The True Story Behind the Closure of the Tasik Raban R&R, Lenggong
Tasik Raban is one of the interesting locations to visit in Lenggong, besides being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Since the construction of the Kuala Kangsar - Gerik highway, the Lenggong area has continued to be a focal point and a main route for travel to the north and east towards Kelantan.
Perhaps many did not notice the existence of a Rest and Service Area (R&R) located just before the Raja Muda Nazrin bridge from Kuala Kangsar on the right side, which had been open since 2004. For your information, the R&R has been completely closed since 2010. Recently, a story went viral on Facebook regarding a mysterious incident and experience at this rest stop. The story involved people stopping to pray and eat in 2013, even though the Tasik Raban rest stop had been completely closed since 2010. According to local stories and perceptions, the Tasik Raban R&R was built on higher ground near Tasik Raban because the developer wanted visitors to enjoy the beauty of the lake from the rest area. Everything went smoothly and there were many visitors at first, but over time, the numbers dwindled.
Consequently, as visitors decreased, business owners slowly packed up and left to seek a livelihood elsewhere due to frequent losses. After several attempts to keep the rest stop open, the effort failed, and it was forced to close in 2010.
For the loyal readers of orangperak.com, the Tasik Raban Rest and Service Area (R&R) was not closed due to mysterious reasons as claimed on social media. It was due to the declining number of visitors, which caused business owners to suffer frequent losses.
This may be because the entrance to the rest stop was somewhat hidden, causing drivers to miss it. After the closure of the Tasik Raban R&R in 2010, an episode of mysterious stories began, which has only grown more frequent among our community over time.
According to young locals randomly interviewed in the area by the editor of orangperak.com, the entire road from Tasik Raban to Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Lenggong is said to be haunted, and it is better to avoid passing through the area alone after 12 midnight.
Since it opened in 2004, all daily supervision and maintenance of the area were handed over to the Lenggong District Council (MDL). It is commendable that the Lenggong District Council (MDL) still sends staff to clean the area even though it has been closed to the public since 2010.
Before it was completely closed in 2010, the Lenggong District Council (MDL) had allowed an educational center to set up and operate at the rest stop, but unfortunately, they only operated and lasted for a few months before closing and ceasing operations.
Today, it is said that there are parties interested in renovating the rest stop into a hotel, in line with Lenggong's image as a popular tourist destination. However, the project is still in the review stage, and the Member of Parliament for Lenggong, Datuk Shamsul Anuar Nasarah, hopes that this plan can be approved and the hotel construction realized in the near future.
