Cherok Tok Kun yang berlangsung dari 24 hingga 26 April lalu di Sekolah Kebangsaan Juara dekat sini, berjaya memperkukuh usaha pemeliharaan warisan komuniti setempat selain membuka ruang kepada pembangunan ekopelancongan berasaskan identiti kampung.
Program anjuran Pusat Khidmat Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN ) Machang Bubuk dengan kerjasama Arts-ED, mahasiswa Universiti Sultan Azlan Shah (USAS) dan Majlis Pengurusan Komuniti Kampung (MPKK) Cherok Tok Kun itu merupakan edisi kedua selepas penganjuran pertama pada November 2025.
Kali ini, program tersebut tampil dengan pendekatan lebih mendalam menerusi konsep ‘balik kampung’ yang menekankan penglibatan langsung komuniti dalam proses dokumentasi warisan tempatan.
LEE Khai Loon also attended the Komuniversiti Innovation Lab 2026: Cherok Tok Kun Cultural Mapping program here.
English
ADUN Machang Bubuk Assemblyman Lee Khai Loon said that a total of 40 students were involved in the programme, including 10 previous participants and 30 new participants from various states such as Selangor, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu and Johor.
According to him, the participants were placed with 11 foster families to enable them to understand the life of the local community more closely and comprehensively.
“Through this approach, the students not only conducted field research, but also interacted closely with the community to understand the history, culture and identity of Cherok Tok Kun comprehensively,” he said.
Malay
ADUN Machang Bubuk, Lee Khai Loon berkata, seramai 40 mahasiswa terlibat dalam program berkenaan, termasuk 10 peserta terdahulu dan 30 peserta baharu dari pelbagai negeri seperti Selangor, Perak, Kelantan, Terengganu dan Johor.
Menurut beliau, para peserta ditempatkan bersama 11 keluarga angkat bagi membolehkan mereka memahami kehidupan komuniti setempat secara lebih dekat dan menyeluruh.
“Melalui pendekatan ini, para mahasiswa bukan sahaja menjalankan kajian lapangan, tetapi turut berinteraksi secara dekat dengan komuniti bagi memahami sejarah, budaya dan identiti Cherok Tok Kun secara menyeluruh,” katanya.
English
Khai Loon added that the closing ceremony of the program was held in a 'Kenduri Rakyat' atmosphere when the students presented their findings to the local community including villagers, MPKK, foster families and local leaders.
"The results from this program are expected to be an important basis for the development of the Cherok Tok Kun cultural mapping project which can be used as a reference in efforts to preserve local heritage and develop a community based on local identity," he said.
Commenting on the potential of the area, Khai Loon said that Cherok Tok Kun has its own advantages including the beauty of Bukit Tokun and Bukit Seraya, the uniqueness of local food such as crab soup noodles, as well as seasonal attractions such as durian which can contribute to community tourism activities.
"Cherok Tok Kun has great potential to be developed as an ecotourism destination and a homestay concept like in Mengkuang Titi, which allows visitors to experience life with the local community," he explained.
Malay
Tambah Khai Loon lagi, majlis penutup program diadakan dalam suasana ‘Kenduri Rakyat’ apabila para mahasiswa membentangkan hasil dapatan mereka kepada komuniti setempat termasuk penduduk kampung, MPKK, keluarga angkat dan pemimpin tempatan.
“Hasil daripada program ini dijangka menjadi asas penting kepada pembangunan projek pemetaan budaya Cherok Tok Kun yang boleh dijadikan rujukan dalam usaha pemeliharaan warisan tempatan serta pembangunan komuniti berasaskan identiti setempat,” katanya.
Mengulas mengenai potensi kawasan tersebut, Khai Loon berkata bahawa Cherok Tok Kun mempunyai kelebihan tersendiri termasuk keindahan Bukit Tokun dan Bukit Seraya, keunikan makanan tempatan seperti mi sup ketam, serta tarikan bermusim seperti durian yang mampu menyumbang kepada aktiviti pelancongan komuniti.
“Cherok Tok Kun mempunyai potensi besar untuk dibangunkan sebagai destinasi ekopelancongan serta konsep inap desa seperti di Mengkuang Titi, yang membolehkan pelawat merasai pengalaman kehidupan bersama komuniti setempat,” jelasnya.
English
However, he stressed that the development of rural areas must be supported by adequate basic infrastructure as the area still faces challenges such as narrow roads and traffic congestion.
In the meantime, he also informed that Cherok Tok Kun is very lucky to be chosen as a 'Civil Adoption Village'.
With the support of various parties including government agencies, universities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), communities and the private sector, he is confident that Cherok Tok Kun has the potential to develop as a community-based recreational and leisure lifestyle destination
Pictures: ADUN
Creditis: Buletin Mutiara
Malay
Walau bagaimanapun, beliau menegaskan pembangunan kawasan luar bandar perlu disokong dengan infrastruktur asas yang mencukupi memandangkan kawasan tersebut masih berdepan cabaran seperti jalan sempit dan kesesakan trafik.
Dalam pada itu, beliau turut memaklumkan bahawa Cherok Tok Kun amat bertuah apabila dipilih sebagai ‘Kampung Angkat Madani’.
Dengan sokongan pelbagai pihak termasuk agensi kerajaan, universiti, pertubuhan bukan kerajaan (NGO), komuniti dan sektor swasta, beliau yakin Cherok Tok Kun berpotensi berkembang sebagai destinasi rekreasi dan gaya hidup santai yang berteraskan komuniti.
Pictures: ADUN
Creditis: Buletin Mutiara