Residents paint murals to promote tourism (From The Star website 9th March 2015)

by kathleen ann kili

LABIS: The local community has come together to paint murals on walls of a row of wooden old shoplots as an effort to promote tourism at the Bekok town here.

The mural-painting effort was part of the Bekok Transformation programme, which was initiated by the locals and supported by Labis MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong.

The transformation programme committee secretary Tien Thong Sin said that the residents took about five days to complete a mural depicting the town’s popular Sungai Batang Waterfall along Jalan Wijaya here.

“This is just the first phase of the mural-painting activity, as we are planning to come up with more murals in the next few months which will involve another row of wooden shoplots along Jalan Gunong,” he told StarMetro recently.

He added that the community decided to liven up the town especially the structure of old shoplots, which had been around for over 60 years.

Apart from attracting tourists to throng the town, Tien said that the community hoped to attract locals who have left the town to pursue an education or career in more developed cities to return for holidays.

“We want our people especially the younger generation to visit their hometown and contribute to its economy.

“Besides encouraging creativity among youths, we also hope to recruit more volunteers and create job opportunities for locals through the programme,” he added.
Tien said the committee also launched a photography contest, which was open to the public, for the programme.

“The competition is open to members of the public and the only criteria set is that the photograph must be taken within Bekok such as the iconic Sungai Batang Waterfall, the Bekok train station, quaint kopitiams (popular hangout spot among locals).
“Winners will walk away with cash prizes of up to RM1,000 and a certificate and participants have until May 31 to submit their photos,” he said adding that those interested could log on to their Facebook page “Labis Ecotourism” for more details.

Noodle stall with a lot to offer (From The Star website 16th April 2016)

by foong pek yee

BEKOK: A noodle stall that operates from a house porch in Bekok New Village here is visible from far.
Bekok, located within the Labis parliamentary constituency, is about 10km from the Jalan Yong Peng-Segamat main road.

It is difficult to miss the big and colourful mural at the side of the house – the stall’s landmark for those who are not familiar with the village.

The 55-year-old shop called Lao You Ji (old friends in Chinese) is famous for its handmade noodles.

And the mural was drawn by the shop owner’s wife, Yong Chiew Lin, 50.
Her paintings also form part of the stall’s decor.
Yong said she had never been to an art class.

“I just like drawing since young and will draw whatever comes to my mind,” she added.
That goes the same for her murals.
Yong said she had decided to draw murals after seeing the art in towns and cities.
Juggling between helping at her husband’s noodle stall and household chores daily, which takes up more than 12 hours, has not stopped her from pursuing her hobby.
The stall opens between 6am and 3pm daily.It is a husband and wife business and they do not have any helpers.
“It is household chores after we close shop for the day” she said.

Yong said she draws to relax, and will do it daily.
Besides drawing, she also likes to do crochet. She crochets items such as phone covers and pouches and puts them up for sale at the noodle stall.
But she said it has never crossed her mind to put up her paintings for sale.

Opportunities in a small town (From The Star website 21st March 2016)

by foong pek yee

EKOK: The preparations for his daughter’s wedding were going smoothly, except for one thing.
There was no place to house relatives or guests of the Chai family at Bekok New Village in Bekok, Johor.

Many had come from far and would have to stay for a night or two.

The predicament, however, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for the bride’s father, Peter Chai.

“I saw the potential of a homestay business in the village, and started planning for it,” said Chai, recalling the incident that happened 12 years ago.

But it was only in 2011 when Chai finally became the proud owner of Bekok Homestay.
The 53-year-old has expanded his business from one shophouse to three units.
The expansion is timely because tourism, especially eco-tourism which Bekok has much to offer, is increasingly popular, nowadays.

“Bekok is famous for durians and there are waterfalls nearby. Tourists also come for jungle trekking and to experience life in a village,” he said pointing out to the many attractions in and around the village he grew up in.

For nature lovers, Bekok’s location at the western entrance to Endau Rompin National Park makes it ideal.
Apart from that, a new road joining Bekok to Paloh, Kluang is in the pipeline.
Chai said Bekok’s tourism would also benefit from the construction of the road as it would cut the travelling distance between Bekok and Paloh to 16 km compared to the 45km on the trunk road.
“Tourists from Bekok can go to Mersing, a popular tourist destination, via Paloh and vice versa,” said Chai on the importance of connectivity.

Bekok, located within the Labis parliamentary, is about 10km from the Jalan Yong Peng-Segamat main road.
It is also easily accessible by train.
The Bekok Homestay, located along Jalan Stesen in Bekok, is in front of the Bekok railway station.
Chai said the peak season for his homestay business was during the year-end school holidays and festive seasons.

“Many young people who return to the village for festive seasons or even over the weekends opt for homestays, these days.
“This is especially for those with children because their ancestral houses usually does not have enough room to accommodate all of them,” he said.

Chai said his wife Sam Yock Kuan, 49 and one of his daughters Chai Siow Wei, 28, were running the business for him.

He meanwhile continues to work in Singapore from Monday to Thursday and returns to Bekok over the weekend to manage the business.
The father of five - a son and four daughters - Chai said the homestay business was also part of his retirement plan.

Despite many young people having left the village to cities to earn a living, Chai is optimistic that tourism and other related business would give the village a new lease of life.
Besides developing the area, he said concerted efforts to promote tourism there was also important.
Chai cited the Bekok Festival organised by Labis MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong last year, which had help promote the town and bring in more business.

Chai is also in the midst of completing his museum, located at his homestay.
This was his effort to help educate the younger generation of Bekok’s history.
“This is the place to be proud of and also for tourists to have a memorable holiday,” he said.

Waterfall, good food and other attractions draw the crowd to Bekok (From The Star website 8th June 2017)

by foong pek yee

LABIS: Some 400 cyclists had an enjoyable time in Kampung Baru Bekok here.
It was also a family outing for many as it was the start of the second week of the two-week school holidays.

Labis MP Datuk Chua Tee Yong was there to flag-off the event.
The participants rode to the nearby Sungai Bantang Waterfall where they had a splashing time in the scenic area.

Village chief Saw Geok Choo, 64, said the waterfall is among several top tourist attractions near the village.

The increasing interest in eco-tourism, she added, had continued to draw tourists to the village where the Bekok train station is located.

“There is a very old tree near the waterfall and it takes at least 15 people to join hands in order to circle the tree,” she said of the huge tree which is believed to be more than 100 years old.
According to Saw, about 2,000 tourists thronged the village over last weekend.
The village is known for among others, its good coffee and bread at the Nan Kai coffeeshop, beautiful murals, bee rearing in a farm called Happy farm and a museum.

Accommodation in Bekok

Being a small town, Bekok doesn't have any hotels operating here. But there are some home stays for visitors to choose from:

Bekok Homestay

Sungai Bantang Waterfall

This park was opened back in 1989.  It is a wonderful destination for families to come and have picnics. It is currently managed by the Segamat Forestry department. The facilities available here are parking area, toilets, camping area, picnic area etc.

It is also a great destination for nature lovers. There are jungle trekking trails here for adventurers to explore this natural forest.

Getting to Sungai Bantang Waterfall
It is located 8km away from Bekok town. The roads leading there are tarred and well maintained.

Sungai Bantang Map

Getting to Bekok

By Car


From Singapore
-If you are coming from Singapore direction, take the North-South Expressway(E2). Exit at the Yong Peng Selatan exit (exit 242), then head up north on the Federal route 1 .  From here, it is a 40 minute drive to Bekok town. Along the way, you will pass by Yong Peng and Chaah town.

After you pass Chaah town, watch out for the sign that shows the exit to Bekok. At the junction, take a right turn onto Jalan Bekok (J150). From this junction, it is a 15 minute drive to Bekok town.

Singapore to Bekok by Car- Click to Enlarge

From KL/Ipoh
-If you are coming from KL direction, take the North-South Expressway(E2). You can take the Yong Peng Utara exit (exit 241), then head up north on the Federal route 1 . From here, it is a 40 minute drive to Bekok town. Along the way, you will pass by Yong Peng and Chaah town.

After you pass Chaah town, watch out for the sign that shows the exit to Bekok. At the junction, take a right turn onto Jalan Bekok (J150). From this junction, it is a 15 minute drive to Bekok town.

KL to Bekok by Car - Click to Enlarge

By Train

Since there is a small train station in Bekok, you can take a train to bekok.

From Johor Bahru Sentral station, it is 3 hour train ride to Bekok Station.

From Kuala Lumpur Sentral station, it is a 3.5 hour train ride to Bekok Station. But you will have to get off at Gemas Station and switch trains.

Please refer to the KTM website for the latest train schedule:

http://www.ktmb.com.my

Welcome to Visit Bekok!

Our website seeks to provide useful information to visitors to the wonderful town of Bekok. We will provide information on accomodation, transport, food, activities to do and so on.