While the spotlight has been cast on Bukit Gantang in view of the upcoming battle for the state seat, few are aware that in reality, the constituency is a haven of peace and serenity.

durian feast 110209 Tucked in a lush forest located 15km southeast of Taiping and 20km west of Kuala Kangsar, Bukit Gantang is renowned among locals for its orchards, traditional rest houses and, most of all, delectable durians.

During the Great Durian Festival 2008 in Bukit Gantang, more than 30,000 durians were distributed free of charge to visitors from as far as Taiwan, Singapore and Europe came for the event.

In the last few years, the Tourism Ministry has taken advantage of the scenic environment in Bukit Gantang to develop homestay programmes to entice participants from Korea and Japan.

Streams, hot springs and waterfalls

Another main attraction is the Bukit Gantang Farm which boasts of 100ha of fruit orchards, herbal farms and exotic flowers.

The mausoleum of Long Jaafar, the 19th century tin mining pioneer of Perak, is also located here.

bukit gantang parliamentary seat 090209 The hilly area, named after an archaic measurement unit for padi, is dotted with small streams, hot springs and waterfalls.

But for now, the sanctuary that is Bukit Gantang is set to become the battleground for the third by-election since the March 8 general election last year, after former MP Roslan Shaharum passed away unexpectedly.

The parliamentary constituency has a racial makeup of 88.2% Malay, 10.9% Chinese and 0.6% Indian.

It comprises three state constituencies - Kuala Sepateng, Trong and the now infamous Changkat Jering (whose representative Mohd Osman Mohd Jailu was one of three Pakatan Rakyat assemblypersons who turned Independent, leading Barisan Nasional to seize control of the state).