The state government is reconsidering the possibility of reopening Pulau Sembilan to the public.
Tan Kar Hing, Executive Councillor for Tourism, Arts and Culture, said that the paperwork on the future of the island will be presented to the state government soon.
According to him, conservation efforts on the island have been completed by the Public Works Department.
“I’ve visited the spot and am satisfied with the work done. We’re in the midst of preparing the paperwork. Hopefully, it could be presented to the state government soonest. At the moment, we’ve yet to know if it’ll remain closed or to be reopened,” he said during the Tourism Perak Aidilfitri event at Casuarina@Meru Hotel on Thursday, June 28.
Present were Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Perak, Zuraida Md Taib and President of Perak Tourism Association, Datuk Mohd Odzman Abdul Kadir.
Pulau Sembilan, located off the shores of Bagan Datuk, was declared off-limits to the public after permanent structures erected by certain parties destroyed the natural environment within the vicinity.
Kar Hing added that the state government would formulate a tourism master plan consultation council to enhance the competitiveness of the state tourism sector.
Expected to be established in three months, it is now in the process of identifying council members and forming the framework for the master plan.
“Those to be chosen must have the experience and the expertise. They’re from tourism associations and agencies. Among them are biology lecturers, nature lovers and architects,” he added.
Rosli Mansor
