A petition has also been launched with almost 30, 000 signatures.
Recently, it was announced that Malaysia would be getting a new amusement park, in the form of the ESCAPE theme park that will be completed in Cameron Highlands by 2023.
Considering the heat that Malaysians have to endure on a daily basis, the cool breeze of Cameron Highlands would be accompanied by Malaysia’s first dry ski slope, courtesy of the theme park.
But, will there be any cool breeze left if the development follows through?
#SaveCameronHighlands
Images for illustration proposes only.
The hashtag, #SaveCameronHighlands has stormed Twitter as Malaysians call for Sim Leisure Group, ESCAPE theme park’s operator to desist their Cameron Highlands venture.
On top of deforestation and pollution being a factor in their cause, Malaysians made it clear that the theme park is something that they do not want and deemed it unnecessary, adding that the reason why people travel and tour Cameron Highlands is to experience peace and quiet, flora and fauna, and strawberries and tea.
#SaveCameronHighlands Petition
In an effort to stand their ground on this matter, Cameron Highland residents have even started an online petition titled, ‘PUT A STOP TO ESCAPE THEMED PARK CAMERON HIGHLANDS PROJECT!!‘, urging the Pahang state government to step in against the development.
Images for illustration purposes only.
“This development would require massive forest clearance which impacts our natural ecosystems in Cameron Highlands,”
“We, the local residents of Cameron Highlands urge the State Government of Pahang, the Department of Environment to not allow this ESCAPE theme park project to go ahead. We want to preserve our Cameron Highlands ecosystem as it is for our future generation. We must act NOW!” the petition shared.
At the time of writing, the petition has garnered close to 30,000 signatures.
Sim Leisure Group responds
WORLD OF BUZZ has since reached out to Sim Leisure Group and they assured the public that they too have the environment’s best interest at heart.
ESCAPE Penang in 2019, nestled among the greenery.
In a statement shared with WORLD OF BUZZ, they said;
“Sim Leisure Group has taken note of environmental concerns, following the announcement of our ESCAPE Cameron Highlands project on 2 August 2021. We understand and empathise with these concerns, and want to assure the public of our ongoing commitment to environmental preservation, not only in Cameron Highlands but across all of our projects.
While this project has been referenced as a theme park development – bringing to mind concrete structures and roller-coaster rides – ESCAPE Cameron Highlands will in fact be a nature-based adventure park that celebrates the natural environment, offering guests the opportunity to reconnect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors, ” they said.
See the full statement below.
What do you think about this? Let us know in the comment section.
Also read: Should Authorities Cut Down The Illegal Durian Farm At Batu Talam Permanent Forest Reserve?
