21/02/2026

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SATURDAY | FEB 21, 2026

Spreading joy through mobile petting zoo

Focus on sun bear for VM2026

KUALA In conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 (VM2026), visitors are invited to explore the natural habitats of the endangered Malayan sun bear, symbolised by the official mascots, Wira and Manja, as Malaysia intensifies efforts to promote its ecotourism attractions. Tourism Malaysia said in a statement that Wira and Manja symbolise the nation’s commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism. “Designed in a friendly and engaging animated form, Wira and Manja are crafted to appeal to visitors of all ages, evoking a sense of warmth and cheerfulness. “This approach further enhances Malaysia’s global image as a welcoming, vibrant and inclusive tourism destination.“ Visitors may explore the natural habitats of the Malayan sun bear and interact with the VM2026 mascots at the following locations: 0 Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre Sandakan in Sabah; 0 Lok Kawi Wildlife Park in Sabah; 0 Matang Wildlife Centre in Sarawak; 0 Taiping Zoo in Perak; 0 Lost World of Tambun in Perak; 0 Zoo Negara in Kuala Lumpur; 0 99 Wonderland Park in Kuala Lumpur; 0 Sunway Lagoon Wildlife Wonderland in Malacca; 0 Johor Zoo in Johor Bahru; and 0 Kemaman Zoo and Recreation Park in Terengganu Through the campaign, Malaysia invites travellers to experience its unique wildlife, support preservation efforts LUMPUR: Park in Selangor; 0 Malacca Zoo; 0 A’ Famosa Safari

and nature-based encounters that showcase the country’s rich biodiversity and ecotourism offerings. In line with the VM2026 theme, the initiative highlights Malaysia as a sustainable and culturally vibrant destination. Visitors are encouraged to discover the inspiration behind Wira and Manja in safe and protected environments. For more information on the VM2026 campaign and Malaysia’s diverse tourism offerings, please visit the official Tourism Malaysia website at www.tourism.gov.my. The Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, also known as Tourism Malaysia, is an agency under the Tourism, Arts and Culture Ministry. It focuses on promoting Malaysia as a preferred tourism destination and has since its establishment played a significant role in strengthening the country’s presence and competitiveness in the global tourism landscape. VM2026 underscores Malaysia’s commitment to sustainable tourism development, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The campaign aims to showcase the nation’s diverse natural attractions, rich cultural heritage and vibrant tourism offerings, while driving inclusive growth and long-term value for local communities and industry stakeholders. Information on other attractions and events this year is available on the Tourism Malaysia website www.tourism.gov.my and social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok. – Bernama enjoy

o Entrepreneur travels with rabbits, iguanas, raccoons and snakes to hold animal exhibitions nationwide GUA MUSANG: From a simple setup of a rented tent and a few rabbits, a young animal enthusiast has turned a small idea into Si Bani Mini Zoo, a mobile petting zoo that travels to communities across the peninsula. Muhammad Bani Hashim Masli, 23, said his passion for animals has seen him build a collection of more than 70 mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds from within the country and abroad, at a cost of some RM40,000. He said visitors can get up close to many of the animals, with about 30 species, including bullfrogs, tarantulas, lizards, raccoons and snakes that are tame enough to be petted, Bernama reported. “My passion for animals started when I worked as an animal keeper at a zoo in Selangor when I was 18. After learning how to take care of the animals, I bought my first bearded dragon iguana and slowly started adding other exotic animals from countries like China, the United States, Africa, Australia and Indonesia. “I go for animals that are easy to care for and don’t need a licence to keep or display to the public. I usually buy them in pairs. The most expensive so far have been two raccoons at about RM5,000 each, while the cheapest ones cost about RM300,” he said when met in Bandar Baru recently. Muhammad Bani said one of the biggest challenges of running the zoo was taking care of the animals, which sometimes caused his monthly spending to increase.

Muhammad Bani said he spends about RM600 on food, vitamins and medicine for his animals to ensure they are in good health. – BERNAMAPIC

“I had to sell all the animals because I couldn’t afford their monthly expenses. I worked as an air conditioning installer for a while before getting back on my feet, restarting the business and buying all the animals back. “I travel to three to four states on the peninsula every month to hold animal exhibitions. Tickets are RM6 per person, and kids under two can watch for free with no time limit,” said Bani, who is assisted by two helpers. On advice to young people, he encouraged them to keep pursuing their interests and dreams, even if they seem impossible at first.

“On top of the monthly food costs of about RM600 for fruits, pellets and small insects, I also take care of their health by providing vitamins, medicines and treatment when they fall ill. “Taking care of the animals is really important because even a small mistake could lead to big losses. If an animal dies, it’s a real headache since some of them are expensive,” he said. The friendly young man, fondly known as Bani, said his mini zoo was hit hard during the Movement Control Order, which forced him to halt operations and lose his source of income.

Education retains its importance in the Malaysian landscape for parents, students and stakeholders. The changes are fast paced with new developments in new fields of study such as cybersecurity, data protection, augmented and virtual reality, machine learning in education, digital education and artificial Intelligence. Leading the way are universities, who are invited to showcase their latest programmes, curriculum and content in our Education Focus for 2026.

thesun.my

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