Press Release VISIT BY THE SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE MINISTRY TOURISM MALAYSIA TO SANDAKAN 1 Sandakan, 23 rd February 2012 : Dato’ Dr. Ong Hong Beng, Secretary General of the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia and his officers from the development division visited various tourism projects in Sandakan. The purpose of the visit was to monitor the existing development of tourism projects under the 10 th Malaysia Plan (1 st Rolling Plan) in year 2011 and 2012. Most of the projects were focused at Sepilok, which is well known as one of the most important tourist spots in Sandakan. There are (4) on-going projects under Federal Funding with a total of RM 12.54 million comprising of the upgrading works on facilities at the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre, the Sun Bear Conservation Project and the Heritage Forest Park at the Rainforest Discovery Centre. In this meaningful visit, Datuk Sam Mannan, the Director of Forestry Department proudly announced that the Mangrove Discovery Centre at Sepilok Laut was successfully upgraded and completed on 12 th January 2012, with an amount of RM 1.04 million. The site is only 5.5 km away by jungle trail from the Sepilok Orang Utan Rehabilitation Centre. Sepilok Laut Reception Centre built in 1994. The centre definitely will create a unique and magnificent experience to visitors on Sabah’s natural mangroves habitat by walking along the 700 m of Belian boardwalk connecting the existing information centre to the camping site, and also facilitated with resting areas, bridges and a multipurpose tower. The Forestry Department plays an important role in operating and maintaining this centre, which is also in-line with Sustainable Forest Management principles. Part of the boardwalk network.