KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysia will contact the Chinese government to see if it can extend the terms of the giant panda loan agreement, which is set to expire this year, said Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He is optimistic that the Chinese government will give due consideration to the proposal, as both countries have established strong and enduring diplomatic relations over the years.
”The giant pandas are due to be returned. I think I will take it up with the Chinese government, President Xi Jinping, to see some mechanism (for) whether we can extend the period of the panda’s stay in Malaysia.
“Knowing our excellent relations, I am rather optimistic that they will give due consideration and support to our proposal,” he said in his speech when officiating Zoo Negara’s 60th anniversary celebration at Dataran Dato’ Ismail Hutson here.
Also present were Deputy Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change Minister Datuk Seri Huang Tiong Sii, China’s Ambassador to Malaysia Ouyang Yujing, Selangor Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Amirudin Shari, and Zoo Negara deputy president Datuk Rosly @ Rahmat Ahmat Lana.
The iconic giant panda pair, renamed Xing Xing and Liang Liang, were loaned to the Malaysian government in 2014 for 10 years to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Malaysia and China.
The loan was made under the International Giant Panda Conservation Cooperation Agreement, which allows Malaysia to conduct research on giant panda conservation in addition to developing and training local expertise.
To date, Liang Liang has given birth to three panda cubs, Nuan Nuan on August 18, 2015; Yi Yi on January 14, 2018; and Sheng Yi on May 30, 2021, with Nuan Nuan being sent back to China in 2017 and Yi Yi and Sheng Yi last August.
Meanwhile, Anwar told a media conference that, while the cost of maintaining the pandas was high, it was offset by the fact that they are a popular tourist attraction.
“We did not pay for the pandas, just maintenance. And many people come to the zoo to see them. Many feel like it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to see the pandas, so I will surely consider it,” he said.
Earlier in his speech, Anwar announced a RM5 million allocation for Zoo Negara’s development programmes, including conservation.
He said that the amount would be supplemented by funds raised through corporate social responsibility programmes, totalling RM5 million.
“With this RM10 million, we will control and arrange for representatives of the menteri besar and government to collaborate with the Zoo Negara committee to improve the zoo’s plans and projects,” he said. – January 27, 2024