Cameron Highlands' grim future

By Stephanie Sta Maria - Free Malaysia Today

CAMERON HIGHLANDS: Cameron Highlands faces the possibility of being wiped out from Malaysia's tourist map within the next decade if the government doesn't lift its ban on the hiring of Bangladeshi workers.

This warning came from the Malaysian Tea Producers Association chairman, Kesav Kumar Agarwal, who has been striving in vain to draw the government's attention to this plight.

Severe labour shortage has already forced two of the four tea plantations to cease operations and has vegetable farmers fighting to stay afloat.

“It's not just the tea industry but the entire Cameron Highlands that is in danger of becoming obsolete,” he said. “The domino effect of this scenario will have a huge impact on many other industries.”

According to Kesav, foreigners make up 90% of labour in Cameron Highlands today compared to 1982 when they only comprised 10%.

Government's silence

The tea industry is currently short of 700 workers, while the farmers need 2,000 extra pairs of hands. And unfortunately, foreign workers from other countries don't make the cut.

“Bangladeshi workers have an aptitude for agriculture-based industries and also tend to stay longer in the workforce,” Kesav explained. “As for the locals, they have either moved to the city or are only interested in office jobs.”

Kesav lamented the government's silence over the issue although Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister's Department, SK Devamany, has held talks with 28 farmer associations last month.

“Devamany agreed that we are in dire straits and publicly said that the policy was threatening the survival of Cameron Highlands,” he said. “Yet the government hasn't reached out to us yet.”

Kesav said that the various associations in Cameron Highlands have already submitted a working paper to the government some time back, explaining the need for Bangladeshi workers in their industry.

Association representatives also met with Human Resources Minister S Subramaniam last year, who promised to look into the matter.

“We're also trying to secure a meeting with (deputy prime minister) Muhyiddin (Yassin),” he added. “All we are asking for is that the old policy be reinstated, with special exemption given to Cameron Highlands.”

“Everyone here is now living in a state of anxiety because we don't know whether the government will heed our call. We're hoping for a response within the next two months. If nothing happens, then Cameron Highlands will be on its way to becoming a sunset industry.”