RM470,000 facelift project for Matang Wildlife Centre

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UPGRADING NEEDED: Pahon (right) examining a broken fence at the sambar deer enclosure, accompanied by Mutalib during the product visit. — Photo by Chimon Upon

KUCHING: Upgrading project amounting to RM470,000 is in progress at Matang Wildlife Centre as part of an ongoing effort to upgrade the facilities there.

According to conservation manager Abg Abdul Mutalib Abg Tajudin, the main scopes of works for this project are upgrading of the customer service centre, which include the park shop, interpretation centre, audio visual room and meeting room, upgrading of the camping sites and picnic spots and also external works on the trails and walkways.

“Proposed scope of works under the 9th Malaysia Plan in ‘Package A’ for 2011 include the maintenance and upgrade of one unit of hornbill cage, two units of deer enclosure, one unit of mixed bird cage, one unit of stork, owl and eagle cage and also one unit of pig-tailed macaque enclosure,” he explained.

He shared this information during a product visit and briefing organised by Tourism and Heritage Ministry at the Centre here yesterday.

A total of 40 members of Sarawak Tourism Federation and representatives of various travel agencies were in attendance.

They were joined by permanent secretary Datu Ik Pahon Joyik for a tour of the jungle trail there.

Mutalib also informed in the briefing that there is more to come for proposed scope of works for Package B (2012) under the 10th Malaysia Plan.

“These include the maintenance and upgrade of one block of visitors’ hostel that has 8 rooms, one block of canteen and also the upgrade of spoor as well as signage around the animal enclosures. These will cost up to RM500,000 in total,” he said.

He expressed hope that more funds will be allocated by the government for these upgrade works.

Matang Wildlife Centre is located at the western corner of Kubah National Park and is managed by Sarawak Forestry Corporation.

It is home to orangutans, sunbears and sambar deers and various unique floras.