National Elephant Conservation Centre

National Elephant Conservation Centre in Pahang provide an opportunity for visitors to take a closer look Malaysian elephants .

Central sanctuary will give you the opportunity to learn the nature of these animals .

You will have the opportunity to ride elephants in the jungle , with the help of the staff, or mahouts .

For those who are brave and like adventure , you have the opportunity to bring the elephants to the river and a bath! Nothing is more impressive if you can touch the animal .

It is estimated that only 1,200 wild elephants live Asia , also known as Elephus Maximus , located in Malaysia and is the only shelter that was built to relocate the animal .

The elephant was rescued from different parts of Peninsular Malaysia , to provide a safe shelter in the forest.

Travel Guide

The Overland Track

From there, follow the Karak Highway heading Lancang County , surpassing the Karak Village along the way . After arriving in Lancang , you will see the BHP gas station at the roadside . Turn left before the gas station , then follow the road signs leading to Bolok . You will pass the placement of Aboriginal and down the road , you will arrive at Kuala Gandah Sanctuary . The journey takes between 2 to 2 1/2 hours and 160km away from Kuala Lumpur .

National Elephant Conservation Centre

Address:

Department of Wildlife and National Parks, Kuala Gandah Lanchang.With 28500 , Pahang.

Phone : +609 - 2790 391

Fax : +609- 279 0398

Visit Website

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Lambir Hills National Park, Sarawak

Area attractions near Gunung Mulu National Park is Lambir Hills National Park , Sarawak

Lambir Hills National Park is famous along the Miri-Bintulu road , 36 km southwest of the town of Miri in Sarawak , East Malaysia . It was gazetted as a National Park in 1975 , and covers an area of ​​6,952 hectares.

There we are about 1,173 species of trees, with 286 genera and 81 families of trees make Lambir as one forest with a variety of plants in Malaysia . Wild animals can also be found in the interior of the park , especially monkeys, bears, pangolins and bats.

The best time to visit the park is in the morning , so you have enough time to walk along the trails in the park. Its main attraction is the beautiful waterfalls , and Latak Falls located just 0:18 km is the closest . It takes 20 minutes' walk from the Park . You will take a longer time , if you stop to look at the flora and fauna along the way.

Before entering the park , you will need to register in the office park where the guides will shed light on some of the safety rules before entering the park . If you want to waterfalls located further away , it is better if you leave early in the morning because the trip would take several hours. Guides will escort visitors to the exit door at 5 pm as the park gates will be closed at this time.

Among other waterfalls in the park is located on the trail like a waterfall Pantu Pantu and Mahakam. The journey takes about two hours. In addition, there is also a waterfall shower , Tengkorong and walls along the trail Bakam . Other key tracks Play and Lepoh - Ridan . There are many other trails in the park , and you can get further information from the office of the Park.

There is a 22 meter high tower tree Pantu Trail , about one mile from the park office . Visitors can climb up and see the amazing views of Dipterocarp forest . It's also a great place for birdwatching.

Come visit Lambir Hills National Park and enjoy one of the wonders of nature at its best.

How to go to the Lambir Hills National Park

Air Route

Malaysia Airlines and Air Asia fly to Miri every day .

The Overland Track

Lambir National Park is located about 30 minutes drive from the city of Miri , Miri -Bintulu by road . There is public transportation to the park from the city. Visitors can choose to ride the commercial cash on the way to the bazaar Batu Niah , Bintulu , Tinjar , Bakong or Bekenu . Buses depart from Wisma Pelita Tunku in Miri . Visitors can also choose to join a tour organized by a travel agency that depart from Miri town in the early morning, and went back to Miri after lunch .

Please Contact

Lambir Hills National Park

Phone : ( 6 ) 085-491030

Fax : ( 6 ) 085-491030

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Taman Negara Gunung Mulu, Sarawak

Gunung Mulu National Park has the world's longest cave network. Here lies the Sarawak Chamber 'which is the largest underground chamber in the world that can accommodate forty Boeing 747 airplanes.

In Mulu, you can also see the world's largest cave passage, Deer Cave, which can accommodate five large-sized churches church of Saint Paul in London. Another major attraction here is the Clearwater Cave, the longest cave in Southeast Asia. These caverns are home to millions of bats and cave swallows that fly out every evening at dusk!

Visitors who love nature love definitely feel amazed to see examples of tropical limestone weathering in the world, including a large limestone ridges, steep canyons, called 'The Pinnacles'. Resort offers a variety of hikes available hard but very rewarding in many ways. Visitors are encouraged to use the services of the drivers and hauliers.

Travel Guide

Boating

You can also express boat from Kuala Baram (three hours) to Marudi. From Marudi, you need a commercial express boat to Kuala Apoh or Long Panai on Tutoh River (an area of ​​the Baram River). This express boat departs from Marudi at noon each day and return to Kaimana in the morning the next day. The journey takes about three hours.

Air Route

Malaysia Airlines (MasWings) provides three daily flights from Miri to Mulu (30 minute flight).

For more information

Visit Website Gunung Mulu National Park

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VMY2014 Mascot

PROBOSCIS MONKEY - VISIT MALAYSIA YEAR 2014 MASCOT

They have huge noses that garner attention. They also have big bellies and live in groups. They are not your ordinary tree swinging monkeys. They don’t eat ripe bananas. And they have webbed feet and swim incredibly! Yes, we are talking about the proboscis monkey, a rare and endangered animal found primarily in Borneo and predominantly in Sabah.

As Malaysia prepares for the hosting of its grandest tourism celebration - Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) in 2014, the country’s commitment to the protection of its ecological treasures and in particular, the conservation of its many indigenous animals provide a platform of opportunity to share with the world its many fascinating creatures that are so often hidden from the general public. 

Given also Malaysia’s regional prominence as the guardian of some of Asia’s rarest and most endangered species, the selection of such an animal mascot to symbolically represent the VMY 2014 campaign weighs of utmost importance.

For this, the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Malaysia has decided upon one of the most endangered of animals listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red List of Threatened Species - the Proboscis Monkey as the official mascot for Visit Malaysia Year 2014.

A native to the heartland of Borneo (East Malaysia), this very distinctive species of mammal has some of the most unique qualities that set its biological and physical features apart from other primates. 

Proboscis Monkey: Unique Mascot, Perfect Host.

In the past, animals have been used as a mascot for many events organised by the Malaysian Government. The turtle for PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Conference in 1986 and then became the Tourist Development Corporation logo until 1992. It was also used again for PATA Conference 2012. Other animals include the orang utan for VMY 1990; the hornbill for Sarawak tourism events and the mouse deer (kancil) for Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA) 2010. 

This time around, a new animal mascot is vital to trigger more excitement and anticipation for VMY 2014. The proboscis monkey, aptly known as long-nosed monkey or “monyet belanda” (Dutch Monkey) is the obvious choice as it best encapsulates all the key essence of a much needed VMY 2014 mascot.

According to YB Dato' Seri Mohamed Nazri bin Abdul Aziz, the Minister of Tourism and Culture Malaysia, “The proboscis monkey mascot resembles everything we want to tell the world – our rich biodiversity, our enchanting wildlife, our environmental conservation efforts and what makes our country unique and fascinating. In short, the natural beauty of Malaysia Truly Asia’s is right here for your discovery during VMY 2014.” 

Echoing the sentiments of Malaysia Truly Asia, this elusive monkey belongs to the Asian langurs and is the only member of the Nasalis genus found in Borneo, particularly in Sabah. It is Asian in every sense of the word and a perfect Malaysian host to the world. 

As one of Asia’s largest monkey species, they are endowed with some of the most charming jungle skills, from leaping off from tree and into rivers with 3 comical belly flops to incredible dog-paddling swimming aptitude using their partially webbed feet. They are also among the few animals to be able to walk upright at any length of time. 

Sounds like a circus show in the jungle? Wait until you see how the mother with infants plunge into the river, and after a few seconds under the water, the infant will clamber up its mother front and over her shoulder to breathe again. 

Such amazing spectacle and diverse skills of the proboscis monkey makes it an ideal choice for VMY 2014 mascot and a crowd-puller for eco-adventurers or tourists who want to experience nature this VMY 2014. 

Having a Nose for Success

SIze does matter. The big, fleshy, pendulous nose of the proboscis monkey attracts female mates, amplifying the monkey’s call and intimidating rival males. So having a big nose is an advantage for the male proboscis monkeys which also have a physique twice larger and heavier than the females. 

Likewise, Malaysia is keeping its nose to the grindstone to achieving 28 million in tourist arrivals and RM76 billion in tourist receipts during Visit Malaysia Year 2014. 

Proboscis monkeys prefer to live in the mixed diterocarp-kerangas forests, mangrove forests and lowland forests near fresh water and rivers. The population of proboscis monkeys is estimated to be 6,000 and most of them are concentrated in Kinabatangan, Sukau, Sandakan, Klias and other parts of Sabah. 

VMY 2014 is a perfect time to get up close with proboscis monkeys at the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries such as Bako National Park, Klias National Park, Kulamba Wildlife Reserve, Sungai Samunsam Wildlife Sanctuary and Lubuk Bay Proboscis Monkey Sanctuary. 

These places offer nature lovers the most memorable experience of observing the proboscis monkeys. Believe it or not, the graceful leaping of both young and adult monkeys from tree to tree to feed on young leaves, fruits and plants can easily qualify as a perfect ‘10’ if it were an Olympic gymnastic routine! You can also catch them flip and swim, or communicate in a bizarre range of vocal noises, from roars, grunts, squeals to a long nasal honk as a warning sign of predators nearby. 

With so many fascinating reasons, it is a fitting tribute to make the proboscis monkey the VMY 2014 mascot to celebrate Malaysia Truly Asia’s nature with the world. What better way to be a perfect host than to show what Mother Nature has to offer in addition to other endless possibilities one can experience in Malaysia, from dazzling parades and processions to colourful cultural shows and exhibitions, fabulous food festivals, exciting sports and adventure, enchanting music and arts festivals, shopping sprees and many more. 

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2014 Visit Malaysia Year

                              

“Malaysia, Truly Asia.” This sums up what Malaysia is all about. A country which offers a unique look into the rest of Asia as a melting pot of races, cultures and religions. A fascinating fusion of colourful festivals, gastronomic adventures, shopping splendours, natural wonders and many more thrills and spills.

Malaysia is made up of 13 states from the Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak and 3 federal territories. It is a land of striking contrasts and diversity. On one hand, Malaysia has the world’s tallest twin towers, the Petronas Twin Towers and many skyscrapers. On the other hand, it has some of the world’s finest treasure troves of nature, from the 300 million years old rainforests, the biggest cave chamber, the largest flower to the smallest elephant.

While Malaysia is on the way to become a fully developed nation, it somehow still maintains its Asian nuances and rich cultural heritage, from century-old places of worships, pre-colonial shophouses to Moorish architectural wonders of heritage buildings.

So a holiday or a business trip during this Visit Malaysia Year 2014 is an experience of endless wonders. One which you will cherish for a lifetime.

Fast Facts

Geography

Malaysia covers a total landmass of 329,847 square kilometres separated by the South China Sea into two regions, the Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia (Sabah and Sarawak). Malaysia consists of a total of thirteen states and three federal territories (Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan). 


Government

Malaysia is a federal constitutional monarchy and the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong commonly known as the King, is the Head of the nation. The Government of the day is Barisan Nasional (National Front Coalition) consisting of 13 component parties and led by the United Malays National Organisation (UMNO).  Kuala Lumpur is the capital city of Malaysia while Putrajaya is the heart of the administration of the Federal Government. 

Population

The demographics of Malaysia are represented by the multi-ethnic communities that exist in this country. The Department of Statistics Malaysia reported Malaysia's population, as of April 2013, is estimated to be 29,620,200. Out of this number, the Bumiputeras including Malays were 62.3%, the Chinese 22%, the Indians 6.7%, other races (citizens) 0.9% and non-citizens at 8.1%.   

Religion

Islam is the official religion of Malaysia. Other religions are also widely practised by its multi-racial society.

Climate & Weather

Malaysia has a tropical climate and the weather is warm and sunny all year round. Average daily temperature is around 32ºC (90ºF) during the day. It falls to around 24ºC (75ºF) at night. Annual rainfall varies from 2,000 mm to 2,500 mm.

Economy

Malaysia has a newly industrialised market economy, which is relatively open and state-oriented. In 2012, the economy of Malaysia was the third largest economy in Southeast Asia  and the GDP growth was 5.1 percent. Malaysia is one of the leading exporters of electrical appliances, electronic parts and components, palm oil, petroleum and natural gas. Malaysia is also externally competitive, ranking 12th out of 135 economies in the World Bank in 2013. (Doing Business 2013 report). 

Malaysia’s tourism sector contributed over RM47 billion to the Gross National Income (GNI) in 2012 and became a key pillar to the country’s aspiration to be a high-income nation by 2020. The industry experienced a remarkable growth and evolved to become one of the country’s fastest growing economic sectors, contributing RM60.6 billion in tourist receipts, with tourist arrivals registering at 25.03 million in 2012.

Time

Eight hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 16 hours ahead of United States Pacific Standard Time.

History

History of Malaysia

Malaysia grew to prominence in Southeast Asia due to its strategic position for trade and commerce during the end of the 16th century. The political and socio-economic landscape since its independence has helped propel the nation to achieve a dynamic economy. Malaysia has a rich legacy of history, from the early days of Hindu, Buddhist and Islamic civilisations to colonial imperialism and independence. 

The Early Civilisations

Malaysia’s warm climate and wealth of natural resources have attracted the indigenous tribes or better known as Orang Asli around 3,000 BC. They probably set foot from Tibet and China to the south. However, it was the Malay Sultanate Kingdom in Melaka during the 15th Century that made the nation a trading and commercial hub that attracted people from the world over. This was also the time when Islamic influence became stronger and the Sultans and the Malays started to embrace Islam as their religion. 

Colonial Imperialism

The popularity of Melaka has attracted the Europeans, particularly the Portuguese. They captured Melaka in 1511 but soon, in 1641, the Dutch took over the reign. The disposed Malay rulers fled to the south and they established a new Sultanate. The British which established its own footing in Singapore, Penang, Kuching, Jesselton, became the next colonial imperialist when they signed the 1825 Anglo-Dutch Treaty that defined Netherland East Indies (Indonesia) and British Malaya. It was the British who then brought in the Indian and Chinese immigrants to work in rubber plantations and tin mines. The British continued to rule Malaya until World War 2.   

World War 2 and Independence

The British was defeated by the Japanese during the World War 2 but then their rule was short-lived when the Japanese was defeated by the Allied Forces. The British returned but the political landscape had changed. The Malays were united and protested against the Malayan Union formed by the British as they felt it was taking away their Sultan’s political rights. The protest was led by the United Malays National Organisation or UMNO formed by Dato’ Onn bin Jaafar. The Federation of Malaya was formed to replace Malayan Union and gave back the political rights to the Sultans. On August 31, 1957, Malaya gained independence and Tunku Abdul Rahman became the first Prime Minister.

Malaysia After Independence

In September 16, 1963, Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak and Singapore formed Malaysia. The first few years after independence, the country's history were marred by a Communist insurgency, Indonesian confrontation with Malaysia, Philippines claims on Sabah, and Singapore's departure from the Federation in 1965 and the racial riot in 1969. However, no matter what turbulence the country was facing, Malaysia grew stronger under the National Front Coalition government led by UMNO. During the 22-year leadership of Prime Minister, Tun Dr Mahathir  Mohamad (1981-2003), Malaysia was successful in diversifying its economy from dependence on agriculture to expansion in manufacturing, oil and gas, services and tourism industry.

People, Culture, Language

Diversity in Unity

"Malaysia Truly Asia" is more than just a slogan. It reflects precisely who Malaysians are. Yes, Malaysia is a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-lingual nation where people of diverse races and religions live in harmony. One moment you may come across a mosque next to a temple and church. The next moment, you will meet a Malay, Chinese, Indian and a Eurasian dining on the same table in a restaurant. Malaysians are humble, tolerant, friendly and most importantly, respect one another regardless of one’s race, religion and background.  It is this true Malaysian value that binds them together. 

Malaysians comprise the Malays who are the majority followed by the Chinese, Indians and aborigines such as Iban, Kadazan and other minorities like the Peranakan and Eurasian. The culture of Malaysia is an amalgamation of many traditions handed down from many generations centuries ago. Each ethnic still continues practicing their own culture and traditions, and at the same time, some rituals and traditions have become more colourful and enriching through intermarriage as well as assimilation of other cultures. For an instance, tourists may find it surprising to see a Chinese wearing a Malay dress (baju kurung) or a Malay eating with chopsticks, or an Indian speaking Chinese Hokkien dialect. it is also very interesting to experience the like of an Eurasian of Portuguese and Chinese descent singing a Bollywood song. Or a Baba and Nyonya speaking Malay and praying to Chinese deities.

Religious traditions often exist in harmony alongside modern technological advances. In cities, the bustling streets, skyscrapers, sophisticated office buildings reflect Malaysia’s unhesitating leap into the future with massive developments while ancient monuments and landmarks including century-old temples, mosques and churches are still preserved.

Colourful festivals and a warm welcome to tourists

Malaysians are generally kind, humble and generous when it comes to festivals. Everyone including tourists are invited to attend Open Houses during Hari Raya Aidilfitri (Eid Ul-Fitr), Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas, Festival of San Pedro, Gawai Festival, Ka’amatan Festival and more. There are also Open Houses held at a larger scale (national and state levels), where tourists can feast on the varieties of cuisines as well as the colourful cultural performances.

Multi-language, multi-fascination

The official language of Malaysia is the Malay language or known as Bahasa Malaysia. Although Malay is the official language, English is widely spoken with other vernacular languages such as Mandarin, Tamil, Iban and Dusunic languages are also spoken by the respective communities. The influence of one language to another has even created a unique creole language - "Manglish" or Malaysian English. So, don’t be surprised to hear words like "gostan" to mean "go astern" or "reverse slowly" when Malaysians park their cars.

In other words, Malaysia is a nation of striking contrasts and diversities, a uniqueness that makes the country colourful and attractive to tourists.

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