Pulau Sembilan near Perak to re-open by year-end

PETALING JAYA (June 18): Pulau Sembilan, a group of islands off the coast of Bagan Datuk, Perak, is scheduled to re-open for tourism again by the end of this year, reported Malay Mail.

“The clean up on the islands have been completed. New trees have been replanted. We just need to put up basic infrastructure such as a small jetty,” said state Tourism, Culture and Arts committee chairman Tan Kar Hing.

The islands were closed to visitors as it underwent restoration works since April last year due to artificial structures that endangered its marine flora and fauna, including its main attraction – rare phytoplankton that emit a blue glow.

To further ensure that its wildlife continues to thrive, the state will also be strict in imposing protective measures such as limiting the number of visitors to the island and banning the construction of permanent structures such as holiday chalets.

“Visitors wanting to overnight on the islands can only put up tents,” he said.

These islands were billed as a “must visit” spot during the Visit Perak Year 2017.

However, the authorities had warned that continued tourism activities could hurt the island’s phytoplankton, which were its main draw.