This is the focal point of the Semelai people living around the lake area. The locality has attracted 3 villages over a land in the shape of a cape.. With this natural convenience, administration center for affairs concerning indigenous people, the social infra structures put in place. .

Pos Iskandar

To reach this outpost, travel along a road from Serting New Town in Negri Sembilan to Muadzam Shah in Pahang. Along this very straight road with rubber trees, just after the state boundary, there will be a turn off without markings. The only clue is a small sign board [JHEOA] indicating that an office for Orang Asli affair can be reached from this junction. 

The new stretch is paved road for about 15 kilometers.  Don't be alarm that while new indicators are no where to be seen, the road surface switches to one of laterite.

Some time , somewhere find this sign board. {can only be seen if you are coming from the opposite direction}

This is where I have fun much to the annoyance of fellow travelers. Just like mine, cars without a fully enclosed passengers compartment [air -condition protections] will get a free coating of dirt. 

Assuming that  you manage to hit on to  the correct turn off point, there is still 8 kilometers to go, before reaching Pos Iskandar.

The main thoroughfare to Pos Iskandar was once paved.  At that time, I need to be contended with   uneven sections - shown on the picture.

Without supervision, heavy vehicles plying this road meant for light traffic, had made those undulating surfaces and deep pot holes.

The center for Orang Asli affairs - Fort Iskandar

For the archives, a picture of the old clinic that was in service. I have kept it for nostalgic reasons.

The focus point of these settlements?  This official office.

In those old days, the only two major structures available were , the office shown above and the other is the school. Such ostentation in is this vast wilderness. 

Lower down on this page you will witness the record on progress made in the transformation. We were fortunate to see the early stages and the beginning of  the village's  transformation. 

Conservation of Lake Bera & new life for the locals

A tremendous uplift into the 21st Century . Enormous structures were being erected. Looked like having capacity that may fit the whole community around the lake.

Quite obvious from its profile, this building will be the community school to replace the present run down school.

This particular scene is quite unique. From the going on, the appearances of the workers, gave the clue that non-Orang Asli performed the construction work. 

Either they were unable to source the locals for the tasks needed or the village is not self sufficient. A mobile supermarket made this 50 kilometers journey from Bahau to serve their needs of food, fish and fruits.

Quite apparent  too, processed necessities of sugar and oil is not readily available here. The workers seen were buying farm produces as well like live fishes, vegetables and spices.

Jetty at Pos Iskandar

From that governmental building, a short path leads down to the wetlands. 

A good, solid and long walkway takes residents  to a jetty that services the Pos Iskandar landing point, along one of those navigable canals

 We expected that the end of this walkway will end at the lakeside. 

No, it is not an open sheet of water but primary jungle with a canal broad enough for a speed boat.