SEPANG, May 21 — A pair of Chinese pandas, Feng Yi and Fu Wa, finally arrived today, just days before the 40th anniversary of China-Malaysia ties, after previous delays raised concerns of soured relations due to the Flight MH370 crisis.
Speaking after their early morning arrival today, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Datuk Seri G. Palanivel said RM60 million has already been spent in preparation to accommodate the two pandas.
When asked if the revenue from the zoo entry tickets could cover the outlay on the pandas, Palanivel said “the government is willing to fund” the shortfall.
“The most important thing is for us to ensure that these two pandas live in a safe environment in the zoo and if they mate, then there will be another male or female [cub] born,” he said.
Annual visitors to Zoo Negara is expected to increase by 500,000 to 1.3 million, his deputy, Datuk Seri James Dawos Mamit later told reporters.
He added that of the RM60 million, RM25 million was spent on the pandas’ enclosure, RM15 million on maintenance and RM20 million on rental fee for the first four years.
The pandas will be cared for by a team of about 13 people including a veterinarian from China, staff from Zoo Negara, the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (Perhilitan) as well as eight technical assistants, James added.
China’s ambassador to Malaysia Huang Huikang stressed the significance of the panda’s arrival in Malaysia today and the fact that they are calling Malaysia home for the next decade.
“Fu Wa and Feng Yi are a great symbol of our friendship and a gift from the Chinese people to the Malaysian people,” he said, pointing out that the pandas arrived just in time for the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries on May 31.
Palanivel said the pandas will be given new names by the prime minister when the exhibition is opened to the public at the end of June. Both Feng Yi and Fu Wa will be quarantined for the next 30 days.
In 2012, Malaysia made a significant breakthrough in its diplomatic ties with China when Beijing announced that it would place two giant pandas to commemorate the 40th anniversary of official relations.
The pandas are part of the so-called “Panda Diplomacy” practised by China in which it sends the creatures to friendly nations as a diplomatic gift. The custom traces back to the Tang Dynasty in the seventh century.
But a delay in their arrival last month that coincided with strained ties between the two countries over the disappearance of Beijing-bound Flight MH370 that was carrying 153 Chinese nationals on board had led to rumours of China’s unhappiness with Malaysia.
It was reported that the 1.6ha complex for the pandas includes an exercise area, holding den, laboratory, veterinary clinic, incubator room and a monitoring room with temperatures held at 18°C to 24°C.
Tickets will be priced at RM20 for adults, and RM10 for children and senior citizens.
Only up to 3,000 visitors will be allowed a day and the exhibition will be open from 9am till 5pm.
