When avid diver Carmen Pang was told that 10 monuments from Southeast Asian nations and the logo of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) had been placed on the seabed near Pulau Bidong, Terengganu, her immediate reaction was “Huh?!”
“I dive to see nature, not to see replicas of buildings,” said Pang.
“Money spent on the project could have been better used for coral propagation.”
Other divers echoed Pang’s sentiments.
The island’s latest tourist attraction was launched by Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister, Datuk Seri Nancy Shukri, on Nov 8. It is the first Asean Underwater Mini Landmark and was funded by the Asean Cultural Fund. Malaysia obtained the US$70,000 grant to carry out the project.
Nancy, during the launch, hoped the seabed monuments would bring in tourists, especially scuba divers from the region.
A ranking official from the ministry clarified that the monuments, iconic buildings from the 10 member nations including the Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers, Jose Rizal monument and Merlion were made using safe materials. She added that the site was chosen to further promote Pulau Bidong.
“The monuments are made from materials that are eco-friendly and safe for marine life. The construction was guided by experts from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, which has a marine research station on the island,” said the official, who requested anonymity.
“There are several coral breeding grounds near the island.
“The project was funded by the Asean Cultural Fund. Everything was documented, even the type of materials used. The project was scrutinised and given the green light by member nations. It’s not a situation where the project was approved by just one person,” she added.
The island may not be a household name, compared to the more famous Pulau Perhentian and Pulau Redang. However, Pulau Bidong has an interesting past.
Soon after the Vietnam War ended, many Vietnamese fled the country on boats. Referred to as the ‘boat people’, they landed on Pulau Bidong. Refugee camps were built, as through 1978 to 1991, 252,390 people sought refuge there before migrating to the United States, Canada, Australia, and Germany.
The island opened its doors to tourists in 2017, but the number of people allowed per visit was limited. Those who planned to stay overnight must seek approval from the custodian of the island, the Terengganu Museum Board.
There are several historical landmarks, including places of worship, on the island.
The ministry official hoped more tourists would visit the island.
“It’s not going to be commercialised like the other nearby islands. Visitors must seek permission before going to Pulau Bidong. The ruling on the number of visitors allowed, still applies.
“The idea is to maintain its exclusivity but still allow small groups to visit the island to appreciate the history and the monuments,” she added.
