Pulau Sembilan ban remains, says Perak MB

Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Zambry Abdul Kadir said the ban on tourists to visit Pulau Sembilan remains despite objections from various quarters.

He said the decision to close the island famous for the unusual “blue tears” of seawater that appear at night due to bioluminescent phytoplankton is to protect and maintain its pristine condition.

He said although tour operators are urging for the island to be opened, the state government was more focussed on preserving it.

He said State Tourism, Arts and Culture Committee Chairman Datuk Nolee Ashilin Mohd Radzi has been ordered to investigate the matter and ensure the island's conservation efforts are well carried out.

"Everybody must root into preserving the Pulau Sembilan. It is not the question of one party. What is the purpose of talking about your boat services if Pulau Sembilan is already destroyed," he said after chairing an exco meeting here.

Recently, Nolee had announced that the island will be closed to public following restoration works.

She said the number of tourists to the island is out of control and exceeded the numbers set by the authorities.