As soon as I returned from Cameron Highlands, I wasted no time in translating the idea into action. First of all, I got hold of a map of Bentong district and started searching for a most suitable location in the highlands to realise my cherished plan.

After studying the map over and over again, I realised that the area from Genting Sempah to the top of Gunung Ulu Kali was suitable for resort development. Located 1,800 metres above sea level, the mountain was only 58km from Kuala Lumpur. This was just what I had in mind and I was thrilled.

In order to have a first-hand experience of the terrain and surroundings, I organised a trip to explore Gunung Ulu Kali immediately. With several assistants, I criss-crossed steep mountains and thick forests, waded through streams and rivers, to reach the hilltop.

At the hilltop, I was so overwhelmed by the surroundings that I forgot my exhaustion. I felt as if I was floating in the clouds. It was so cold that I had to avail myself of the liquor brought along by me to keep warm. As I looked around, I could see in my mind the proposed retreat taking shape.

At that very moment, another thought struck me: why not expand the idea and develop the mountain into a holiday resort.

Gunung Ulu Kali, I then realised, was even better located than Cameron Highlands as a resort. Furthermore, Malaysia was then a newly independent country and the economy was bound to take off. Given time, the country would become prosperous and once society becomes affluent, people would have the extra cash and opportunity to go for leisure activities. I could foresee the huge potential of a hill resort as tourism boomed. So I changed my plan there and then and decided to develop Gunung Ulu Kali into a holiday resort.

I made full use of the nine-day exploration trip to Gunung Ulu Kali to really understand the terrain, the soil formation, and the rivers and streams of the mountains. This would give me some ideas on how to formulate the overall plan for its development.

Subsequently, I realised that this remote mountain was positioned on the border of Pahang and Selangor. I was at a loss as how to approach the Government to apply for this piece of mountainous land. The task had just begun.

In late 1964, I approached the Pahang Government for the land in Genting Sempah. In the course of doing so, I learnt from the District Officer of Bentong that the Federal Government indeed had a plan to develop Genting Sempah. He advised me to approach the Federal Government on this matter.