MIMALAND, A ʻLOST WORLD’ TRAPPED IN TIME
The abandoned Mimaland continues to attract thrill seekers looking for a different kind of adventure, writes FERNANDO FONG
LONG before the blockbuster movie Jurassic Park thrilled millions of filmgoers worldwide in 1993, a theme park just 20km from Kuala Lumpur had already awed thousands of visitors with its prehistoric animals in a dazzling rainforest setting.
Malaysia In Miniature Land, popularly known as Mimaland, was Malaysia’s first theme park.
Located near Kampung Batu 12 in Ulu Gombak, it opened its doors in 1975 and drew huge crowds to its attractions, from dinosaur figures to water slides. Unfortunately, it was closed in 1994 due to technical and safety issues.
In its heyday, Mimaland was the place to be. Numerous television shows and movies were filmed at the park’s many attractions, including
its lake-fronting restaurant, most notably Othman Hafsham’s Mekanik (1983) and Suara
Kekasih (1986).
Today, Mimaland continues to attract visitors who seek an adventure of a different kind in this “Lost World”.
A visit to the park recently revealed an abandoned theme park that was more fitting for thrill seekers than picnickers. It was barely recognisable from its original setting it was known for after being abandoned for more than two decades.
There is a security guard post at the park’s dilapidated white gate (the land is now privatelyowned). The security guard, Hamkah Kokoh, 33, said thrill seekers visited the abandoned theme park on a regular basis.
“People would still come for hiking, trail running, hunting and fishing,” said Hamkah, who has been looking after the property for about five years.
Hamkah, from Tawau, Sabah, lives in a hut next to the main gate. He said the Orang Asli from nearby settlements also came at night to hunt for foxes and squirrels using blowpipes, occasionally catching wild boars and barking deers as well.
Most of the original structures in Mimaland are already gone, leaving only remnants of the past, including dilapidated halls and villas, which can be eerie or exciting — depending which way one views it.
Mimaland’s dinosaurs, such as the Tyrannosaurus rex, for example, is now surrounded by overgrown trees and vegetation, lending a sense of eerie surrealism.
Hamkah said there were also those who came to venture into the paranormal world.
“I heard that a lot of paranormal activities take place here. Maybe because of the tragedies that had happened here in the past,” he said.
“There have also been numerous spine-chilling tales of haunting.
“In one particular incident, a young man was believed to be rowing a boat in the lake in Mimaland, when strong waves suddenly overturned his boat.
“The man managed to swim to the shore, but he was spooked. He went home in haste,” said Hamkah, adding that the victim fell ill afterwards and died a few days later.
He was quick to point out that such stories were never verified.
“Many people believe that the land actually sits on a mystical area inhabited by ‘orang bunian’ (supernatural beings in Malay folklore). There were reports that people had seen a woman walking alone in the area. Some claimed that they were being watched when they ventured into the abandoned park.”
But all these had not deterred people from coming, especially at night, sometimes armed with a
parang, he noted.
In one particular incident, Hamkah said a group of adults even arrived at the park’s gate at 2am. With them were hundreds of students and People’s Volunteer Corps personnel.
“They identified themselves as teachers and claimed that they were taking students for a night walk in Mimaland.
“However, I denied them entry as they came without prior approval from the landowner. So, they left.
“I was also upset that these irresponsible adults would come to such places during ungodly hours with students,” said Hamkah, who takes turn with his younger brother and co-worker to keep a constant watch on the park.
They also have several dogs to help keep outsiders and wild animals at bay.
He said the hidden location of Mimaland, on a hilltop and surrounded by forest, made it difficult to stop people from trespassing.
For their safety, the brothers keep a makeshift spear in the guardhouse.
“There may be wild animals here and it can be dangerous. We don’t understand why anybody would want to put themselves in danger.
“What did they really hope to find here? Ghosts?”
The New Sunday Times learnt that several individuals had been organising unsanctioned visits to the area.
One of them, a Facebook user by the name Itik Kejam, charges visitors RM10 each for an organised visit to Mimaland.
When met at the park, Itik, who declined to give his real name, said he was not trying to encourage nor condone trespassing.
“Walking through a park trapped in time is very surreal, just like watching a dream come to life.
“You get a feeling of being transported into a fantasy world.
“At the same time, seeing how Mother Nature has reclaimed what was originally hers, it is quite beautiful,” he said.
He said visitors were required to first and foremost respect the forces that were unknown to them.
“Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints and break nothing but the silence,” he said, adding that he only wanted to share his passion for abandoned places with the visitors.