KUALA LUMPUR: Public attractions in Malaysia will be temporarily closed starting tomorrow, in line with the announcement by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin yesterday that a nationwide Movement Control Order would take effect until March 31, to curb the spread of COVID-19.
On Friday (March 13), the government decided that all gatherings including international meetings, and sports, social and religious events would be postponed until April 30 or cancelled.
Yesterday, 125 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in Malaysia, bringing the total number of positive cases to 553.
In connection with the Movement Control Order, the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources has ordered the closure of the Kuala Lumpur Forest Eco Park and the Sungai Besi Forest Reserve, managed by the Forestry Department of Peninsular Malaysia (JPSM).
In a statement today, the ministry said the closures will also affect public attractions managed by the Peninsular Malaysia Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) – these include the Kuala Gandah National Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang, Paya Indah Wetlands near Dengkil, Sungkai Wildlife Reserve in Perak, and the department’s Wildlife Conservation Centres and Biodiversity Education Centres.
Also closed are the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM) campuses including the Kepong Botanical Gardens and the Ethnobotanical Garden.
As for national parks, no new entry permits will be issued for Taman Negara in Pahang, the Kelantan National Park, Terengganu National Park and the Penang National Park, starting today.
Meanwhile, in PERAK, state Fisheries Department director Zaki Mokri said in a statement that the Segari Turtle Conservation and Information Centre in Lumut, a popular tourist attraction, particularly during the school holidays, has been temporarily closed until further notice. – Bermana
