MIRI: A newly-discovered coastal rock formation resembling a lion’s head in profile near Tusan beach in Bekenu is expected to draw visitors, especially nature lovers.
Kampung Beraya villager Abdul Rahim Sanai Mat claims to have discovered the lion’s head while collecting sea snails known as tekoyong sedut between Tusan and Beraya beaches.
“I accidently spotted the rock formation when I reached the location after picking up tekoyong sedut that washed ashore due to the earlier king tide and rough waves,” he told The Borneo Post on Tuesday.
Abdul Rahim poses with the lion’s head rock formation.
“I was surprised to see the rock formation and decided to take a photo of the surroundings with the rock reassembling a lion’s head.”
Abdul Rahim said he believed the formation to be nearly the same size as the famed Drinking Horse near Tusan beach, which collapsed on Feb 22.
However, he said the height of the lion’s head coastal rock formation is slightly lower than that of the Drinking Horse.
He added the formation is located around 30 minutes’ walk from where the Drinking Horse formation was located.
However, he warned that during King tide and rough sea conditions, those who wish to see the lion’s head formation cannot walk on the beach as the water level would be too high.
“If tourists knew about the site, it would further boost Tusan beach and the tourism sector in Bekenu as many more rock formations could be discovered along the stretch of beach,” Abdul Rahim added.
When contacted, Malaysian Nature Society Miri chairman Musa Musbah said he was excited and keen to see the rock formation.
“It is good to have a field trip to the rock formation location to know the age, lithology, structure, and slopes,” he said.
He said there is also another coastal rock formation located near Taman Awam Miri.