'Better treatment for pandas compared to Malaysians'

KUALA LUMPUR: PAS federal lawmaker today told the Dewan Rakyat sitting that the two giant pandas on loan to Malaysia are given better treatment compared to Malaysian citizens.
Ahmad Baihaki Atiqullah (PAS – Kubang Kerian) said this when Deputy Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Hamim Samuri told the Parliamentarians on the cost of the giant pandas conservation in the country.
"Thank you for the answer which confirmed that the maintenance cost of the giant pandas is not something that is cheap. The pandas are receiving special treatment here, maybe even better than some of the Malaysians," he said while posing his additional questions on the issue.
Ahmad Baihaki had earlier asked the ministry to state the cost of renting and maintaining the panda pair, Xing Xing and Liang Liang, since they were brought from China.
To the question, Hamim said the cost to manage the pandas was estimated at RM2.25 million a year, which is borne by the National Zoo.
He added the public should not only limit their judgement on maintenance cost, as accepting the pandas will improve bilateral relationship between Malaysia and China.
"It is an immeasurable cost in terms of diplomatic relations between both countries. This will help in maintaining a good trade relation," he said.
He also said local researchers in conservation could also benefit from pandas as it would increase expertise in the field.
"It has also improved our economy in the tourism sector, with an increase of 20% visitors to Zoo Negara in 2014 as compared to the previous year," he said.