Sentoria's RM60m safari park to open in mid-2013

PETALING JAYA (March 29, 2013): Property developer Sentoria Group Bhd, which is investing RM60 million to build a safari park at Bukit Gambang Resort City (BGRC) in Kuantan, Pahang, has opened the first three sections of the new themed attraction.

Dubbed "Bukit Gambang Safari Park", it is the second themed attraction within the integrated resort city and is targeted to be fully opened by the middle of this year. Sentoria will fund the project by internal funds and borrowings.

“BGRC’s maiden attraction – Bukit Gambang Water Park – witnessed increasing patronage since its opening in 2009, attracting more than 600,000 visitors in 2012 alone. The group has worked hard over the past year to ensure that Bukit Gambang Safari Park has met the specific requirements to accommodate the host of unique animals that are being brought in," Sentoria head of public and investor relations Nasiruddin Nasrun said in a statement today.

"We are positive that once it is fully opened in mid-2013, it will not only draw Malaysian tourists to Kuantan but also foreigners from around the world."

The safari park spans over 138 acres of land and will feature a total of eight dedicated sections including the first three named 'Simba Hill', 'Night Jungle' and 'Foreign Village'. Tickets are priced at RM28 for adults and RM18 for children aged 12 years and below.

At the group's AGM and EGM today, Sentoria shareholders approved its final dividend of 1.0 sen per share, bringing a total dividend payout of RM8 million or 16.7% of the group's net profit for the financial year ended Sept 30, 2012.

The shareholders also approved a one-for-10 bonus issue of 40 million new shares of 20 sen each. This would see Sentoria's issued and paid-up share capital increase from RM80 million comprising 400 million shares to RM88 million comprising 440 million shares. The bonus issue is expected to be completed by the middle of next month.

-thesundaily.