By Lian Cheng and Marlynda Meraw
BINTULU, July 22: Due to the high cost of zoo maintenance, the Sarawak government has no plans to expand the present Taman Tumbina into a proper zoo.
Premier Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg said instead, a new museum will be built in Sarawak.
“Not a zoo because the cost is quite high. Bintulu will be quite different. We (Sarawak government) are building a new museum,” said Abang Johari when met by the media at ‘Renewable Energy Development: A Business Dialogue with Premier of Sarawak’, which was held at a local restaurant here today.
He, however, promised that more recreational green spaces would be built at Jepak, which, upon the completion of the Jepak Bridge, will be part of Bintulu.
Abang Johari had previously stated that Jepak is set to become a new administrative centre for a progressive and modern Bintulu following planned development projects which are in the pipeline.
Meanwhile, as the name suggested, Taman Tumbina is an integrated botanical and zoological garden in Bintulu. The word ‘Tumbina’ is made up of two Malay words —’tumbuhan’ (plants) and ‘binatang’ (animal).
The garden, which was opened in 1991, takes up an area of 57 hectares made up of hilly and undulating terrain in Bintulu town. Overlooking the South China Sea, it is only 5km away from the town.
The scenic and well-maintained garden not only houses a good collection of flora and fauna endemic to Borneo, but it is also a mini-zoo housing animals such as civets, crocodiles, cats, sun bears, and a tiger, as well as birds such as flamingos, hornbill and owls, to name a few.
Currently, admission to the popular garden is free. — DayakDaily
