Hymeir - Konexer

Hymeir Kem

I am currently based in Penang and my passion lies in caves/limestone, birds, and Ulu Muda. I have a degree in business administration and a Masters in protected area management. I have been caving and birding for over 20 years and been working on Ulu Muda for over 15 years. I previously worked for WWF Malaysia (1991-2004) and I’m currently running several conservation-related businesses. The most significant ones being the Dark Cave at Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur and Earth Lodge at Ulu Muda, Kedah. I also do consultancy work related to ecotourism, resource management and protected areas.

Ulu Muda and Me

I have been working in Ulu Muda since 1997 and have been bringing people here for camping trips since 2005. I was in the team that made two major discoveries in the area: a new limestone hill with caves (Gua Labu) and the presence of large numbers of the globally threatened Plain-pouched Hornbills. The second discovery makes Ulu Muda the second site in Malaysia and the world where these hornbills congregate in large numbers.

Guiding guests to Bukit Labu, the limestone hill I co-discovered.

Ulu Muda is a nationally important swath of forest covering approximately 160,000ha. It is an important site for large mammals and is a crucial water catchment for three dams that supply water for irrigation and drinking. The water irrigates the vast coastal plains of Kedah and Southern Perlis, an area known as Malaysia’s Rice Bowl. This area supplies 40% of the nation’s paddy.

Currently the Ulu Muda area is threatened by logging. Although the logging is legal and sustainable methods are practised, NO forest within critical water catchment areas should be disturbed, much less logged. Additionally, illegal hunting / poaching, collection of forest products and unsustainable tourism activities also threaten the area.

Exploring Muda Lake on boat is a great way to see and learn about wildlife of Ulu Muda.

I am committed to the establishment of a protected area at Ulu Muda, to ensure sustainability in our water and rice supply, as well as for the many wildlife in the area. Visit me at Earth Lodge to learn more about the place and help contribute to our cause.