Cameron Highlands

The Cameron Highlands (Malay: Tanah Tinggi Cameron) is a district in Pahang, Malaysia, covering an area of 712.18 square kilometres (274.97 sq mi). It is the smallest municipality in the state and is located at the northwestern tip of Pahang. The district borders Kelantan to the north and Perak to the west. It is about 90 kilometres (56 mi) east from Ipoh, roughly 200 kilometres (120 mi) north from Kuala Lumpur, and about 355 kilometres (221 mi) from Kuantan, the capital of Pahang.

Surveyed by explorer William Cameron in 1885, the area includes three subdistricts called mukims: Ringlet, Tanah Rata, and Ulu Telom. The main town is Tanah Rata, and other settlements include Ringlet, Brinchang, the Bertam Valley, Kea Farm, and more. These places sit at heights between 800 metres and 1,603 metres above sea level.

Developed in the 1930s, Cameron Highlands is one of Malaysia’s oldest tourist spots. It is famous for its cool weather, tea estates, orchards, nurseries, farmlands, waterfalls, rivers, lakes, and wildlife. Visitors also enjoy its mossy forests, golf courses, hotels, and the local culture, including cream tea. The area is also home to native inhabitants known as the Orang Asli.

Background

The Cameron Highlands were named after William Cameron, a Scottish explorer and geologist who mapped the area in 1885. He noticed flat land and gentle slopes that could be good for building. Later, another explorer thought the area would be perfect for a resort like places in Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

In 1925, scientists tested if crops like tea, coffee, and fruits could grow there. They built a road from Tapah to the highlands, finishing it in 1930. After the road was built, people and farmers moved in, and the area grew with schools, farms, and more. Cameron Highlands became a popular place to visit, especially after peace returned following a conflict. Today, it is one of Malaysia’s most famous hill stations and the highest place in Peninsular Malaysia you can drive to.

Demographics

The Cameron Highlands district is home to 33,278 people. Many different groups live there, including Chinese, Bumiputeras (mostly Malays), Orang Aslis, Indians, and people from other countries who are not Malaysian citizens. Most people in the area work in businesses, services, farming, or for the government, or they are retirees.

Politics

Cameron Highlands started having its own representative in the federal parliament in 2004, though it was previously part of Kuala Lipis. The area includes some places outside its main boundaries, like the FELDA settlement of Sungai Koyan, which is still counted under Cameron Highlands. In the state government, Cameron Highlands has two seats: Tanah Rata and Jelai. Tanah Rata covers all of Cameron Highlands, while Jelai covers part of Kuala Lipis, including Sungai Koyan and other FELDA areas.

Geography

Cameron Highlands is one of the 11 districts of Pahang. It covers an area of 712 square kilometres and includes three townships and five settlements. Located high up in the mountains, it sits between 800 and 1,603 metres above sea level. The area has eight mountains, with Mount Brinchang being the highest. At the top of Mount Brinchang, there is a radio and television station built by the British in the early 1950s. Nearby is a famous mossy forest, which you can reach from the BOH Sungei Palas Tea Plantation in about 15 minutes by road.

The Cameron Highlands is special because it has three river systems with many smaller streams. These rivers provide important water for the areas of Pahang and Perak. The place is mostly covered in forests, with many trails leading to peaceful spots, waterfalls, and villages home to the Orang Asli people. These trails usually start from Tanah Rata, and some can take up to five hours to complete.

Biodiversity

Cameron Highlands is home to many different plants and animals, making it a special place for nature lovers. Over 700 types of plants grow here, and the scenery changes as you climb higher. The area is well-known for its tea farms, vegetable fields, and flower gardens. It is also a safe place for animals like the Sumatran serow, mountain peacock-pheasant, and Malayan whistling-thrush.

Climate

Cameron Highlands has a cool climate, with average temperatures around 18 °C (64 °F). During the day, temperatures usually stay below 25 °C (77 °F), and at night, they can drop to as low as 9 °C (48 °F). The area receives a lot of rain, with more than 2,700 mm (110 in) falling each year. The coldest temperature ever recorded was 7.8 °C (46 °F) on February 1, 1978.

Transportation

The Cameron Highlands can be reached by road through Tapah, Simpang Pulai, Gua Musang, or Sungai Koyan. Tapah and Simpang Pulai are ways in from Perak, while Gua Musang and Sungai Koyan connect from Kelantan and Pahang.

By car, the main road used to be Federal Route 59 from Tapah in Perak. In 2004, a new road called Federal Route 185 opened, linking Simpang Pulai through the Highlands to Gua Musang in Kelantan. By 2010, another road, Federal Route 102, was added to connect Ringlet to FELDA Sungai Koyan. This helps people from other parts of Pahang, like Kuantan, visit without leaving the state. There is also a state road, C5, linking Sungai Koyan to Raub.

Public buses travel between the Cameron Highlands and cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Penang, and Tapah, although there are no train stations nearby. The closest train stations are in Kuala Lipis and Tapah Road.

Federal Parliament and State Assembly Seats

List of Cameron Highlands district representatives in the Federal Parliament (Dewan Rakyat)

List of Cameron Highlands district representatives in the State Legislative Assembly (Dewan Undangan Negeri)