Singapore students has been trespassing on Gunung Pulai: Bukit Permai assemblyman

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Gunung Pulai is closed to public for safety reasons but a recent check revealed that the site has been a popular camping site for students from Singapore.
In disclosing this at the Johor State Assembly sitting today, Bukit Permai assemblyman Ali Mazat Salleh has called on the State Government to step in and prevent anyone from going to the site to avert untoward incidences.
Meanwhile, the State Tourism, Domestic Trade and Consumerism executive committee chairman Datuk Tee Siew Kiong said tourists are welcomed to use the homestay facilities near the Gunung Pulai area.
However, he added, a special committee will carry out investigation on the allegation raised.
Gunung Pulai is the nearest mountain near Johor Baru city. It has been closed after mountain flash flood in 2001 and never reopened.
Despite a signboard stating prohibited area, there are people seen climbing the mountain through a broken gate.
To promote tourism in the state, he said, the state government is promoting educational tours to encourage students from local and foreign higher learning institutions to visit tourism destinations in the country.
He said there are several tourist destinations that can be showcased, such as Tanjung Piai National Park, Taman Negara Pulau Kukup near Pontian, fruit orchards and the fireflies in Desaru near Kota Tinggi and lego robotics at the Legoland Theme Park, here.

He added that at the Endau-Rompin National Park near Mersing, university students can also carry out jungle trekking, rafting, kayaking, hill climbing, camping and identifying flora and fauna species activities.
He was replying to a question asked by Norshida Ibrahim (BN-Buloh Kasap) who wanted to know about the state's tourism product development plans based on education.