Pulau Kukup no longer a national park

The Johor government has de-gazetted Pulau Kukup as a fully protected national park.

Pulau Kukup, located off the coast of Pontian, has been a national park since 1997.

The decision was arrived to during a state cabinet meeting on Sept 24. The gazette, which Malaysiakini cited, was published on Oct 25.

Future plans for Pulau Kukup remains unknown.

Pulau Kukup is mostly uninhabited and is renowned for its mangrove forests.

It is one of the few remaining pristine wetlands in South-East Asia and is one of five Ramsar sites in Malaysia.

Ramsar sites are wetland sites designated to be of international importance under the United Nation's Convention on Wetlands.

According to the Johor National Parks Corporation website, Pulau Kukup plays hosts to endangered animals such as the flying fox, smooth otter, bearded pig, and long-tailed macaque. - Mkini