KUCHING: Regent of Pahang Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Ibni Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah visited the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre as part of his official visit here on Wednesday.
Deputy Minister of Urban Planning, Land Administration, and Environment Datuk Len Talif Salleh and the staff of the wildlife centre welcomed his Royal Highness upon his arrival at 9.30 am.
During the visit, Tengku Hassanal had the opportunity to witness three orangutans – Seduku, Sem, and Edwin, described as ‘remarkable’ by the attending officers due to the rare sightings of this species during the current fruit season.
After the visit to the Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, Tengku Hassanal received a briefing from the chief executive officer of Sarawak Forestry Corporation (SFC) Abang Arabi Abang Aimran, and the director of Sarawak Forestry Department Datuk Hamden Mohammad, regarding the operations of the wildlife centre and the list of designated forest reserves in Sarawak.
Also present were the Deputy Minister of Utilities and Telecommunications Datuk Dr Abdul Rahman Junaidi, the Deputy Minister of Transport (Air and Road) Datuk Dr Jerip Susil, and other distinguished guests.
Later, Tengku Hassanal proceeded to visit the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) and arrived at the venue at around 12.30 noon, accompanied by Dr Abdul Rahman and Dr Jerip.
During the visit, his Royal Highness received a briefing and exposure to SBC’s operations, including algae cultivation, research facilities, product offerings, and a tour of the exhibitions provided in the SBC foyer.
After the visit to SBC, he proceeded to take a photograph with the SBC staff as a memento of his visit.
In the afternoon, he also visited Fort Margherita and attended a tea session with Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Tengku Hassanal is on a five-day official visit to Sarawak. He arrived in the city on Jan 15 and is scheduled to leave on Jan 19.
Last year, Tengku Hassanal joined Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah and Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah for the ‘Kembara Kenali Borneo’ expedition from Sabah to Sarawak.