Kuala lumpur: Seri Menanti is not merely a royal town; it is also renowned as one of the locations that still preserves the heritage of Malay craftsmanship, with its intricate wood carvings and architectural artistry that have stood the test of time.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, located about 35 kilometres from Seremban, the area spans around 200 square kilometres and offers a blend of historical tourism and a traditional village atmosphere. Muzium Diraja Istana Lama Seri Menanti, for instance, stands as a symbol of Malay craftsmanship excellence, as it is constructed entirely of wood without the use of nails, attracting tourists from within and abroad.
Seri Menanti also has captivating scenery with traditional houses featuring Minangkabau architecture dotting the route to the town of Kuala Pilah. It is also home to the Ulu Bendul Waterfall.
In view of the area's unique appeal, Pakatan Harapan (PH) candidate for the Seri Menanti state seat, Mohd Kamarul Arifin Mohd Wafa, aims to strengthen the area, which has 10,090 ordinary voters and 15 police personnel as early voters in the 16th Negeri Sembilan State Election, as a heritage and community-based tourism destination.
He said among the initiatives he plans to introduce is expanding the homestay concept by utilising unoccupied houses, which would be revitalised as alternative accommodations for tourists.
'Seri Menanti has its own uniqueness as a Royal Town, with rich customs and culture. We want the community itself to seize this opportunity to generate income through the tourism sector,' he told Bernama recently.
At the same time, Mohd Kamarul Arifin sees the local food sector as a complement to the tourism ecosystem, with traditional dishes and local products promoted as key attractions.
He also hopes to draw youth into agriculture, livestock farming and plantations, and plans to mobilise community volunteer teams to assist residents, especially senior citizens, with daily matters including accessing medical treatment and home maintenance.
In the upcoming state polls, Mohd Kamarul Arifin faces Muhammad Sufian Maradzi from Barisan Nasional (BN) and Datuk Seri Megat D Shahriman Zaharudin from Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu).
The Election Commission (EC) has set August 1 as polling day for the Negeri Sembilan state election, with early voting on July 28.