For a good cause: Liow and Bentong Municipal Council president Datuk Mohd Shahid Ismail (right) presenting food aid to Rahim Utah (left) at Kampung orang asli Cinta Manis to celebrate Merdeka in Karak.

BENTONG: Tired of the smog in the Klang Valley? Look no further than Bentong for fresh air to rejuvenate your lungs.

Well-known for its waterfalls and durian farms, the district is being promoted by the Government to become the first “lung washing” eco-tourism site in the country.

Bentong MP and Transport Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai and Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Aziz launched the initiative at Dataran Bentong last night.

The initiative is part of Liow’s larger plan to transform Bentong into a satellite town to Greater Kuala Lumpur.

“Whether it’s orang asli, Chinese, Malay or other races, we want to hear everyone’s views and suggestions to transform Bentong,” Liow told villagers at Kampung orang asli Cinta Manis during a Merdeka celebration earlier in the afternoon.

He encouraged the 150 villagers to take advantage of the economic opportunities that will arise from the eco-tourism push.

He added that the Bentong Master Plan that is being drawn up aims to raise the quality of life of the locals in the next five years.

“We want to make sure all races enjoy equal economic development, that nobody is left behind,” he said.

Liow also announced a RM15,000 grant for the village committee and youth to organise activities.

He also distributed food aid to villagers with disabilities.