Courtesy of Sabah Daily Express
Kota Kinabalu: Although a Sabahan, Nur Hidayah Aziz had never seen an Orang Utan, the State’s tourism mascot.
But the Children’s Wish Society of Malaysia (CWS) decided that this cancer-stricken lass should not be denied the opportunity and arranged a visit to Shangri-La’s Rasa Ria Resort wildlife reserve in Tuaran last month.
Hidayah, who is suffering from bone cancer, wiped away the exhaustion she had felt moments earlier from the climb to the feeding platform where two juvenile orang utans put on an acrobatic display.
Hidayah is getting treatment in Kuala Lumpur and was back to fulfill her wish to visit the State with her mother Misriyah Sulaiman, 52.
“It is the first time that I am seeing orang utans and I am amazed at their agility and their beauty,” Hidayah said.
Hidayah also found the orang utan mugs sold at the Sabah Wildlife Department’s gift shop enticing, so much so that she bought several pieces for her siblings.
She is due to visit Pulau Manukan for some snorkelling before leaving for KL.
On her first night in Sabah, Hidayah, Misriyah and CWS Malaysia board members were hosted to a dinner by Sabah Tourism Board Chairman Dato’ Seri Tengku Zainal Adlin.
During the cultural performance, Hidayah and Misriyah also got a chance to participate in some of the dances with the performers.
CWS thanked Air Asia, Promenade Hotel KK and Sabah Tourism Board for helping make Hidayah’s visit complete.
“It is our hope to be able to fulfill more wishes in Sabah with the cooperation and support of the State Government, corporate sector and members of the public in the near future,” said Alan Yip, a board member.