By Danial Dzulkifly
PETALING JAYA, May 23 — Tourism Selangor has inked a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Lincoln University College to raise Batu Arang’s cultural profile through a long-term collaboration centred on cultural mapping, heritage preservation, and developing sustainable tourism products for the area.
Its chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling said the partnership is not only about formalising institutional ties, but also about turning Batu Arang into a model destination for community-based tourism that celebrates Selangor’s rich history and hidden gems.
“This collaboration with Lincoln University College is very important to us because this journey towards Unesco recognition requires a lot of academic documentation and community participation,” she said, referring to the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation.
“We believe that with the right strategy and partnerships, places like Batu Arang can evolve into sustainable tourism destinations benefiting not just visitors, but the communities who call them home,” Chua added.
Batu Arang, a former coal mining town rich in industrial and colonial heritage, forms part of the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark, a site currently preparing for nomination as a Unesco Global Geopark by 2028.
During the MOU signing ceremony at the Lincoln University College campus today, she said Tourism Selangor has been tasked with leading the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark committee, making it the first geopark in Malaysia spearheaded by a tourism body rather than a state agency or conservation authority.
The partnership with Lincoln University College would focus on cultural mapping and community-based tourism packages, with curated cultural guides in tandem with Selangor’s efforts under the Visit Selangor Year 2025 campaign.
Chua said the state agency aims to draw 5,000 to 10,000 annual visitors to Batu Arang via the initiative, positioning it as one of many sustainable destinations under its “Surprising Selangor” campaign.
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The Gombak Quartz Ridge Geosite is part of the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark. — Picture by TOURISM SELANGOR[/caption]
“We foresee the direct involvement of over 200 students and faculty members from Lincoln University College each year through research, promotional content, and field activities.
“This hands-on exposure will not only enrich students’ learning experience but also empower local communities as active stakeholders in the tourism ecosystem,” she said.
The project is already targeting key deliverables in the short term, including a printed and digital cultural map in time for Visit Selangor Year 2025 and Visit Malaysia Year 2026.
“Through this bottom-up approach, we want stakeholders to come together to shape Batu Arang’s identity.
“By engaging the local council, community, academics, and the private sector, we are aiming to uncover the unique features of Batu Arang and create more attractive tourism offerings,” Chua said.
She also highlighted the importance of involving students in real-world fieldwork, which exposes them to the challenges of community-based tourism and allows them to co-create sustainable tourism models with residents.
Also speaking at the event was Lincoln University College Pro-Chancellor Prof Datuk Bibi Florina Abdullah, who said the collaboration shows the university’s commitment to real-world learning, sustainable development, and community empowerment.
“Through geo-community development, tourism package creation, and product mapping, our students and lecturers will contribute directly to community upliftment while gaining hands-on experience,” she said.
Bibi noted that Lincoln University College will also pursue joint research, training, and knowledge exchange with Tourism Selangor to ensure the collaboration’s sustainability.
Batu Arang is one of the pilot locations for Selangor’s heritage-based tourism expansion under the Gombak-Hulu Langat Geopark.
The other two parks in Malaysia, Kinabalu Geopark in Sabah and the Langkawi Geopark in Kedah, have both gained global recognition.
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Lincoln University College Pro-Chancellor Prof Datuk Bibi Florina Abdullah (front, fourth from left) and Tourism Selangor chief executive officer Chua Yee Ling (front, fourth from right) with the institution's staff and students during the memorandum of understanding signing ceremony to raise Batu Arang’s cultural profile at Wisma Lincoln in Petaling Jaya on May 23, 2025. — Picture by MOHD KHAIRUL HELMY MOHD DIN/MEDIA SELANGOR[/caption]
