KUANTAN: An appointed assemblyman stunned colleagues at the Pahang state legislative assembly today with a proposal to establish the largest safari park in Southeast Asia. Temerloh MCA division chief Datuk Wong Tat Chee suggested that the state government boost tourism in Temerloh by building a massive safari park in the district's forested areas. "I believe this park will have a significant impact on the tourism sector, attracting not only locals but also visitors from all over, making it a prime destination, much like Genting Highlands," he said during his speech in support of the state budget bill at the Wisma Sri Pahang assembly today.

Pahang Consumer Affairs and Human Resources Committee chairman Sim Chon Siang (PKR-Teruntum), interjected by asking if Wong was considering taking over the now-defunct Gambang safari resort.  Wong responded saying that the Gambang site was too small and lacked proper attractions, unlike the large-scale safari park he proposed, which would be bigger than the one in Pattaya, Thailand. "The park would attract visitors from Genting Highlands, where millions of tourists come each year. It would be great if we could encourage them to spend a night in Temerloh. "This influx could also drive the need for four- and five-star hotels, potentially making Temerloh the second local council to be declared a city," he said. When Hassan Omar (PAS-Lanchang) suggested that the safari park be set up in Lanchang, which is home to the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre and the National Tiger Conservation Centre, Wong humorously responded that he had no authority to decide the location.

Thomas Su Keong Siong (DAP-Ketari) then proposed promoting Taman Negara Kuala Tahan in Jerantut, but Wong countered that while Taman Negara was ideal for observing nature, his vision for a safari park was to create an attraction on the scale of Disneyland or Legoland. Wong said that the safari park should cover about 202 hectares (505 acres), providing ample space for visitors to stay and explore Temerloh.

Source : NST

KUANTAN: The initiative by Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) to introduce an educational tourism (edutourism) programme has not only made the higher-learning institution a leading edutourism hub in the state, but also contribute towards improving the welfare and economy of the people. UMPSA pro-chancellor, Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, said the programme which began in May this year had successfully attracted more than 150 international students.

"I am extremely proud of the edutourism initiative which has made UMPSA a main hub for the programme in Pahang. The programme contributes towards improving the wellbeing of the community and local economy. "It offers packages on English-language learning modules and technology elements that involve culture and heritage. Participants will visit interesting places, especially across Pahang.  "The edutourism programme, which began in May has garnered the attention of some 150 international participants from Indonesia, China, Yemen, Iraq, Palestina, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Somalia," he said in his speech at the 19th UMPSA convocation at the Gambang campus here today.

Tengku Hassanal expressed his appreciation to the university for championing the needs of people with disabilities (PwD). He said various facilities had been provided by the university at both the Gambang and Pekan campuses to uphold the rights of PwD. He said he recently witnessed the MoU signing ceremony between UMPSA and Universiti Islam Pahang Sultan Ahmad Shah with Abu Dhabi's Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, which was the brainchild of his father, Sultan of Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, who is also UMPSA chancellor. "The cooperation will not only create academic and research opportunities, but pave the way for significant ties in various programmes. Insya-Allah, a similar collaboration will be executed with Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence," he said. Tengku Hassanal also hailed UMPSA's Sustainable Campus Blueprint, which adopted sustainable development education towards producing a conducive green technology. "The university supports the Sustainable Development Goals agenda through various initiatives including the floating solar farm, making UMPSA the first public university in the country to have floating solar panels.

"The initiative has successfully reduced electricity bills by more than RM2 million and most importantly, reduced carbon dioxide emissions 38 per cent annually at UMPSA." he said. Tengku Hassanal advised the 5,000-odd graduates who would be going into the working world to always ensure good behaviour and safeguard their integrity. "I want UMPSA graduates to be in demand by employers out there. Mention UMPSA, the quality and excellence of our graduates cannot be denied. I do not want UMPSA graduates to be involved in activities which are against the law," he said. He said the work-based learning experience involving UMPSA and the industry players was a huge advantage for the graduates as they have gained experience in the workplace environment earlier which will boost graduate employability.

Earlier, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim conferred the emeritus professor title to former vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Dr Daing Nasir Daing Ibrahim. A total of 5,115 graduates, including 263 masters and doctoral graduates, 2,538 degree students, 64 dual-degree students, 533 diploma students and 1,717 UMPSA Advanced graduates will receive their scrolls between Oct 26 and Oct 29 at the UMPSA Sports Complex Hall in Gambang.

Source: NST

KUANTAN: The specific allocations for the tourism, agriculture, and industrial sectors announced during the tabling of the 2025 Budget yesterday (Oct 18) are proof of the government's concern for the needs of Pahang, the largest state in Peninsular Malaysia. Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail said the allocations set aside in the RM421 billion budget prove that Pahang has great potential in the tourism, agriculture, and industrial sectors.

"Representing the people of Pahang, I am very pleased and grateful for several projects dedicated to the state which will ensure the wellbeing of its people and the state. "I thank Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for the allocations.  "The projects include the construction of the new state police headquarters, improving facilities at Taman Negara Endau Rompin and nominating the Sungai Lembing tin mining site for Unesco World Heritage Site status. "The others include prioritising flood mitigation projects involving rivers in Pahang, road construction and repair at villages in Lipis, and building a new bypass stretch between the McDonald's roundabout and Brinchang junction in Cameron Highlands," he said in a Facebook posting today. He added that the cooperation between Pahang and the federal governments is vital to ensure that all planned development initiatives can be implemented effectively, and provides maximum impact.

Wan Rosdy described the RM421 billion allocation in budget as a major commitment of the government to ensure a balanced development can be implemented throughout the country. In 2020, it was reported that the new Pahang state police contingent headquarters located at the administrative centre in Kota SAS here would be carried out through an allocation under the 12th Malaysia Plan. Yesterday, Anwar announced RM2.1 billion is being allocated for the construction of state and district police headquarters that will begin next year.

Source - NST

KUALA LUMPUR: Nearly RM550 million has been allocated to enhance tourism promotion and activities during Visit Malaysia Year 2026, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. This includes for organisation of cultural activities, tourism events, and improving flight access to Malaysia; economic empowerment of communities through the arts, including promoting handicrafts and batik. "Additionally, RM110 million has been allocated to enhance tourism areas, establish ecotourism partnerships, and support UNESCO nominations," Anwar said.

This funding will improve facilities at Endau Rompin National Park in Johor, Redang Island in Terengganu, and Tusan Beach in Bekenu, Sarawak. It will also facilitate collaboration with the UNDP ( United Nations Development Programme) and Habitat Foundation on ecotourism initiatives and support nominations for Unesco (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) recognition of the Tin Mining Site in Sungai Lembing, Pahang, as well as the Chingay procession and lion dance culture.

Source: NST