ROYAL DIVE FOR JOHOR REEF
Sultan Ibrahim to launch country’s biggest artificial reef tomorrow
SULTAN of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar is slated to dive into waters off Pulau Mensirip, Mersing, to launch the country’s biggest artificial reef tomorrow. The feat is part of the programme planned for the Kembara Mahkota Johor expedition.
The artificial reef, measuring 5.5m high, 10.6m long and 9.3m wide, is modelled after the iconic Sultan Ibrahim Building and is set to enter the Malaysia Book of Records.
It is located 10 nautical miles off Mersing or a 25-minute boat ride from the Mersing jetty.
Johor Baru Central Municipal Council president Adib Azhari Daud said its construction was inspired by Sultan Ibrahim’s advocacy of the preservation of marine life at the Sultan Iskandar Marine Park.
The event will also mark the renaming of the council, which will officially be Iskandar Puteri City Council starting tomorrow.
Adib said Sultan Ibrahim would place a crescent moon-and-star structure on top of the Iskandar Puteri City Council logo that would adorn the artificial reef.
The logo is built with Grade 316 steel, and is 915mm in length and width.
“It is a symbolic event to mark the renaming of the Johor Baru Central Municipal Council,” he said.
The project was conducted under the Mersing Special Area Planning programme to spur the tourism and fisheries sectors.
“It will boost ecotourism and encourage efforts to discover new marine species when the reef attracts new residents.”
The artificial reef is about 12 times smaller than the Sultan Ibrahim Building in Bukit Timbalan.
Adib said the special features of the artificial reef resembled the Porites and Diploastrea species of coral reef.
Work on the artificial reef, which weighs 165 tonnes, started in May and it was submerged into the sea on July 16.