Mimaland

(Somebody lifted an entire article from the Star newspaper, dated January 25, 2008 http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2008/1/25/central/20110753&sec=central)

Mimaland was a famous recreation park in Gombak, Selangor, Malaysia. It was opened on 1975. It ceased operation in 1993 due to a dangerous landslide.

Mimaland recreation park used to be a popular premier outing destination for families in the Klang Valley. After it was closed, many people had hoped that it would be renovated and reopened as the place was a convenient site for picnics, being not too far from the city and yet having a raw natural environment, with plenty of trees and plants and a lake for swimming, fishing and boating.

However, according to the landowner, Magnum Corporation Bhd spokesman Cheah Ho Wee Hock, there is no plan to redevelop the recreation park in the near future and the land is being kept for the purpose of investment, and it will be sold when the right price is offered. Until then, the land would be left idle.

As at now, Mimaland recreation park which is about 25 km from Kuala Lumpur, along the old Gombak-Bentong road, is undergoing a natural destruction process after left without maintenance since its closure in 1993. A road leading to the park is covered with grass and undergrowth and also damaged.

Barricade in the form of hoarding have been placed at the entrance where the remnant of the office structure can be seen from a distance.

A solitary security guard was stationed bear the entrance to prevent trespassing and encroachment by unauthorised people.

It is also learnt that two security personnel are assigned round-the-clock duty to prevent unauthorised people and vehicles from entering.

The Mimaland was opened in 1975 and ceased operation about 15 years ago following some unresolved plans for expansion.

The natural setting of the park makes it a very ideal natural holiday resort. It is certainly regrettable that such a beautiful natural recreation park should be left in such a dismal and dreadful condition.