RM5.7m project at Pygmy Elephant Conservation Centre

SANDAKAN: The Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry has implemented the Edu-Tourism Infrastructure Project at the Pygmy Elephant Conservation Centre in Hilir Kinabatangan at a cost of RM5.7 million under the fourth round of the 10th Malaysia Plan. Its Minister Datuk Mohamaddin Ketapi said the components involved in the project were elephant enterprises centre, elephant facilities centres, car parks and landscapes, electricity and generator supplies, visitor observation towers, water supply and water tanks and tree plotting. “This project is implemented by Sabah Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Environment (KEPKAS) and expected to be completed by this month.

“With regard to the conservation of the elephant, everyone should also play a role in keeping it from extinction. “My ministry is also carrying out the Sabah State Library Kinabatangan Branch project with allocation of  RM7.5 million under the third leg of the Tenth Malaysia Plan and it is expected to be completed by April 25, 2020. “I hope the people of Kinabatangan would benefit from this project and further enhance their reading culture,” he said.

Mohammadin was speaking at the opening of the 2019 Damas Festival organised by the Sabah River Nation Association (Sabas) at the Sukau Town Square, here, Friday. In the meantime, Mohamaddin said efforts to promote cultural products such as Sabas had to be carried out holistically in collaboration not only with government departments and agencies, but also by the private sector and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). He also hopes more private and corporate companies will sponsor and promote other cultural programs like this. “I hope that by organising this Damas Festival it will also continue to promote the town of Sukau as one of the eco-tourism destinations,” said Mohammadin.

Source: Daily Express