JERANTUT: Tour guides in Taman Negara are urging authorities to partially reopen the canopy walkway, one of the park's most popular attractions, ahead of Visit Malaysia Year (VMY) 2026. Taman Negara Nature Guide Association chairman Mohamad Anas Zainudin said the canopy walkway, described as one of the longest in the world, has long been a major draw for both local and international visitors.
"Unfortunately, both the Bukit Teresek (530m-long) and newly built Seberang Ara (700m-long) canopy walkways are currently closed after being damaged by fallen trees. "However, the authorities should consider reopening at least part of the newly built Seberang Ara canopy walkway next year. "The Bukit Teresek canopy walkway was also damaged a few years ago, but about 300m was later reopened to the public until it was fully closed in September last year. If not the entire stretch, at least allow visitors access to some sections," he said when contacted today.
Anas said that during a familiarisation tour organised by the Wildlife and National Parks Department (Perhilitan) in June, national park guides were permitted limited access along the Seberang Ara suspension bridge. "Tour operators have already included the canopy walkway in their Visit Malaysia 2026 packages, and we are receiving many enquiries about its availability. "We are concerned about a potential decline in visitors to the park next year. "Apart from exploring the jungle and taking boat rides along Sungai Tembeling, the suspension bridges(canopy walkways) are considered a must-do activity," he said.
Meanwhile, Anas said that repair works on the canopy walkways could take a long time as they have yet to begin, with the monsoon season fast approaching. "We are just months away from Visit Malaysia year, yet it is still unclear if the facility will reopen in time. Tour guides are praying for a miracle," he said. It is understood that Perhilitan has instructed tour operators to remove the canopy walkway package from brochures and online promotions, as no reopening date has been confirmed.
The New Straits Times has reached out to Pahang Unity, Tourism and Culture Committee chairman Leong Yu Man for comment. Appointed assemblyman Haris Salleh Hamzah, who met Perhilitan officials on Sept 30, said the authorities are still assessing the extent of the damage to the Seberang Ara canopy walkway, which could involve significant repair costs. On Sept 26, Taman Negara tour guides said they had been left in the dark about when the canopy walkways would reopen. Perhilitan later confirmed that the structure was damaged by a fallen tree.
Source: NST
